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No. 176. —Petition of Sir George Clifford and Another, of Waipara Eoad Board. Petitioners pray for a reduction of freights on goods of the A, B, and C Class, north of the Waipara Eiver. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government. 19th September, 1899.

No. 182.—Petition of James Kelman and 732 Others, of Central Otago. Petitioners pray for the extension of the Otago Central Eailway to Clyde. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government. 19th September, 1899.

No. 200.— Petition of D. T. King and Others, of Winton. Petitioners pray for an extension of the Forest Hill Branch Eailway. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government. 19th September, 1899.

No. 323, 1898.—Petition of Charles Eeid and Another, of Ashburton. Petitioners pray that Messrs. Collins and Co.'s tenancies of coal-sites at Ashburton be terminated. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make. 19th September, 1899.

Nos. 338, 339, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 419, and 420.—Petitions of George McEae and 3 Others, D. Butherford and 5 Others, J. H. Eedwood and 5 Others, G. Houldsworth and 5 Others, William Peice and 4 Others, E. T. Goulter and 2 Others, G. A. N. Greensill and 9 Others, J. Trevor and 5 Others, James Law and 5 Others, and G. Taylor and 8 Others. Petitioners pray for the completion of the Christchurch-Blenheim Eailway. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the above petitions be referred to the Government. 19th September, 1899.

No. 258.—Petition of H. Earley, of Palmerston South, Otago. Petitioner prays for a compassionate allowance owing to alleged injury received whilst in the Government railway service. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make. 22nd September, 1899.

No. 336. —Petition of Colin Eobertson and 218 Others, of Waikaia, Wendon, and Wendonside Districts. Petitioners pray for the completion of the Eiversdale-Switzers Eailway. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government. 22nd September, 1899.

No. 329.—Petition of W. Stewart and 899 Others, of the Electoral District of the Bay of Islands. Petitioners pray that the sections of the Whangarei-Hukerenui and Kawakawa-Opua Eailways be connected. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government. 22nd September, 1899. .

No. 137.—Petition of T. C. P. Whiteley and 570 Others, of Otahuhu. Petitioners pray for the deviation of the main south line of railway from Auckland. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be held over till next session, and in the meantime the Public Works Department be asked for a detailed estimate as to the cost of a branch line, and the Railway Department be asked to furnish an estimate of the probable revenue derived and expenses incurred by such extension. 3rd October, 1899.

No. 421.—Petition of W. Troughton and 74 Others, of Omahu. Petitioners pray that a railway-station may be placed on the Wharepoa Eoad. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make. 3rd October, 1899.

No. 357.—Petition of A. E. Hare and 31 Others, of Southland. Petitioneks pray for the removal of the Bingway Siding to another site. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make. 3rd October, 1899. 2—l. 6.