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No. 334.—Petition of A. Stephens and 11 Others, of Westport. Petitioners pray for relief in connection with the tenure of certain lands in the Town of Westport. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Bth November, 1910.

No. 618.—Petition of W S. Bussell and 7 Others, of Kaikoura, Canterbury Petitionebs pray for an amendment of the Public Reserves Act. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration Bth November, 1910.

Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to pi'oceed with the amendments as shown on the copy of the Bill attached hereto. Bth November, 1910.

No. 726. —Petition of Timothy Moriarty (No. 2), of Stillwater, Greymouth. Petitioner prays that he be allowed to explain before the House his claim for redress in connection with his section of land at Stillwater I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 25th November, 1910.

No. 747.—Petition of Louis Garden and 89 Others, of Pahia, Southland. Petitioners pray that lands near Pahia Railway-station, Southland Land District, be opened for selection I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 25th November, 1910.

Fruit-farms Settlement Bill The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 28th November, 1910.

Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Enabling Bill The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed with the amendments as shown on the copy attached hereto. 29th November, 1910.

No. 636. —Petition of A. R. Wallis and 88 Others, of Southland. Petitioners pray that the State Forest Regulations, 1886, may be interpreted, and that the areas in Southland held by H A. Massey may be investigated, and, if necessary the law be amended so that their validity may be decided by the Supreme Court. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the prayer of the petitioners to the Government for favourable consideration , and with the view of settling the question in dispute the Committee also recommends that a full inquiry be instituted into the legality or otherwise •of the sawmilling leases executed in the district. And, further, the Committee recommends that in future it is desirable for the Government to reserve areas of bush throughout the Dominion adjacent to close .settlements as timber reserves for the settlers, and as the timber is cut on these areas provision be made for replanting them. The minutes of evidence, correspondence, &c, are attached hereto. 29th November, 1910

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