I.—2a

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE. (REPORT ON THE PETITION OF GEORGE ROSS, OF WELLINGTON, TOGETHER WITH PETITION, MINUTES OF EVIDENCE, AND APPENDICES.)

Brought up 4th October, 1892, and ordered to be printed.

Petitionee prays for further compensation for loss of office in the Railway Department. I am directed to report that, after having heard the evidence of Mr. Commissioner Maxwell and petitioner, the Committee are of opinion that, although the latter had not received the official notification of his appointment as foreman till 1886, and as he had been performing the duties of that office and had been entered on the pay-sheets as foreman since 1879, he is entitled to further compensation from 14th April, 1879, to Ist April, 1886, subject to deductions for any sums paid during that period for overtime work. 4th October, 1892. T. Thompson, Chairman.

No. 528, 1892. PETITION. To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. I desieb respectfully to present my humble petition for further consideration, by way of compensation or retiring-allowance, in connection with services faithfully rendered whilst in the employ of the New Zealand Government Railways. Particulars of your petitioner's case are as follows: In August, 1875, I joined the service at Nelson as a fireman at Bs. per working-day; February, 1876, promoted as spare driver at Bs. 6d. per working-day; December, 1876, promoted as driver and fitter, at 10s. per working-day; April, 1879, transferred from Nelson to Wellington section as a locomotive foreman of Rimutaka Incline at 12s. per working-day; in 1886, was transferred from Cross Creek to Wellington as locomotive foreman in charge of the whole section. When taking up duty at Cross Creek, the then District Manager, George Ashcroft, Esq., having in view the peculiar nature of the work required, recommended your petitioner to the then Commissioner, F. B. Passmore, Esq., for an increase of salary commensurate with the important and responsible duties to be performed, which, however, was not granted. Subsequent to this the District Manager arranged that extra allowance should be paid periodically. Whilst located at Cross Creek the duties involved careful and close application, with long hours, for which your petitioner received inadequate remuneration; for although allowances, which were entered in the paysheets as overtime, were paid, yet such allowances did not fully recoup your petitioner for services rendered. Your petitioner severed his connection with the railway service on the 23rd September, 1891, and the reasons that led to this are clearly stated .in a copy of resignation attached. (Vide Appendix I.) % it After leaving the service, your petitioner received the sunji of £55 6s. 2d. compensation as for two years and three hundred and-two days. ; ' Your petitioner most humbly submits that he should receive compensation for all the time that he was in the service—namely, from 1875 to the time the jfSpimissionera took office. Compensation on this basis would represent the sum of £261 12s. 6d., which, after deducting the compensation paid by the Commissioners —£55 6s. 2d. —would leave £206 6s. 4d., a sum which your petitioner humbly prays may be paid to him. And your petitioner will ever pray. Geoegb Ross.