1.—2

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No. 637. —Petition of William Ebdmond ami 4 Others, of Newtown, Wellington. Petitioners, who are occupiers of hotels in the Newtown Electorate which are now closed through the refusal of the Licensing Committee to renew the licenses for the same, pray that they may be allowed to continue their business under some statutory authority until the appeal to the Privy Council now pending shall have been settled. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion the present position of the petitioners is due to defects in the Eegulation of Local Elections Act, and recommends the Government to bring down legislation to remedy such defects, particularly in regard to providing for a second poll being taken in all such cases where a poll has been declared void. *29th September, 1903.

No. 594. —Petition of Annie Taylor, of Nelson. Petitioner prays that a special remission of the sentence passed on her husband on the 2nd day of December, 1902, may be granted. I am directed to report that as the subject of the petition, Joseph Taylor, was unable through a technicality to have his case referred to the Appeal Court, the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th September, 1903.

No. 422. —Petition of Herbert N. Silk and 77 Others, of Taranaki. Petitioners pray that certain work may be done in their district, &c. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd October, 1903.

Nos. 303, 316, 332, 362, 363, 392, and 402. — Petitions of S. Saunders and 35 Others, William Eeece and 27 Others, W. H. Tbiggs and 22 Others, L. E. Clark and 3 Others, S. P. Andrews and 3 Others, W. Harris and 8 Others, and Sam Page and Another, of Canterbury. Petitioners pray that Professor Bickerton's theory of constructive impact may be referred to a committee of Australasian scientists with a request that they will thoroughly investigate and report upon the same. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the prayer of the petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd October, 1903.

No. 397. —Petition of the Mayors of Eoslyn, Mornington, and Maori Hill, Dunedin. Petitioners pray that a branch railway may be constructed up the Kaikorai Valley. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd October, 1903.

No. 163. —Petition of John Malcolm McCaskill, of Hikutaia. Petitioner prays that he may be granted compensation for loss of property sustained during the Maori war, &c. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd October, 1903.

No. 370.—Petition of William Mclntyre, of Whangarei. Petitioner prays that he may be granted compensation for services rendered to the colony. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd October, 1903.

No. 411—Petition of Major James Eeid, of Hamilton. Petitioner prays that he may be granted the usual retiring-allowance for loss of office as Adjutant for the Auckland Volunteer District. I am directed to report that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, the Committee recommends to the favourable consideration of the Government the matter of granting the petitioner the sum of £50. 6th October, 1903.

No. 570. —Petition of Henry Parker, of Waiuku. Petitioner prays that he may be granted compensation for loss of office as district constable. I am directed to report that the Committee reaffirms the resolution reported to the House on the 23rd August, 1900, on a similar petition—viz., " That the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration." 6th October, 1903.

* Debate on consideration of Report interrupted by 5.30 adjournment, 29th September.