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No. 331.—Petition of Eakaia and Ashbdeton Foeks Bail way Company. The petitioners, directors and shareholders of the Eakaia and Ashburton Forks Eailway Company, pray that the amount of arrears due be paid to the said company, and that the whole of the £7 per centum guaranteed to the company be paid by the Government, who shall then proceed to levy the rate, or that the said railway be taken over by the Government. No. 429.—Petition of J. C. Wason and Others. The petitioners, ratepayers of Ashburton County, proposed to bo assessed by the Eakaia and Ashburton Forks Eailway Company, state that the said company are not entitled to any relief from the Legislature, and suggest the appointment of a Commission to inquire into the facts of the case. lam directed to report: That, the subject-matter of these petitions having been dealt with by the House, the Committee do not consider it necessary to make any recommendation. 31st August, 1883.
No. 411.—Petition of Eichaed Middleton Simpson, Wellington. The petitioner states that he was captain of the New Zealand Engineer Corps of Wellington, which corps was disbanded by the Defence Minister under the new Volunteer Eegulations; that in October, 1881, he received urgent orders to proceed to Opunake with the men who had volunteered for active service; that he waited on Colonel Reader, from whom he received positive instructions to equip his men and to obtain such articles of clothing as his men required; he at once gave orders for the clothing to be made, which was done and the men fitted out; that the account for clothing— £91 145., was sent to the Defence Department, and that only £28 12s. was paid by the department, the balance, £63 25., still remains due to him. He also claims £60, an advance for paying off liabilities, and to be charged against future capitation, which, owing to the disbandment of the corps, they were unable to liquidate. He further claims the sum of £47 os. sd. for maintaining and keeping in repair the Government boats on issue to his corps during the time of its existence. He prays that the House will grant him the following sums: £63 25., £60, and £47 os. 5d., and such further relief as may seem meet. lam directed to report: That the Committee are of opinion that the petitioner is entitled to the sum of £148, and recommend that the amount be paid, less the sum of £26 10s. alleged to have been paid by the Defence Department to the contractor, Mr. Huxley, of which there is no record. 31st August, 1883.
No. 306. —Petition of Edwaed Leopold. The petitioner states that he was employed as a fireman on the railway between Pahnerston South and Oamaru for about eighteen months, during which time two springs broke under the part of the engine where he had to stand, which caused severe internal injuries, and compelled him to give up his work and go into hospital, where he remained for seven weeks. He further states he has not been able to do any work since. He prays that, under the circumstances, he may be made some allowance until able to resume duty. lam directed to report: That the Committee recommend that the petitioner be paid the usual allowance in the case of persons injured in the railway service. 31st August, 1883.
No. 403.—Petition of James Pearce, Pahautanui. The petitioner states that he is the owner of fifty acres of laud at Pahautanui; that he felled the bush and erected a dividing fence on the line cleared out by the Government Surveyor; that the land was surveyed seven years after by another Government surveyor, who made out his fence was on the wrong line. Some time after his neighbours proceeded to erect a dividing fence upon what he believed to be his land, which fence he removed. He was proceeded against in the Supreme Court, and had to pay damages and costs amounting to £240. He prays the House will grant him some recompense. lam directed to report: That the Committee consider the case one of hardship, but under the circumstances do not feel justified in recommending compensation; but are of opinion that, in the case of disputed boundary arising out of inaccurate survey, the Survey Department should define the line so as to avoid litigation if possible. 31st August, 1883.
No. 519.—Petition of John Doughebty. The petitioner states that, in 1880 and 1881, he petitioned the House for cattle destroyed unlawfully in the Ahaura District in the year 1876 by order of the Government Inspector; that the Committee reported he had not exhausted his legal remedy; that since then he has made every effort to obtain justice against the Government Inspector, but has failed-to do so, that person having left the colony. He prays fortelief. lam directed to, report: That it appears, from the evidence before the Committtee, that the petitioner has not exhausted his legal remedy. The Committee, however, consider that, under the whole circumstances of the case, the petitioner is entitled to fair compensation for the loss of his cattle, caused by the illegal action of the Government Inspector Naden, 3rd September, 1883.
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