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No. 175.—Petition of Sir W. L. Buller. Petitionee prays for payment of costs incurred in the Horowheuua Block case. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Public Petitions A to L Committee, by whom a similar petition has already been dealt with. 30th September, 1904.

No. 461. —Petition of J. M. Davidson and Others. Petitioners pray that the Crown pay rates on Crown and Native lands. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 30th September, 1904.

Nos. 701, 702, and 703.—Petitions of C. Wilson and Others, li. Gribbon aud Others,'and W. R. Wright and Others. Petitioners pray that a bridge be erected over the Mokau River, and that the main AucklandTaranaki Road be deviated up the Awakino Valley. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 30th September, 1904.

No. 489. —Petition of John Cheyne. Petitioner prays for the opening of a road or compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee considers, as a road is shown on petitioner's title, the Lands and Survey Department should either provide him with the road or grant him reasonable compensation. The Committee therefore recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 30th September, 1904.

No. 561.—Petition of George Winter. Petitioner prays that the sum of £12, being a forfeited deposit on land, be refunded, as he was unable to complete the purchase within the time prescribed by law owing to illness. I am directed to report that the Committee, being of opinion that the circumstances are exceptional, recommends that the amount claimed be placed on the supplementary estimates for the purpose of repaying the petitioner. 30th September, 1904.

No. 513. —Petition of J. R. White and 8 Others (together with 15 other Petitions as per attached Schedule). Petitioners pray that Crown tenants may have the option of acquiring the freehold of their sections. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petitions be forwarded to the Government. 30th September, 1904.

Schedule. No. 514.—Edwin Dugmore and 34 others. No. 522.—Alexander Fleming and 17 others. „ 515.—Henry Walsh and 2 others. „ 523.—Samuel Atkinson and 12 others. „ 516.—William Breading and 10 others. „ 524.— R. Forrest and 8 others. „ 517. —Robert Graham Findlay and 12 others. „ 525.—Matthew Boyd and 13 others. „ 518.—John McLeay and 20 others. „ 526.— T. H. Brown and 50 others. „ 519.— J. C. Cooper and 11 others. „ 527.—A. D. Bryant and 18 others. „ 520.— F. S. Hall and 30 others. „ 528.—A. F. Roadley and 38 others. „ 521. —John Storey and 23 others.

Nos. 529, 530, 531, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540, 541, 542, 543, and 645.— Petitions of G. B. Watt and Others, Charles Chittock and Others, H. Buckland and Others, H. E. Davis and Others, F. Miller and Others, M. J. Stewart and Others, ¥. W. Hammond and Others, Thomas Manson and Others, F. Bensemann and Others, W. J. Pettit and Others, George Cossar and Others, Percy F. Wall and Others, Job Bond and Others, and John Dwyer and Others. Petitioners pray that Crown tenants may have the option of purchasing the freehold of their sections. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petitions be referred to the Government. 30th September, 1904.