1.—12.

No. 47. —Petition of Donald Kebk, a Stock Inspector, Wellington. Petitioner complains that at the sittings of a Commission appointed to investigate certain charges preferred against him as a Civil servant he was not afforded a fair opportunity of calling witnesses in his defence; that the inquiry was not held under " The Civil Service Act, 1866"; and he alleges that—if he has been dismissed at all—he has been wrongfully dismissed from the service of the colony. He prays that a further and a proper inquiry may be held. The Joint Agricultural,. Pastoral, and Stock Committee have the honour to report that the matters embodied in the petition of Donald Kerr have previously been inquired into upon a similar petition ; that upon the 28th October, 1899, the Joint Stock Committee reported that " no case had been made out for the interference of Parliament, and therefore this Committee has no recommendation to make." On this occasion your Committee has again considered the petitioner's case, and taken evidence thereon. Your Committee has also taken the opinion of the Assistant Law Officer as to the petitioner's complaint that his dismissal was not in accordance with his rights as a Civil servant, who has advised as follows :— " In my opinion, the procedure does not amount to a dismissal from the Civil Service within the meaning of 'The Civil Service Act, 1866,' and its regulations. To be regular, the dismissal should clearly be by the Governor in Council, and such dismissal should be gazetted: Vide sections 20, 23, and 26, 'The Civil Service Act, 1866,' and No. 32 (last clause), Civil Service Regulations (1873)." Your Committee is of opinion that petitioner has not suffered any wrong through the informality named by the Assistant Law Officer. At the same time it is evident that there has been an irregularity in the manner of petitioner's dismissal which the Government should take into their consideration and deal with. 11th September, 1902.

Stud Bill. The Joint Agricultural, Pastoral, and Stock Committee, to whom was referred the Stud Bill, have the honour to report that they have considered the said Bill, and recommend the Minister to withdraw the Bill until next session, and that a sub-committee has been set up to consider and report as to how best to give effect to the objects proposed in the Bill. 26th August, 1902.

The Joint Agricultural, Pastoral, and Stock Committee have the honour to report that, having given careful consideration to the report of the sub-committee referred to in their report of the 26th August last as having been set up to inquire as to how best to give effect to the objects proposed to be achieved by the Stud Bill, they recommend that there be forwarded to the agricultural and pastoral societies, the farmers' societies, and the owners of the principal horse-breeding establishments in the colony —(1) the Stud Bill as originally submitted ; (2) the Stud Bill as subsequently submitted to your Committee; (3) the evidence taken by the sub-committee. These papers having been sent out to the several bodies interested, they be invited to forward to the Minister for Agriculture their view as to what legislation on the subject is desirable and practicable. 11th September, 1902.

The Joint Agricultural, Pastoral, and Stock Committee have the honour to report to your honourable House that they recommend that the evidence taken by them, and accompanying this report, on the subject of the Stud Bill be printed. (Vide also 1.-12 a.) Ist October, 1902. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,200 copies), £1 3s.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o2.

Price 3d]

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