3

L-6.

No. 33.—Petition of Maby Patteeson, of Christchurch. Petitionee prays for a compassionate allowance, her husband having been killed whilst performing his duties as shunter on the railway. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd August, 1900.

No. 107.—Petition of Jane Wilson, of Lyttelton. Petitionee prays for further compensation owing to the death of her husband, who served on the railway for about twenty-four years. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd August, 1900.

No. s.—Petition of Annie Qtjinn, of Auckland. Petitionee prays for a compassionate allowance, her husband having been injured whilst on duty, from the effects of which he eventually died. I am directed to report that the Committee sees no reason to alter the report of the Committee on the petition in 1897, viz. : " The Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd August, 1900.

No. 99.—William Noegate, of Lyttelton (No. 1), Petitionee, who was injured while working on a railway-truck on the wharf at Lyttelton, prays for compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1900.

No. 125.—Haeey Eaely, of Palmerston South, Otago. Petitionee, who alleges that he received a severe rupture whilst working on the railway, and was thereby rendered unfit for further work, prays for a compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1900.

No. 80.—Petition of James Cbaig, of Hilderthorpe, near Oamaru. Petitionee prays for a refund of £8 10s. which he paid for a season ticket for his child under protest. He claims exemption under the regulations issued for free school tickets. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1900.

No. 128.—Petition of A. Matheson and 102 Others, of Mokoreta, Wyndham, and Glenham. Petitionees pray that a survey may be made of a proposed line of railway from Wyndham or Glenham to Mokoreta. I am directed to report that, as the subject of this, petition is a question of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1900.

No. 97. —Petition of John Ballantine and 502 Others, of Hokonui Hills, between Gore and Winton. Petitionees pray that the Forest Hill Eailway may be extended beyond Hedgehope to Gore, a distance of fifteen miles. I am directed to report that, as the subject of this petition is a question of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1900.

No. 76. —Petition of James Wallace, of Papatoitoi, Auckland. Petitionee prays for compensation, owing to his property having been damaged by fire, alleged to have been caused by sparks from railway engines. I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration, and that Mr. Poynton's recommendation be given effect to. [Mr. Poynton's recommendation attached hereto.] 17th August, 1900.

Copy of Mr. J. W. Poynton's Report on Mr. Wallace's Claim. This claimant has suffered considerably from fires, which I have no doubt were started by sparks from locomotives. His family are in a continual state of suspense owing to the number of such fires. In the case of one particular fire, he was negligent—that is, in allowing dead pines to lie along the boundary of his land near the railway-line. The damage by that particular fire he estimates at £10.