5

1.—6.

2. That the Hon. the Minister of Lands only consented to transfer the land direct to Mr. Macdonald on condition that the City Council should pay the sum of £652 to the Receiver of Land Revenue to the credit of the Hon. T. K. Macdonald, and only after being assured that if the said land were conveyed to the City Council that body would be unable to transfer it to Mr. Macdonald, in which case the whole scheme of improvement to Woodward Street might have had to be abandoned. 3. That the price obtained by the Crown for said 655 perches was a fair and reasonable one. 18th September, 1908. [Vide also Appendix 1.-5 a and C.-13.] Hawera Technical School Site Exchange Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Hawera Technical School Site Exchange Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed. 23rd September, 1908. Otago Heads Native Reserve Road Bill. The Lauds Committee, to whom was referred the Otago Heads Native Reserve Road Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to pioceed. 23rd September, 1908. No. 32.—Petition of F. G. Reynolds and 12 Others, of Waiorongomai. Petitioners pray for an improvement in the tenure of the lands leased by them at Waiorongomai from the Thames High School Board of Governors. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Education Committee. 23rd September, 1908. No. 402. —Petition of John Ross Brodie, of Rangitata, Canterbury. Petitioner prays for compensation on account of the insufficiency of notice to determine tenancy of certain lands. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 23rd September, 1908. No. 28.—Petition of A. A. Dallas and 153 Others, of Taumarunui. Petitioners pray that, as the tenure and law relating to the site of the Township of Taumarunui is unsatisfactory, the House afford such relief as it thinks fit. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a view of steps being taken to introduce legislation this session. 23rd September, 1908. No. 124.—Petition of W. F. Donet, of Woodville. Petitioner prays for inquiry and compensation in connection with a lease of certain land. T am directed to report that, owing to the length of time which elapsed after the application and before the completion of the survey, the Committee recommends that the deposit be returned to the petitioner. 23rd September, 1908. Nos. 497, 565, and 614.--Petition of C. W. Wade and 19 Others, Thomas Gilchrist and 13 Others, and A. Brown and 13 Others, of Blackstone, Otago. Petitioners pray for the remission of a year's rent owing to loss suffered through a snowstorm in the Blackstone Survey District. I am directed to report that, as the consideration of remissions of rent under the circumstances described in the petitions comes under the jurisdiction of the Otago Land Board, the petitioners be directed to apply direct to that body. 30th September, 1908.