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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1927 Session I, I-02

1.—2

1927. NEW ZEALAND,

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

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

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Thubsday, the 28th Day of July, 1927. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to consider all petitions from Mto 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 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. Bell, Mr. Bellringer, the Hon. Mr. Buddo, Mr. J. McC. Dickson, Mr. McCombs, Mr. Samuel, Mr. Savage, Mr. Seddon, Mr. Tapley, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Bollard.) Tuesday, the 16th Day or August, 1927. Ordered, " That the petition of S. Tovey be referred direct to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee." — (Mr. Fraser.) Friday, the 14th Day oe October, 1927. Ordered; " That the petition of D. C. McCarthy be referred direct to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee." (Mr. Nash.) Wednesday, the 26th Day oe October, 1927. Ordered, " That the petition of W. A. Carruth and others be referred direct to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee."—(Mr. W. Jones.) Ordered, " That the petition of Marguerite A. Thompson be referred direct to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee."—(Mr. W. Jones.) Friday, the 28th Day oe October, 1927. Ordered, " That the petition of J. Smith and another be referred direct to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee." —(Mr. D. Jones.) Ordered, " That the petition of J. H. Hulston be referred direct to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee."— (Mr. D. Jones.)

I—l. 2.

1.—2;

INDEX.

REPORTS. No. 270/26. —Petition of Edward Samuel Watson, of Wharepuhunga. Praying for compensation for alleged wrongful dismissal as Farm Manager, Waikeria Reformatory. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st August, 1927.

No. 43. —Petition of Samuel Neal, of Taihape. Praying for a compassionate allowance to enable him to meet his present obligations and to provide for his future requirements until such time as he is again able to resume his occupation. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with the recommendation that provision should be made by the Health Department for free medical and surgical treatment for the petitioner. 31st August, 1927.

No. 27. —Petition of John James Meikle, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for alleged wrongful imprisonment. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, 31st August, 1927.

2

No. Petitioner, &c. | Page. j I II _ ' | j 168 Bayly, F. W., and 19 others .. .. 6 166 Blake, H. F., and 16 others .. .. 5 j 171 Burrowes, H. J. F., and 27 others .. '5 151 Campbell, W. H., and 2 others .. 5 1 318 Carruth, W. A., and 7 others.. .. 5 156 Charters, R. G., and 7 others .. 5 170 Cochran, W., and 26 others .. .. 5 262 ; Collingwood County Council .. .. 4 j 162 | Cooper, J. W., and 11 others .. 5 158 Cuthbert, H., and 7 others .. .. 5 161 Derrett, C. 6., and 9 others .. .. 5 167 Drummond Bros. .. .. .. 5 j Final report .. .. .. 6 172 Hawkes, W., and 31 others .. .. 5 j 169 Hedley, H. A., and 23 others .. 5 j 160 Hill, L., and 8 others .. .. 5 j 326 Hulston, James Herbert .. .. 5 154 Jeff, E. S., and 4 others .. .. 5 j 145 McBeth, John, and 6 others .. .. 4 I 248 McBride, W., and 10 others .. .. 5 304 McCarthy, Denis Collins .. .. 5 153 McDonald, A., and 4 others .. .. 5 159 McLean, R., and 7 others .. .. 5 150 Mackay, J., and another .. .. 5 | 325 Mangin, Walter Henry James .. 3 ! 134 Mehaffy, Henry .. .. . . 4 J 27 Meikle, John James.. .. .. 2 136 Morgan, Huia James .. .. 4 322 Morrison, A. D. .. .. .. 5 264 Motueka Borough Council .. .. 4

No. Petitioner, &o. Page. IT 1 ,i 323 Motueka Harbour Board .. .. J 6 149 Murrell, R., and 6 others .. .. j 5 21 Nathan, Jennie P. .. .. .. j 4 43 Neal, Samuel .. .. .. 2 157 Pearee, R. T., and 7 others .. .. 5 155 Pears, J. A., and 5 others .. .. 5 26 Peters, Frederick .. .. .. 3 143 Roselli, Peter, and 2 others .. .. 3 325 Salaman, Abraham Walley Mahomed .. 1 6 178 Seccombe, Thomas .. .. .. 3 148 Sly, Herbert William .. .. | 4 290 Smith, Henry Mornington .. .. 4 327 Smith, John, and another .. .. 5 152 Smith, J. R., and 3 others .. .. 5 Special report (re Chairman) .. .. 6 Special report (re Clerk) .. .. 6 284/26 Standish, William . . .. .. 3 163 Sutton, W., and 12 others .. .. 5 ' 278 Takaka County Council .. .. 4 !! 283 Takaka Town Board .. .. ' 4 317 Thompson, Marguerite Adelaide ... 5 142 Tisdall, S. J., and 238 others.. .. j 3 ' 282/26 Toko, Hene .. .. .. 3 185 Tovey, Sydney .. .. .. 3 18 Voyce, Albert Victor .. .. 3 i 270/26 Watson, Edward Samuel .. .. 2 247 Watson, John .. .. .. 4 249 Wellington Suburban Motor-bus Co., Ltd. 4 164 Welsh, J., and 13 others .. .. 5 165 Wilding, E. W. P., and 15 others .. 5 286/26 Williamson, L. C., and 2,517 others .. 6

1.—2.

No. 5. —Petition of Walter Henry John Mangin, of Wellington. Praying for a compassionate allowance owing to an alleged injury received when a trainee on the training-ship " Amokura." I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 31st August, 1927.

No. 18.—Petition of Albert Victor Voyce, of Palmerston North. Praying for compensation for alleged wrongful arrest and detention. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a recommendation that assessment of compensation be left to the discretion of the Government. 21st September, 1927.

No. 185. —Petition of Sydney Tovey, of Wellington. Praying for compensation for neglect of treatment. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st September, 1927.

No. 282/26. —Petition of Hene Toko, of Masterton. Praying for a refund of stamp duty charged in excess. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st September, 1927.

No. 142. —Petition of S. J. Tisdall and 238 Others, of Rotorua and Taupo. Praying that the regulations prohibiting night fishing in the Rotorua and Taupo areas be abolished. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a suggestion that the hours for restriction of night fishing be from 12 p.m. until 4 a.m. 21st September, 1927.

No. 284/26. —Petition of William Standish, of Auckland. Praying for a compassionate allowance on account of his launch having been stolen and sold. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st September, 1927.

No. 178.—Petition of Thomas Seccombe, of Auckland. Praying for remission of land-tax owing to alleged damage to his land by drainage operations. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st September, 1927.

No. 143.—Petition of Peter Roselli and 2 Others, of Westport. Praying for compensation for flood damage resulting from alteration of the course of the Buller River by the Public Works Department and the Westport Harbour Board. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st September, 1927.

No. 26. —Petition of Frederick Peters, of Otahuhu. Praying for free railway and steamer passage to Dunedin to enable him to sit for dental examination. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st September, 1927.

2—l. 2.

3

1.—2

No. 21. —Petition of Jennie F. Nathan, of Wellington. Praying for refund of £355 paid by way of stamp duty on agreement for sale and purchase. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st September, 1927.

No. 145.—Petition of John Mcßeth and 6 Others, of Wanganui. Praying for the reduction of capital value of workers' dwellings occupied by them. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee it be recommended to the Government to make inquiry into this case with a view to making such alterations in rent and conditions as will lead to the tenements all being occupied. 21st September, 1927.

No. 136. —Petition of Huia James Morgan, of Hawera. Praying that his marriage be dissolved owing to his wife being detained in a mental hospital. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st September, 1927.

No. 134.—Petition of Henry Mehaffy, of Drury. Praying that the report of the Public Petitions M to Z Committee on his previous petition be given effect to. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st September, 1927.

No. 148.—Petition of Herbert William Sly, of Papatoetoe. Praying for compensation for loss he has suffered in connection with a land transaction. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 6th October, 1927.

Nos. 262, 264, 278, 283. —Petitions of Collingwood County Council, Motueka Borough Council, Takaka County Council, and Takaka Town Board. Praying for extension of river limits in Nelson District. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration. 25th October, 1927.

No. 249.—Petition of Wellington Suburban Motor-bus Co., Ltd., of Wellington. Praying for compensation owing to loss caused by the business being taken over as the result of the passing of the Motor-omnibus Traffic Act. I am directed to report that, as the petition is a matter of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th October, 1927.

No. 247. —Petition of John Watson, of Port Chalmers. Praying for a refund of income-tax. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with the suggestion that the sum of £48 lis. 9d., tax charged on the transfer of uncollected debts, be returned to petitioner ; and, further, the Committee is of the opinion that the method adopted by the Commissioner of Taxes for a number of years in assessing income-tax on a percentage based on gross takings should be inquired into. 28th October, 1927.

No. 290.—Petition of Henry Mornington Smith, of Wellington. Praying for compensation for loss suffered through an assault committed by a detective. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a suggestion that a compassionate grant of £25 be made petitioner. 28th October, 1927.

4

1.—2.

No. 326.—Petition of James Herbert Hulston, of Te Pirata. Praying for remission of land-tax. I am directed to report that, as the action taken by the Land and Income Tax Department has already given temporary relief to petitioner, the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to future demands for remission of land-tax. 14th November, 1927.

No. 322.—Petition of A. D. Morrison, of Ashburton. Praying for remission of land-tax. I am directed to report that, as the action taken by the Land and Income Tax Department has already given temporary relief to petitioner, the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to future demands for remission of land-tax. 14th November, 1927.

No. 304.—Petition of Denis Collins McCarthy, of Palmerston North. Praying for inquiry into his qualifications to undertake valuation revision work. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 14th November, 1927.

No. 327. —Petition of John Smith and Another, of Springston. Praying for remission of land-tax. I a,m directed to report that, as the action taken by the Land and Income Tax Department has already given temporary relief to petitioner, the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to future demands for remission of land-tax. 14tli November, 1927.

No. 317. —Petition of Marguerite Adelaide Thompson, of Whangarei. Praying for a compassionate allowance on account of the services of her late husband as District Land-valuer. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th November, 1927.

No. 318.—Petition of W. A. Carruth and 7 Others, of Whangarei. Praying that the petition of Marguerite Adelaide Thompson be granted. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th November, 1927.

No. 149.—Petition of R. Murrell and 6 Others, of Southland, together with 24 similar Petitions. Praying for the appointment of a Commission to inquire into the rating system of the Southland Electric-power Board, and a grant for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee is of the opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 18th November, 1927.

Schedule. No. 149. —R. Murrell and 6 others. No. 162. —J. W. Cooper and 11 others. No. 150.— J. Maekay and another. No. 163. —W. Sutton and 12 others. No. 151. —W. H. Campbell and 2 others No. 164. —J. Welsh and 13 others. No. 152.— J. R. Smith and 3 others. No. 165. —E. W. F. Wilding and 15 others. No. 153.—A. McDonald and 4 others. No. 166. —H. F. Blake and 16 others. No. 154. —E. S. Jeff and 4 others. No. 167. I—Drummond1—Drummond Bros, and 18 others. No. 155. —J. A. Pears and 5 others. No. 168. —P. W. Bayly and 19 others. No. 156. —R. G. Charters and 7 others. No. 169.— H. A. Hedley and 23 others. No. 157.— R. T. Pearoe and 7 others. No. 170. —T. Coohran and 26 others. No. 158. —H. Cuthbert and 7 others. No. 171.— H. J. P. Burrowes and 27 others. No. 159.— R. McLean and 7 others. No. 172. —W. Hawkes and 31 others. No. 160. —L. Hill and 8 others. No. 248. —W. Mcßride and 10 others. No. 161.—C. C. Derrett and 9 others.

5

I—2

No. 323. —Petition of Motueka Harbour Board. Praying for extension of river limits in Tasman Bay. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 18th November, 1927.

No. 286/26. —Petition of L. C. Williamson and 2,517 Others, of Wellington. Praying for amendment of Board of Trade Act, 1919. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Industries and Commerce Committee. 18th November, 1927.

No. 325. —Petition of Abraham Walley Mahomed Salaman, of Auckland. Praying for compensation and inquiry into various prosecutions instituted against him. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 25tli November, 1927.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Committee desires to record its appreciation of the efficient manner in which the Clerk of the Public Petitions M to Z Committee, Mr. J. D. Hislop, has carried out his duties during the session ; and, further, that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Committee and be reported to the House. 29th November, 1927.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Committee desires to record its hearty appreciation of the ability, care, and attention devoted bv 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 in the minutes of the Committee and be reported to the House. T. B. Y. Seddon, 29th November, 1927. Member of the Committee.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Public Petitions M to Z Committee, consisting of ten members," held fourteen meetings during the session ; the average attendance of members at each meeting was five. The following table shows the disposal of the business which came before the Committee : — Petitions referred to the Committee .. .. .. .. .. 59 Petitions dealt with .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 58 Reports presented to the House .. . . . .. .. ~ 34 Petitions referred for favourable consideration .. . . .. .. 17 Petitions referred for consideration .. .. ~ ~ .. 30 Petitions given no recommendation .. .. .. ... 10 Petition referred to another Committee .. .. .. ... 1 Petition held over till next session .. .. .. .. 1 29th November, 1927. J. McC. Dickson, Chairman.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (475, copies), £7 10s.

By Authority: W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 927.

Price 6d. J

6