PUBLIC PETITIONS A TO L COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. ESCOTT, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1915 Session I, I-01

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1915. NKW ZEALAND

PUBLIC PETITIONS A TO L COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. ESCOTT, Chairman.)

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Hxtracts from ike Journals of the House of Representatives. Thursday, the Ist Day of July, 1915. Ordered, "That a Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to consider all petitions from A to L that may be referred to it by tho Petitions Classification Committee, to classify and prepare abstracts of such petitions in such form and manner as shall appear to it best suited to convey to this House all requisite information respecting their contents, and to report tho same from time to timo to this House, and to have power to report its opinions and observations thereon to this House ; also to have power to call for persons and papers ; three to be a quorum : tho Committee to consist of Mr. Brown, Mr. J. S. Dickson, Mr. Escott, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Harris, Mr. Payne, Mr. W. D. Stewart, Dr. Thacker, Mr. Wright, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Herdman.) Wednesday, the 7th Day of July, 1915. Ordered, " That all petitions not finally dealt with during the sossion of 1914 be again referred to the same Committees as they were referred to during the said session."—(Right Hon. Mr. Massey.) Thursday, the 9th Day of September, 1915. Ordered, " That the name of Mr. W. D. Stewart bo discharged from the Public Petitions A to L Committee, and tho name of Mr. T. W. Rhodes be added in lieu thereof."—(Hon. Mr. Herdman.)

INDEX.

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No. Petitioner. Page. No. Petitioner. Page. 141 Anderson, Duncan 283 Armstrong, William, and. 183 others 5 4 50 76 Grimmond, J., and 186 others', . Groome, Edward P. .. 4 3 258 Baldwin, C. E., and 599 others.. 277 i Ball, E. G., and 599 others 327 Bell, John 5 5 4 328 41 64 33 49 132 Helm, Margaret Hende, P., and 16 others Houghton, Charles T. .. Houston, W. J., and 11 others . . Hunt, J., and. 93 others Hunter, G. R., and 158 others . . 5 4 4 4 4 4 320 I Cairns, Robert 51 Clarke, W. H., and 30 others . . 271 Clarkin, Michaol 81 Clifton, A., and 131 others 352 Cochran, John 294 Cody, Joseph 43 Condon, T. A., and 6 others 36 Cooper, A. T., and 32 others 30 Crough, Thomas, and 129 others 269 Curlott, Hustin 38 Cuttance, Joseph, and 43 others 5 2 6 4 6 3 4 4 4 4 4 1 169 11 323 20 Ibbetson, George R. H. Jackson, Margaret, and 3,150 others Jamison, John Johnston, William A. .. Jones, R. S. .. .'! 4 2 5 2 280 92 Knight, B. A., and 61. others . . Knight, Richard G. 3 2 334 Davis, A. R., and 11 others 65 Davis, W. B., and another 138 de Lautour, Dr. Harry A. 9 Don, Rachel, and 5 others 35 Donovan, J., and 14 others _ . . 346/14 Drako, Henry 233 Drydon, William Smith 607/1.4 Dunham, Emily (i 2 4 2. 4 2 4 2 268 381 32 45 48 Levin, Peter Ambrose McAuliffe, E., and 600 others . . McGregor, J., and 66 others Mcintosh, R., and 8 others Mitchell, W., and 8 others 4 5 4 4 4 42 Nolan, T., and 41 others 4 66 Edgecombe, W. J. 344 Ell, H. G. .. 3 5 ; 34 O'Neill, J„ and 8 others 4 Pinal Report o 44 46 Ritchie, J., and.19 others Ritchie, R., and 3 others 4 4 63 Garlick, Ada Royd (Two Reports) 163 Gaudin, F. E. N. 16 Geddis, W. J., and another 139 Gibb, Dr. James, and 8 others .. 379 Gillies, Thomas M., and 1,181 others 260 Gordon, William P. .. 37 Graham, J. W., and 4 others .. 224 Greatly, Mary 31 Groenlces, R., and 49 others 2,3 5 5 3 6 3 4 3 4 40 39 Searle, W., and 12 others Special Report (Chairman) Special Report (Clerk) Sullivan, L., and 14 others 4 (i 6 4 47 356 Wells, A., and 25 others Whittaker, E., and 99 others .. 4 5

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REPORTS. No.. 65.—Petition of W. B. Davis and Another, of New Plymouth. Praying for compensation and medal for military services rendered during the Maori War. I am directed to report the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 28th July, 1915.

No. 346 (1914). —Petition of Henry Drake, of Masterton. Praying for compensation and a full inquiry into his alleged wrongful committal to a mental hospital. I am directed to report the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 28th July, 1915.

No. 11. —Petition of John Jamison, of Dunedin. Praying for vindication of statutory law, equity, and justice in connection with forms of worship at Otago Presbyterian Church. I am directed to report the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition 28th July, 1915.

No. 20.—Petition of R. S. Jones, of Nelson. Praying for employment in the Government Service on account of loss of position as assistant lighthouse-keeper. I am directed to report the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition 28th July, 1915.

No. 9.—Petition of Rachel Don and 5 Others (Women's Christian Temperance Union of New Zealand). Praying for the abolition of all forms of alcohol from Bellamy's during the duration of the war. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th August, 1915.

No. 607 (1914).—Petition of Emily Dunham, of Christchurch. Praying for a rehearing of a case where she was convicted by a Magistrate on a charge of theft. I am directed to report the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition 26th August, 1915.

No. 92.—Petition of Richard G. Knight, of Wellington. Praying for the observance'of the Fourth Commandment. I am directed to report the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition 26th August, 1915. r

No. 51.— Petition of W. 11. Clarke and 30 Others," of Auckland. Praying that he be granted the full military and old-age pensions I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration Ist September, 1915.

No. 63.—Petition of Ada Royd Garlick, of Wellington. PhyS E^uc\tion PaSSiOTlate alWanoe f ° r Services rendered her husband as Director of Is* September" °™ ittee h&S n ° reco "™endation *© make on this petition.

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No. 139.—Petition of Dr. Jambs Gibb and 8 Others, of Wellington. Praying for better medical supervision of the Cook Islands. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist September, 1915.

No. 224. —Petition of Mary Greally, of Waihi. Praying for a compassionate allowance on account .of the death of her husband, who was a constable in the Police Force. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Rovernment for favourable consideration. Ist September, 1915.

No. 1. —Petition of George R. H. Ibdetson, of Wellington. Praying for compensation for injuries to his eyesight whilst in the employ of the New Zealand Government. I am directed to report the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. Ist September, 1915.

No. 66. —Petition of W. J. Edgecombe, of New Plymouth. Praying for a grant of land fin- military services rendered during the Maori War. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for inquiry. 10th September, 1915.

No. 63.-—Petition of Ada Royd Garlick, of Wellington. (Second Report.) Praying for compassionate allowance on account of her late husband's services as Director of Physical Education in New Zealand. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and in the event of a compassionate allowance being granted the Government should take steps to secure it to the petitioner and prevent it being used to satisfy the claims of the firm's creditors. 10th September, 1915.

No. 260. —Petition of William F. Gordon, of New Plymouth. Phaying that the recommendation from this Committee on his petition of last session be given eSect to. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 10th September, 1915.

No. 76. —Petition of Edward P. Groome, of St. Heliers Bay. Praying that he be granted the New Zealand War Medal for military services rendered during the Maori War. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 10th September, 1915.

No. 280.—Petition of B. A. Knight and 61 Others, of Rotoroa Island. Praying that they may be released from confinement to enable them to serve the Empire. I am directed to report the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 10th September, 1915.

No. 294. —Petition of Joseph Cody, of Taihape. Praying for compensation for loss incurred through the illegal granting of a wholesale wine and spirit license to him. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 16th September, 1915.

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No. 30. —Petition of Thomas Crough and 129 Others, and 22 similar Petitions (as per schedule attached). Praying for an extension of the Westland Railway from a point near Ross to the south side of the Mikonui River. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee, this being a matter of policy, the petition, together with the minutes of evidence, should be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th September, 1915. Schedule. No. 81.-— R. Greenlees and 49 others. No. 42. —T. Nolan and 41 others. No. 32.— J. McGregor and 66 No. 43.— T. A. Condon and 6 others. No. 33.— W. J. Houston and 11 others. No. 44.— J. Ritchie and 19 others. No. 34.— J. O'Neill and 8 others. No. 45.— R. Mcintosh and 8 others. No. 35.— J. Donovan and 14 others. No. 46.— R. Ritchie and 3 others. No. 36. —A. T. Cooper and 32 others. No. 47.—-A. Wells and 25 others. No. 37.— J. W. Graham and 4 others. No. 48.— W. Mitchell and 8 others. No. 38.— J. Cuttanco and 43 others. No. 49.— J. Hunt and 93 others. No. 39.—L. Sullivan and 14 others. No. 50. —J. Grimmond and 186 others. No. 40.— W. Searlo and .1.2 others. No. 81.—A. Clifton and 131 others. No. 41.—P. Hende and 16 others. I No. 132.— G. R. Hunter and 158 others.

No. 64. —Petition of Charles T. Houghton, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for injuries received while employed as chainman on a survey party. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th September, 191.5.

No. 169.—Petition of Margaret Jackson and 3,150 Others; and No. 283, Petition of William Armstrong and 183 Others. Praying for a reduction of the sentence passed on Louis Fosbender for manslaughter. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for immediate and .favourable consideration; and the Committee respectfully desires to point out to the Government that this case shows the great necessity for the right of appeal in criminal cases similar to the English criminal appeal law. 22nd September, 1915.

No. 268.—Petition of Peter Ambrose Levin, of Wellington. Praying for further compensation for services rendered by him to the State. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 22nd September, 1915.

No. 327. —Petition of John Bell, of Auckland. Praying for an inquiry and compensation for loss sustained by him through an alleged miscarriage of justice. I am directed to report the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. Ist October, 1915.

No. 269. —Petition of Hustin Curlett, of Clvristchurch. Praying for compensation for loss sustained by him through the sale of his property by the Public Trustee. I am directed to report the Committee is of opinion that an inquiry into the circumstances ■connected with the petition should be made in Christchurch, where full evidence may be obtained, and refers it to the Government for favourable consideration. Ist October, 1915.

No. 138.—Petition of Dr. Harry A. de Lautour, of Kilbirnie. Praying for redress in connection with his services as a Medical Officer in the New Zealand Military Forces. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Ist October, 1915.

No. 233.—Petition of William Smith Dryden, of Raetihi. Praying for a compassionate allowance on account of injuries received while in the employ of the Public Works Department. I am directed to report the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition, Ist October, 1915.

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No. 344.—Petition of H. G. Ell, of Christchurch. Praying that inquiry be made into the proposed change in the location of departmental offices in Christchurch. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee it is desirable that such Departments as the Lands and Survey and Deeds Registration Departments should be accommodated in the same building, and that this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Ist October, 1915.

No. 16.—Petition of W. J. Geddis and Another, of Auckland. Praying for refund of costs incurred in defending an action for libel. I am directed to report the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. Ist October, 1915.

No. 323. —Petition of William A. Johnston, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for expenses and loss incurred by him through defending charges in the Magistrate's Court and Supreme Court. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist October, 1915.

No. 320. —Petition of Robert Cairns, of Auckland. Praying for recognition and compensation for alleged unlawful dismissal from the Waerenga Experimental Farm. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for inquiry. sth October, 1915.

No. 163.—Petition of Frederick Edward Norman Gaudin, of Auckland. Praying for inquiry before a Judge or Judges of the Supreme Court, or by a Select Committee of the House, into charges of war treason of which he was convicted. I am directed- to report that in the opinion of the Committee Frederick Edward Norman Gaudin committed offences against the military laws and Government of Samoa by removing gold in wilful defiance of a Proclamation issued by the Administrator, and also by carrying correspondence which had not passed the Samoan censorship. Such offences could not be overlooked by the military authorities of Samoa; but the sentence imposed by the Military Court, that of imprisonment for five years with hard labour, was out of all proportion to the offences committed. There was no reason to suppose that in acting as -he did the petitioner was animated by any intention to assist the enemy by any traitorous or disloyal purpose. The evidence shows that the petitioner has suffered and is still suffering considerably as a result of the misconception in the public mind that he has been guilty of treason, which feeling is largely caused by the severity of the sentence imposed. The Committee therefore recommends that the Government take immediate steps to put on public record that the petitioner, while he was guilty of and punished for breaches of military law, was in no way guilty of either treasonous conduct or treasonous intent, and recommends this petition, with the minutes of the evidence, to the Government for favourable consideration. (Vide Appendix 1.-la.) sth October, 1915.

No. 328.—Petition of Margaret Helm, of Dunedin. Praying for a refund of police expenses incurred in connection with the extradition of James Chapman from Australia. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. sth October, 1915.

No. I.4l.—Petition of Duncan Anderson, late of Wellington. Praying for compensation for services rendered and loss incurred while in the Auckland Militia. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee tin's petition should be allowed to lapse. 7th October, 1915.

No. 258, Petition of C. E. Baldwin and 599 Others; No. 277, Petition of E. G. Ball and 599 Others; No. 356, Petition of E. Whittaker and 99 Others; and No. 381, Petition of E. McAuliffe and 600 Others. Praying that the land-tax be increased, and the Customs taxes on the necessaries of life be reduced. I am directed to report, as the matter involved is a question of policy and at present before the Government, the Committee has no recommendation to make.

7th October, 1915. 2.—1. 1.

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No. 271. —Petition of Michael Clarkin, of Taumarunui. Praying for compensation on account of injuries received by his son whilst allegedly in the employ of the Public Works Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th October, 1915.

No. 352.—Petition of John Cochran, of New Brighton. Praying for relief in connection with a prohibition order. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th October, 1915.

No. 334.—Petition of A. R. Davis and 11 Others, of Pukearuhe. Praying for the removal of the telephone-office to a more central place. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th October, 1915.

No. 379.—Petition of Thomas M. Gillies and 1,181 Others, of Dunedin. Praying for the remission of the remainder of the sentence imposed upon John Robert Henderson. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee inquiry should be made regarding the petition, and refers it to the Government for immediate and favourable consideration. 7th October, 1.915.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that at a meeting of the Public Petitions A to L Committee the following resolution was unanimously adopted : — " The Committee wishes to put on record the valuable services rendered by the Chairman (J. H. Escott, Esq.), and acknowledges the tactful and courteous way in which he has conducted the business of the Committee." 7th October, 1915.

Special Report. I am directed to report that the Committee, having in view the ten. years' service of the Clerk (Mr. E. D. Dunne) to this Committee, desires to recognize the ability he has shown in connection with the business of the Committee, and recommends that he be permanently appointed to the Committee. 7th October, 1915.

Final Report. I am directed to report— The Committee held 13 meetings during the session. The Committee dealt with 68 petitions. The number referred to the Government for immediate and favourable consideration was 2 The number referred to the Government for special favourable consideration was ... 1 The number referred to the Government for favourable consideration was ... ... 14 The number referred to the Government for consideration was ... ... ... 27 The number referred to the Government for inquiry was ... ... ... ... 2 The number withdrawn by leave of the House was ... ... ... ... ... I The number which was allowed to lapse was ... ... ... ... ... 1 The number on which the Committee had no recommendation to make was ... ... 14 The number held over until next session was ... ... ... ... ... 6 Total ... ... ... ... ... .. ... 68 7th October, 1915.

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