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No. 280. —Petition of Percy Wallace Ryburn, of Pokeno. Praying for a compassionate allowance owing to purchasing at auction sheep wrongfully seized by a bailiff. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration. Bth November, 1929.

No. 74.—Petition of Earle Yaile and 88 Others. (Second Report.) Praying for resumption of work on the Rotorua-Taupo Railway. I am directed to report that the Committee, having heard the evidence of a considerable number of settlers and other representatives of the Railway, Lands, Agriculture, Forestry, and Prisons Departments, is of the opinion that the action of the Government in discontinuing the Rotorua-Taupo Railway was thoroughly justified, and that the said railway should not be continued, and that in regard to the prayer of the petitioners the Committee recommends that no action be taken. The Committee is also of the opinion that the Government should consider the putting into operation of an exhaustive experimental test on a limited area of, say, 10,000 acres of the better-class pumice land, to be brought into permanent pasture on the principle of mass employment. Bth November, 1929. [Note. —Minutes of Evidence laid on Table and ordered to be printed. Vide 1.-2 a.]

No. 289.—Petition of Peter Maloney, of Wellington. ~ Praying for redress by having a certain record expunged from the Police Gazette and the Police Department's files, and for compensation for loss sustained. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Bth November, 1929.

No. 95. —Petition of Creditors of the Mount Eden Motor-bus Co., Ltd., of Auckland. (Second Report.) Praying for relief in respect of losses incurred by the passing of the Motor-omnibus Traffic Act, 1926. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Bth November, 1929.

Special Report. T have the honour to report that the Committee desires to record its appreciation of the ability, care, and attention devoted by the Chairman, Colonel McDonald, to the business of the Committee, and of the courteous manner in which his duties have been carried out during the session ; and further desires that this resolution shall be recorded in the minutes of the Committee and be reported to the House. A. M. Samuel, Bth November, 1929. Member of the Committee.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Committee desires to record its appreciation of the efficient manner in which the Clerk of the Public Petitions M to Z Committee, Mr. E. A. Dobbie, has carried out his duties during the session ; and, further, that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Committee and be reported to the House. Bth November, 1929.

Final Report. T have the honour to report that the Public Petitions M to Z Committee, consisting of ten members, held twenty-six meetings during the session ; the average attendance of members at each meeting was eight. The following table shows the disposal of the business which came before the Committee :— Petitions referred to the Committee .. .. .. . . 167 Petitions dealt with .. .. .. .. . . 165 Reports presented to the House .. .. . 50 Petitions referred for most favourable consideration . . . . .4 Petitions referred for favourable consideration .. .. . . 131 Petitions referred for consideration .. .. . . . . . 8 Petitions referred for consideration and inquiry .. . . . . . . 1 Petitions given no recommendation .. .. . . . 18 Petitions referred to other Committees .. .. . . . . . . 3 Petitions held over till next session .. .. . . . . . . 2 Bth November, 1929. T. W. McDonald, Chairman.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (450 copies), £9.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 929,

Price 6d.~\