1.—2.

No. 186.—Petition of J. H. Paul, of Lyttelton. Praying for an increased superannuation allowance or reinstatement in the Railway Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 18th December, 1933.

No. 141.—Petition of J. Phizacklea, of Wanganui. Praying for a free supply of artificial limbs to civilians on the same conditions as supplied to soldiers. I am directed to report that, as Hospital Boards by virtue of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1926, are empowered to grant relief by way of providing artificial limbs in necessitous cases, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 18th December, 1933.

No. 249.—Petition of F. M. McCarthy, of Whenuakura. Praying for a refund of stamp duty. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 20th December, 1933.

No. 57. —Petition of A. Morton, of Wellington. Praying for a compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 20th December, 1933. F. Lye, Chairman.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Public Petitions M to Z Committee desires to express its sincere appreciation of the able manner in which the Chairman, Mr. F. Lye, has presided over and conducted the business brought before the Committee during the session. His courteous and tactful manner in dealing with members and witnesses, his close attention and impartial summing-up of the evidence has enabled the Committee to arrive at unanimous conclusions ; and it desires that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Committee and reported to the House. R. Semple, 20th December, 1933. Member of the Committee.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Public Petitions M to Z Committee, consisting of ten members, held fourteen meetings during the session ; the average attendance at each meeting was seven. The following table shows the disposal of the business which came before the Committee :— Petitions referred to the Committee .. .. .. .. 132 Petitions dealt with .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 107 Petitions referred to the Public Petitions M to Z Supplementary Committee 18 Reports presented to the House .. .. .. .. 30 Petitions referred for most favourable consideration .. .. .. 2 Petitions referred for favourable consideration .. .. .. 28 Petitions referred for consideration .. .. .. .. .. 4 Petitions given no recommendation. .. .. .. .. .. 71 Petitions withdrawn .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Petitions held over till next session (by request) .. .. .. 4 Petitions held over till next session (received too late to be dealt with).. .. 3 20th December, 1933. F. Lye, Chairman.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (325 copies), £6 6a

Price 6<i.]

By Authority : G. H. Loney, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 933.

6