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No. 452.—Petition of Philip Eva, of New Plymouth. Praying that he be granted a pension for services as a Militiaman. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion, in view of the fact that petitioner, on account of his age, is disqualified from obtaining the old-age pension, and that he is totally blind, the petition should be recommended to the Government for favourable consideration. 4th December, 1913.

No. 462.—Petition of G. S. Hardy and 79 Others, of South Eakaia. Praying that part of the district may be constituted a town district. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 4th December, 1913.

No. 191. —Petition of Peter Heyes, of Wellington. (Third Report.) Praying that the charges on which he was asked to resign his position as Commissioner of Taxes be fully inquired into, and that he be granted compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends, in view of the circumstances surrounding the retirement of Mr. P. Heyes from the Public Service, that his petition be referred to the Government with a recommendation that the subject-matter thereof, and the statement made before the Committee, should be investigated by a Judge of the Supreme Court. 4th December, 1913.

No. 381.—Petition of Walter J. Hunt, of Wellington. Praying that the opinion of the Crown Law Officers be obtained on the legality of petitioner's agreement with the Natives, and for compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 4th December, 1913.

Special Report. The Public Petitions A to L Committee desires to express to this House its unanimous appreciation of the high and distinguished services rendered to the Committee by the Chairman, Mr. J. H. Bradney. 4th December, 1913.

No. 466. —Petition of H. A. Giller, of Christchurch. Praying for compensation for loss of office as Assistant Postmaster at Christchurch. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for immediate and favourable consideration. 9th December. 1913.

No. 447.—Petition of the Green Island Borough Council, of Green Island. Praying that the sum of £103 raised by the Green Island Rifles towards the purchase of a public hall be paid to the Council. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 9th December, 1913.

Special Report. The Committee desires to place on record its high appreciation of the services of its Clerk (Mr. E. D. Dunne) during the past two sessions, and that the attention of the Government be drawn to his eight years' careful and painstaking work on the A to L Committee as well as <>n other Committees, with a view to making his appointment permanent; and that this resolution be forwarded to the Government for early and favourable consideration, thereby carrying out the recommendation of the Committee in 1911. 9th December, 1913.

Final Report. 1 am directed to report that— The Committee held 23 meetings during the session. The Committee dealt with 66 petitions (including 3 held over from last session). The number referred to the Government was .. .. . . . . .. .. 4 The number referred to the Government for consideration was .. .. .. 17 The number referred to the Government for favourable consideration was . . .. .. 13 The number referred to the Government for immediate and favourable consideration was .. 6 The number referred to other Committees was .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 The number on which the Committee made special reports was .. .. .. 2 The number on which the Committee had no recommendation to make was .. 21 The average attendance of members at each meeting was .. .. .. .. 8-0 J. H. Bradney, 9th December, 1913. Chairman.

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