PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. J. McC. DICKSON, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1923 Session I-II, I-02

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Session 11. 1923. NEW ZEALAND

PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. J. McC. DICKSON, Chairman.)

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

ORDERS OF REFERENCE.

Extracts 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 M to Z that may be referred to it by the Petitions Classification Committee ; to classify and prepare abstracts of such petitions in such form and manner that shall appear to it best suited to convey to this House all requisite information respecting their contents, and to report tho same from time to time to this House, and to have i 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. Bell, Mr. de la Perrelle, Mr. J. MoC. Dickson, Mr. Hawken, Mr. Horn, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Macmillan, Mr. T. W. Rhodes, Mr. Sullivan, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Anderson.) Ordered, "That all petitions not finally dealt with during the season of 1922 and the short session of 1923 be again referred to the same Committee as they were referred to during the said sessions."—(Right Hon. Mr. Massey.) Thursday, the 16th Day of August, 1923. Ordered, " That the petition of W. Thomson be referred direct to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee."— (Mr. Nash.) Tuesday, the 21st Day of August, 1923. Ordered, " That the petition of A. Duxbury and others be referred direct to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee." —(Mr. MoCombs.)

INDEX.

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No. Petition, Ac. Page. 191 Duxbury, A., and 13 others .. .. 8 87 49 395/22 59 397/22 28 74 88 85 196 175 156 161 McCormack, E. C. .. .. .. 3 McGill, J.j and 649 others .. .. 3 McKean, William .. .. .. 2 Madden, Elizabeth .. .. .. 4 Maher.E. J., and 64 others .. .. 2 Mehaft'ey, Henry and Jessie .. .. 2 Miller, May .. .. .. 4 Mineham, James .. . . .. 4 Missen, Margaret E. .. .. 4 Moeller, Charles .. .. .. 5 Morrison, H. A. (Limited) .. .. 5 Mould, Thomas, and 255 others .. ; 5 Municipal No. 1 Milk-distributing Com- | 4 pany (Limited), Wellington Myers, John Scott . . .. .. 2 Porter, E. H. .. . . .. 5 Preston, Horace John, and 743 others, • 2 Quinney, Alice .. .. .. 5 36 135 393/22 21

No. Petition, etc. Page. 44 55 138 Robertson, J. G., and 148 others Robieson, C. R. C. .. Rose, Mabel, and 13 others .. 3 4 5 7!) 69 52 37 57 45 83 Sohulze, Oswald, and 75 others Shadbolt, Ada M. .. Simeon, Harriet Smith, Isabella and J. T. Stephenson, C. W. .. Stone, David Swainson, 0. W., and 25 others 3 2 3 5 2 4 3 177 30 Thomson, William Timmings, W. E. 6 5 116 91 98 12 182 92 113 Wairoa Racing Club Trustees Waters, W. A. Williams, P. T., and 5,220 others Wilson, R. J., and 27 othors Wilton, W. K., and 15 others Woolston Tanneries (Limited) Worthington, H. L. IH* 4 3 2 4 6 6 3

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REPORTS. No. 393/22. —Petition of Horace John Preston, of Auckland, and 743 Others. Praying that no legislation should be enacted authorizing the establishment of a rubbish-destructor in the Mount Eden Borough to meet the requirements of other local bodies. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 20th July, 1923.

No. 395/22. —Petition of William McKean, of Taumarunui. Praying for a refund of £8 stolen by a Post and Telegraph officer from an unregistered letter. 1 am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make!. 20th July, 1923.

No. 397/22.—Petition of B. J. Maher, of Tikokino, and 64 Others. Praying that the Smedley Estate, Waipawa, be subdivided and thrown open for settlement. I am directed to report that, special legislation (section 38, Finance Act, 1922) having been passed relieving the position complained of by the petitioners, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 20th July, 1923.

No. 98— Petition of P. T. Wtlliams and 5,220 Others. Praying for legislation to amend the ballot-paper which is used at the licensing polls, with the object of securing corporate control of the licensed liquor traffic. I am directed, to report that, in view of the fact that a special Committee has been set up to hear all matters pertaining to the licensing question, this Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to that Committee for consideration. 25th July, 1923.

No. 86. Petition of John Scott Myers, of Marshland, Christchurch. Praying for the passing of legislation removing all judgments given by the late Mr. Justice Denniston with reference to petitioner from the files of the Supreme Court. I am directed to report that in the opinion of this Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 25th July, 1923.

No. 57. —Petition of C. W. Stephenson, of Wellington. Praying for redress for alleged wrongful dismissal from the Post and Telegraph Department. [ am directed to report that the Committee has considered the above petition and has no recommendation to make. 2nd August, 1923.

No. 69. —Petition of Ada M. Shadkolt, of Okauia, near Matamata. Praying for compensation for loss of a section drawn in a ballot, which she was compelled to surrender owing to inadequacy of roading-facilities. 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. 28. —Petition of Henry Mehaefey and Jessie Mehaffey, of Drury, near Auckland. Praying for the grant of a Royal Commission to inquire into the circumstances attending the sale of a certain block of land, situated near Drury. 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.

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No. 91. —Petition of W. A. Waters, of Wellington. Praying for a, grant of increments of pay alleged to have been withheld whilst petitioner was employed in the Public Service. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 3rd August, 1923.

No. 87. —Petition of E. C. McCormaok, of Ohauia, Tauranga. Praying for inquiry into his circumstances as affected by the Waimangu eruption. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 3rd August, 1923.

No. 44.—Petition of J. G. Robertson, of Grey Lynn, Auckland, and .1.48 Others. Praying that a totalizator permit be sanctioned for a trotting meeting which would be held annually in June. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th August, 1923.

No. 49. —Petition of J. McGill, of Sedgemero, and 049 Others. Pray'lNG for the grant of a totalizator license to EUesmero County Trotting Club. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition, should be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th August, 1923.

No. 52.—Petition of Harriet Simeon, of Auckland. Praying that she be granted the difference between the Now Zealand and Imperial rates of war gratuity, as a recognition of her services as a nurse during the Great War. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Defence Committee. Bth August, 1923.

No. 83. —Petition of C. W. Swainson, of Otorohanga, and 25 Others. Praying that their lands be exempted from the rating-area controlled by the Te Awamutu - Putaruru Railway Board. I am. directed to report that, as the Te Awamutu - Putaruru Railway Board has passed a resolution requesting the abolition of the Board, and that legislation is proposed to enable this to be given effect to, the Committee has no recommendation to make. Bth August, 1923.

No. 79. —Petition of Oswald Schulze, of Auckland, and 75 Others. Praying for an amendment of the Municipal Corporations Act to enable tenant householders to vote at the municipal loan polls. I am directed to report that, as a question of policy is involved, the Committee has no recommendation to make. Bth August, 1923.

No. 113. —Petition of H. L. Worthington, of Wellington. Praying that his claim against the Crown be referred to arbitration. 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. 116. —Petition of Trustees, Wairoa County Racing Club. Praying for remission of the taxes now owing by the Wairoa Racing Club to the Government. I am directed to report that, as a question of policy is involved, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 14th August, 1923.

No. 45. —Petition of David Stone, of Wellington. Praying that he be compensated for the additional loading imposed on him as the result of an alleged error of judgment on the part of the Labour Department. 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.

No. 74. —Petition of May Miller, of Kensington, Dunedin. Praying for compassionate allowance or compensation for the loss of her son, who lost his life in an accident at Mangahao, in the Arapeti Tunnel. 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.

No. 12. —Petition of R. J. Wilson, of Papanui, Christchurch, and 27 Others. Praying that the rents payable by the tenants of the Northcote Settlement may be reduced. 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. 55. —Petition of C. K. C. Robieson, of Wellington. Praying for reinstatement in the Public Service, or increase of superannuation, or compensation from the State Eire Office funds. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should bo referred to the Government for consideration. 15th August, 1923.

No. 85. —Petition of Margaret E. Missen, of Wellington. Praying for a compassionate grant in recognition of her deceased husband's services in the Post and Telegraph Department. 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. 59. —Petition of Elizabeth Madden, of Christchurch. Praying for a compassionate allowance, or a pension equivalent to a widow's pension. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred, to the Government for consideration. 28th August, 1923.

No. 88. —Petition of James Minehan, of South Westland. Praying for compensation for loss incurred by erosion of land leased from the School Commissioners of Westland. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th August, 1923.

No. 161. —Petition of Liquidators No. 1 Municipal Milk-distributing Company (Limited), of Wellington. Praying for a return of the excess amount of tax alleged to have been paid owing to incorrect assessment by the Land and Income Tax Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th August, 1923.

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No. 156, Petition of Thomas Mould and 255 Others ; No. 191, Petition of A. Duxbury and 13 Others. Praying for protection by way of an import duty from competition by importers of foreign-grown cocksfoot-seed. I am directed to report that, while the matter is one that involves a question of Government policy, the Committee nevertheless is of opinion that the evidence placed before it warrants a serious investigation into the condition of the cocksfoot industry by the Government, with a, view to encouraging the industry. 28th August, 1923.

No. 175.—Petition of H. A. Morrison (Limited), of Dannevirke. Praying for a refund of stamp duty which, it is claimed, was collected on an incorrect assessment. 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. 196.—Petition of Charles M'oeller, of Pouto. Praying for a magisterial inquiry into tho circumstances attendant on his dismissal from his employment as a lighthouse-keeper in the Public Service. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th August, 1923.

No. 21. —Petition of Alice Quinney, of Wellington. Praying for a special grant in connection with her retrenchment in 1921 from the Public Service. 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. 135.—Petition of E. H. Porter, of Wellington. Praying for an increase of superannuation, retiring-allowance, or such other help and relief as may be deemed, an adequate recompense for services in the Post and Telegraph Department. 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. 138.—Petition of Mabel Rose, of Marlborough, and 13 Others. Praying for remission of land-tax for this year, and for compensation for financial loss due to the Wairau River flooding farms adjacent to it. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, with a recommendation that the petitioners be individually granted postponement of land-tax ; and, further, the Committee would recommend that the areas which the petitioners and those adjacent thereto occupy bo revalued. 28th August, 1923.

- No. 37. —Petition of Isabella and J. T. Smith, of Wanganui. Praying for compensation for monetary loss incurred by the refusal of the Lands Department to meet their wishes as to the disposal of part Lot 28, Plan 1403, Wanganui. 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. 30. —Petition of W. E. Timmings, of Wellington. Praying for an inquiry by a Judge of the Supreme Court into dealings connected with certain land transactions situate in Constable Street, Wellington. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, with a suggestion that all the papers should be laid before the New Zealand Law Society for inquiry and report. 28th August, 1923.

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No. 92. —Petition of Woolston Tanneries (Limited), of Christchurch. Praying for a refund of income-tax for a period preceding the removal of the embargo on the export of hides. 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. 182.—Petition of W. K. Wilton, of Waimiha, and 15 Others. Praying for the erection of a vehicular-traffic bridge across the Ongarue River at Waimiha, to give access to the soldiers' settlement. 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. 177.—Petition of William Thomson, of Palmerston North. Praying for inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the sale to him of 84 acres of dairy land at Kairanga. I am directed to report that the Committee has considered the above petition and has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1923.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Committee desires to record its hearty appreciation of the ability, care, and attention devoted by the Chairman, Mr. J. McC. Dickson, to the business of the Committee, and of the courteous and tactful manner in which his duties have been carried out during the session ; and further desires that this resolution shall be recorded on the minutes of the Committee and be reported to the; House. W. J. Jordan, 28th August, 1923. Member of the Committee.

Final Eeport. I have the honour to report that the Public Petitions M to Z Committee, consisting of ten members, held twenty meetings during the session. The average attendance of members at each meeting was seven. The following table shows the disposal of the business which came before tfie Committee :— Petitions referred to the Committee .. .. .. .. .. 43 Petitions dealt with .. .. .. .. .. .. 37 Reports presented to the House .. .. .. .. .. . . 38 Referred for favourable consideration .. .. .. .. ..13 Referred for consideration .. .. .. .. .. ..12 Petitions given no recommendation .. .. .. .. 10 Held over . . . . .. .. . . .. . . (i 28th August, 1923.

Approximate Cost oj I'a/ier. —Preparation, not given ; printing (475 copies), £5 15s.

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

Price 6d.]