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No. 225.—Petition of Layinta Beown, of Waitara. The petitioner states that her late husband was in the service of the Government; thai he insured his life in the Government Assurance Office, in August, 1879; that her late husband left the service in October, 1880, when there was an amount due to him by the Government, and that his life policy would be considered as paid up until the amount so owing was exhausted; that your petitioner's husband having died without being able to communicate with the Insurance Commissioner the said policy was treated as lapsed; that she is left with three children, and utterly destitute. She prays the House to grant her relief. I am directed to report that the Committee regret that the subject-matter of this petition is one with which it cannot interfere. 17th September, 1881.
No. 178. —Petition of John Heney Shaw, of Wellington. The petitioner states that in 1878, whilst in Melbourne, where he had just been admitted to the Victorian Bar, and was about to proceed to the degree of Doctor of Laws, after some correspondence with the Government, he was induced to come over to New Zealand, and was appointed on his arrival in Wellington, in January, 1879, a Commissioner under " The Eeprint of Statutes Act, 1878," at a salary of £250 a year, to be computed from the Ist day of January, 1879, until the completion of the work under the said Act; that at the same time he held the appointment of Assistant Officer; that in 1879 a Bill repealing the above statute was passed, intituled " The Eevision of Statutes Act, 1879," which rendered necessary a new Commission; and that when he was absent on leave a new Commission was issued from which he was excluded, the Government stating " that this change arises from no want of appreciation of the services already rendered by you, for which I beg to convey to you the thanks of the Government, but that it is undesirable to weaken the strength of the Crown Law Office." He therefore resigned his appointment of Assistant Law Officer, and preferred a petition of right in the Supreme Court against the colony, claiming damages for a breach of agreement. He further states that judgment was given against him. He also states that the Government has done a grievous wrong to him in his feelings, his professional character, and prospects, and prays the House to grant him redress. I am directed to report that the Committee, having considered the petitioner's case, are of opinion that he has no claim for compensation against the colony 17th September, 1881.
No. 67. —Petition of Alexandee Beogdeb", M.P., Henet Beogdeit, and James Bbogden, of the City of Westminster, in England. The petitioners claim compensation for losses sustained in connection with the immigration contract entered into by them with the New Zealand Government, and dated the 27th June, 1872, and pray the House will consider their case, and that they may be compensated for the loss they have sustained. In dealing with the petitioner's case the Committee have availed themselves of the evidence taken by the Public Works and Immigration Committee of 1873. The Committee have also obtained documentary evidence from the Public Works Department, and fully examined such witnesses as have been submitted for examination by the petitioners. After carefully considering the evidence, and giving due weight to the circumstances under which the immigration contract was entered into, I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petitioners have no claim against the colony 15th September, 1881.
For Petition and Evidence, see 1.-IA.
No. 177. —Petition of James Meunie, of Dunedin. The petitioner states that he was employed on the railway works at Oamaru, and that on the 4th January, 1876, he received an injury to his spine, through which he is incapacitated from any kind of manual labour requiring bodily strength. He states he is unable to perform the duties of gatekeeper or any other light work, and prays that relief may be granted to him. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petitioner be employed at some light work in the Eailway Department, when a vacancy occurs. 19th September, 1881.
No. 359. —Petition of G-eace C. Hodge, of Lyttelton. The petitioner states that she purchased a piece of land at Lyttelton, and sold a portion, when the Registrar refused to issue the title, which caused a fresh survey, whereby she was put to an expense of £19 18s. 9d., and prays the House to grant her compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petitioner is equitably entitled to the sum of £19 18s. 9d., and recommend that it be paid. 19th September, 1881.
No. 376. —Petition of Judith Watkins, of New Plymouth. The petitioner states that her late husband was employed as Accountant to the Land Board and Crown Lands Office of Taranaki; that in May, 1876, he was appointed Deputy-Commissioner of Crown Lands, which he held till the day of his death; that in 1880 his health failed, and in May, 1881, he was allowed six months' leave, on full pay; that he died on the 11th June, 1881, after receiving one month's pay. She has since applied for his provincial service, which has been refused. She therefore prays that compensation may be granted for her late husband's provincial service, and payment made ■of the unexpired term of sick leave.