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No. 189—Petition of C. Bray and 119 Others ; No. 202—Petition of J. Newth and 42 Others ; and No. 239—Petition of J. Kelly and 73 Others. Praying for the early completion of the Paeroa-Pokeno Railway. J am directed to report that, as a question of policy is involved, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 25th September, 1912.

No. 181.—Petition of James B. Milsom and Another, of Waimate. Praying for relief in connection with stamp duty paid in connection with the transfer from husband to wife of certain land at Waimate. 1 am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 25th September. 1912.

No. 237 (1911). —Petition of Wynfrith Revell Reynolds (late of Rarotonga, but now resident in Wellington). Praying for the removal of Captain James Eman Smith from the office of Resident Commissioner, Ac, in the Cook Islands, and for an inquiiy into the state of affairs at present obtaining in these islands in legal, social, and general matters. I am directed to report that, after having heard the evidence in this case, your Committee is of opinion that nothing has been proved detrimental to the administration of or the personal character of Captain James Eman Smith, the Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands, and therefore your Committee has no recommendation to make on the petition. 24th September, 1912.

No. 233. —Petition of the Public Trustee of the Dominion of New Zealand (at the Request of the Board of Trustees appointed by the Will of the late Thomas George Macarthy). Praying that the estate of the late Thomas George Macarthy may be wholly lelieved and exonerated from payment of estate and succession duty payable upon the value of the said estate. I am directed to report that, as this petition refers to a matter of public policy, the Committee does not feel justified in making any recommendation, but desires to refer the matter to the Government foi then careful consideration. 26th September, 1912.

No. 302 (1911).—Petition of James ODea, of King's Chambers, Wellington. Praying for compensation for alleged wrongs caused through committal to an inebriates' home. I am directed to report that the Committee, after hearing the evidence in this case, has no recommendation to make. 26th September, 1912.

No. 158. —Petition of Arthur Mielziner Myers and Another (the Executors and Trustees of the Will of John Logan Campbell, Knight Bachelor, late of the City of Auckland, deceased). Praying that a sum be placed on the estimates as a remission of the duty payable under the Death Duties Act on the public and charitable bequests made by the above-mentioned deceased. I am directed to report that, as this petition refers to a matter of public policy, the Committee does not feel justified in making any recommendation, but desires to refer the matter to the Government for their careful consideration. 26th September, 1912.

No. 113—Petition of Rev. J. Mackenzie and Another ; No. 234—Petition of F. W. Robertson and Another ; and No. 235 —Petition of F. W. Robertson and Another. Praying that the civil rights and social interests of those adversely affected by the " Ne Temere " decree be safeguarded. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on the petition. 4th October, 1912.

No. 244.—Petition of J. S. Wratt and 5 Others, of Motueka. Praytng for a grant of a sum of money either by way of compensation for the closing of the old library by the Public Health Department or as assistance in erecting a new library. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 4th October, 1912.