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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1930 Session I, I-01

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1930. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

ORDERS OF REFERENCE.

Extracts from the Journals of the House of Bepresentatives. Wednesday, the 23rd Bay of July, 1930. 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, 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 ; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Ansell, Mr. Chapman, Mr. Hall, Mr. Healy, Mr. McDougall, Mr. Macmillan, Mr. Macpherson, Mr. O'Brien, Captain Rushworth, and the mover."— (Hon. Mr. Donald.) Tuesday, the 29th Day of July, 1930. Ordered, " That all petitions not finally dealt with during the session of 1929 be again referred to the same Committees that they were referred to during the said session "—(Hon. Mr. Forbes.) Wednesday, the 13th Day of August, 1930. Ordered, " That the petition of C. L. Thomas and others be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."—(Mr. Campbell.) Wednesday, the 24th Day of September, 1930. Ordered, " That the petition of P. N. Denton be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."—(Mr. Fraser.) Ordered, " That the petition of H. Hei be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."— (Hon. Sir Apirana Noata.) Wednesday, the Ist Day of October, 1930. Ordered, " That the petition of D. H. Brown and Son, Ltd., be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."—(Mr. Sullivan.) Thursday, the 2nd Day of October, 1930. Ordered, " That the petition of H. F. Blatch and others be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."—(Mr. Hamilton.) Monday, the 6th Day of October, 1930. Ordered, " That the petition of P. B. Fitzherbert be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."—(Mr. Fraser.) Thursday, the 16th Day of October, 1930. Ordered, " That the Public Petitions A to L Committee be revived for the purpose of considering the petition of J. Collins referred to it direct this day."—(Mr. Harris.) Ordered, " That the petition of J. Collins be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."-— (Mr. Harris.)

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INDEX.

REPORTS. No. 40. —Petition of J. A. CRuickshank, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for services as a Police Officer retired without superannuation. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration ; and that a compassionate allowance of £300 be granted. Bth August, 1930.

No. 18. —Petition of G. S. Hebberd, of Nelson. Praying for a grant of money in respect of loss of salary incurred by ill health while on the staff of the Mental Hospital, Nelson. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Bth August, 1930.

No. 3.—Petition of P. E. Harris, of Wellington. Praying for an inquiry into his alleged wrongful detention in a mental hospital. I am. directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Bth August, 1930.

No. 376/29. —Petition of W. Forrest, of Thames. Praying for redress and compensation in respect of loss incurred in sawmilling and an alleged breach of contract by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration. 21st August, 1930.

No. Petitioner, &c. j Page. 24 Aldis, Morton .. .. .. 5 83 Allen, A. M. .. . . .. 7 141 Barraclough, E. .. .. .. 5 160 Bennett, H., and 8 others .. .. 6 224 Blatch, H. F., and 372 others .. 8 171 Blomfield, H. R., and 3 others .. 6 222 Brown, D. H., and Son, Ltd... .. 8 38 Buckler, Henry L. .. .. .. 4 173 Burnett, G. M. T. .. .. .. 6 142 Cadigan, G. A. .. .. .. 4 105 Cahill, Michael .. . . .. 4 234 Cartwright, M. J. .. . . 8 120 Chulav, Joseph .. .. .. 5 236 Collins, John L. .. .. 8 109 Corliss Bros. .. .. .. 6 384/29 Cottier, D. P. .. .. . . 3 400// 63/ Cotton > N. W. J. .. .. .. 3 389 Cow le , N.L.J 121 Crewe, Emily M. .. .. .. 4 117 Crosswell, C. J. .. .. .. 6 40 Cruickshank, J. A. .. .. .. 2 34 Crysell, Margaret .. .. .. 5 74 Curran, W. .. .. .. 4 59 Dalziell, F. G. .. .. .. 5 204 Denton, P. N. .. .. .. 7 27 Devcich, Ivan .. .. 6 139 Diamond, Margaret .. .. 5 45/29 Edwards, Gillespie .. .. .. 3 159 Ellison, Agnes T., and another .. 7 48 Esther, ft. T. . . .. . . 7 Final report .. .. .. 8 177 Fitton, Harvey .. .. .. 6

No. Petitioner, &c. Page. il 1 i 376/29 Forrest, W. .. .. .. 2 118 Fulton, D., and 17 others .. . . 6 408/29 Gagen, A. C. .. .. .. 7 28 Garton, C. W., and 3 others .. .. 3 89 Gibbs, J., and 175 others .. .. 3 4 Greenhead, C. H. .. .. 3 71 Griffiths, George .. .. .. 3 3 Harris, P. E. .. .. .. 2 18 Hebberd, G. S. .. .. .. 2 207 Hei, H. .. .. .. 7 80 Henrieson, J. .. .. .. 6 148 Henry, J., and 14 others .. .. 7 147 Hill, J. R., and 37 others .. .. 7 20 Hickes, Eveline C. .. .. .. 5 64 Hogg, C. H. 3 153 Insoll, T. B., and 59 others .. .. 7 f 15 Jackson, William .. .. .. 5 \78 Lake, F.J. .. .. .. 4 Lay, B. E. B., and another .. .. 7 218 Leckie, G. .. .. .. 8 155 Lyons, R., and 23 others .. .. 7 150 McCrutchan, W. A. E., and 21 others .. 6 88 Main, A. T., and 111 others .. .. 3 154 Morey, E. B., and 21 others .. .. 7 151 Morrison, E. G., and 15 others .. 7 149 X ill t all. W. A., and 14 others .. 7 132 O'Halloran, John Thomas .. .. 4 158 Reid, D. S., and 38 others .. .. 6 152 Rowe, P. A., and 9 others .. .. 7 Special report re Chairman .. .. 8 ■Special report re Clerk .. .. 8 398/29 Thompson, R. W., and 999 others .. 4

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No. 89.—Petition of J. Gibbs and 175 others, of Otoia Riding. Praying that they be allowed to transfer from the South Taranaki Electric-power Board District into the Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric-power Board District. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st August, 1930.

No. 88.' —Petition of A. T. Main and 111 others, of Mohoia Riding. Praying that they be allowed to transfer from the South Taranaki Electric-power Board District into the Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric-power Board District. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st August, 1930.

Nos. 400/29 and 63/30.—Petitions of N. W. J. Cotton, of Lower Hutt. Praying for suitable provision on account of an accident while employed by the Hutt Valley Electricpower Board. 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 Hutt Valley Electric - power Board be consulted with a view to obtaining some light employment for the petitioner. 27th August, 1930.

No. 384/29. —Petition of D. P. Cottier, of Wellington. Praying that he be granted either a lump-sum or a weekly allowance for the rest of his life in view of injuries received while in a Government institution. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 27th August, 1930.

No. 45/29.—Petition of Gillespie Edwards, of Wellington. Praying for compensation for services rendered as Harbour Board Master at Samoa. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 27th August, 1930.

No. 71.—Petition of G. Griffiths, of Inangahua. Praying for redress in the matter of the determination of his contract to build the Inangahua Junction Railway-traffic Bridge. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for most 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. Also that, in view of the Public Works Department's report, the Committee cannot understand why the previous recommendations of the Committee have not been given effept to. 27th August, 1930.

No. 4. —Petition of C. H. Greenhead, of Waiuku. Praying for inquiry into an alleged miscarriage of justice. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration ; and the Committee wish the Government to open this inquiry, so that the matter can be settled once and for all. 27th August, 1930.

No. 64.—Petition of C. H. Hogg, of Wellington. Praying for compensation in respect of an alleged injury while employed by the 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 most favourable consideration. 27th August, 1930.

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No. 105. —Petition of Michael Cahill, of Tapanui. Praying for payment of expenses incurred owing to contracting phosphorus poisoning whilst a Government employee. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 3rd September, 1930.

No. 74. —Petition of W. Curran, of Awarua. Praying for the settlement by arbitration of compensation for an area of 10 acres at Otatara taken under the Public Works Act. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd September, 1930.

No. 78. —Petition of F. J. Lake, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for alleged loss of business incurred by the passing of the Motor-vehicles Act, 1924. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd September, 1930.

No. 121. —Petition of Emily M. Crewe, of Pahiatua. Praying for the reopening of her claim in respect of matters between petitioner and executors of her late husband's estate. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for inquiry ; that the Committee recommends that the Government be asked to place the petition and files before the Solicitor-General, with a view to advising and assisting the petitioner. 9th September, 1930.

No. 398/29. —Petition of R. W. Thompson and 999 Others, of Timaru. Praying for the abolition of capital punishment. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th September, 1930.

No. 132. —Petition of John Thomas O'Halloran, of Te Kuiti. Praying that a debt due by his late father's estate to the State Advances Department be written off. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration ; that the amount due to the State Advances Department be written off. 9th September, 1930.

No. 142.—Petition of G. A. Cadigan, of Napier. Praying for the remission of a sum of money claimed by the Pensions Department from her mother's estate. [ am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration ; that the Government be recommended to advise the Pension Department to accept £100 cash in full settlement of the claim. 11th September, 1930.

No. 38.—Petition of Henry L. Buckler, of Auckland. Praying for a pension or compassionate allowance on account of orphan children of whom he is guardian. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration ; and that provision should be made for a 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. 11th September, 1930.

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No. 141.—Petition of E. Barraclough, of Lyttelton. Praying for compensation in respect of an injury arising from an accident received while working on the Lyttelton Wharf, and for amendment of the Workers' Compensation Act. 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. 11th September, 1930. ——-

No. 24.—Petition of Morton Aldis, of Auckland. Praying for an amendment to the constitution of the Jubilee Institute of the Blind. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make, seeing that the Government proposes to provide for a representative of the blind on the Board. 11th September, 1930.

No. 59.—Petition of F. G. Dalziell, of Wellington. Praying for investigation under parliamentary authority of the question of what human industry really is in practice. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration ; that the Committee further suggests that the inquiry asked for in the prayer of the petition should be referred to a Committee consisting of : Sir Andrew Russell, leader of the New Zealand Division in France ; Sir Donald McGavin, head of the Medical Branch of the Division ; W. S. Bennett, Esq., Superintendent for New Zealand of Dalgety and Co., Ltd. ; W. S. Butler, Esq., President of the New Zealand Sawmillers' Federation; D. G. Clark, Esq., formerly Commissioner of Taxes ; A. H. Cockayne, Esq., Assistant Director-General of Agriculture ; T. A. Hunter, Esq., Professor of Philosophy, Victoria College ; and Harold F. Johnston, Esq., K.C. These gentlemen have expressed their willingness to act, if granted the powers of a Royal Commission, so that they may have power to call witnesses as to the " Ascertained essentials of organization " : and such expenses as may be incurred shall not be a charge on the Government. 11th September, 1930.

No. 15. —Petition of William Jackson, of Westport. Praying for assistance in lieu of superannuation in respect 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. 11th September, 1930.

No. 20. —Petition of Eveline C. Hickes, of Napier. Praying for a compassionate allowance in respect of the death of lier husband, late Bacteriologist in the Department of Public Health. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 11th September, 1930.

No. 120. —Petition of Joseph Chulav, of Auckland. Praying for a compassionate grant as he is unable to work through an alleged injury whilst employed by the Public Works Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 17th September, 1930.

No. 139. —Petition of Margaret Diamond, of Wellington. Praying for the appointment of a Commission or other relief in respect of the purchase of the Central Hotel, Wellington. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration ; and, further, that the Government be asked to place the petition and files before the Crown Law Office for investigation. 17th September, 1930.

No. 34. —Petition of Margaret Crysell, of Cobden. Praying for a compassionate allowance owing to loss suffered through an alleged inadequate inquiry into the drowning of her husband. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 17th September, 1930.

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No. 27, Petition of Ivan Devcich ; and No. 28, Petition of C. W. Garton and 3 Others, all of Auckland. Praying for assistance in tracing documents alleged to have been wrongfully obtained. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th September, 1930.

No. 117. —Petition of C. J. Crosswell, of Bay of Plenty. Praying for a review of an affiliation judgment against him. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petitioner has not exhausted his legal remedies. The Committee has no recommendation to make. 25th September, 1930.

No. 80. —Petition of J. Henricson, of Auckland. Praying for compensation in respect of alleged loss incurred in the administration of his estate by the Public Trustee. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 25th September, 1930.

No. 158, Petition of D. S. Reid and 38 Others; No. 118, Petition of D. Fulton and 17 Others; No. 171, Petition of H. R. Blomfield and 3 Others, all of Rotorua-Taupo Country. Praying for immediate resumption of work on the Rotorua-Taupo Railway. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make, as a question of policy is involved. 25th September, 1930.

Nos. 58 and 389/29. —Petitions of N. L. J. Cowie, of Otago. Praying for compensation for loss of wages, &c., owing to an alleged injury received while employed by the Public Works Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd October, 1930.

No. 109. —Petition of Corliss Bros., of Wanganui. Praying for refund of stamp duty paid on a deed. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd October, 1930.

No. 173.—Petition of G. M. T. Burnett, of Kaipara. Praying for compassionate allowance for injuries sustained while engaged in oyster-picking at Kaipara on 28th June, 1927. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration ; also that some light employment should be found for the petitioner. 2nd October, 1930.

No. 160. —Petition of H. Bennett and 8 Others, of Masterton. Praying for relief from payment of guarantee. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of the petition has been satisfactorily settled between the parties the Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd October, 1930.

No. 177.—Petition of Harvey Fitton, of Auckland. Praying for compensation in respect of illness alleged to be due to an accident whilst employed by the Public Works Department. I am directed to report that, in the absence of sufficient medical evidence, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd October, 1930.

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No. 159. —Petition of Agnes T. Ellison and Another, of Wellington. Praying for payment from the Land Transfer Insurance Fund in respect of a shortage in the area of their property. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd October, 1930.

No. 408/29. —Petition of A. C. Gagen, of Auckland. Praying that the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, credit him with half the royalty received from quarrying metal on his land. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd October, 1930.

No. 147. —Petition of J. R. Hill and 37 Others, of Auckland District (and similar Petitions as per Schedule attached). Praying for a payment of a Government grant in respect of the indebtedness of the Waikato River Board, now defunct. 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 an attempt should be made to settle entirely on the basis of a total payment of £6,000. Of this amount £2,500 be found by the Government, the balance of £3,500 by the local bodies. Only when all other parties agree shall the Government pay its quota. 2nd October, 1930. Schedule. No. 148. —J. Henry and 14 others. No. 152. —P. A. Rowe and 9 others. No. 149. —W. A. Nuttall and 14 others. No. 153.— T. B. Insoll and 59 others. No. 150. —W. A. F. McCrutchan and 21 others. No. 154.— E. B. Morey and 21 others. No. 151. —E. G. Morrison and 15 others. No. 155. —R. Lyons and 23 others.

No. 83. —Petition of A. M. Allen, of Taranaki. Praying for remission of rates levied by the Taranaki Electric-power Board. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Bth October, 1930.

No. 204. —Petition of P. N. Denton, of Wellington. Praying that a resolution be passed which would have the effect of enabling petitioner to obtain a refund of overpaid 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 ; and the Committee further suggests that, if necessary, legislation be enacted to allow the Government to refund the amount claimed by the petitioner. Bth October, 1930

No. 48.—Petition of R. T. Esther, of Wairoa. Praying that he may receive the benefits of the National Provident Eund. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Bth October, 1930.

No. 207. —Petition of H. Hei, of Opotiki. Praying for validation of registrations of certain chattel securities. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Bth October, 1930.

Nos. 6 and 94. —Petitions of B. E. B. Lay and Another, of Ashburton. Praying for refund of stamp duty paid on transfer of certain lands. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Bth October, 1930.

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No. 218. —Petition of G. Leckie, of Napier. Praying for compensation for an injury received whilst employed by the Public Works Department at Waikaremoana. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Bth October, 1930.

No. 222. —Petition of D. H. Brown and Son, Ltd., of Christchurch. Praying for refund of duty on motor-spirit destroyed by fire. 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, 1930.

No. 224. —Petition of H. F. Blatch and 372 Others, of Southland. Praying for relief for non-reticulated ratepayers of Southland Electric-power Board area. 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, 1930.

No. 234.—Petition of M. J. Cartwright, of Marlborough. Praying for inquiry into her alleged wrongful dismissal from the Maori Hygiene Board. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 22nd October, 1930.

No. 236.—Petitions of John Leslie Collins, of Takapuna. Praying for refund of £200 purchase-money paid for a section in the Parish of Takapuna. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration ; and the Committee further recommends that the sum of £200 be paid to the petitioner out of the accumulated war pension due to John Leslie Collins (mental patient). 22nd October, 1930.

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 be reported to the House. 16th October, 1930.

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 t-he Committee further desires that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Committee, and be reported to the House. C. E. Macmillan, 16th October, 1930. A Member of the Committee.

Final Report. I am directed to report that the Public Petitions A to L Committee, consisting of ten members, held fourteen meetings during the session, with an average attendance of six members. Sixty-five petitions were referred to the Committee, and were dealt with as follow : — Referred to the Government for most favourable consideration .. .. 5 Referred to the Government for favourable consideration .. .. 31 Referred to the Government for consideration .. .. .. .. 9 Referred to the Government for inquiry .. .. .. .. 1 Petitions on which the Committee made no recommendation .. 20 Held over until next session .. .. .. .. .. 1 16th October, 1930. J. A. Macpherson, Chairman.

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