PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. F. LYE, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1934 Session I, I-02

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1934-35. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. F. LYE, Chairman.)

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives.

ORDERS OP REFERENCE.

Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Thursday, the 12th Day of Jttly, 1934. Ordered, '' That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to consider all petitions from Mto Z 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 : the Committee to consist of the Rev. Mr. Carr, Mr. Hawke, Mr. Kyle, Mr. Linklater, Mr. Lye, Mr. J. N. Massey, Mr. McSkimming, Mr. Stallworthy, Mr. Semple, and the Mover." —(Hon. Mr. Young.) Thursday, the 26th Day op July, 1934. Ordered, " That all petitions referred to the Public Petitions A to L (Supplementary) Committee and the Public Petitions M to Z (Supplementary) Committee during the session of 1933, and not finally dealt with, be referred to the Public Petitions A to L and M to X Committees respectively, and that all other petitions not finally dealt with during the session of 1933 be again referred to the same Committee as they were referred to during the said session." —(Right Hon. Mr. Forbes.) Tuesday, the 21st Day of August, 1934. Ordered, " That the Public Petitions M to Z Committee have leave to sit during the present sitting of the House."— (Mr. Lye.) Thursday, the 18th Day oe October, 1934. Ordered, " That the Public Petitions M to Z Committee have leave to sit during the present sitting of the House."— (Mr. Lye.) Tuesday, the 30th Day of October, 1934. Ordered, " That the Public Petitions M to Z Committee have leave to sit during the present sitting of the House." — (Mr. Lye.) Thursday, the Ist Day op November, 1934. Ordered, " That the Public Petitions M to Z Committee have leave to sit during the present sitting of the House."'—(Mr. Lye.) Thursday, the 21st Day of March, 1935. Ordered, " That the Public Petitions M to Z Committee have leave to sit during the present sitting of the House." — (Mr. Lye.)

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INDEX.

REPORTS.

No. 6. —Petition of Marie J. Searle, of Wellington. Praying for compensation for alleged loss of dwellinghouse. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 10th August, 1934.

No. 195, 1933. —Petition of V. Marcantelli, of Christchurch. Praying for compensation for suffering and loss of liberty caused through 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. 15th August, 1934.

No. 263, 1933. —Petition of H. F. W. Meikle and 644 Others, of Auckland. Praying that a voluntary camp scheme under Public Works Department's wages and conditions be substituted for the Unemployment Board's compulsory camp scheme. I am directed to report that, as a matter of policy is involved and the Unemployment Board has to some extent given effect to the prayer of the petition, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1934.

No. 250, 1933.—Petition of J. N. Plowman and 2 Others, of Napier. Praying for remission of portion of death duties, also reduction of interest due on unpaid duty, in respect of the estate of the late William Plowman. I am directed to report that, in view of the special circumstances revealed by the evidence, the Committee is of the opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 16th August, 1934.

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No. i Petitioner, &c. j Page. [ | I 227 Adams Ltd. .. . . .. 5 75 and 227 Chateau Tongariro . . .. 3 230 Faulkner, J. J., and 36 others .. 6 Final Report .. . . .. 8 229 and 230 Hawke's Bay Earthquake .. 6 61 MoCormaek, E. C. .. 4 03 Mcintosh, Isabella L. .. 5 41 Mcintosh, W. . . .. .. 4 121 McTaggart, N. .. .. .. 5 195/33 Marcantelli, V. .. .. 2 341 Marquet, A. .. . . 7 263/33 Meikle, H. F. W., and 644 others 2 170/33 Meikle, J. J. . . . . .. 3 246/33 Mitchell, H. . . . . .. 4 264/33 Morley, H. .. .. . . 7 229 Morse, C. 0., and 88 others . . 6 88 Munro, D. .. .. .. 5 252/33 Murray, G. A. .. .. .. 3 241 Murtha, Rose A. . . .. 6 229 and 230 Napier Earthquake .. .. 6 27/33 Northcroft, E. H„ and 194 others 4 142/32-33 OUivier, C. G. M. .. .. 3 164 and 299 Petty, A. E. (two reports) .. 4,6 171 Phizacklea, J. .. .. .. 4 250/33 Plowman, J. N., and 2 others .. 2 127 Rothery, H., and another (reprc- 3 senting the Te Kuiti Racing Club)

iNo. Petitioner, &c. Page. 39 Russell, G. H. .. .. .. 4 331 Scott, H. T. . . .. .. 7 6 Searle, Marie J. .. .. 2 3-15/32-33 Sherman, R., and 57 others .. 3 197 Sherlock, W. H. .. .. 0 78 Simpson, A. D., and 279 others .. 4 120 and 337 Simpson, T. P. (two reports) .. 4 Special Report (re Chairman) .. 7 Special Report (re Clerk) .. 7 209/32-33 Sutherland, B., and 164 others .. 3 127 Tc Kuiti Racing Club (see Rothery 3 and another) 175 Trevena, Eva W., and 34 others .. 5 293 Turnbull, P. S., and 502 others . . 7 150 Usmar, K. L. .. .. .. 5 167 Vanstone, Harriott E. .. 5 191 Waitemata County Council .. 6 92 Walker, W. L. .. .. . . 4 291 Warburton, A. E. .. .. 6 210 Ward, A. .. .. .. 5 75 White, A. J., Ltd. .. .. 3 104 and 157 Willcocks, C. R. .. .. 5 294 Williamson, Nora .. .. 7 108/33 Wilson, W. S. .. .. .. 3 322 Wood, Eileen J. .. .. 7 142/32-33 Woolston Tanneries (see Ollivier) 3 319 Wright, P. E. .. .. .. 6

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No. 108, 1933. —Petition of W. S. Wilson, of Wellington. Praying that a Committee be set up to consider the merits of an economy note-currency plan. I am directed to report that, as the Government has set up a Committee to consider monetary systems or standards which have been advocated as preferable to our present system, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1934.

No. 170, 1933.—Petition of J. J. Meikle, of Auckland. Praying that certain reports of Select Committees be given effect to. 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 for prompt action in view of the advanced age of the petitioner and the many favourable recommendations by previous Select Committees of the House. 16th August, 1934.

No. 315, 1932-33. —Petition of R. Shennan and 57 Others, of Otago. Praying that the classification of lands in the Taieri River Trust District made by the late Mr. B. B. Couston be not adopted for rating purposes. I am directed to report that the member in charge of the petition having expressed a desire to withdraw same, the Committee recommends that he be allowed to do so. 31st August, 1934.

No. 209, 1932-33.—Petition of B. Sutherland and 164 Others, of Wellington. Praying that legislation enabling the Wellington City Council to extend the cemetery area at Karori by 25 acres be not passed. I am directed to report that the member in charge of the petition having expressed a desire to withdraw same, the Committee recommends that he be allowed to do so. 31st August, 1934.

No. 252, 1933.—Petition of G. A. Murray, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for alleged injuries received while employed by the New Zealand Railway Department. I am directed to report that the member in charge of the petition having expressed a desire to withdraw same, the Committee recommends that he be allowed to do so. 31st August, 1934-.

No. 142, 1932-33. —Petition of C. C. M. Ollivier, of Christchurch. Praying that the accounts of tanneries be investigated and the recommendation of the Public Petitions M to Z Committee, 1923, be given effect to. I am directed to report that the Committee, having heard exhaustive evidence from the petitioner and Mr. C. H. Taylor, Crown Solicitor of the Crown Law Office, representing the Government Departments concerned, and having also carefully considered and investigated the evidence before three Select Committees of the House of Representatives, a Joint Committee, and two Royal Commissions, after due deliberation has no recommendation to make. 31st August, 1934.

No. 75. —Petition of A. J. White, Ltd., of Christchurch. Praying that an ex gratia payment be made in compensation for loss sustained in connection with the supply of furniture for the Chateau at Tongariro National Park. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration since the Government is in possession of the chattels on which the loss was sustained. 6th September, 1934.

No. 127. —Petition of H. Rothery and Another (representing the Te Kuiti Racing Club). Praying that the penal interest as provided by section 198 of the Stamp Duties Act, 1923, be remitted. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 18th September, 1934.

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No. 41.—Petition of W. Mclntosh, of Auckland. Praying for an inquiry into the grounds of his dismissal from the Customs Department. „ I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 18th September, 1934.

No. 246, 1933.—Petition of H. Mitchell, of Wellington. Praying for a rehearing of his claim for compensation under 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 consideration. 18th September, 1934.

No. 27, 1933. —Petition of E. H. Northcroft and 194 Others, of Auckland. Praying for amendment of the boundaries of the Auckland extended river-limits. lam directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. The Committee is of the opinion that any extension of the existing river-limits would reduce the standard of safety to a degree that could not be considered adequate for the protection of life and property in these waters. 19th September, 1934.

No. 92. —Petition of W. L. Walker, of Christchurch. Praying that the report on his petition by the Public Petitions M to Z Committee of 1929 be given effect to. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 27th September, 1934.

No. 78. —Petition of A. D. Simpson and 279 Others. Praying that capital punishment be abolished. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 27th September, 1934.

No. 120. —Petition of T. F. Simpson, of Wellington. Praying for compensation or other relief for loss of property allegedly seized under a warrant of distress for rent. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 27th September, 1934.

No. 164. —Petition of A. E. Petty, of Feilding. Praying for a rehearing of his application to the Wellington Mortgagors' Relief Commission for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 27th September, 1934.

No. 39.—Petition of G. H. Russell, of Wellington. Praying for relief to enable him to institute Court proceedings. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 27th September, 1934.

No. 61. —Petition of E. 0. McCormack, of Matamata. Praying for further compensation for loss of wife and child and for personal injuries sustained during the Waimangu Geyser eruption, 1917. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 27th September, 1934.

No. 171. —Petition of J. Phizacklea, of Wanganui. Praying for the free supply of artificial limbs to civilians on the same conditions as supplied to soldiers. I am directed to report that, as arrangements have now been completed by which Hospital Boards may take advantage of the Pensions Department's contract for the supply and repair of artificial limbs, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 9th October, 1934.

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No. 227.—Petition of Adams Ltd., of Christchurch. Praying for an ex gratia payment in compensation for loss allegedly sustained in connection with the sale of motor-vehicles to the Tongariro Park Company, subsequently taken over by the Tongariro National Park Board. I am directed to report that the member in charge of the petition having expressed a desire to withdraw the same, the Committee recommends that he be allowed to do so. 9th October, 1934.

No. 210. —Petition of A. Ward, of Christchurch. Praying for amendment of the Pensions Act, 1926, to enable him to obtain the old-age pension, or other relief. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 9th October, 1934.

No. 88.—Petition of D. Munro, of Christchurch. Praying for reinstatement in the Railway Department, or payment of superannuation or compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 9th October, 1934.

No. 167.—Petition of Harriett E. Vanstone, of Little River. Praying for an investigation with a view to proclaiming the ownership of certain lands situated at Little River, or other relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1934.

No. 156. —Petition of K. L. Usmar, of Bayswater. Praying that improved telephonic and postal facilities be provided at Bayswater, Auckland. 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 considers that the establishment of the improved telephonic and postal facilities proposed in the schedule of work for the current year is necessary for the residents of Bayswater and recommends that the work be undertaken with all due expedition. 17th October, 1934.

No. 175. —Petition of Eva W. Trevena and 34 Others, of Christchurch. Praying that the Second-hand Dealers Amendment Bill be not proceeded with in its present form. I am directed to report that, as the objection has been largely met by amendments to the Bill, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1934.

Nos. 104 and 157.—Petitions of C. R. Willcocks, of Christchurch. Praying for compensation for alleged wrongful dismissal, or reinstatement in the Public Service. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1934.

No. 121.—Petition of N. McTaggart, of Johnsonville. Praying for compensation for injuries alleged to have been sustained while employed by the Public Works Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1934.

No. 93. —Petition of Isabella L. Mclntosh, of Westshore. Praying for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of her son through illness allegedly contracted while undergoing a period of detention in the Hautu Prison. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 19th October, 1934.

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No. 197. —Petition of W. H. Sherlock, of Napier. Praying that he be granted an old-age pension. 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 section 8 of the Pensions Act, 1926, be amended in order that a measure of relief may be given to applicants with similar residential qualifications to that of the petitioner. 19th October, 1934.

No. 241. —Petition of Rose A. Murtha, of Wainihinihi. Praying for compensation on account of the death of her husband from injuries allegedly sustained 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 most favourable consideration. 19th October, 1934.

No. 191.—Petition of the Waitemata County Council. Praying that legislation be enacted to provide for payment by the Auckland City Corporation of rates in respect of certain areas in the Waitakere, Waipareira, Titirangi, and Waikumete Ridings. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, and recommends that the subject-matter of the petition be reviewed when the Rating Act is being amended. 31st October, 1934.

No. 229. —-Petition of C. 0. Morse and 88 Others, of Napier. Praying for remission of interest on Hawke's Bay earthquake rehabilitation loans, or other relief. I am directed to report that the Committee, after hearing considerable evidence, is of the opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. In view of the substantial fall in the rate of interest, the Committee recommends that relief be granted by the reduction of interest on all loans made through the Rehabilitation Committee, and, further, that the free-of-interest period be reviewed and extended. 6th November, 1934.

No. 230. —Petition of J. J. Faulkner and 36 Others, of Hastings, Wairoa, and the County of Hawke's Bay. Praying for the remission of interest on Hawke's Bay earthquake rehabilitation loans, or other relief. I am directed to report that the Committee, after hearing considerable evidence, is of the opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. In view of the substantial fall in the rate of interest, the Committee recommends that relief be granted by the reduction of interest on all loans made through the Rehabilitation Committee, and, further, that the free-of-interest period be reviewed and extended. 6th November, 1934.

No. 291. —Petition of A. E. Warburton, of Blenheim. Praying for refund of stamp duty. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 19th February, 1935.

No. 319. —Petition of F. E. Wright, of Lower Hutt. Praying for compensation for alleged reduction in the value of his property as a result of the construction of the Hutt Valley railway-line. I am directed to report that the Committee reaffirms its decisions of 1930 and 1932 and again recommends that the petition should be referrêd to the Government for favourable consideration. 19th February, 1935.

No. 299. —Petition of A. E. Petty, of Foilding. Praying that he be granted a rehearing of his petition presented on 21st August, 1934, for relief under the Mortgagors and Tenants Relief Act, 1933. I am directed to report that, the mortgagee not having exercised within the statutory period the power conferred on him, and the petitioner being now free to apply for relief under the Mortgagors and Tenants Relief Act, 1933, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 27th February, 1935.

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No. 294. —Petition of Nora Williamson, of Christchurch. Praying for compensation for the death of her husband by an accident allegedly arising out of and in the course of his employment by the Marine Department. I am directed to report that the Committee, after hearing considerable evidence, recommends that the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. The Committee strongly supports the recommendation of the Public Petitions M to Z (Supplementary) Committee, 1933, and is of the opinion that the petitioner should be granted a reasonable compassionate allowance! 27th February, 1935.

No. 322. —Petition of Eileen J. Wood, of Wellington. Praying for a rebate of death duties assessed and paid in respect of the estate of the late Right Honourable Sir Joseph G. Ward, Baronet. 1 am directed to report that the Committee, after hearing the evidence and recognizing that the petitioner has no statutory remedy by way of remission of death duties, recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration to the extent that until the petitioner's share of the estate becomes available the Government grant an adequate compassionate allowance to meet the liabilities incurred by the petitioner during her close association with the late Prime Minister 27th February, 1935.

No. 293.—Petition of P. S. Turnbull and 502 Others, of Christchurch. Praying for increased payments to relief workers. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make 6th March, 1935.

No. .337. —Petition of T. F. Simpson, of Wellington. Praying that he may present before the bar of the House his case for compensation for loss of property allegedly seized under a warrant of distress for rent. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 6th March, 1935.

No. 331. —Petition of H. T. Scott, of Hamilton. Praytng for compensation for alleged miscarriage of justice. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make, notwithstanding the fact that the petitioner has established his innocence beyond doubt. 28th March, 1935.

No. 341. —Petition of A. Marquet, of Christ church. Praying for a compassionate allowance on account of injuries sustained by his wife on the railway at Lyttelton. J I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th March, 1935.

No. 264, 1933.—Petition of H. Morley, of Auckland. Praying for an inquiry into the matter of his dismissal from the service of the New Zealand Reparation Estates in Western Samoa, and for compensation. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration and inquiry. 28th March, 1935. F. Lye, Chairman.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that at its final meeting the Public Petitions M to Z Committee unanimously passed the following resolution : " That this Committee place on record its sincere appreciation of the able manner in which the Chairman, Mr. F. Lye, has presided over and conducted the business brought before the Committee during the session. His courteous and tactful manner in dealing with members and witnesses, his close attention and impartial summing-up of the evidence, has enabled the Committee to arrive at unanimous conclusions ; and it directs that this resolution be reported to the House." , Clyde Carr, March, 1935. A Member of the Committee.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that at its final meeting the Public Petitions M to Z Committee passed the following resolution : " That this Committee desires to place on record its appreciation of the efficient manner m which the Clerk, Mr. E. A. Dobbie, has carried out his duties during the session, and directs that this resolution be reported to the House." 30th March, 1935.

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Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Public Petitions M to Z Committee, consisting of ten members, held twenty-three meetings during the session ; the average attendance at each meeting was six. The following table shows the disposal of the business that came before the Committee :— Petitions referred to the Committee .. .. .. .. 58 Petitions dealt with .. . . .. .. .. .. 50 Reports presented to the House .. .. .. .. .. 50 Petitions referred for most favourable consideration .. .. 2 Petitions referred for favourable consideration .. .. .. 14 Petitions referred for consideration and inquiry .. .. .. 1 Petitions referred for consideration .. .. .. ~ 2 Petitions given no recommendation .. .. .. .. 25 Petitions withdrawn .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Petitions referred to other Committees .. .. .. .. 2 Petitions held over till next session (by request) .. .. .. 3 Petitions held over till next session (received too late to be dealt with) .. 5 30th March, 1935. F. Lye, Chairman.

Approximate Cost of Payer.—Preparation, not given ; printing (300 copies), £6.

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