I.—2a

1905. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE: (REPORT OF) ON THE PETITIONS OF J. WILLIS AND OTHERS (AS PER SCHEDULE), TOGETHER WITH COPY OF PETITIONS AND MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. (Mr. BUDDO, Chairman.)

Beport brought up on Monday, the 23rd day of October, 1905.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE.

Wednesday, the 28th Day of June, 1905. Ordered, " That a Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to oonsider all petitions from M to Z that may be referred to it by the Petitions Classification Committee, to classify and prepare abstracts of such petitions in such form and manner as shall appear to it best suited to convey to this Housa all requisite information respecting their contents, and to report the same from time to time to this House, and to have power to report its opinions and observations thereupon to this House ; also to have power to call for persons and papers; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Alison, Mr. Buddo, Mr. Davey, Mr. Fowlds, Mr. W. Fraser, Mr. Kidd, Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Smith, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Mills.)

Wednesday, the 6th Day op September, 1905. Ordered, "That the petition of Joseph Willis and others be referred direct to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee." —(Mr. Tayloe.)

EEPOET.

No. 289. —Petition of Joseph Willis and 2 Others, of Christchurch (and 24 similar Petitions as per attached Schedule.) Petitioners pray that a full and unrestricted public inquiry may be held into the matter of an alleged payment to Captain E. 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 Eoyal Commission, the Committee has no recommendation to make. (A copy of the evidence taken is attached hereto.) Monday, 23rd October, 1905. D. Buddo, Chairman.

Schedule. No. 451. Willis, J., and 3 others, of Christchuroh. No. 482. Prime, W., and 61 others, of Christchurch. 455. McKenzie,E. St.Clair,and2oothers,of Oamaru. „ 483. Scarff, J., and 7 others. 456. Rogers, B. R., and 12 others, of Christchurch. „ 484. Thompson, J., and 39 others. 473. Banks, Mabel, and 20 others, of Christchurch. „ 485. Toogood, H. F., and 51 others, of Christchurch. '„ 474. Cock, J., and 11 others, of Christchurch. „ 486. Twomey, T., and 7 others, of Christchurch. 475. Gill, C, and 30 others, of Christchurch. „ 488. Comyns, L. C, and 37 others. * 476. Gullett, T., and 12 others, of Christchurch. „ 489. Johnstone, E., and 12 others, of Christchurch. „ 477. Gurney, A. L., and 21 others. „ 490. Flesher, J. A., and 21 others. 478. Hean, H. R., and 125 others, of Christchurch. „ 491. Millar, W., and 16 others, of Christchurch. 479. Hyde, S., and 16 others, of Christchurch. „ 492. Salkeld, Catherine, and 42 others, of Christ- "„ 480. Irving, J., and 38 others. church. 481. Mclntosh, Martha, and 2 others, of Christ- „ 504. Simms, A. A., and 189 others, of Christchurch. church. I „ 542. Haddon, W., and 32 others, of Nelson. I—l. 2a.