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No. 278. —Petition of Henry H. Smith, of Wellington. Praying that he be paid the rate of pay due to a Quartermaster-Sergeant in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces until his discharge. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for further consideration and inquiry. 6th September, 1917.

No. 228.—Petition of Frank W. Minchington, of Southbrook. Praying for compensation for his wife's services while she resided at Te Oranga Home. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th September, 1917.

No. 293. —Petition of Ernest P. Pridham, of Wanganui. Phaying for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his discharge from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. ' I am directed to rejiort that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th September, 1917.

No. 370. —Petition of John Wilson, of Auckland. Praying that a special Compensation Court be set up as under the Public Works Act, 1908, to investigate his claim to further compensation for certain land taken from him by the Railway Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Railways Committee. 26th September, 1917.

No. 215.—Petition of Duncan McGregor and Another, of Wanganui. Praying that they be granted alleged arrears of military pension. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee, having regard to the delays of the Defence Department in inquiring into and granting the pensions of petitioners, the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable "consideration, with the view of granting compensation for such delays. 26th September, 1917.

No. 4.—Petition of Helen Irene Maling, of London. Praying for some relief on account of her late husband's services to the Dominion. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th September, 1917.

No, 210.—Petition of Ellen Richardson, of Dunedin. Praying for a compassionate allowance for death of her husband while in the employ of the Education Department. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th September, 1917.

No. 104 (1916). —Petition of William Tutepuaki Pitt, of Wellington. Praying that a Commission of inquiry be set up to inquire and report on the termination of his appointment in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a view to the setting-up of a Commission of inquiry to inquire into and report upon the procedure adopted in connection with the return of petitioner to New- Zealand. 26th September, 1917.

No. 255 (1916). —Petition of Hall Skelton, of Auckland, Solicitor. Praying that the amount of bail estreated in the case of one Fairchild be refunded the bondsmen. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th September, 1917.