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No. 22.—Petition of Kiore Sheep-farming Company (Limited), of Gisborne. Praying for refund of additional land-tax accrued through an oversight of an official of the said company. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 11th August, 1926.

No. 28. —Petition of William L. M. Dearsley, of Christchurch. Praying for relief from absentee-tax imposed. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 11th August, 1926.

No. 52.—Petition of Robert Thompson Esther, of Hawke's Bay. Praying that he may receive the benefits of the National Provident Eund. I am directed to report that the Committee feels there are special circumstances in connection with this case which warrant careful investigation by the Government, and therefore recommends this petition to the Government for favourable consideration. 11th August, 1926.

No. 87.—Petition of Eliza Crowle, of Waihi. Praying for payment of old-age pension at an earlier date than at present permitted. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, and the Committee expresses the hope that the Government's negotiations now in progress will result in the early adoption of a reciprocal pension scheme with Australia. 11th August, 1926.

No. 256/25. —Petition of Thomas Charles Duncan, of Auckland. Praying that some suitable clerical employment may be found for him. I am directed to report that, in view of the hardship of the petitioner's case, the Committee recommends that an endeavour be made to find him suitable employment in the Public Service, and in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 13th August, 1926.

No. 12.—Petition of Gordon Leigh Brown, of Christchurch. Praying for return of overcharged rates. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th August, 1926.

No. 25. —Petition of James George Edmonds, of Auckland. Praying for removal of a building from the boundary of his property, or the revaluation of his property. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th August, 1926.

No. 40. —-Petition of John Elder, of Waipapa. Praying for compensation for loss caused by alleged unjust prosecutions. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th August, 1926.

No. 77.—Petition of N. B. Fryday, of Ngaere. Praying for legislation exempting his property from the Tariki Power Board's rating-area. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 13th August, 1926.

No. 261/24. —Petition of J. B. Andrew and 1,068 Others, of Hawke's Bay. Praying for an inquiry into the administration of the Napier Harbour Board. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of this petition has been dealt with and reported on by the Local Bills Committee, this Committee has no recommendation to makfc.. 26th August, 1926.

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