1.—5

No. 191/25. —-Petition of John Reginald Overton, of Ngahinapouri, Auckland. Praying for payment by the Crown of balance of purchase-money for farm property at Okete, ar.d for compensation for alleged neglect and delay by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 12th August, 1926.

No. 195/25. —Petition of JAmes Callaghan, of Green Island, Dunedin. Praying for compensation for loss incurred through sale of his land to a returned soldier. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 12th August, 1926.

Town-planning Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with the amendments as shown on the copy of the Bill attached. 13th August, 1926.

Valuation of Land Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 13th August, 1926.

No. 257/25. —Petition of Fred Sargent, of Christchurch. Praying for compensation for loss sustained through sale of his farm at Lowcliffe, Canterbury, to returned soldiers. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 13th August, 1926.

Howard Estate Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment.

18th August, 1926. Hauraki Plains Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 18th August, 1926.

No. 209/25. —Petition of T. Grant and 51 Others. Praying that the Clifton State Settlement be thrown open for general settlement. I have the honour to report that the Committee recommends that, in accordance with the request of the member in charge of the petition, leave be given for the petition to be withdrawn. 20th August, 1926.

No. 214/25. —-Petition of Melicent Theresa Moulin, of Arahiwi. Praying that the Government will take over her interest in a certain farm property at Piopio. I have the honour to report that the Committee recommends that, in accordance with the request of the member presenting the petition, leave be given for the petition to be withdrawn. 20th August, 1926.

No. 55.—Petition of George Buchanan and 4 Others, of Paeroa. Praying for relief for damage alleged to have been done to their properties by the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers improvement scheme. I have the honour to report that the Committee considers that the petitioners have suffered loss by the operations carried on under the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Act, 1910, and refers the petition to the Government for favourable consideration. 24th August, 1926.

2—l. 6.

3