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No. 729, 1894.—Petition of John Milne and 15 Others, of Southland. Petitionebs pray that provision may be made for the construction of the Gore-Kelso Railway. I am. directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Ist August, 1895.

No. 100.—Petition of Samuel Vaile, of Auckland. Petitioneb prays that steps be taken to allow him to apply his system to some section of the railways. I am directed to report that, as the matter is still under the consideration of the Government, this Committee has no recommendation to make. Ist August, 1895. - No. 169.— W. Baknett and 69 Others (Christchurch Carriers). Petitionbbs pray that on the expiry of the Christchurch Eailway-cartage Contract it be not renewed. I am directed to report that, after carefully considering this petition, this Committee considers that in a large city like Christchurch the only satisfactory way of dealing with the question of railway-cartage is for the Eailway Department to deal with a responsible body. This Committee, therefore, is of opinion that the petitioners should consider the desirability of organizing themselves, when they would be able to tender as a body for the contract, dividing the work afterwards if their tender should be successful. 14th August, 1895. No. 312.—Petition of Silas Pappbill, of Westport. Petitioned prays that compensation be granted to him in respect of the loss of his eyesight whilst engaged in the employ of the Eailway Department. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner has been in the employment of the Eailway Department only for a comparatively short period of his life, and as this Committee is not convinced that his loss of sight was caused by his work in the department, it considers that the £70 compassionate-allowance proposed to be paid by the department should be acceptable to the petitioner, and that the matter should be referred to the Government. sth September, 1895. No. 386.—Petition of Oamabu Habboub Board. Petitionees pray that steps be taken to prevent unfair competition on the part of the Eailway Department. I am directed to report that, as the question involved is one of public policy, this Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 27th September, 1895. No. 352.—Petition of William Owens. Petitioneb states that he was formerly employed as shunter and wharf-porter at Lyttelton Eailway-station, and that he had to resign owing to his getting into debt through sickness in his family. He prays for employment or relief. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd October, 1895. No. 306.—Petition of Keith Eamsay. Petitionee prays that the differential rates on the railway from Dunedin to Invercargill may be inquired into and redress given. I am directed to report that, as the question involved is one of public policy, this Committee is of opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd October, 1895. No. 351.—Petition of Joseph Smaet. Petitionee prays for a compassionate allowance on account of his being disabled whilst in the service of the Eailway Department. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, the Government has treated the petitioner liberally, and the Committee has, therefore, no recommendation to make. 3rd October, 1895. Nos. 201, 395, 405, and 394.—Petitions of T. W. Dowson and Others, J. Hemphill and Others, T. C. Saiksbdey and Others, and J. N. Metcalf and Others. Petitionees pray that the North of Auckland Eailway may be extended from its present terminus towards Whangarei. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 3rd October, 1895.

No. 169.— W. Baknbtt and 69 Others (Christchurch Carriers). Petitionebs pray that on the expiry of the Ohristchurch Eailway-cartage Contract it be not renewed. I am directed to report that, after carefully considering this petition, this Committee considers that in a large city like Christchurch the only satisfactory way of dealing with the question of railway-cartage is for the Eailway Department to deal with a responsible body. This Committee, therefore, is of opinion that the petitioners should consider the desirability of organizing themselves, when they would be able to tender as a body for the contract, dividing the work afterwards if their tender should be successful. 14th August, 1895.

No. 312.—Petition of Silas Pappeill, of Westport. Petitioned prays that compensation be granted to him in respect of the loss of his eyesight whilst engaged in the employ of the Eailway Department. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner has been in the employment of the Eailway Department only for a comparatively short period of his life, and as this Committee is not convinced that his loss of sight was caused by his work in the department, it considers that the £70 compassionate-allowance proposed to be paid by the department should be acceptable to the petitioner, and that the matter should be referred to the Government. sth September, 1895.

No. 386.—Petition of Oamabu Harbour Board. Petitionebs pray that steps be taken to prevent unfair competition on the part of the Eailway Department. I am directed to report that, as the question involved is one of public policy, this Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 27th September, 1895.

No. 352. —Petition of William Owens. Petitioner states that he was formerly employed as shunter and wharf-porter at Lyttelton Eailway-station, and that he had to resign owing to his getting into debt through sickness in his family. He prays for employment or relief. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd October, 1895.

No. 306.—Petition of Keith Eamsay. Petitionee prays that the differential rates on the railway from Dunedin to Invercargill may be inquired into and redress given. I am directed to report that, as the question involved is one of public policy, this Committee is of opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd October, 1895.

No. 351. —Petition of Joseph Smaet. Petitionek prays for a compassionate allowance on account of his being disabled whilst in the service of the Eailway Department. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, the Government has treated the petitioner liberally, and the Committee has, therefore, no recommendation to make. 3rd October, 1895.

Nos. 201, 395, 405, and 394.—Petitions of T. W. Dowson and Others, J. Hemphill and Others, T. C. Saiksbdey and Others, and J. N. Metcalf and Others. Petitionbes pray that the North of Auckland Eailway may be extended from its present terminus towards Whangarei. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 3rd October, 1895.

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