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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1917 Session I, I-01

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1917. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Mxtraets from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Friday, this 20th Day or July, 1917. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ton members, to consider all petitions from A to L that may be referred to it by the 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 thoir contents, and to report the same from time to time 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 : the Committee to consist of Mr. Brown, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Harris, Mr. Parr, Mr. Payne, Mr. T. W. Rhodes, Mr. G. H. Smith, Dr. Thackor, Mr. Wright, and the mover." —(Hon. Mr. Russell.) Tuesday, the 28th Day or August, 1917. Ordered, " That all petitions not finally dealt with during the session of 1916 bo again referred to the same Committees as they wore roforrod to during the said session." —(Right Hon. Mr. Massuy.)

INDEX.

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No. Petition. Page. No. _______ Petition. Page. 414 292 Andrew, John Auckland Unregistered Dentists' Association 5 3 221 101 127 58/16 Gannon, Michael Joseph Gillies, Edith Maude Guinness, E. R. Guthrie, Robert 2 3 4 2 394 142 129 403 Bieknell, John T. Bii'ss, Alexander William Boyd, J. J., and 3 others Brear, A., and 38 others' 4 2 2 5 433 442 418 277 131/15 183 475 236 Hannan, ,J. H. Hartridge, 0. Helm, Margaret Henley, Thomas Hill, Reginald W. Holland, Thomas .. Hughes, J. G. Hyde, Thomas Arthur 5, fi 5 5 3 2 2 6 4 87 413 46 36!) 110 94 406 224 Chicken, J., and 15 others Clark, Archibald R. Clarke, W. H, and 16 others Colbran, M., and 2,249 others Crone, Thomas William Cunnabell, A. I)., and 8 others Ounninghame, John, and 83 others Curlott, Huston 2 5 2 4 2 2 3 4 405 Ingram, Adeline 5 198 3 143 Jaoobson, Theo. Jollyman, Harriet Johnston, W. A. 3 4 3 387 132 404 1 434 Day, Harold.. do Mey, Edward Denew, Janet, and 9 others Donnett, W. (!., and 22 others D'Postine, J. J. 4 3 5 2 6 383 205 K.eatinge, Richard F. .. King, 1). T., and 5 others 5 3 206 480 Luxford, H. A , and 24 others .. Lyttle, S. A., and 5 others 2 6 64 Earlos, Douglas Donald 3 483 131 192 Pearson, Edward, and 3 others.. Porter, T. W., and 20 others .. Prooco, G. A., and 13 others (i 2 2 213 21.4 331 440 Fenton, H. C, and 207 others Fenton, H. G, and 280 others Fowler, James Fryday, Nicholas 4 4 4 5 Special Report (re Chairman) .. Special Report (re Olerk) 0 6 i

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EEPORTS. Nos. 619 (1914) and 131 (1915).— Petitions of 'Reginald W. Hill, of Auckland. Praying for inquiry into his sanity, and for compensation for alleged wrongful detention in certain mental hospitals. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion these petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration, and all papers in connection therewith be sent to the Minister of Public Health. 15th August, 1917.

No. 142.—Petition of Alexander William Brass, of Carterton. Praying for remission of the fines imposed in connection with certain legal proceedings. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should lie referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th August, 1917.

No. 18-I.—Petition of Thomas Holland, of Carterton. Praying for the remission of the fines imposed in connection with certain legal proceedings. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. I.sth August, 1917.

No. 1. —Petition of W. G. Donnktt and 22 Others, and 6 similar Petitions (as per Schedule attached). Praying for (a) amendment of Military Pensions Act, 1913, to allow qualified pensioners to draw their pensions in any part of the British Empire, and (b) to allow Maori War military pensioners to draw the old-age pension. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion these petitions should be referred to the Government for immediate and favourable consideration. 6th September, 1917.

Schedule. No. 46.— W. H. Clarke and 16 others. No. 131.— T. W. Porter and 20 others. No. 87.—John Chicken and 15 others. No. 192.— G. A. Prcece and 13 others. No. 94.—A. D. Cunnaboll and 8 others. No. 206.— H. A. Luxford and 24 others.

No. 58 (1916). —Petition of Robert Guthrie, of Timaru. Praying for the restoration of his name to the Commission of the Peace. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be allowed to be withdrawn, with the consent of petitioner and the member presenting the petition. 6th September, 1917.

No. 110.—Petition of Thomas William Crone, of Waimate. Praying for a refund of stamp and succession duty paid out of the estate of the late Private Joseph James Crone. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 6th September, 1917.

No. 221.—Petition of Michael Joseph Gannon, of Gisborne. Praying for recognition of his services as Maori Interpreter. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 6th September, 1917.

No. 129.—Petition of J. J. Boyd and 3 Others, of Onehunga. Praying that steps, be taken or legislation be introduced to prevent interference with the existing water-supply for the Borough of Onehunga. 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. 12th September, 1917.

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No. 198.—Petition of Tmoo. Jacobson, of Ellerslie. Praying for compensation for loss sustained by the Hooding of his property caused by the formation of roadways round his section. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the" Government for consideration. 12th September, 1917.

No. 277. —Petition of Thomas Henley, of Waituhi, Taurangamutu, Taumarunui. Praying for arrears of wages due to him by a contractor under the Public Works Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be recommended to the Government for immediate and favourable consideration; also, that the Act be amended Io make it the duty of employers, including the Crown, to sec that wages claims are paid to workers weekly in accordance with the law. 12th September, 1917.

No. 64. —Petition of Douglas Donald Eakles, of Wanganui. Prating that time be granted him in respect to certain promissory notes due to the Public Trustee as Custodian of Enemy Property. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion the Public Trustee should be requested to make further inquiries into the petitioner's financial position, and if in his opinion the petitioner could liquidate his liabilities if granted an extension of time the Public Trustee should act accordingly, and that the petition should therefore be referred to the Government. 26th September, 1917.

No. 101.—Petition of Edith Maude Gillies, of St. Albans. Praying for a compassionate allowance for services rendered by her late husband when a member of the Police Force. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th September, 1917.

No. 292. —Petition of Auckland Unregistered Dentists' Association, of Auckland. Praying that legislation be passed this session to enable members of the association to be specially examined, and, if successful, to be allowed to register. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th September, 1917.

No. 406. —Petition of John Cunninghame and 83 Others, of Palmerston North. Praying for the continuance in office of the National Efficiency Board. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 26th September, 1917.

No. I.32.—Petition of Edward de Mey, of Awatuna. Praying for compensation for alleged malicious prosecution in connection with a charge of sheepstealing. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 27th September, 1917.

No. 143.—Petition of W. A. Johnston, of 8 Walter Street, Wellington. Praying for compensation for alleged wrongful imprisonment. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 27th September, 1917.

No. 205.—Petition of D. T. King and 5 Others, of Carterton. Praying for inquiry, and relief for monetary loss sustained when subcontractors for Government workers' dwellings at Carterton. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee Mr. Sanderson, the Government Overseer, represented to the subcontractors that the Department had taken over the contract and they could look directly to the Department for payment, and 'as these misrepresentations undoubtedly misled the subcontractors, and in one case a bank financing a subcontractor, the Committee recommends that the Government in equity should meet the subcontractors' claims, and recommends them to the Government for favourable consideration. 27th September, 1917.

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No. 387.—Petition of Harold Day, of 9 Ross Street, Roslyn. Praying for compensation for loss alleged to be sustained through his having been called up for military service. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 27th September, 1917.

No. 127.—Petition of E. R. Guinness, of Timaru. Praying for a refund of duty paid to the Stamp Department on shares given to his son. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 3rd October, 1917.

No. 213.—Petition of 11. C. Fenton and 267 Others, of Mount Eden, Auckland. Praying that the rights of ratepayers be conserved in the matter of expenditure and borrowing, and for an inquiry. I. am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 3rd October, 1917.

No. 214. —Petition of 11. C. Fenton and 280 Others, of Mount Eden, Auckland. Praying that certain proposals alleged to have been made by the Attorney-General with regard to providing employment for discharged soldiers at the conclusion of the war be not given effect to. J am directed to report that as the prayer of the petition involves a matter of policy the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd October, 1917.

No. 224.—Petition of Huston Curlett, of Christchurch, Praying for compensation for wrongful detention in a mental hospital, and for harsh treatment by the police. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, and recommends that in future mental patients should not be conveyed to mental hospitals in conveyances containing prisoners. 3rd' October, 1917.

No. 236. —Petition of Thomas Arthur Hyde, of Hamilton. Praying for exemption from further military service, and compensation for monetary loss sustained while a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. 1 am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 3rd October, 19.17.

No. 331.—Petition of James Fowler, of 17 Union Street, Auckland. Praying for remission of sentence passed on Mary Ann Fowler. 1 aui directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 3rd October, 1917.

No. 369.—Petition ol' M. COLBRAN and 2,249 Others, of luvereargill. Praying that members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force who have been on active service for three years be returned to New Zealand on six months' furlough. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 3rd October, 1917.

No. 394. —Petition of John T. Bicknell, of Kahutara, Featherston. Praying for compensation for loss sustained through the overflow from drainage-race in the Taw aha Settlement. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Lands Committee. 4th October, 1917.

No. 3. —Petition of Harriet Jellyman, of Morrinsville. Praying for relief and inquiry into the treatment of her husband by the hospital and police authorities. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and that under the circumstances no charge should be made for maintenance of the patient while an inmate of any mental hospital. 10th October, 1917.

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Nos. 403 and 404.—Petitions of A. Brear and 38 Others, and Janet Denew and 9 Others, of Avondale, Auckland. Praying that the inquiry petitioned for by Adeline Ingram be granted. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion these petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 10th October, 1917.

No. 405.—Petition of Adeline Ingram, of Avondale, Auckland. Praying for an inquiry into the cause that led to the removal of a child from her custody, which child she had received from the Mount Albert Industrial Home. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 10th October, 1917.

No. 414.—Petition of John Andrew, of Dunedin. Praying for a compassionate allowance for services rendered in. the South African War. 1 am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 10th October, 1917.

No. 418. —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 the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 10th October, 1917.

No. 433. —Petition of J. H. Hannan, of Auckland. Praying for compensation and inquiry into his alleged wrongful prosecution. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to- make on this petition. 10th October, 1917.

No. 413.—Petition of Archibald R. Clark, of 9 Cornhill Street, Christchurch. Praying for a compassionate allowance or other relief for the loss of his leg while a member of the New Zealand Engineers (Territorials). I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 17th October, 1917.

No. 440.—Petition of Nicholas Fryday, of Ngaere. Praying for compensation, or further inquiry into charges alleged to have been made against him while a member of the New Zealand Permanent Artillery. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th October, 1917.

No. 442. —Petition of C. Hartridoe, of Wellington. Praying for inquiry into his retirement from the position of Correspondence Clerk in the Base Records Branch of the Defence Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 17th October, 1917.

No. 383.—Petition of Richard F. Keatinge, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for loss of employment owing to his disability developing while in camp on military service, and alleged loss of employment consequent thereon. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for inquiry. 27th October, 1917.

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No. 434.—Petition of J. J. D'Postine, of Petone. Praying for relief on account of accident caused by a kick from a horse while in the employ of the Public Works Department. 1 am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 27th October, 1917.

No. 475.—Petition of J. G. Hughes, of Island Bay, Wellington. Praying for relief on account of his enforced retirement from the Defence Forces through being medically unfit, caused by ill health contracted while on active service. 1 am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion the petitioner has a just and equitable claim, and recommends his case for immediate and favourable consideration. 27th October, 1917.

No. 480, Petition of S. A. Lyttle and 5 Others; and No. 483, Petition of Edward Pearson and 3 Others. Praying for an amendment of the Legislature Act, 1908, so far as it relates to the alteration of electoral boundaries and the necessity for placing licensed premises in no-license districts as the result of alterations made. I am directed to report that the Committee, while recognizing that the extreme hardship of the petitioners' case is so evident as to make the petitions worthy of the immediate and serious consideration of the Government, finds the question is one of policy, and therefore the Committee is unable to make a recommendation. 27th October, 1917.

No. 433.—Petition of J. 11. Hannan, of Auckland. (Second Report.) Praying for relief for alleged malicious prosecution. I am directed to report the Committee has no recommendation to make in connection with this petition. 27th October, 1917.

Special Report. I am directed to report that the following resolution was unanimously adopted : " That the Committee desires to record its high appreciation of the tact and consideration shown to members and petitioners by its Chairman (J. Vigor Brown, Esq.) during the time he has conducted the proceedings, and it is the unanimous wish of the Committee that this resolution should be recorded on the minutes and reported to the House." 27th October, 1917.

Special Report. I am directed to report that the following resolution was unanimously adopted : " That the Committee desires to place on record its high sense of appreciation of the services rendered by the Glerk (Mr. E. D. Dunne), whose untiring energy and courtesy have been of much assistance to the Committee in its deliberations, and that this resolution should be recorded on the minutes and reported to the House." 27th October, 1917.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (050 copies), £5.

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Price 6d.]