BL—No. 12,

REPORTS OP THE PUBLIC

6

The Committee therefore respectfully suggest that a revision of the Standing Orders be made in order that every facility be given to the people of the Colony to petition this House, and at the same time afford the House some reasonable guarantee that the signatures to the petitions presented havebeen given with some knowledge of the nature of the petition to which they are attached. 20th September, 1872.

10. On Petition of James Serbert Some and Senry Mahon Jervis, Justices of the Peace. The petitioners state that in their capacity of Justices of the Peace, they convicted and awarded one month's imprisonment with hard labour to Eobert Mcintosh and others for refusing to fulfil their agreement by working for the Bay of Islands Coal Company, Limited. That this conviction was subsequently quashed by an order of the Supreme Court, and thereupon an action was brought in the said Court by Eobert Mcintosh for false imprisonment, when a verdict was given for plaintiff, and £28 damages awarded. That, in consequence of the said verdict, the petitioners wrere compelled to pay costs and settle claims amounting to £299 17s. 6d., and they pray that they be reimbursed these costs, as they acted in good faith, and were induced to convict the men of the charge brought against them by the assurance of the counsel for the prosecution that the law offered them no alternative. Prom the evidence before the Committee, it appears that neither the warrant nor conviction on which Mcintosh and others were imprisoned stated any offence known to the law, and as the conviction was quashed, therefore the 18th section of "The Justices Protection Act, 1866," did not apply. I am directed to report that the petitioners have not shown sufficient cause to justify the Committee to recommend the House to reimburse them their legal expenses. Ist October, 1872.

11. On Petition of 13 Settlers in Patea District. The petitioners state that during the war in the district in 1868, it was contemplated by the Government to abandon the whole district, but that owing to the determined stand they took not to abandon the settlement, such proposed abandonment by the Government was not carried out. That they formed themselves into a Defence Eorce, and patrolled for three months without either pay or rations, though repeatedly offered by the Officer Commanding. They pray that their services be recognized by a grant of land being awarded them. I am directed to report that, while fully recognizing the tenacity with which the petitioners held to the district during a period of unusual danger, the Committee cannot recommend that a grant of land be awarded to them. Ist October, 1872.

12. On Petition of the Chairman and Directors of the Sokitika and Oreymouth Tramway Company, Limited. The petitioners state that they have suffered loss in consequence of a road having been constructed by the County and General Governments along their tramway, and request the House to enforce the settlement of their claim for compensation against the County Government. I am directed to report that the petitioners appear to have a claim for compensation against the County Government of Westland, but not against the Colony; and the Committee do not recommend the House to interfere in the matter. 15th October, 1872.

13. On Petition of Charles C. Schaw. The petitioner states that while he was absent from the Colony on twelve months' leave on half-pay, his services were dispensed with by the Colonial Secretary", in consequence of a statement, contrary to fact, made by the Chairman of the' County of Westland, that the County Council had recommended that his services should be dispensed with. That he has repeatedly urged his claim for redress, but has neither received the salary due nor any other compensation, nor has he been reinstated in the service of the Colony. He prays that his case be taken into favourable consideration. The petitioner's grievances appear to be — 1. That he has not been paid the half-salary for twelve months to whjch he is entitled. 2. That he was improperly deprived of his office, owing to the misrepresentations made by the County Chairman of Westland to the Colonial Secretary. 3. That his services having been dispensed with in consequence of such misrepresentation, he is entitled to compensation under the Civil Service Act, or be reinstated in office. The first is already disposed of, as the Committee find that the half-salary to which tho petitioner was entitled has been paid. With regard to the second, the Committee find that the statement made by the County Chairman, Mr. Lahmann, in his letter to the Colonial Secretary, of the 29th October, 1871, that the County Council recommended that Mr. Schaw's services be dispensed with, is admitted by Mr. Lahmann to be not correct, and he accounts for it by stating that the letter was written by his Secretary, who is also Secretary to the County Council, and that he signed the letter without having read it. This explanation the Committee feel bound to accept, without further inquiry, as being fairly probable.