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No. 248. —Petition of Morton Aldis, of Wellington. Praying for inquiry into the administration of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, Auckland. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 14th October, 1929.

No. 5. —Petition of B. Adam and 2 others, of Auckland. Praying that they be reinstated in their positions at the electrical substation at Penrose, with compensation, and for inquiry into alleged irregularities. I am directed to report that the petition should be referred to the Government for inquiry ; that in the opinion of the Committee the evidence submitted clearly indicates the need for further investigation. 14th October, 1929.

No. 354. —Petition of John Alfred Hart, of Greymouth. Praying for payment of £1,684 in respect of alleged loss incurred in erection of hostel at Milford Sound. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 14th October, 1929.

No. 346/28. —Petition of George Griffiths, of Birchfield. Praying for inquiry into the Inangahua River Board bridge-contract. I am directed to report that the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration ; that the Committee recommends the return of the petitioner's deposit, and that inquiry be made into the alleged underpayment of the following items : (1) Underpayment for plant; (2) machine —concrete-mixer ; (3) underpayment for timber ; (4) extra approach work to the bridge ; (5) overcharge on gravel; (6) the faulty nature of the information supplied by the Public Works Department regarding one of the abutments. 14th October, 1929.

No. 313. —Petition of S. H. Gallagher and another, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for termination of motor-omnibus service from Auckland to Point Chevalier. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. The petitioners have suffered serious hardship as the result of the operations of the Motor-omnibus Traffic Act, and this Committee recommends the Government to make full investigations into the subject-matter of the petition. 14th October, 1929.

No. 356 a of William Jackson, of Westport. Praying for assistance on account of long service with the Westport Harbour Board. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st October, 1929.

No. 346. —Petition of Victor Bergman, of Dannevirke. Praying that payment of old-age pensions to himself and wife be made retrospective. I am directed to report that the honourable member in charge of the petition having expressed a desire to withdraw the same, the Committee recommends that the honourable member be allowed to do so. 21st October, 1929.

No. 326.—Petition of Robert James Duncan, of Christchurch. Praying for inquiry and compensation in respect of a claim against a deceased solicitor's estate. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st October, 1929.

No. 397, Petition of W. F. Jones, and 637 others ; No. 417, Petition of H. M. Gunman and 50 others ; of Northcote. Praying that an adequate compassionate allowance be paid to Mrs. E A. Lepper, late Postmistress of Northcote, in recognition of her long and faithful services. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th November, 1929.