PUBLIC PETITIONS A TO L COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. E. F. HEALY, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1931 Session I-II, I-01

I.—l.

1931. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC PETITIONS A TO L COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. E. F. HEALY, Chairman.)

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

ORDERS OP REFERENCE.

Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Tuesday, the 21st Day of July, 1931. 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, Captain Rushworth, Mr. Healy, Mr. Ma'cmillan, Mr. Macpherson, Mr. McDougall, Mr. W. W. Massey, Mr. O'Brien, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Donald.) Tuesday, the 28th Day of July, 1931. Ordered, "That all petitions not finally dealt with during the session of 1930 be again referred to the same Committees as they were referred to during the said session, and that all petitions received during the first session of 1931 be dealt with as if they had been received this session." —(Right Hon. Mr. Forbes.) Wednesday, the 9th Day of September, 1931. Ordered, " That the report of the Public Petitions A to L Committee on the petition of J. E. Doolan be referred back to the Committee for further consideration." —(Mr. Howard.) Friday, the 2nd Day of October, 1931. Ordered, " That the petition of P. N. Denton be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."— (Mr. Eraser.) Wednesday, the 21st Day of October, 1931. Ordered, " That the report of the Public Petitions A to L Committee on the petition of W. S. Cooper be referred back to the Committee for further consideration." —(Mr. J. A. Nash.) Ordered, " That the report of the Public Petitions A to L Committee on the petition of C. H. Greenhead be referred back to the Committee for reconsideration." —(Mr. J. N. Massey.) Thursday, the 22nd Day of October, 1931. Ordered, " That the petition of M. G. Templeton be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."— (Mr. Wright.) Tuesday, the 3rd Day of November, 1931. Ordered, " That the petition of Rhoda Jane Kelly be referred direct to the Public Petitions A to L Committee."— (Mr. McDougall.)

I.—l.

INDEX.

REPORTS.

No. 16/31 (Sess. 1). —Petition of Montague Garnaut, of Devonport. Praying for a refund of petrol duty. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 20th August, 1931.

No. 2.—Petition of Emma M. King, of Kiccarton. Praying for remission of death duties. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 20th August, 1931.

No. 50,—Petition of H. W. Costar, of Kaeo. Praying for the remission of succession duties assessed against an estate of which he is executor and trustee and all penalties arising from non-payment thereof. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 20th August, 1931.

No. 55. —Petition of L. A. Bond, of Wellington South. Praying that he be appointed to the permanent staff of the Printing and Stationery Department and past services taken into account. 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 petitioner be appointed to the permanent staff of the Printing and Stationery Department, subject to a further medical examination ; and that the Committee also recommends that any loss of pay occasioned by petitioner's attendance before the Committee be made good. 20th August, 1931.

No. 60.—Petition of Ivy Jamieson, of Timaru. Praying for refund of penalty on land-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 petitioner be refunded the amount of the penalty paid, less interest at 7 per cent, for six days, being a net amount of £17 16s. Bd. 20th August, 1931.

2

iio. Petitioner. Page. 33 Ah Quoi, Mary .. .. .. , 3 3 Aldis, Morton .. .. ,. j 5 59 Applegarth, E. L. .. .. .. 5 151 Bailey, E. A. .. .. .. 5 95 Barry, Patrick .. .. .. 5 15 Blandford, C. E. G. .. .. 3 55 Bond, L. A. . . .. .. 2 159 Clements, L. A. .. .. .. 5 117 Cooper, W. S. .. .. .. 5 50 Costar, H. W. .. .. .. 2 c, H ' /31 r \ Cotton, N. W. J. .. .. .. 3 Sess. IJ ' Sets J" a^10us i e » R. H. .. .. .. 4 141 Davidson, James .. .. .. 5 149 Denton, P. N. .. .. .. 6 25 Doolan, J. E. . . .. .. 4 43 , P'Oridant, W. A. P. .. r .. 3 30 Edwards, J. H. .. •• 3

No. Petitioner. Page. Final report .. .. .. 6 225/30 Fitzherberfc, P. B. .. .. .. 3 5 Fitzherbert, 8. W. .. .. .. 6 ® arnau *> Montague.. .. .. 2 6 Gfolding, Charles, and 345 others .. 3 31 Greenhead, C. H. .. .. 6 11 Hales, F.J. .. .. .. 5 54 Hogg, C. H. .. .. .. 4 80 Home, Shack .. .. .. 4 4 Hunter, Louisa .. .. .-. 5 150 Ibell, J. H., and 346 others .. .. 5 60 Jamieson, Ivy .. .. .. 2 188 Kelly, Rhoda Jane .. .. 5 2 King, Emma M. .. .. 2 7 Linthorn, E. A., and 26 others .. 3 Special report (re Chairman).. .. 6 Special report (re Clerk) .. .. 6 183 Templeton, M. G. .. .. .. 6

L—l.

No. 15. —Petition of C. E. G. Blandford, of Devonport. Praying for increased superannuation allowance or compassionate grant for long service in the Post and Telegraph Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 20th August, 1931.

No. 7.—Petition of E. A. Linthorn, of Kakahi, and 26 Others. Praying that certain royalties due to the State Forests Department be remitted in respect of wages claimed by petitioners. I am directed to report that the member presenting the petition having expressed a desire to withdraw it, the Committee recommends that he be allowed to do so. 20th August, 1931.

No. 30. —Petition of J. H. Edwards, of Auckland. Praying for further inquiry into his dismissal from the Post and Telegraph Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 20th August, 1931

No. 11/31 (Sess. 1). —Petition of N. W. J. Cotton, of Lower Hutt. Praying for further relief on account of an accident received while in the employ of the Hutt Valley Electric-power Board. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration, with the suggestion that the insurance company be approached for further compensation. 2nd September, 1931.

No. 225/30. —Petition of P. B. Fitzherbert, of Wellington. Praying for compensation for loss of license to practice his profession of barrister and solicitor at Western Samoa. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. s 2nd September, 1931.

No. 33.—Petition of Mary Ah Quoi, of Samoa. Praying that her husband, Ah Quoi, may be licensed to return to Samoa, and there reside with his wife and family. 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 Ah Quoi be permitted to return to Samoa at any time after the end of the current year, conditional to his entering into a bond as to good conduct and complying with such terms as may be determined by the Administrator of Western Samoa in consultation with the Chinese consular representative at Apia. 2nd September, 1931.

No. 6. —Charles Golding and 345 Others. 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. 2nd (September, 1931.

No. 43. —Petition of W. A. P. D'Oridant, of Christchurch. Praying for a compassionate grant in respect of 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 consideration. 2nd September, 1931.

3

I.—l.

No. 54. —Petition of C. H. Hogg, of Wellington. Praying for compensation for alleged injuries received while in the employment of 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 consideration ; the Committee, though unable to recommend for favourable consideration the specific prayer of the petitioner, suggests that, owing to his present condition and as he was discharged from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on account of a disability aggravated by war service, his case be strongly recommended to the War Pensions Appeal Board for an increased pension. 2nd September, 1931.

No. 80.—Petition of Shack Horne and 199 Others. Praying that his two sons Gordon Shack Horne and Albert Shack Horne be permitted to remain in New Zealand. 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 on account of the petitioner being a naturalized British subject, his long residence in the Dominion, and the services rendered by him, and in view of his son, Willie Shack Home, having served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, the Committee recommend that his sons, Gordon Shack Horne and Albert Shack Horne, be granted permission to remain permanently in New Zealand without payment of poll-tax. 9th September, 1931.

No. 25.—Petition of J. E. Doolan, of Christchurch. Praying that service with the Midland Railway Co. count for superannuation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 9th September, 1931. (Referred back to Committee for further consideration.) 9th September, 1931.

No. 24/31 (Sess. 2). —Petition of R. H. Dalhousie, of Wairoa, Hawke's Bay. Praying for compensation for injuries received while thawing gelignite by a method which debarred him from the benefits of the Workers' Compensation Act. I am directed to report that the petitioner, having lost his arm as a result of disobedience to regulations, the Committee has no recommendation to make in respect of the prayer of the petition ; but as the petitioner has a wife and family dependent upon him, and is a good worker, the Committee desires to suggest that the Public Works Department retain him in the service he is at present engaged in, or something of a similar nature, and recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration of the above suggestion. Bth October, 1931.

No. 31/31 (Sess. 2). —Petition of C. H. Greenhead, of Waiuku. Praying that effect be given to the recommendation of the Public Petitions A to L Committee that the petitioner be afforded an open inquiry, and also praying for compensation for loss sustained through departmental mistakes. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st October, 1931. (Referred back to Committee for reconsideration.) 21st October, 1931.

No. 25/31 (Sess. 2). —Petition of J. E. Doolan, of Christchurch (Second Report). Praying that service with the Midland Railway Co. count for superannuation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Bth October, 1931.

No. 117. —Petition of W. S. Cooper, of Wellington. PrayijJg for reinstatement in the Public Service or other relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st October, 1931. (Referred back to Committee for further consideration.) 21st October, 1931.

4

I.—l.

No. 11. —Petition of F. J. Hales, of Waihi. Praying for inquiry into alleged unlawful detention and for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st October, 1931.

No. 3.—Petition of Morton Aldis, of Auckland. Praying for amendment of 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. 21st October, 1931.

No. 95. —Petition of Patrick Barry, of Wellington South. Praying for inquiry and reinstatement in the Public Service. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th October, 1931.

No. 159. —Petition of L. A. Clements, of Timaru. Praying for an increased superannuation allowance. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th October, 1931.

No. 4.—Petition of Louisa Hunter, of Avondale. Praying that she be granted a pension. I am directed to report that the member presenting the petition having expressed a desire to withdraw it, the Committee recommends that he be allowed to do so. 28th October, 1931.

No. 188. —Petition of Rhoda Jane Kelly, of Invercargill. Praying for a compassionate grant owing to the deaths of her husba.nd and daughter in a railwaycrossing accident. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration of the prayer of the petitioner. 7th November, 1931.

No. 151. —Petition of E. A. Bailey, of Lower Hutt. Praying for compensation on account of an alleged motor accident. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th November, 1931.

No. 141. —Petition of James Davidson, of New Plymouth. Praying for a referendum for the formation of an elective Executive. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th November, 1931.

No. 150. —Petition of J. H. Ibell and 346 Others. Praying for a reduction of interest-rates on existing mortgages. I am directed to report that, as the subject of the petition involves a matter of Government policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th November, 1931.

No. 59. —Petition of E. L. Applegarth, of Ahurangi. Praying for inquiry into alleged irregularities in connection with the delivery of Ms mails. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th November, 1931.

No. 117. —Petition of W. S. Cooper, of Wellington. (Second Report.) Praying for reinstatement in the Public Service or other relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th November, 1931.

5

I.—l.

No. 183. —Petition of M. G. Templeton, of Wellington. Praying for payment of an amount of a judgment given against him in connection with the building of the Porirua nurses' home. 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, 193],

No. 149. —Petition of P. N. Denton, of Wellington. Praying for a refund of income-tax alleged to have been overpaid. 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, 1931.

No. s.—Petition of S. W. Fitzheebert, of Wellington. Praying that he be granted leave to explain to a Committee of the House his proposals for a new system of finance. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the request of the petitioner should be granted, and suggests that the petition be referred to the Economic Committee for consideration. 7th November, 1931.

No. 31.—Petition of C. H. Greenhead, of Waiuku. (Second Report.) Praying that a recommendation of the Public Petition A to L Committee that petitioner be afforded an open inquiry be granted, and also compensation for loss sustained through departmental mistakes. 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 recommends that an open inquiry should be held at the earliest opportunity. 7th November, 1931.

Special Repobt. The Committee desires to place on record its high appreciation of the capable and impartial manner in which the Chairman, Mr. E. F. Healy, has presided over its deliberations during the session ; and the Committee further desires that this resolution shall be recorded in the minutes and be reported to the House. J AS . O'Brien, 7th November, 1931. Member of the Committee.

Special Repoet. The Committee desires to express its appreciation of the capable and efficient service performed by the Clerk, Mr. R. L. Cross, 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 of the Committee and be reported to the House. 7th November, 1931.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Public Petitions A to L Committee, consisting of ten members, held fourteen meetings during the session ; the average attendance of members at each meeting was six. The following table shows the disposal of business which came before the Committee :— Petitions referred to the Committee .. .. . . .. .. 35 Petitions dealt with .. .. .. . . .. .. . . 32 Reports presented to the House .. .. .. .. .. .. 38 Petitions referred for favourable consideration .. .. .. .. 13 Petitions referred for consideration . . .. . . . . .. 6 Petitions given no recommendation .. . . . . .. . . 14 Petitions withdrawn . . .. .. . . .. . . . . 2 Petition transferred to another Committee .. .. . . . . 1 Petitions held over until next session .. .. .. . . .. 2 7th November, 1931. E. F. Healy, Chairman.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (370 copies), £6.

By Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l93l.

Price 6d.~\

6