1.—2

8

No. 354.—Petition of M. O'Donoghue and 15 Others. Petitioners pray for a grant of £300 for the purpose of cleaning, widening, and deepening a drain near Te Aroha (Piako Canal). I am directed to report that in the opinion of this Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 24th November, 1910.

No. 752.—Petition of Robert Molntosh, of Clyde, Otago. Petitioner prays that an inquiry before a Warden or other competent person may be made into all matters connected with the application by F. W. Furkert, on behalf of His Majesty the King, for a license for a water-race for 100 heads of water from Loganburn. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make. 25th November, 1910.

No. 717.—Petition of John Monnis Schapiro, of Wellington. Petitioner prays for an inquiry concerning the alleged maladministration of his estate by the Official Assignee. I am directed to report that this Committee is of opinion, on the evidence given before it, that the following statements —" That the bankrupt (Schapiro) had given security over his plant to a Miss Sanderson, and had sold it (the plaet) and retained the proceeds " ; and, further, " That the bankrupt had evidently disposed of the plant mortgaged to her (Miss Sanderson), and had apparently kept the .proceeds " —made by Mr. A. Simpson, the Official Assignee, to His Honour the Chief Justice in the Bankruptcy Court on the Bth day of October, 1910, in connection with the bankruptcy proceedings of one John Morris Schapiro, and which appeared in the New Zealand Times of the 10th day of October, 1910, are incorrect, and that in the opinion of this Committee the Government should call upon the Official Assignee to withdraw such statements through the columns of the papers published in Wellington in which the offensive statements appeared. 25th November, 1910.

No. 789.—Petition of A. C. Weight and 39 Others, of Kawhia South, Auckland District. Petitioners pray that a trial survey should be proceeded with between Kawhia Harbour and the Main Trunk Railway line. I am directed to report that in the opinion of this Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 30th November, 1910.

No. 765.—Petition of Eugenic Tillman, of 34 Parkes Street, Woolston, Christchurch. Petitioner prays for compassionate allowance in respect of her late husband's services in the Public Works Department. I am directed to report that this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration.

30th November, 1910. . Final Report. 1 have the honour to report that the Public Petitions M to Z Committee has held twenty-one meetings during the session of 1910. Number of petitions referred to the Committee ... ... ... 165 Number of petitions dealt with ... ... ... ... ... 160 Number of petitions held over ... ... ... ... ... 5 Number of reports presented to the House ... ... ... ... 42 Number of specific recommendations made therein ... ... .. 4 Number referred for favourable consideration ... ... ... 15 Number referred for consideration ... ... ... ... ... 7 Number referred to other Committees ... ... ... ... 49 Number no recommendations, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 17 I am also directed to report the following resolution passed by the Committee, viz. : — "That this Committee desires to record its hearty appreciation of the great care and attention devoted by the Chairman (Mr. Craigie) to the business of the Committee, and of the able and courteous manner in which his duties have been carried out during this session of Parliament; and that this resolution be recorded on the minutes of the Committee, and be reported to the House." 30th November, 1910.

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