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I am directed to report that there has been no evidence submitted to the Committee to show that the petitioner has any claim against the Government. Bth August, 1879.
No. 10.—William Naughton. The petitioner states that a promise was made to him by the Provincial Government, Auckland, when he purchased his land, twelve years ago, that a road would be made to his land. That, owing to such promise not being fulfilled, he was compelled to purchase land to obtain a road. He prays that compensation be given to him. I am directed to report that, having made inquiry as to the claim of the petitioner, the Committee do not think he has any claim to obtain a more direct road to his farm at the cost of the colony. Bth August, 1879.
No. 12.—George Jervis (No. 2). The petitioner, having received the sum of £100 as a reward for assisting in procuring evidence which led to the conviction of the perpetrators of the Maungatapu murderers, prays for a further consideration for the same service. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion, from the evidence before it, that the petitioner, having received the sum of £100 for his services at the time they were rendered, has been sufficiently remunerated ; and that it is not advisable, after the lapse of thirteen years, to re-open the claim of the petitioner for further consideration. Bth August, 1879.
No. 33.—William Nicholas Searancke. The petitioner prays for consideration for dismissal from the service of the Government when he was Resident Magistrate in the Waikato District. I am directed to report that, owing to the pressure of public business, the Committee has not been able to obtain the evidence of the Native Minister on this case; and therefore has been unable to come to any decision on the matter. Bth August, 1879.
No. 35.—Richard Belcher. The petitioner prays for compensation for loss caused by floods in the Waimakariri River. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the Government should make further inquiry into the subject-matter of the petition. Bth August, 1879.
No. 54. —Samuel Phillips. The petitioner states that he was an assistant in the photo-lithographic department, and that he has been discharged from the public service without sufficient cause. I am directed to report as follows:— The petitioner's case has been dealt with by a Board appointed by the Governor under section 4of " The Civil Service Act 1866 Amendment Act, 1871;" but the Committee finds itself compelled, from the evidence before it, to review the decision of the Board so constituted. Having carefully considered the evidence taken by the Board, and perused the papers supplied by the department, aud also examined the petitioner, and Mr. McColl, the chief witness in support of the charges made against the petitioner, the Committee is of opinion that the charges made have not been proved, and that the petitioner ought not to have been dismissed from the public service. The Committee is further of opinion that the manner in which the Board was constituted was not calculated to result in a fair inquiry and an unprejudiced report, inasmuch as before the Board was constituted there is evidence before the Committee to show that the Minister in charge of the department was recommended to dismiss the petitioner; and, further, that the officer who recommended his dismissal subsequently nominated the persons who constituted the Board of Inquiry. The Committee is of opinion that such a course of procedure was highly improper, and destructive of that right of fair inquiry to which public officers are entitled when charges are brought against them. Under these circumstances the Committee is of opinion that the petitioner should be reinstated in the public service, and that a full and exhaustive inquiry be made into the working of the photo-lithographic department. Bth August, 1879.
Nos. 68 and 69. —Alexander Clark and Catherine Fraser. The petitioners pray for compensation for loss sustained by reason of the want of a road to a block of land purchased by them from the Government.
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