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No. 772. —Petition of Candace Patten, of Christohurch. Pbtitioneb prays that she may be granted a compassionate allowance on account of her late husband's services in the Customs Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 27th October, 1903.

No. 729.—Petition of John A. Pain, of Martinborough. Petitioner prays that he may be granted the sum of £20, being an amount recommended by previous Committees. I am directed to report that the petition be referred to the Government, with a recommendation that the sum of £20 be paid to the petitioner. 27th October, 1903.

No. 726.—Petition of John Kinneab McDonald, of Waingaro. Petitioner prays that his claim for military services rendered to the colony may be settled without delay. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petitioner's claim be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 27th October, 1903.

No. 830.—Petition of J. H. Mueeay and 449 Others, of Te Kuiti, &c. Petitionbbs pray that the inhabitants of the King-country may be granted the same privileges with regard to licensed houses as are enjoyed by the inhabitants of other parts of the colony. I am directed to report that, as there is legislation before the House on the subject of this petition, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th November, 1903.

No. 707. —Petition of E. Tildesley and 17 Others, of Masterton County. Pbtitionbes, who are ratepayers in the Masterton County, pray that they may be included in the Mauriceville County. I am directed to report that, after having considered the prayer of the petition, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th November, 1903.

No. 687. —Petition of John Scott Myers, of Marshlands. Petitioner prays that the prayer of his former petition may be reconsidered, &c. I am directed to report that, having further considered the petition of J. S. Myers and made inquiry into the objections to the Committee's previous finding, this Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th November, 1903. .

No. 851.—Petition of Martin Peteie, of Mangorei. Petitioner prays for an inquiry into the reason why he was not granted a loan on his property by the Government Life Insurance Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th November, 1903.

Nos. 862, 863, and 866. —Petitions of Ada Wells and 27 Others, E. C. Atkinson and 9 Others, M. Slatbb and 21 Others, of Christchurch. Petitioners pray that steps may be taken to obtain possession of the Bank of New Zealand for the purpose of making it absolutely and entirely a State bank. I am directed to report that the Committee affirms the resolution reported to the House on the 6th October last in connection with similar petitions—viz., " That this Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioners that the Bank of New Zealand be made absolutely and entirely a State bank, but that it be a recommendation to the Government that any State support granted the Bank of New Zealand at the close of the existing arrangement be in the nature of the colony joining as a shareholder and retaining a proportionate control in the management of the Bank." 17th November, 1903.

Nos. 867, 868, 869, 877, 879, 880, 884, 888, 889, and 890. — Petitions of Lieutenant Church and 7 Others, J. Watson and 9 Others, T. R. Clow and 16 Others, B. Bond and 12 Others, M. A. E. Pratt and Another, E. M. Spiers and Another, T. G. Caer and 4 Others, J. Tuenbdll and Another, C. H. Laws and Another, and J. W. Macky and 223 Others. Petitioners pray that the proposed Licensing Bill be not passed, &c. I am directed to report that, as the Licensing Bill has been disposed of by the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th November, 1903.