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No. 605. —Petition of John Scott Myers, of Christchurch. (First Report.) Praying that he be granted a rehearing of a Court case on behalf of his daughter. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th October, 1914.

No. 605. —Petition of John Scott Myers, of Christchurch. (Second Report.) Praying that he be granted a rehearing of a Court case on behalf of his daughter. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the order of the House passed yesterday —that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration-—be rescinded, and that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 30th October, 1914. No. 267.—A. M. Myers and 3 Others, Trustees of Cornwall Park,-Auckland. (Second Report.) Praying that the Government will pass legislation exempting from liability for local rates the said ( 'ciin\v:ill Park and all lands similarly held for the use and enjoyment of the public. 1 am directed to report that while this Committee cannot see its way to recommend the prayer of the petitioners—viz., that the rates be remitted—to the favourable consideration of the Government, it is of opinion that, as all the local bodies contiguous to Cornwall Park participate in the benefits conferred by the gift, means should be provided by which they should contribute to the rates. 30th October, 1914.

No. 614.—Petition of H. B. Morton (Chairman One-Tree Hill Road Board), of Auckland. Objecting to the proposed exemption of Cornwall Park from the payment of rates. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the (Jovernment for favourable consideration. 30th October, 1914.

Special Report (re Chairman). The Committee desires to record its hearty appreciation of the great care and attention devoted by the Chairman, Mr. Okey, to the business of the Committee, and of the able and courteous manner in which his duties have been carried out this session of Parliament; and that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Committee and reported to the House.

Final Report. The Public Petitions M to Z Committee has held sixteen meetings during the session of 1914, and the business dealt with was as follows :— Number of petitions referred to the Committee .. .. .. 73 Number of petitions dealt with .. .. .. .. .. 68 Number of reports presented to the House .. .. .. 49 Number of specific recommendations therein .. .. .. .. 3 Number referred for favourable consideration .. .. .. 15 Number referred for consideration .. .. .. 10 Number referred for inquiry .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Number referred to other Committees .. .. .. . . 1 Number of petitions held over .. .. .. .. ... 3 Number of petitions held over (not having been returned from the Department to which they were referred for report) .. .. .. .. 1 Number with no recommendation .. .. 18 30th October, 1914.

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