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Nos. 445 and 444. —Petitions of J. Millar and 17 Others, of Hedgehope, and J. McDonald and 16 Others, of Hedgehope. Petitioners pray for the construction of a railway to connect Hedgehope and adoining districts, with the Main South line at Gore. I am directed to report that, as this petition involves a question of policy, the Committee is of opinion that it should be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd October, 1908.

Nos. 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 137, 138, 139, and 140.—Petitions of M. N. Downey and 28 Others,. of Kaihu, 0. Gaze and 28 Others, R. Hall and 28 Others, J. Lineham and 28 Others, W. Pasco and 28 Others, E. Trounson and 28 Others, W. S. Cole and 28 Others, S. Mead and 28 Others, C. W. Mois and*28 Others, and Mart E. Smith and 28 Others. Petitioners all pray for the extension of the Kaihu Railway. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that these petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd October, 1908.

Nos. 446, 447, 448, 449, 456, 457, 458, 485, 486, 487, and 488.—Petitions of D. W. Johnston and 121 Others, of Fairfield, H. McLeart and 58 Others, G. McLeod and 17 Others, J. Milne and 21 Others, T. Kerr and 48 Others, H. McColl and 71 Others, D. L. McColl and 17 Others, E. Aslin and 37 Others, J. Gray and 38 Others, P. G. Bryde and 37 Others, A. L. Smith and 50 others. Petitioners all pray for the extension of the Walton Park Railway. I am directed to report that, as these petitions involve a question of policy, the Committee is of opinion that they should be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd October, 1908.

No. 560.—Petition of H. Newman and Another, of Westport. Petitioners pray for compensation for drowning of horses and injury to coach while crossing the Buller River. I am instructed to report that the Committee is of opinion that, as the petitioners have not exhausted their legal remedies, it has no recommendation to make. 2nd October, 1908.

No. 214.—Petition of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Distributing Company (Limited), of Wellington. Petitioners pray that the Government will afford them relief by taking over the lease of premises vacated by them. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make in respect to the prayer of this petition. 2nd October, 1908.

No. 631. —Petition of Margaret Pinkerton, of Dunedin. Petitioner prays for a compassionate allowance on account of the services of her late husband in the House of Representatives and the Legislative Council. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th October, 1908.

No. 558.—Petition of Daniel Mouton, of Wellington. Petitioner prays for a compassionate allowance on acount of his services in the Public Works Department. i I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th October, 1908.

No. 559.—Petition of W. J. Murphy, of Wellington. Petitioner prays for inquiry and redress for losses sustained through fires and alleged unsatisfactory postal delivery. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for inquiry. 7th October, 1908.