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EE PORTS. No. 30. —Petition of A. S. Laird and Others. Petitionees, on the ground of consideration for general health, pray that a separate school for European children may be established at Taumarunui. The Education Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of A. S. Laird and others that, in view of the fact that a school already exists in Taumarunui, they have no recommendation to make. 28th July, 1908. No. 50.—Petition of Thk Genbeai. Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand (Alexander Don, Moderator; Alexander Doui.l. Convenor). PETITIONEES allege that hygiene and scientific temperance instruction is not given in the public primary schools with fullness; jilso that beer-depots on the confines of no-license areas, and the " locker " system, is a thwarting and evasion of the spirit of the Alcoholic Liquors Control Act; also that packet licenses are unnecessary. The Education Committee have the honour to report that, as in their judgment the references in the petition of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church to beer-depots, " lockers," and packet licenses does not fall within the scope of their functions, that portion of the petition is referred back to your honourable House. Your Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government in order that the attention of petitioners may be drawn to Regulation No. 57, Mini that a copy of the report of the Assistant Inspector of Schools, attached hereto, be forwarded to them. 30th .Inly, 1908. [Vide Appendix [.—l3a.] Nos. 1(1 and 67. —Petitions of The Canterbury Private Schools Association (T. Le M. Dcs Chesnais) and C. H. Gilby, Teacher, Christchurcb. Petitioners pray that the privilege of permitting pupils attending private schools in the cities to travel on the railways at commutation rates may be granted to their schools. The Education Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the petitions of the Canterbury Private Schools Association and C. H. Gilby be referred to the Government for f;i\ ourable consideration. 29th July, 1908. Education Act Amendment Bill. The Education Committee have the honour to report to your honourable House that during thenconsideration of the Education Act Amendment Bill this morning a question arose upon which the Chairman ruled that it was not within the power of the Committee to make an amendment of the Bill which would impose conditions involving the necessity of Parliament making higher appro priations than are proposed in the Bill. The Committee agreed that the question should be submitted to the decision of the Hon. the Speaker. 6th August, 1908. Education Act Amendment Bill. The Education Committee, having bestowed careful consideration upon the provisions of the Education Act Amendment Bill referred to them by your honourable House, have the honour to report that they recommend that the said Bill be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown on a copy of the Bill hereto attached. 25th August, 1908. No. 373.—Petition of Tamati te Au and Others. Petitionees represent that, at the time the Government obtained possession of the Maori lands in Stewarl Island, it was promised that school-books and other requisites for instruction would be supplied for the Maori children of Southland, and they have been so supplied until recently. Now the privilege of having free .school-books and requisites has been withdrawn, and they are called upon to pay for l hem. Petitioners pray for relief. The Education Committee have the honour to report that they recommend thai the petition of Tamati. te Au and others be referred to the Government. 2nd September, 1908,