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Nos. 61 and 111.—Petitions of John Peat, of Dunedin, and John Sutherland, of Mosgicl. Praying for a refund of stamp duty alleged to have been overpaid. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee these petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th August, 1917.

No. 106.—Petition of John Heath Newlyn, of Christchurch. Praying for an inquiry into his claim to the Maori War Medal. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th August, 1917.

No. 130. —Petition of J. P. O'Neill and 60 Others, of Lower Kokatahi. Praying for amendment of the Counties and Road Boards Acts. 1 am directed to report that, as the question raised is one of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th August, 1917.

No. 62. —Petition of Oliver Noakes, of -Auckland. Praying for compensation for alleged wrongful imprisonment. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 30th August, 1917. '

No. G6. —Petition of Oliver Mewhinney, of Wellington. Praying that the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, 1908, be amended. I am directed to report that, the petition raising a question of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 30th August, 1917.

No. 95.—Petition of Oliver Mewhinney, of Wellington. Praying for compensation in respect of certain litigation expenses and alleged wrongful imprisonment. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 30th August, 1917.

No. 207. —Petition of Walter Rutherford, of Auckland. Praying for a compassionate allowance for injuries sustained while on active service in the Maori War. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and that the Pension. Act should be amended by permitting holders of the Maori War pension to also hold the old-age pension. 30th August, 1917.

No. 246.—Petition of Hamilton Labatt Worthington, of Petone. Praying that the Imperial authorities be asked to obtain a certain partial release from the provisions of the Paris Sanitary Convention, 1912. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, the Committee believing that in the interests of the public health the steps mentioned in the prayer of the petition should be taken with all due expedition. 30th August,. 1917.

No. 195.—Petition of David T. Smith and 16 Others, of Christchurch. Praying that the provision in the Military Service Act, 1916, for the exemption of religious objectors be made similar to that laid down in section 65 of the Defence Amendment Act, 1912. I am directed to report that, the petition raising a question of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 6th September, 1917.