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Lowe, Chief Engineer of Working Eailways, the Committee finds, —(1.) That for miles the boundary of the Spring Creek and Lower Wairau Eiver Boards is the Opawa Eiver. (2.) That the prime cause of the floods in the Wairau Valley is the overflowing of the Wairau Biver into the Opawa. (3.) That a system of "banking" warfare has prevailed ever since the establishment of the two Boards. (4.) That the system of one Board " banking " against the other has resulted in a great waste of the ratepayers' money, without affording any permanent relief to either party. (5.) That private " banking " across the plain has materially increased the liability to floods by retarding the escape of the surplus waters. The Committee therefore recommends that all the rivers of the Wairau Valley should be placed under the control of one local body for river-conservation purposes, with increased powers sufficient to prevent private individuals erecting " banks," neutralising the work of the said body. The Committee is further of opinion that no special legislation is necessary, and that the provisions made for amalgamation in the Local Government Bill now before Parliament are sufficient to meet the case. 11th October, 1895.

No. 443. —Petition of Thomas Hodgson and 69 Others, of Auckland. Petitioners pray that the duty upon boots and shoes may not be increased. I am directed, to report that, as this matter has already been dealt with by the Tariff Bill, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 11th October, 1895.

No. 418. —Petition of James Fleming and 64 Others, of Eakawaka. Petitioners pray for the removal of the duty upon binder-twine. I am directed to report that, as this matter has already been dealt with by the Tariff Bill, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 11th October, 1895.

No. 419. —Petition of James Fowler and 75 Others, of Oreti. Petitioners pray for the removal of the duty upon binder-twine. I am directed to report that, as this matter has already been dealt with by the Tariff Bill, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 11th October, 1895.

No. 420.—Petition of J. W. Hamilton and 53 Others, of Thornbury. Petitioners pray for the removal of the duty upon binder-twine. I am directed to report that, as this matter has already been dealt with by the Tariff Bill, th& Committee has no recommendation to make. 11th October, 1895.

No. 450.—Petition of James Jones, of Eketahuna. Petitioner prays for compensation for land taken for railway purposes. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has in equity a claim with regard to the subject-matter of the petition, and therefore recommends that the Government should adjust the amount of compensation due, and settle the same. 16th October, 1895.

No. 344. —Petition of St. J. Hills and 7 Others, of Wairamarama, Whangape. Petitioners pray for a grant of money in aid of road-construction. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 16th October, 1895.

No. 258.—Petition of A. Hawkes and 73 Others, of Wainui. Petitioners pray for a grant of £400 in aid of road-construction. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th October, 1895.

No. 476. —Petition of William Dabley and 48 Others, of Eastern Bush. Petitionehs pray that a bridge may be erected (according to promise) across the Eiver Waiau, at Clifden. I am directed to report that, it having been shown that the Government has already promised that a bridge across the Eiver Waiau shall be built at Clifden, the Committee recommends the prayer of the petitioners to the favourable consideration of the Government. 16th October, 1895.

No. 318.—Petition of James Harvey, of Invercargill. Petitionek prays that the land-tax payable upon a certain estate bought by the Government may be remitted. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 16th October, 1895.