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L—lB.

No. 215.-- Petition of Thomas Walker, of Levin. Petitionkh represents that for some five years and a half he was employed under the Education Department as overseer of the Boys' Training School at Weraroa ; th it during the period of his employment he rendered good ami faithful service; that he was accused of there being a shortage of ten head of cattle, and of selling stock of the value of £2(10 without accounting for the money ; that, an investigation being held, it was proved there was a surplus of ten head of cattle; that he asked for an apology and received no reply ; that subsequently he was dismissed from bis employment. He prays that compensation be awarded for damages sustained to his character. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Thomas Walker that, as they have been unable to find that any charges have been made against the integrity of the petitioner and that any damage has been sustained by him, they have no recommendation to make. Bth September, 1908. No. 142.—Petition of F. R. Roller. Petitioner represents that for the year 1906 he was teacher of the Paiaka and Pah schools, the combined average attendance being fifty-two, giving him a salary for the year 1907 of £216, with £•'5O house allowance; that towards the end of the year the Auckland Board of Education decided to open these schools full time, and in consequence petitioner was given notice that at the end of three months bis engagemenl would terminate; at the termination of his engagement the best appointment he could obtain was worth only .£144 per annum with £20 house allowance, a reduction of 33J per cent. He praysuthat steps be taken to secure that he be placed on the same standing as a teacher of a full-time school. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the petition of F. R. Koller that they have no recommendation to make. i 15th September, 1908. No. 8. -Petition of Georoe Wilmot. PETITIONEE represents that he served the Education Department for over twenty years; that he was constrained to resign his position through progressive blindness and failing health ; that the Teachers' Superannuation Board has not been able to afford him any relief, owing to the fact that he was not in active service on the Ist January, 1906; that he is now in his seventy-first year, and unable to take any employment; that he has brought up a large family in New Zealand, all of whom are settled here. He prays that a compassionate allowance may be granted to him. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the petition of George Wilmot that last year a similar petition from the same petitioner was duly considered by them, and they have no further recommendation to make. 15th September, 1908. No. 17.—Petition of 11. Farnan and Others. PETITIONERS pray that a grant of money be allocated for the erection of a school building at Normandale, the land belonging to the Government being ready. From the farthest point in Normandale to the Hutt School the distance is two miles and three-quarters. The Education Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the petition of H. Farnan and others be referred to the Government for consideration. loth September, 1908. No. 220.- Petition of Hoani Korehe Kahu and 416 Others. Petitioners represent that before the deed of sale of Ngaitahu was completed Te Keepa (Mr. Kemp?) and Te Matara (Mi-. Mantell?) solemnly promised, amongst other things, that '-'a school will be established for you for each kainga right throughout the Ngaitahu Tribe." Petitioners now strongly object to the placing by the Government of their schools under the " tnana " of the School Boards. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Hoani Korehe Kahu and others that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government for consideration sth October, 1908. No. 441.—Petition of Josei-h Southwick. Petitioner represents that he entered the service of the Wanganui School Board as head teacher in August, 1878, and his total length of service as a teacher in New Zealand was twenty-two years; that subsequently, in 1903 and 1904, being then in better health, he acted as relieving-teacher for the Otago Education Board ; that the average salary received by him was about £160 per annum, so that he was unable to make any considerable saving or provision for old age. He prays that a compassionate allowance may be granted to him. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Joseph Southwick that they have no recommendation to make, 22nd September, 1908.