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No. 266. —Petition of the Auckland Acclimatization Society. Praying for the restoration or transfer to the Auckland Acclimatization Society of that part of the district taken over by the Government in 1907, or for compensation in respect of same. I am directed to rejiort that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th October, 1920.

No. 294. —Petition of Matthew Livingstone, of Wellington. Praying for inquiry into his alleged wrongful arrest, and that his reputation in the eyes of the public be reinstated. J am directed to report that the Committee is unanimously of opinion—(l) That the prayer of the petitioner "that his reputation be reinstated as far as possible in the eyes of the public" cannot be approved; (2) that the evidence shows that the action of the police was perfectly justified; (3) that, in view of the fact that the petitioner is the holder of a taxi-driver's license, a copy of the Committee's finding be forwarded to the Wellington City Council. 25th October, 1920.

No. 174. —Petition of J. H. Hannan, of Auckland. Praying that compensation be given to petitioner and his wife for great losses sustained through action of police. I am directed to report, that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 25th October, 1920.

No. 310. —Petition of James Clarke and 245 Others, of Taranaki. Praying for suitable legislation this «ession to secure relief for persons afflicted with blindness, I am directed to report that the Committee, whilst of the opinion that, this is a matter of policy, wishes to express its sympathy with the prayer of this petition, and refers it to the Government for immediate consideration. 25th October, 1920.

No. 326.—Petition of Margaret 11. A. Buchanan and 3,10."} Others, of Hawke's Bay. Praying that action be taken to prevent the funds from the Howard Estate being used for any purpose other than for the establishment of an Agricultural College in Hawke's Bay. I am directed to report that the Committee, whilst of opinion that a matter of policy is involved, wishes to express the opinion—(l) That under the terms of the will of the late Mr. J. Howard the Government are under no obligation to establish an. experimental or training farm on the estate left by him or in any particular part of the Dominion; (2) notwithstanding this fact, the late Mr. Howard had in mind the establishment, of an experimental or training farm on the said estate; (3) the Committee is doubtful of the suitability of the said estate for the purposes the testator had in mind; (4) the Committee therefore is of opinion that the establishment of a suitable experimental farm somewhere in the Hawke's Bay District would be in keeping with the wish and intention of the late Mr. Howard. 29th October, 1920.

No. 297. —Petition of Hannah Beattie, of Taihape. Praying for compassionate allowance on account of the death, of her husband. 1 am directed to report that in (lie opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for urgent and favourable consideration. 29th October, 1920.

No. 336. —Petition of Henry Lewis, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for alleged monetary losses. I am directed to report that, the administration of petitioner's estate being in the hands of the Public Trustee, the Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the Public Trust Department. 30th October, 1920.

No. 278.—Petition of Thomas It. Husband, of Turakina. Praying for compensation in regard to the sale of a section of land at Glenoairn, Turakina, and the action of the Public Trustee therewith. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 30th October, 1920.

No. 185. —Petition of Michael John Gannon, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for services rendered at the capture of Te TCooti. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 30th October, 1920.