Ij I

1894. NEW ZEALAND.

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

ORDER OP REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Tuesday, the 26th Day of June, 1894. Ordered, "That a Public Petitions A to L Committee ; consisting of ten members, be appointed to consider all petitions 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 their contents, and to report the same from time to time to this House, and to have power to report its opinions and observations thereupon to this House; also to have power to call for persons and papers: three to be a quorum. The Committee to consist of Mr. Crowther, Mr. Green, Mr. McLachlan, Major Harris, Mr. Joyce, Mr. J. W. Kelly, Mr. Massey, Mr. Mills, Mr. O'Regan, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Cadman.)

No. 577, 1893.—Petition of J. D. Frankish, M.D., of Christchurch. Petitioner prays for a Eoyal Commission to investigate the management of certain public departments and institutions. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. sth July, 1894.

No. 32. —Petition of A. E. Jaquiery, of Invercargill. Petitioner states that her late husband served in the Prisons Department from 1875 to 1891; that he had to resign on account of breaches of the prison rules ; and that he received no compensation. That petitioner believes her husband's death was indirectly the result of a blow received from a prisoner several years before. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 6th July, 1894.

No. 2.—Petition of William Hepburn, of Wellington. Petitioner states that he joined the Armed Constabulary in 1879; that he was transferred to the Defence Store Department as express-driver in 1888; that he served there until May, 1894; that he was then compulsorily retired, and that he only received three months' pay in lieu of notice. He prays for the usual compensation —viz., one month's pay for every year of service. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the sum of £147 os. 3d should be paid to the petitioner by the Government. 10th July, 1894.

No. 42.—Petition of W. D. G. Bohning, of Eoslyn, Dunedin. Petitioner states that he was seriously injured while working for the Kaitangata Eailway and Coal Company; that he was physically unable to give notice of his accident within ten days as prescribed by law, thereby losing his right to assistance out of the funds provided for injured miners. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 10th July, 1894.

No. 28.—Petition of James Beatty, of Auckland. Petitioner prays for further compensation for loss of office in the Prisons Department. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 10th July, 1894. 1-L 1.

EEPORTS OF PUBLIC PETITIONS A TO L COMMITTEE. (Me. JOHN JOYCE, CHAIRMAN.)