5

I.—l

No. 285. —Petition of George Cock, of New Plymouth. Praying to be granted a land scrip on account of military .services rendered. I am directed to report that the Committee lias no recommendation to make on this petition. 26th September, 1913.

No. 164.—Petition of Thomas Cotter end 3,082 Others ; No. 187—Petition of David Teed and 71 Others ; and No. 219—-Petition of William Brown und 74 Others. Praying that the system carried out in the past —viz., that Mr. Thomas Gresham, Coroner, should conduct inquests—be adhered to. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th September, 1913.

No. 81.—-Petition of Lieut.-Colonel F. Y. Goring, of Auckland. Praying for further compensation on account of military .services rendered. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 26th September, 1913. No. 289.—Petition of Charles Henry Greenhead, of Waiuku. Prating that he be allowed an opportunity to vindicate his character in open Court. 1 am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the Government should be recommended, to institute proceedings in accordance with the specific directions of Mr. Justice Cooper delivered in the Supreme Court in December, 1910. 26th September, 1913.

No. 292.—Petition of A. W. Lincoln and 145 Others, of Auckland. Praying that the term of imprisonment imposed on Lincoln Evans Turner be shortened on accouni of good conduct, and through his legs being broken by an accident whilst undergoing imprisonment. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th September, 1913.

No. 319. —Petition of G. Sutton and 14 Others, of Wellington. Praying that the sentence imposed on George D. Hewitt for use of obscene language be alleviated. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for immediate and favourable consideration. 26th September, 1913.

No. 191.—Petition of Peter Heyes, of Wellington. (Interim Report.) Praying that the charges on which he was asked to resign his position as Commissioner of Taxes be fully inquired into, and that he may be granted compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee has passed the following resolution, and begs to report the same to this House :— " That consideration of this petition be deferred until the Chairman of the Committee asks the Speaker to rule as to what powers members of Parliament sitting in committee have with regard to the obtaining of papers from Ministers in charge of Departments." Ist October, 1913.

No. 191. —Petition of Peter Heyes, of Wellington. (Second Interim Report.) Praying that the charges on which he was asked to resign his position as Commissioner of Taxes be fully inquired into, and that he may be granted compensation. I have the honour to report that the Committee requests the House to direct that the evidence required by the Committee in connection with the above petition be produced by the Department of Internal Affairs. 3rd October, 1913.

Nos. 200 and 201.—Petitions of T. H. and E. Johnston, of Waihi. Praying for compensation for petitioners and their children on account of alleged wrongful committal and detention of T. H. Johnston in a mental hospital. I am directed to report that at a meeting of the Committee held on Friday, the 3rd October, 1913, it was resolved —That a ruling given by the Chairman during the taking of evidence, viz., " That any evidence showing the previous mental state of the petitioner should be admitted, independently of whether it came before the doctor.; who committed him or not," be disagreed with, and that the Chairman do report the matter to the House with a view to obtaining the Speaker's ruling on the point. 7th October, 1913.