No. 24, Sess. II., 1884.—Petition of Pene Ngahiwi.

Petitioner, who resides at Hamilton East, in the Waikato District, states that one of the trucks employed in the construction of the railway line ran down a horse belonging to him and killed it; that the value of the said horse was £25, which price was actually paid for it. No precautions appear to have been taken to guard against such accidents. He mainly depended upon the horse for the support of his family. He prays for compensation.

I am directed to report as follows: That this petition was referred to the Public Works Department, and received answer therefrom that, if any compensation be due it is from the contractor, at the same time acknowledging that the facts are accurately stated. Since the petition was presented the petitioner has died, and his widow, a most worthy woman in every respect, is in distressed circumstances, and therefore is unable to prosecute the claim. The Committee recommends the Government should pay the widow £25, whether the amount be recoverable or not. The widow is herself in the last stages of consumption.