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No. 267, Petition of D. Fenwick and 354 Others; No. 268, Petition of H. W. S. Ruffell and 1,182 Others; and No. 275, Petition of T. Hugo and 151 Others. Praying for the enactment of legislation providing for the constitution of a national Saturday half-holiday. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th October, 1936.

No. 32. —Petition of J. E. Curran, of Auckland. Praying for redress on account of alleged wrongful arrest and imprisonment. _ I am directed to report that, the member in charge of the petition having requested permission to withdraw it, the Committee recommends that he be allowed to do so. F. W. Schramm, Chairman. 29th October, 1936.

Special Report. The Committee desires to record its appreciation of the very capable and efficient manner in which the Chairman, Mr. F. W. Schramm, has conducted the business of the Committee during the session; the Committee desires, further, that this resolution shall be recorded in the minutes and reported to the House. A. Gordon Hultquist, Member of the Committee. 29th October, 1936.

Special Report. The Committee desires to express its approval of the work done during the session by the Clerk, Mr. R. L. Cross, and it is the wish of the Committee that this resolution shall be recorded in the minutes and be reported to the House. 29th October, 1936.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Public Petitions A to L Committee, consisting of ten members, held twenty-six meetings during the session; the average attendance at each meeting being five. The following table shows the disposal of the business which came before the Committee: — Petitions referred to the Committee .. . . . • .. 74 Petitions dealt with .. .. . • • ■ • ■ .. 59 Reports presented to the House .. . . .. .. .. 55 Petitions referred for most favourable consideration .. .. 5 Petitions referred for favourable consideration .. .. .. 12 Petitions referred for consideration .. .. •. .. 6 Petitions referred for inquiry .. .. .. ■ ■ .. 1 Petitions given no recommendation .. . . .. .. 33 Petitions referred to another Committee .. .. .. . . 1 Petitions withdrawn .. .. • ■ • • ■ • .. 1 Petitions held over until next session . . . . .. .. 15 F. W. Schramm, Chairman. 29th October, 1936.

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