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No. 20. —Petition of Louis Kitt, of Wellington, and 4 Others. (No. 1.) Petitioners piaj T that more drastic measures be taken for the suppression of opium-smoking. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition, together with the evidence of Inspector Ellison, should be referred to the Government, and that the Government be recommended to give effect to the prayer of the petition. (Vide also Appendix 1.-Id.) 19th August, 1904.

No. 21. —Petition of Louis Kitt, of Wellington, and 4 Others. (No. 2.) Petitioners pray that more drastic measures be taken for the suppression of gambling among Chinamen. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition, together with the evidence of Inspector Ellison, should be referred to the Government, and that the Government be recommended to give effect to the prayer of the petition. (Vide also Appendix 1.-Id.) 19th August, 1904.

No. 11. —Petition of James Howard, of Westport. Petitioner prays that compensation be granted him for loss of arm through the bursting of a cannon. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and, having in view the fresh evidence that Lieutenant-Commanding Cossgrove was also captain of the cadet corps, the Government be recommended to pay the petitioner the sum of £250 as conrpassionate allowance. 19th August, 1904.

No. 196. —Petition of Fanny Arndt, of Auckland. Petitioner prays that she may receive relief or compensation on account of her late husband's policies in the New Zealand Government Insurance Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make upon this petition. 26th August, 1904.

No. 347. —Petition of William Bennett, of New Plymouth. Petitioner prays that he may receive a further retiring-allowance as an ex public servant. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and that the Government be recommended to place the sum of £156 4s. 4d. on the estimates to compensate petitioner for loss of office. 26th August, 1904.

No. 367.---Petition of R. Crawford, of Wellington. Petitioner prays that compensation be granted him for loss of his son, an ex-Volunteer. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th August, 1904.

No. 397. —Petition of J. A. L. Hall, of Kawakawa, and 20 Others. Petitioners pray that the sum of £1,000 be placed upon the estimates for the construction of road and bridge en the Kaikohe-Kawakawa Koad. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th August, 1904.

No. 470.—Petition of J. A. Hayter, of Auckland, and 62 Others. Petitioners pray that a sum of £100 be placed upon the estimates for the completion of Hayter's Road. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th August, 1904.

No. 284. —Petition of Henry B. Htjddlestone, of Blenheim. Petitioner prays that effect be civen to past recommendations of the Public Petitions Committee in his favour. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make upon this petition. 26th August, 1904.