I.—2a

1889. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE (REPORT OF THE) ON THE PETITION OF IDA PRINCE, TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AND EVIDENCE, AND APPENDIX.

Brought up 14th September, 1889, and ordered to be printed.

EEPOET. Petitioner states that a letter containing her Government bank-book, in which £500 and interest appeared to her credit, and a letter of instructions from her late guardian (Mr. Livingston), were intrusted to Mr. Salmon, a clerk in the Blenheim Post Office, for delivery to petitioner in case of Mr. Livingston's sudden death. That such death took place on the 22nd December, 1888, and immediately afterwards these documents were posted by Mr. Salmon to petitioner's address at Mr. Kirkcaldie's, where they were delivered to Mr. Kirkcaldie, and subsequently claimed by Mr. Hoggard, Chief Clerk of the Wellington Post Office, and given by him to Inspector Eose, who delivered the packet to his wife, who opened.it without petitioner's permission, and has since kept possession of it. That this letter, intended for her eyes alone, has been read by many others. That the Postmaster-General has refused to give any relief to your petitioner. Petitioner prays for redress. I am directed to report,— 1. That, in the opinion of the Committee, none of the material allegations contained in the petition have been sustained by the evidence adduced. 2. That the action of the postal officers, Messrs. Eose, Hoggard, and Salmon, was no infraction of the spirit of the regulations, which direct that means should be taken to secure the delivery of letters to those persons to whom they are addressed. 3. That Mrs. Eose's conduct in connection with petitioner has been of a most commendable character, and that she was actuated by benevolent motives, acting solely in the interests of petitioner. 4. That petitioner failed to account satisfactorily to the Committee for her non-acceptance of Mrs. Eose's offer of the 27th February, to appoint a trustee other than Mrs. Eose. That petitioner has no grounds of complaint. 14th September, 1889. T. Thompson, Chairman.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. Wednesday, 4th Septembee, 1889. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. T. Thompson (Chairman), Mr. Anderson, Mr. Bruce, Mr. Buxton, Mr. Grimmond, Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Joyce, Mr. Taylor. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following petition was read : No. 463, Ida Prince. Alleging that a letter addressed to her was wrongfully detained by the Post Office authorities. Petitioner attended. Mr. T. K. Warburton attended. Mr. Hutchinson, M.H.E., attended. Adjourned until 10 a.m. next day.

° Thubsday, sth September, 1889. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. T. Thompson (Chairman), Mr. Anderson, Mr. Bruce, Mr. Buxton, Mr. Grimmond, Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Joyce, Mr. Ward. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. I—l. 2a.