PUBLIC PETITIONS A TO L COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. WRIGHT, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1923 Session I-II, I-01

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Session 11. 1923. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC PETITIONS A TO L COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. WRIGHT, Chairman.)

Presented to the. House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 4th Day of July, 1923. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to consider all petitions from Ato L that may be referred to it by the Petitions Classification Committee ; to classify and prepare abstracts of such petitions in such form and manner as shall appear to it best suited to convey to this House all requisite information respecting their contents, and to report the same from time to time to this House ; and to have power to report its opinions and observations thereon to this House ; also to have power to call for persons and papers ; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Bartram, Mr. Bitchener, Mr. Burnett, Mr. Harris, Mr. Lye, Mr. Munro, Mr. Ransom, Mr. J. C. Rolleston, Mr. Wright, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Parr.)

INDEX.

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464 4 6 87 1 1

89 1 65 8 5 61 61 8

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BEPOMTS. No. 24.—Petition of William Blyth Buckhurst, of Christchurch. Praytng that, although a superannuated public servant, he should be entitled to receive fees as a Lands Department valuer, without suffering superannuation deductions. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 25th July, 1923.

No. 53. —Petition of Arthur Cooper and 38 Others, of Kaiapoi. Praying for legislation to license bookmakers under the control of the Racing Conference. 1 am directed to report that, as a matter of policy is involved, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 25th July, 1923.

No. s.—Petition of James Rodoers Foster, of Wellington. Praying (a) that legislation be introduced to enable him to prosecute his claim against the Wellington City Council for land taken under the Public Works Act, 1908 ; (b) for such further and other relief as to your honourable House may seem meet. I am directed to report the Committee is of opinion that, (1) legislation be passed to provide— («) That the portion of Mr. Poster's land required for street purposes be vested in the Wellington City Corporation as a street; (b) that the balance of the land be revested in Mr. Foster for an estate in fee-simple in possession : (2) That the legislation be in the form agreed upon between the Wellington City Council and Mr. Foster. 25th July, 1923.

No. 80.—Petition of Harriett Hussey, of Brooklyn. Praying for a compassionate allowance to enable her to educate her family, as her late husband, an employee in the Government Printing Office, was not a contributor to the Superannuation Fund. I am directed to report that, on account of a promise to be put on the permanent staff of the. Government Printing Office, made to the husband of petitioner on his appointment, and since renewed by the Department, the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 2nd August, 1923.

No. 10.—Petition of Frederick John Cowltng, of New Plymouth. (First Report.) Praying for a compassionate, allowance to cover loss sustained by him through wrongful prosecution by the Crown. I am directed to report that the Committee, seeing the danger of establishing a precedent in such cases, has no recommendation to make. 2nd August, 1923. (Referred back to the Committee for further consideration.)

No. 1. —Petition of H. Butcher (Furniture and Carpet Company, Ltmtteu) and 248 Others, of Auckland. Praying that a new post-office, be erected in Karangahape Road, Auckland. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd August, 1923.

No. 7. —Petition of D., A. F., X., and K. A. Ftnlayson, of Dargaville. Praying for the remission of land-tax overpaid in consequence of incorrect assessment of their properties. I am directed to report that in tho opinion of the Committee this petition should ire referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 2nd August, 1923.

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No. 25. —Petition of John Brown Barclay, of Dunedin. For an annual payment or compassionate allowance in recognition of his service in the Lands and Survey Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th August, 1923.

No. 390/22. —Petition of Noraii Butler, of Auckland. Praying that she may be granted a pension under section 14 of the Finance Act, 1919, to which, she claims, the loss of her husband justly entitles her. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the. Committee the petitioner's case should be referred to the War Loans Appeal Board for consideration, and, if her appeal be sustained, that her case be, treated retrospectively. The petition, therefore, is referred to the Government, for favourable consideration. 7th August, 1923.

No. 16, —Petition of Annie J. Corliss, of Wellington. (First Report.) Praying for a further gratuity in recognition of her late husband's services in the New Zealand Public Service. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th August, 1923. (Referred back to the Committee for further consideration.)

No. 115. Petition of Harry Evans and \4 Others, of Auckland. Praying for legislation to license bookmakers under the control of the Racing Conference. I am directed to report that, as a matter of policy is involved, tho Committee has no recommendation to make. Bth August, 1.923.

No. 62. —Petition of William Forrkst, of Auckland. Praying for return of plant, or compensation, with respect to termination o!' the Okahukura Tunnel contract. I am directed to report that, as at the time the contract was taken over by the Public Works Department there was an amount to the credit of petitioner held by the Department, the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Bth August, 1923. '

No. 42. —Petition of Edward Ashton, of Rangiora. Praying for a refund of land-tax, alleged to have been paid on land in the Rangiora Survey District. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to tho Government for favourable consideration, and that the land-tax on this property be assessed the same as if the property had not changed hands. Bth August, 1923.

No. 4. —Petition of Philip Luscomise Hollings, of Wellington. Praying for reinstatement to the office of Stipendiary Magistrate. T am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 14th August, 1923.

No. 114.—Petition of George Horace Hawk, of Onehunga. Praying for compensation for services rendered to the Lands and Deeds Registry Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should bo referred to tho Government for consideration. 14th August, 1923.

No. 50.—Petition of Thomas Harle Giles, of Remuera. Praying that he be compensated for deprivation of office as Commissioner of the Arbitration and Conciliation Court. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 14th August, 1923.

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No. 40. —Petition of Bainesse Co-operative Dairy Company, of Manawatu. Praying for a refund of income-tax alleged to have been incorrectly assessed by the Commissioner of Taxes. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 14th August, 1923.

No. 73. —Petition of Ernest Atkinson, of Dunedin. Praying that a further allowance of £400 be granted to him as compensation for the accident which was the cause of his retirement from the Lands Department three years before his time. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 14-th August, 1923.

No. 144.—Petition of Charles Henry Greenhead, of Auckland. Praying that the Right Hon. the Chief Justice be appointed a Royal Commission to inquire into an alleged miscarriage of justice, under which tho petitioner suffered. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th August, 1923.

No. 56.—Petition of William A. Johnston, of Wellington. Praying for compensation for alleged wrongful prosecution and losses sustained thereby. I am directed to report that in tho opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th August, 1923.

No. 64. —Petition of Sana Fakir Kara, of Rotorua. Praying for relief on account of alleged wrongful arrest. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th August, 1923.

No. 81.—Petition of Ethel Winifred Bilton, of Wellington. Praying for a compassionate grant in recognition of the services of her deceased husband during the seven years he was employed in the New Zealand Public Service. I am directed to report that in tho opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st August, 1923.

No. 104. —Petition of John Anketell, of Wellington. Praying for compensation for monetary loss alleged to have been due to misrepresentation on the part of Crown Estate officials in Samoa. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st August, 1923.

No. 142.—Petition of Marion Eraser, of Christchurch. Praying for a compassionate allowance in recognition of the services rendered to the State by her late husband whilst he was employed in the New Zealand Police Force. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that petitioner is entitled to a widow's pension of £1 2s. 6d. per week, and that she should apply for same at once, and would suggest that it be made retrospective ; or that a compassionate allowance be made, to equal the amount of the widow's pension from the 19th Juno, 1915, the date, of her late husband's death, to present date ; and that this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st August, 1923.

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No. 60.—Petition of James Callaghan, of Green Island. Praying for compensation for loss on farm sold to soldier settler. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, in all similar cases as that of the petitioner, the second mortgagee should have first refusal to resume possession of land sold by him to soldier settler, and that this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th August, 1923.

No. 184. —Petition of James Brackenridge, of Wellington. Praying for arrears of pension alleged to have been wrongfully deducted, and that his superannuation should be calculated on the basis of his salary plus allowances. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that, failing amending legislation, all extra amounts paid into the Superannuation Fund in cases similar to that of petitioner should be refunded plus interest, and that this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th August, 1923.

No. 122.—Petition of Wilson Heaps, of Nelson. Praying for compensation for long and arduous service as a public servant in tho Customs and in tin; Justice Departments. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th August, 1923.

No. 158. —Petition of Dalgety and Co. (Limited), of Wellington. Praying for refund of moneys paid as an annual insurance license foe under what purported to be a legal demand. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the sum of £500, being license fees for five years, should be refunded to the petitioner company, and that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th August, 1923.

No. 16. —Petition of Annie J. Corliss, of Wellington. (Second Report.) Praying for a further gratuity in recognition of her late husband's services in the New Zealand Public Service. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1923.

No. 99. —Petition of James Gow and 23 Others, of North Taiori. Praying for restoration of the. postal facilities of which they were recently deprived. I am directed to report that, on the grounds that this is a matter of postal administration, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1923.

No. 143.—Petition of Ethel E. M. Hughes, of Paeroa. Praying for a compassionate allowance for services rendered by her late husband whilst in the employ of the Public Works Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of tho Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th August, 1923.

No. 19.—Petition of F. A. Lloyd, of Day's Bay, Wellington. Praying for inquiry into the termination of his employment as Clerk of the Inglewood County Council. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1923.

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No. 78.—Petition of Edward Kennedy, of Wellington. Praying for reinstatement in his former position in the Post and Telegraph Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1923.

No. 178. —Petition of George J. Lee and 24 Others, of Oroua. Praying for legislation to license bookmakers under the control of the Racing Conference. I am directed to report that, as a matter of policy is involved, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1923.

No. 172. —Petition of F. R. Warren and 23 Others, of Auckland. Praying for legislation to license bookmakers under the control of tho Racing Conference. I am directed to report that, as a matter of policy is involved, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1923.

No. 130. —Petition of W. A. Hulston and 22 Others, of Auckland. Praying for legislative enactment which will prevent the rents of railway leases being increased unduly to sublessees. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1923.

No. 10. —Petition of Frederick John Cowling, of New Plymouth. (Second Report.) Praying for a compassionate allowance to cover loss sustained by him through wrongful prosecution by the Crown. I am directed to report that the Committee, seeing the danger of establishing a precedent in such cases, has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1923.

No. 75. —Petition of Charles Fleming, of Auckland. Praying for an extra allowance, as compensation for being retired from the New Zealand Public Service prior to his having reached his maximum salary. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1923.

Special Report. The Committee desires to place on record its high appreciation of the capable and impartial manner in which the Chairman, Mr. Wright, has presided over its deliberations during the session. J. Bitch ener, 28th August, 1923. Member of Committee.

Final Report. The Public Petitions A to L Committee, consisting of ten members, held eleven meetings during the session, with an average attendance of seven members. Forty-two petitions were referred to the Committee, and thirty-six wore dealt with as under : — Referred to the Government for favourable consideration .. . . 16 Referred to the Government for consideration .. .. .. .. 7 Number on which Committee made no recommendation .. .. 13 36 Held over until next session .. .. .. .. 6 42 28th August, 1923.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (475 copies), £5 10s.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 923.

Price Od.]