11

I.—l.

it the evidence of the Surveyor-General given before a Committe of the Legislative Council in July, 1890, the Committee is of opinion that petitioner has only himself to blame for any loss he may have sustained, and that he has therefore no claim to compensation. 19th August, 1891.

No. 443.—Petition of David Caenachan, of Cambridge, Waikato. Petitionee prays for compensation for loss sustained through the alleged negligence of the police. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony. 19th August, 1891. No. 209.—Petition of Thomas Foegie and Others, of Central Otago. Petitionees pray for the extension of the Otago Central Eailway. No. 455.—Petition of T. J. Edwaeds and Others, of Tairua, Auckland. Petitionees pray that the Government may complete the road from Puriri to Tairua. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration. 19th August, 1891.

No. 183.—Petition of Captain C. A. Humpeey, of Wellington. Petitionee, late Under-Secretary for Defence, states that on the 11th March last he was verbally informed by the Defence Minister that his services were dispensed with as from the 31st March, on the ground of retrenchment. He considers that, after many years of faithful service, he ought not suddenly to be compelled at the age of fifty-six to find other employment than the State; and that his official designation and status under the Civil Service Acts being " permanent head of the department," his dismissal from the public service on the verbal notice of the Minister, without the consideration or determination of the whole Executive, was unjust and unconstitutional. Petitioner prays that he may be restored to some rank and emolument in the public service of the colony proportionate to that of which he has been deprived, or for other relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner was not improperly retired from office as alleged in paragraph 11 of the petition, but that his services were dispensed with on the ground of retrenchment and economy. That as he has received the full compensation to which he was entitled for loss of office, they cannot recommend that the prayer of the petition be granted. 20th August, 1891.

No. 286.—Petition of Eebecca Beinkley, of Ohinemutu. Petitionee states that in 1872 she acquired an allotment in Westport; that subsequently the said allotment was taken by the Government for railway purposes; that she received no compensation for section taken. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that no fresh evidence having been adduced in support of this petition, the Committee cannot see their way to alter the decision of the Public Petitions Committee in the session of 1885—viz., that petitioner has no well-founded claim. 20th August 1891.

No. 120.—Petition of Samuel Goodall, of Greymouth. Petitionee, late Inspector of Police, states that he has been in the Police Force of New Zealand for twenty-seven years, and that his services have now been dispensed with through no fault of his own. He alleges that his retirement was due to a statement having been made that he had done something cowardly in regard to the arrest of Te Kooti. That this statement is wholly untrue. Petitioner prays that a full inquiry may be held into his case, and that he may be reinstated in his former position, or for other relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the allegations contained in paragraph sof the petition have not been borne out by the evidence adduced. The Committee cannot recommend that the prayer of the petitioner should be granted. 21st August, 1891.

No. 390.—Petition of Edwaed Cooke and Others, of Kirikiri, Thames. Petitionees pray that the Kirikiri Native Licensing District and the Hastings Licensing District may be united and made one European district with one Committee. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government, with a recommendation that the prayer of the petitioners should be granted. 21st August, 1891.

O1 ~ • No. 464.—Petition of William Heney Claeke, of Auckland. Petitionee prays that his scheme for relieving poverty may be printed in pamphlet form at the expense of the Government. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 21st August, 1891.