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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1929 Session I, I-01

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1929. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Friday, the 2nd Day of Augtjst, 1929. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to consider all petitions from A to 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. Ansell, Mr. Chapman, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Hall, Hr. Healy, Mr. McDougall, Mr. Macmillan, Mr. Macpherson, Mr. O'Brien, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Donald.) Thursday, the 15th Day or August, 1929. Ordered', " That all petitions not finally dealt with during the sessions of 1928 be again referred to the same Committees that they were referred to during the said sessions."—(Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward.) Wednesday, the 3rd Day of October, 1928. Ordered, " That the petition of F. Jacentho and others be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee." —(Mr. Bell.) Friday, the 23rd Day of August, 1929. Ordered, " That the Public Petitions A to L Committee have leave to sit this clay during the sitting of the House." —(Mr. Macpherson.) Wednesday, the 28th Day of Ausust, 1929. Ordered, " That the report of the Public Petitions A to L Committee on the petition of Charles E. Greenhead be referred back to the Committee for further consideration."—(Mr. Martin.) Ordered, " That the report of the Public Petitions A to L Committee on the petition of Hancock & Co., Ltd., be referred back to the Committee for further consideration."—(Mr. Sullivan.) Monday, the 7tii Day of October, 1929. Ordered, " That the petition of W. Jackson be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to 1 Committee."— (Mr. H. E. Holland.) Monday, the 14th Day of October, 1929. Ordered, " That the petition of Helen J. Cardno be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."— (Mr. Sykes.) Tuesday, the 15th Day of October, 1929. Ordered" That the petition of E. Barraclough be referred direct to the Public Petitions Ato L Committee."— (Mr. McCombs.) Ordered, " That the petition of H. C. Henderson be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."— (Mr. Broad foot.) Ordered, " That the petition of Elizabeth M. Beattie be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee." —(Mr. Parry.) Ordered, " That the petition of W. Forrest be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."— (Mr. Samuel.)

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Friday, the 25th Day of October, 1929. Ordered, " That the petition of W. J?. Jones and others be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."—(Mr. Harris.) Tuesday, the 29th Day of October, 1929. Ordered, " That the petition of 8. R. Biel be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee." — (Mr. Nash.) Thursday, the 31st Day of October, 1929. Ordered, " That the petition of A. C. Gagen be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."— (Mr. Lye.) Monday, the 4th Day of November, 1929. Ordered, " That the petition of H. M. Gunman and others be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."—(Mr. Harris.) Wednesday, the 6th Day of November, 1929. Ordered, " That the Public Petitions A to L Committee have leave to sit this day during the sitting of the House."—(Mr. Macpherson.) Thursday, the 7th Day "of November, 1929. Ordered, " That the Public Petitions A to L Committee have leave to sit this day during the sitting of the House." —(Mr. Macpherson.)

INDEX.

No. Petitioner, &c. Page. No. Petitioner, &c. j Page. 5 Adam, B., and 2 others .. .. 7 346/28 Griffiths, George .. .. .. 7 248 Aldis, Morton .. .. .. 7 14 Gubb, W., and 9 others .. . . 4 351 Auckland Seine Net and Line Fisher- 9 417 Gunman, H. M., and 50 others . . 7 men's Association 103 Halliday, T., and 21 others .. .. 3 2 Barnes, W. E. .. .. .. 5 84 Hancock, and Co., Ltd. .. .. 3 375 Barraclough, E. .. . . 9 84 Hancock and Co., Ltd. (second report) 8 374 Beattie, Elizabeth M. .. .. 9 64 Harris, Percy E. .. .. 3 346 Bergman, Victor .. .. .. 7 354 Hart, John Alfred .. .. .. 7 405 Biel, S. R., and 34 others .. .. 9 367 Hayes, F. . . .. .. .. 8 3 Bishop, A. . . .. .. 5 373 Henderson, Henry Charles .. .. 8 36 Blackmore, Cecil Maunsell .. .. 3 78 Henery, E. J. .. .. . . 4 7 Brodie, R. B., and 17 others . . 4 304 Hogg, Charles Henry .. .. 6 38 Buckler, Henry Laity .. .. 4 10 Holdsworth, M., and 7 others . . 4 174 Burnett, S. A. .. .. .. 5 113 Hollings, P. L. .. .. .. 3 342 , Hollis, Rosetta .. .. .. 8 329 Campbell, N. D., and 346 others .. 9 100 Hollis, S. .. .. .. .. 6 116 Cant, A. R. Ji .. .. .. 5 102 Hope, John William .. .. 6 371 Cardno, Helen J. .. .. 9 261 Clarke, Robert John .. .. 5 349/28 Jacentho, P., and 68 others .. .. 4 285 Clayton, Charles .. .. .. 6 356a Jackson, William .. .. .. 7 J32 Cockin, Wi G., and 16 others .. 3 44 Jacobsen, Margaret Amy .. .. 3 109 Cody, Joseph .. .. .. 3 251 Johnstone, H. .. .. .. 6 47 Commins, Flora Mary .. .. 3 377 Jones, W. F., and 637 others.. .. 7 336 Connolly, Minnie, E. .. .. 6 353/28 Cook, E„ and 27 others .. .. 5 154 Lake, Frederick James .. .. 6 82 Corey, John .. .. .. 4 42 Lankow, Stanley William .. .. 6 208 Cullen, Frederick Aloysius .. .. 5 415 Lee Wah .. .. .. .. 8 388 Lind, Abraham A. .. .. .. 8 31 Dalziell, Frederick George .. .. 6 89 Litt, Joseph .. .. .. 4 ] 3 Dawson, T. H. .. .. .. 4 87 Delaney> George .. .. .. 6 133 Neilson, P., and 11 others .. .. 3 225 Denton, Percy Norwood .. .. 4 I 8 Newbold, F. S., and 3 others .. 4 211 Donald, A. B., Ltd. .. .. 4 326 Duncan, Robert James .. .. 7 17 Osborne, A. G., and 4 others.. .. 4 390 Duncan, Thomas Charles .. .. 9 18 Pace, F. C., and 3 others .. .. 4 45 Edwards, Gillespie .. .. .. 4 50 Page, A. E., and 8 others .. .. 4 414 Eaves, N. M. and 15,202 others .. 8 11 Riddell, G. C., and 3 others .. .. 4 278 Farr, Maud Ellen .. .. .. 5 j 412 Rosser, A., and 388 others .. .. 8 Final report .. .. .. 10 33 Fitzpatriqls, WiUi am Henry .. .. 5 12 Scott, R. P. L., and 3 others .. 4 51 Flynn, D., and 12 others .. .. 4 419 Short, F. J., and. 276 others .. .. 8 378 Foley, Michael .. .. .. 8 15 Smethhurst, S., and 6 others .. 4 368 Fryday, N. B. .. .. .. 9 .. Special report re Chairman .. .. 9 Special report re Clerk .. .. 10 313 Gallagher, S. H., and another .. 7 i 9 Spry, T. J. .. .. .. 4 ; 204 Grqenhead, Charles, Henry .. .. 3 204 Greenhead, Charles Henry (secpnd report) 8 16 Whineray, B., and 5 others .. .. 4 Summary. Petitions disposed of, 111 ; special reports, 2 ; final report, 1 : total, 114.

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REPORTS. No. 44. —Petition of Margaret Amy Jacobsen, of Wellington. Praying for a compassionate allowance owing to her husband being killed while engaged excavating at Porirua Mental Hospital. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration ; and that the Committee desires to add a rider recommending that arising out of this case the matter of providing skilled supervision of all classes of excavating and quarrying work be considered by the Minister in charge of Mental Hospitals, in order that accidents of this kind may be prevented. 28th August, 1929.

No. 113.—Petition of P. L. Hollings, of Bay of Islands. Praying for reinstatement as a Stipendiary Magistrate. lam directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. The Committee is satisfied that there are no aspersions on the character of Mr. P. L. Hollings, but the matter of reappointment must rest with the Government. 28th August, 1929.

No. 64. —Petition of Percy B. Harris, of Wellington. Praying that a Select Committee be set up to consider his case. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1929.

No. 84. —Petition of Hancock and Co., Ltd., of Auckland. Praying for remission of land-tax penalty. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committe the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration; and that the penalty be reduced from £371 7s. 7d. to £100. 28th August, 1929.

No. 204. —Petition of Charles Henry Greenhead, of Auckland. Praying for clearance of character and compensation in respect of an alleged miscarriage of justice. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make, as Mr. Greenhead had given a written undertaking not to broach the matter again, 28th August, 1929.

No. 109.—Petition of Joseph Cody, of Ohakune. Praying for compensation in respect of a wholesale wine and spirit license granted by the Waimarino Licensing Bench and subsequently cancelled. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committte the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th August, 1929.

No. 47.—Petition of Flora Mary Commins, of Waikaraka. Praying for compensation for land taken by the Public Works Department for railway purposes. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1929.

No. 36. —Petition of Cecil Maunsell Blackmore, of Waipori. Praying for compensation for loss of community owing to passing of the Dunedin City Corporation Empowering Act, 1924. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1929.

No. 103, Petition of T. Halliday and 21 Others ; No. 132, Petition of W. G. Cockin and 16 Others ; No. 133, Petition of P. Neilson and 11 Others. Praying for the abolition of capital punishment. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth September, 1929.

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No. 89. —Petition of Joseph Litt, of Christchurch. Praying for redress and compensation for alleged injustice done to him while a member of the Police Force. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth September, 1929.

No. 349/28. —Petition of F. Jacentho and 68 Others, of Mangonui County. Praying that a South African War pension be granted Stephen Hattaway. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to to the Government for favourable consideration. sth September, 1929.

No. 78. —Petition of E. J. Henery, of Wyndham. Praying for compensation for alleged unlawful imprisonment. 1 am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth September, 1929.

No. 45. —Petition of Gillespie Edwards, of Wellington. Praying for compensation for services rendered as Harbourmaster at Samoa. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Report brought up sth September. Debate thereon interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

No. 211. —Petition of A. B. Donald, Ltd., of Auckland. Praying that the balance of the assessed claim of petitioners for reparation be granted. I am directed to report that as a matter of policy is involved the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth September, 1929.

No. 225. —Petition of Percy Norwood Denton, of Wellington. Praying for refund of income-tax overpaid. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. sth September, 1929.

No. 82.—Petition of John Corey, of Pukekohe. Praying for payment of interest on a sum of money paid into the Treasury under the Trustee Act, 1908. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable- consideration. sth September, 1929.

No. 7.—Petition of R. B. Brodie and 17 Others, of Auckland District (and similar Petitions as per Schedule attached). Praying that friendly-society benefits be not regarded in computing economic pensions. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. sth September, 1929. Schedule. No. 8. —F. S. Newbold and 3 others. So. 15. —S. Smetlihurst and 6 others. No. 9.— T. J. Spry. No. 16.—8. Whineray and 5 others. No. 10.—M. Holdsworth and 7 others. No. 17.—A. G. Osborne and 4 others. No. 11.—-G. C. Riddell and 3 others. No. 18.—P. C. Pace and 3 others. No. 12.— R. P. L. Scott and 3 others. No. 50.—A. E. Page and 8 others. No. 13.— T. H. Dawson and 12 others. No. 51.—1 J. Plynn and 12 others. No. 14. —W. Gubb and 9 others.

No. 38. —Petition of Henry Laity Buckler, of Auckland. Praying for a compassionate allowance in respect of four grandchildren dependent on him. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and that provision should be made for payment of a pension to the guardians on behalf of the children, at the same rate as would have been payable had a widow's pension been in force at the time of the mother's death. sth September, 1929.

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No. 174.—Petition of S. A. Burnett, of Wanganui. Praying for a refund of £467 4s. 4d. in respect of an amount of income-tax overpaid by the late Cornelius Burnett. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth September, 1929.

No. 2/28. —Petition of W. E. Barnes, of Wellington. Praying that he be granted a sum of money to reimburse him for the amount lodged with the police at Auckland, together with interest thereon. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. stli September, 1929.

No. 261. —Petition of Robert John Clarke, of Wellington. Praying that a Magistrate or other competent person be appointed to hear his claim for compensation, and that the State Accident Insurance Office be required to pay such sum as may be deemed just by the said tribunal. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 2nd October, 1929.

No. 116. —Petition of A. R. J. Cant, of Auckland. Praying for inquiry into charges of misconduct and dereliction of duty, and asking for return of master mariner's certificate. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for inquiry in view of the report from the Cook Islands Department. 2nd October, 1929.

No. 3. —Petition of A. Bishop, of Birkenhead. Praying for a compassionate grant owing to the death of her husband, lately a police constable. I am directed to report that, the honourable member in charge of the petition having expressed a desire to withdraw the same, the Committee recommends that the honourable member be allowed to do so. 2nd October, 1929.

No. 353/28. —Petition of E. Cook and 27 Others, of Wellington. Praying that existing legislation be altered so that milk may be sold within the City of Wellington without restrictions from the Wellington City Council. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd October, 1929.

No. 208. —Petition of Frederick Aloysius Cullen, of Christchurch. Praying for increased superannuation allowance. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 2nd October, 1929.

No. 33. —Petition of William Henry Fitzpatrick, of New Plymouth. Praying for the payment of interest awarded by the Court, and refund of commission charged by the Public Trustee. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 2nd October, 1929.

No. 278. —Petition of Maud Ellen Fare, of Wellington. Praying that her estate be taken out of the control of the Public Trustee. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner has not exhausted her legal remedies, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd October, 1929.

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No. 251.—Petition of H. Johnstone, of Auckland. Praying for inquiry in respect of an alleged injustice in a settlement of partnership accounts. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd October, 1929.

No. 154. —Petition of Frederick James Lake, of Rotorua. Praying for compensation owing to loss incurred by the passing of the Motor-vehicles Act, 1925. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd October, 1929.

No. 42. —Petition of Stanley William Lankow, of Marlborough. Praying that he receive fair treatment from the Wairau River Board, owing to damage to his farm by flooding. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for inquiry. 2nd October, 1929.

No. 100.—Petition of S. Hollis, of Rimutaka. Praying for compensation for injuries allegedly received when employed by the Public Works Department on railway-construction work. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 2nd October, 1929.

No. 102.—Petition of John William Hope, of Onehunga. Praying for investigation into his alleged wrongful imprisonment. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the prayer of the petitioner should be granted, but the only way full investigation can be made is to send the petitioner and his wife to England. 2nd October, 1929.

No. 304.—Petition of Charles Henry Hogg, of Wellington. Praying for compensation for injury allegedly received whilst employed by Post and Telegraph Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 2nd October, 1929.

No. 285. —Petition of Charles Clayton, of Auckland. Praying for a grant of a yearly allowance after a life of strenuous hardship. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th October, 1929.

No. 336. —Petition of Minnie E. Connolly, of Te Kuiti. Praying that she be granted relief in respect of two orphan grandchildren she has to support. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th October, 1929.

No. 31. —Petition of Frederick George Dalziell, of Wellington. Praying that investigation may be made of the claim that all that men know to be going on in the universe is a simple scheme of life which is known and understood by little children. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th October, 1929.

No. 87. —Petition of George Delaney, of Wellington. Praying for inquiry into his expulsion from Samoa, and for compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th October, 1929.

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No. 248. —Petition of Morton Aldis, of Wellington. Praying for inquiry into the administration of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, Auckland. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 14th October, 1929.

No. 5. —Petition of B. Adam and 2 others, of Auckland. Praying that they be reinstated in their positions at the electrical substation at Penrose, with compensation, and for inquiry into alleged irregularities. I am directed to report that the petition should be referred to the Government for inquiry ; that in the opinion of the Committee the evidence submitted clearly indicates the need for further investigation. 14th October, 1929.

No. 354. —Petition of John Alfred Hart, of Greymouth. Praying for payment of £1,684 in respect of alleged loss incurred in erection of hostel at Milford Sound. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 14th October, 1929.

No. 346/28. —Petition of George Griffiths, of Birchfield. Praying for inquiry into the Inangahua River Board bridge-contract. I am directed to report that the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration ; that the Committee recommends the return of the petitioner's deposit, and that inquiry be made into the alleged underpayment of the following items : (1) Underpayment for plant; (2) machine —concrete-mixer ; (3) underpayment for timber ; (4) extra approach work to the bridge ; (5) overcharge on gravel; (6) the faulty nature of the information supplied by the Public Works Department regarding one of the abutments. 14th October, 1929.

No. 313. —Petition of S. H. Gallagher and another, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for termination of motor-omnibus service from Auckland to Point Chevalier. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. The petitioners have suffered serious hardship as the result of the operations of the Motor-omnibus Traffic Act, and this Committee recommends the Government to make full investigations into the subject-matter of the petition. 14th October, 1929.

No. 356 a of William Jackson, of Westport. Praying for assistance on account of long service with 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 October, 1929.

No. 346. —Petition of Victor Bergman, of Dannevirke. Praying that payment of old-age pensions to himself and wife be made retrospective. I am directed to report that the honourable member in charge of the petition having expressed a desire to withdraw the same, the Committee recommends that the honourable member be allowed to do so. 21st October, 1929.

No. 326.—Petition of Robert James Duncan, of Christchurch. Praying for inquiry and compensation in respect of a claim against a deceased solicitor's estate. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st October, 1929.

No. 397, Petition of W. F. Jones, and 637 others ; No. 417, Petition of H. M. Gunman and 50 others ; of Northcote. Praying that an adequate compassionate allowance be paid to Mrs. E A. Lepper, late Postmistress of Northcote, in recognition of her long and faithful services. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th November, 1929.

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No. 412, Petition of A. Rosser and 388 others ; No. 414, Petition of N. M. Eaves and 15,202 others ; No. 419, Petition of F. J. Short and 276 others ; of Auckland. Praying that legislation be enacted to authorize the reopening of inquest proceedings and the reopening of the inquiry into the death of Elsie Walker. I am directed to report that this Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is of opinion that the Government should bring down amending legislation as soon as possible. 7th November, 1929.

No. 415. —Petition of Wah Lee, of Auckland. Praying for a refund of Customs duty overpaid. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th November, 1929.

No. 388. —Petition of Abraham A. Lind, of Dunedin. Praying for the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into his alleged wrongful imprisonment. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th November, 1929.

No. 342. —Petition of Rosetta Hollis, of Wellington. Praying for a compassionate allowance in respect of her late husband's services as a member of the New Zealand Police Force. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration. 7th November, 1929.

No. 367. —Petition of F. Hayes, of Otago. Praying for compensation for injury allegedly received while employed by the Public Works Department, or that he be found suitable employment. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th November, 1929.

No. 373. —Petition of Henry Charles Henderson, of Te Kuiti. Praying for refund of medical and other expenses incurred in respect of injuries received by his wife in a railway accident at Ongarue. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th November, 1929.

No. 84. —Petition of Hancock and Co., Ltd., of Auckland. (Second Report.) Praying for remission of land-tax penalty. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th November, 1929.

No. 204. —Petition of Charles Henry Greenhead, of Auckland. (Second Report.) Praying for clearance of character and compensation in respect of an alleged miscarriage of justice. I am directed to report that, in view of the fresh evidence and documents placed before the Committee, this Committee is of the opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th November, 1929.

No. 378. —Petition of Michael Foley, of Christchurch. Praying for inquiry and redress for loss of seniority and retirement from the Justice Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th November, 1929.

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No. 368.—Petition of N. B. Fryday, of Ngaere. Praying that the Electric-power Boards Amendment Act, 1927., be made retrospective with respect to his property, and for refund of rates paid. I am directed to report that in,the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. The Committee recommends that the Government should refund to him the money which he paid to the Power Board, together with the costs of his action, totalling £32 2s. 7th November, 1929. — —

No. 390.—Petition of Thomas Charles Duncan, of Auckland. Praying for employment in the Public Works Department, in a clerical, capacity. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th November, 1929.

No. 371.—Petition of Helen J. Cardno, of Masterton. Praying for the granting of a compassionate allowance in respect of the death of her husband owing to alleged negligence of the police. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th November, 1929. —

No. 329.—Petition of N. D. Campbell and 346 others, of Waipara County. Praying for further inquiry into question of allocating cost of Hurunui Bridge. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th November, 1929.

No. 405. —Petition of S. R. Biel and 34 others, of Palmerston North. Praying that drastic penalties be enforced for illegal dealing in opossum-skins. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th November, 1929.

No. 375.—Petition of B. Barraclough, of Lyttelton. Praying for compensation for hardship in respect of an accident received at Lyttelton, alleged to have caused total disablement. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and that it also be a recommendation to the Government to have the law amended to cover such cases, when the next Workers' Compensation Amendment Bill is being prepared. 7th November, 1929.

No. 374.—Petition of Elizabeth M. Beattie, of Auckland. Praying for pecuniary or other assistance to relieve her necessities owing to the death of her late husband, late caretaker of the Magistrates' Court, Auckland. I am directed to report that, the honourable member in charge of the petition having expressed a desire to withdraw the same, the Committee recommends that the honourable member be allowed to do so.

7t.li November, 1929. No. 351. —Petition of Auckland Seine Net and Line Fishermen's Association, Incorporated. Praying that no alteration should be made in existing trawling-limits in the Hauraki Gulf. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th November, 1929.

Special Report. The Committee desires to place on record its high appreciation, of the capable and impartial manner in which the Chairman, Mr. J. A. Macpherson, has presided over its deliberations during the session : and the Committee further desires that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Committee, and also that it be reported to the House. Jas. O'Brien, 7th November, 1929. A Member of the Committee.

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Special Report. The Committee desires to express its appreciation of the capable and efficient service performed by the Clerk, Mr. E. B. Harman, in all branches of his work throughout the session, and it is the wish of the Committee that this resolution shall be recorded in the minutes and reported to the House. 7th November, 1929.

Final Report. I am directed to report that the Public Petitions A to L Committee, consisting of ten members, held twenty-six meetings during the session, with an average attendance of seven members. Eighty-five petitions were referred to the Committee, and were dealt with as follows : — Referred to the Government for most favourable consideration .. . . 1 Referred to the Government for favourable consideration .. . . 44 Referred to the Government for consideration .. .. .. 2 Referred to the Government for consideration and inquiry .. .. . . 3 Petitions on which the Committee made no recommendation .. 26 Petitions withdrawn .. . . . . .. .. .. 3 Held over until next session .. .. . . .. .. 6 7th November, 1929. J. A. Macpherson, Chairman.

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