RAILWAYS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. J. T. HOGAN, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1930 Session I, I-06

1

1930. NEW ZEALAND.

RAILWAYS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. J. T. HOGAN, 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 23rd Day of July, 1930. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to examine and report upon questions relating to railways ; with power to call for persons and papers; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of the Right Hon. Mr. Coates, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Munns, Mr. J. A. Nash, Mr. W. Nash, The Hon. Mr. Taverner, and the mover."- (Hon. Mr Veitch.) Tuesday, the 29th Day oe 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.) ■Tuesday, the 23rd Day of September, 1930. Ordered, " That the petition of R. A. Alexander be referred direct to the Railways Committee."—(Mr. Field.) Monday, the 29th Day of September, 1930. Ordered, " That the petition of the Pukemiro Collieries, Ltd., and another be referred direct to the Railways Committee."—(Mr. Fletcher.) Wednesday, the 25th Day of October, 1930. Ordered, " That the Railways Committee have leave to sit this day during the sitting of the House."—(Mr. Hogan.)

INDEX.

No. j Petitioner, Ac. P*ge. 199 Alexander, R. A. .. .. 2 229 Cleveland, Ralph . . . . .. 3 387/29 Evans, S. P. .. .. .. 3 65 Ferguson, Ada M. .. .. .. 2 Final report .. .. .. 3 42 Hodge, William .. .. .. 2 176 McGinniskin, E. H. .. .. 2 217 Pukemiro Collieries Ltd., and another .. 2

No. | Petitioner, Ac. Page ; Special report re Chairman .. .. 3 Special report re Clerk ' .. .. 3 39 Stokes, A. .. .. .. j 2 137 Tangney, Eugene .. .. .. 2 Taupiri coal contracts .. .. 3 399/29 Vartha, J. L., and 17 others .. .. 3 413/29 Went, H. C. .. .. ..J 3 146 Young, G. R., and 16 others .. 2

1.—6

2

REPORTS. No. 39.—Petition of Alfred Stokes, of Newmarket, Auckland. Praying that he be granted a compassionate allowance on account of injury received during employment in the Railway service. I have the honour to report that the Railways Committee has carefully considered this petition, and recommends that it be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th. September, 1930.

No. 42.—Petition of William Hodge, of Barbadoes Street, Christchurch. Praying for compensation and inquiry into alleged grievances in regard to service while an employee of the Railways Department, and other matters. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th September, 1930.

No. 65. —Petition of Ada M. Ferguson, of Te Kuiti. Praying for a compassionate allowance in respect of her late husband's services as Surfaceman for the Railways Department. I am directed to report that the Committee is of the opinion that the Railways Department has acted in accordance with law and custom ; but, in consideration of doubts as to cause of death, the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th September, 1930.

No. 137.—Petition of Eugene Tangney, of Timaru. Praying for a grant of money or other relief in respect of injuries received whilst employed by the Railways Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th October, 1930.

No. 146. —Petition of G. R. Young and 16 Others, of Wilden Subdivision, Moa Flat, Otago. Praying that provision for the transport of goods and stock on the Heriot-Edievale Railway be continued, or, in the alternative, that the petitioners be granted relief in the form of a revaluation of their holdings and a reduction in rents. I have the honour to report that the Railways Committee has carefully considered this petition, and recommends that it be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th September, 1930.

No. 176.—Petition of Edward Howard McGinniskin, of 69 Somme Road, Wanganui. Praying for payment of six weeks full pay for leave alleged to be due by the Railways Department, or other relief. I have the honour to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 10th October, 1930.

No. 199. —Petition of Rex Anthony Alexander, of Rauta Mental Hospital, Porirua. Praying for compassionate grant to be paid to his wife, as he cannot work owing to ill health caused by an accident whilst employed by the Railways Department. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered this petition, and recommends that it be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 10th October, 1930.

No. 217. —Petition of Pukemiro Collieries, Ltd., and Renown Collieries, Ltd. Praying for review of coal contract with the New Zealand Railways Department and Taupiri Coalmines, Ltd. I am directed to report that the Committee has reviewed the correspondence and negotiations in connection with the contract between the Government and the Taupiri Coal Company, and is of opinion that the public interest has been the sole consideration of the Railways Department, and recommends that no further action be taken. 25th October, 1930.

3

1.—6

No. 229. —Petition of Ralph Cleveland, of 64 Ellis Street, Frankton Junction. Praying for compensation for loss of health while employed by the Railways Department, or, alternatively, some other substantial compassionate grant. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 22nd October, 1930.

No. 387/1929. —Petition of S. P. Evans, of Auckland. Praying for compensation in respect of patents used by the Railways Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th September, 1930.

No. 399/1929. —Petition of J. L. Vartha and 17 Others, of Addington. Praying that their contributions to Railway superannuation be based on a higher rate of pay than now receiving. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th September, 1930.

No. 413/1929. —Petition of Henry Charles Went, of 7 Lenton Road, Bromley, Christchurch. Praying for compassionate relief in respect of loss on a carrying business alleged to be due to unjust competition by the Railways Department. I have the honour to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 10th October, 1930.

Taupiri Coal Contracts. I am directed by the Railways Committee to report that, the files of the Railways Department relating to the Taupiri coal contracts having been placed before the Committee by the Hon. the Minister of Railways in accordance with his promise to this House, the Committee finds itself unable to proceed without an order of the House defining the scope of the Committee's inquiry ; and I am directed to request that such order of reference be made by the House. 29th September, 1930.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the members of the Railways Committee desire to express their appreciation of the ability and courtesy displayed during the session by Mr. J. T. Hogan, as Chairman, in the conduct of the business of the Committee ; and, further, that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Committee, and also that it be reported to the House. J. A. Nash, Member of the Committee. 22nd October, 1930.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the members of the Railways Committee desire to express their appreciation of the capable and efficient manner in which their Committee Clerk, Mr. H. K. Hawken, has during this session carried out his duties ; and further, that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Committee, and also that it be reported to the House. 25th October, 1930.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Railways Committee, consisting of ten members, has during the session held seven meetings, with an average attendance at each meeting of six members. Twelve petitions were referred to the Committee, all of which were finally dealt with and reported upon to the House. J. T. Hogan, Chairman. 25th October, 1930.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation not given ; printing (375 copies), £3 ss.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l93o.

Price 3d.]