1.—6

2

No. 18. —Petition of Mrs. Sarah Weaver, of Napier. Petitioner asks for a compassionate allowance consequent on the loss of her husband by a railway accident. I am directed to report that the Railways Committee recommends that, considering the very straitened circumstances of the petitioner, the Government be asked to pay her a compassionate allowance as early as possible. 20th August, 1901.

No. 475. —Petition of Wilhelmina Lawrie, of Auckland. Petitioner prays for compassionate allowance on account of the death of her husband, caused by an accident in the course of his employment under the Railways Department. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 22nd August, 1901.

No. 206.—Petition of C. Kerse and 600 Others (No. 1), of Dunrobin, Dunedin. Petitioners pray that the Heriot Railway Extension be carried by Ross's Survey to a point suitable to the whole district. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration, and, together with the report and evidence thereon, be printed [vide 1.-6 a.] ; but, as the subject-matter of the petition involves a question of public policy, the Committee have no further recommendation to make. 22nd August, 1901.

No. 6.—Petition of T. E. Hallett, of Mercer. Petitioner prays that, as compensation for loss which he has sustained owing to the destruction by fire and delay in reinstatement of the refreshment-room at Mercer Railway-station, of which he is lessee, he be granted an extension of three years on the expiration of his lease. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 22nd August, 1901.

Nos. 476, 477, 495, 496, and 497.—Petitions of H. Brett and Others, H. J. Ingle and Others, Wilsons and Horton and Others, W. and G. Winstone and Others, and J. Jones and Others, of Auckland. Petitioners pray that the extension of the Main Trunk Railway north of Auckland be carried on at a greater rate of progress than in the past. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government; but, as the subject-matter thereof involves a question of public policy, the Committee has no further recommendation to make. 22nd August, 1901.

No. 97.—Petition of E. F. Burrell, of Nelson, and Others. Petitioners pray for the construction of a railway-line between Richmond and Motueka, by way of Upper Moutere. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th September, 1901.

No. 100. —Petition of Jane Cowie Anderson, of Dunedin. Petitioner prays for a compassionate allowance for the death of her husband while in the railway service. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that Mrs. Anderson's petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th September 1901.

No. 175. —Petition of William Herdman, of Wellington. Petitioner prays for a compassionate allowance on account of a railway accident in the course of his employment in the railway service. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petitioner should be provided with some light employment in the railway service as soon as he is able to undertake such work, and that the allowance of £1 per week be continued in the meantime. 12th September 1901.

No. 202. —Petition of J. Fitzgerald, of Big Grey, Ikamatua. Petitioner prays for relief for damages sustained by reason of his land and fencing being washed away in consequence of the construction of a railway-bridge. I am directed to rejport that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 12th September, 1901.

No. 224.—Petition of T. J. Walker, of Otautau. Petitioner prays for compensation for land taken for railway purposes. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th September, 1901.