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No. 599.—Petition of Henry Ogle and Others, of Rawhia, Umawera. Petitioners pray for a survey of a road to be made from Rawhia to Umawera. I am directed to report that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th October, 1905.

No. 631.—Petition of J. W. Peahce and Another, of Dargaville. Petitioners pray for the grant of marine certificates. I am directed to report that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th October, 1905.

No. 558.—Petition of A. A. King and 2 Others, of Napier. Petitioners pray for an amendment to " The Dentists Act, 1904." I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make in respect to the prayer of this petition. 26th October, 1905.

No. 289.—Petition of Joseph Willis and 2 Others, of Christehurch (and 2.4 similar petitions asper attached schedule). Petitioners pray that a full and unrestricted public inquiry may be held into the matter of an alleged payment to Captain R. J. S. Seddon for reorganizing the Defence Stores at Wellington. I am directed to report that, as the prayer of the petitioners has been met by His Excellency the Governor appointing a Royal Commission, the Committee has no recommendation to make. A copy of the evidence taken is attached hereto. (Vide Appendix 1.-2 a.) 23rd October, 1905.

Schedule. No. 451.— J. Willis and 3 others. No. 482.— W. Prime and 61 others. n 455.— R. St. C. McKenzie and 20 others. ~ 483.— J. Scarff and 7 others. ~ 456.—8. R. Rogers and 12 others. ~ 484.— J. Thompson and>39 others. „ 473.—Mabel Banks and 20 others. „ 485.— H. F. Toogood and 51 others. n 474. — J. Cock and 11 others. „ 486.— T. TVomey and 7 others. „ 475.—C. Gill and 30 others. „ 488.—L. C. Comyns and 37 others. ~ 476.— T. Gullett and 12 others. „ 489.— E. Johnstone and 12 others. „ 477,—A. L. Gnrney and 21 others. „ 490.— J. A. Flesher and 21 others. „ 478.— H. R. Hean and 125 others. „ 491.—W Millar and 16 others. ( . 479._5. Hyde and 16 others. „ 492.—Catherine Salkeld and 42 others. „ 480. — J. Irving and 38 others. „ 504. —A. A. Sims and 189 others. ;, 481.—Martha Melntosh and 2 others. ~ 542.— W. Haddon and 32 others.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Public Petitions M to Z Committee has held twenty-three-sittings during the session. Number of petitions referred to the Committee ... ... ... 149 Number of petitions dealt with ... ... ... ... ... 129 Number of petitions held over ... ... ... ... ... 20 Number of reports presented to the House ... ... ... ... 129 Number of specific recommendations made therein ... ... ... 13 Number referred for favourable consideration ... ... ... 26 Number referred for consideration ... ... ... ... ... 42 Number, no recommendation, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 48 Note.—Of the twenty petitions not dealt with, five had not been returned from the Departments to which they had been referred, thirteen were referred to the Committee after it had held its last sitting, and two were held over until next session. Approxiwuite Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,425 copies), £8 6s.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9os. Price 6d.]