1.-2.

No. 686.-—Petition of J. D. Piper and 15 Others, of Woodville. Petitioners pray that assistance be granted towards the cost of opening up the Woodville-Aohanga (Piper's) Road for vehicular traffic. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 18th October, 1907.

No. 659. —Petition of T. Ussher and 140 Others, of Nihotapu. Petitioners pray for a sum of £500 to be granted for metalling and otherwise improving the Waikumete-West Coast Road. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 18th October, 1907.

Nos. 205, 206, 207, 231, and 237.—Petitions of J. Horn and 188 Others, J. Little and 313 Others, H. Schaumann and 599 Others, J. McDougall and 268 Others, and H. E. Stevens and 65 Others. Petitioners pray for the continuation of the work oil the Otago Central Railway. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that, as these petitions involve a question of policy, they should be referred to the Government for consideration. Bth October, 1907.

No. 528.—Petition of A. G. Smith, of Wellington, and N. McLeod, of Auckland/ V Petitioners pray for the balance of pay to be handed over to them for acting as commissioned officers in South Africa whilst only being paid as non-commissioned officers. I am directed to report that, in view of the admitted facts that these officers received commissions from the New Zealand Government, and served as lieutenants in South Africa, and, further, that they were not responsible for the non-confirmation of their commissions by the Imperial Government, the Committee is of opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. ~ : Bth October, 1907.

No. 82.—Petition of A. Plummer, of Auckland. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss on contract to feed Maori prisoners at the Chatham Islands, alleged to have been made with the Government. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make in respect to the prayer of this petition. Bth October, 1907.

No. 720.—Petition of T. R. Woolfield, of Otahuhu. Petitioner prays for a grant of land or other compensation for military services. . I am directed to report that the Committee, after giving further consideration to the petitiou and to departmental reports upon same, has no recommendation to make. 23rd October, 1907. . i

No. 766.—Petition of K. K. Mookenjee, of Calcutta. . Petitioner prays for pecuniary assistance. I am directed to. report that the Committee is of opinion that consideration of this petition should be deferred until this day six months. 30th October, 1907.

No. 696.—Petition of William Stubbles, of Porirua. Petitioner prays for compensation to the extent of the rent and rations to which he claims.to be entitled while serving as fireman at the Porirua Mental Hospital. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make in respect to the prayer of this petition. : : ' 30th October, 1907. :

Nos. 6 and 46.—Petition of Maud Vicars and 50 Others, and 48 other similar Petitions, containing 36,471 Signatures, praying for the Abolition of the Totalisator; also Petition of E.. J. Aitkin and 107 Others, and 301 other similar Petitions, containing 35,419 Signatures, praying for the Retention of the Totalisator. -. j -. . . , • I am directed to report that, as it is the expressed intention of the Government to bring down legislation this session dealing with this question, the Committee is of opinion that these petitions, containing over 70,000 signatures, should be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist November, 1907. ~

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