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No. 389.—Petition of Catherine McGill. Fraying for inquiry into the action of the North Canterbury Education Board in connection with the case of the late Rubina Leckie McGill. I am directed to report that, while sympathizing with the petitioner, the Committee is of opinion that no good purpose could now be served by holding an inquiry, and it has therefore no recommendation to make. 7th October, 1914.

No. 18. —Petition of James Fowler, of Auckland. Praying for the custody of his son Felix John Fow'er, an inmate of St. Joseph's Industrial School Auckland. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 30th October, 1914.

No. 12. —Petition of Professor Thomas A. Hunter and 21 Others, and 76 similar Petitions (as per Schedule attached). Praying that the national system of education on its present free, secular, and compulsory basis be maintained. I am directed to report that the Committee has heard evidence on the subject-matter of these petitions —much latitude being allowed witnesses in the desire to get all the facts—and is of opinion that the New Zealand State system of free, secular, and compulsory education (under which our children have received incalculable benefits, and under which, after thirty-seven years' experience, our people—the immense majority of whom have passed through our schools—compare most favourably morally, socially, and religiously with the people of any other part of the world) should be maintained. (Vide also 1.-13b.) 30th October, 1914.

Schedule. No. 183. —Anderson, <'.. ;mcl 7>JO others. No. 278.—H0110w, N., and 285 others. No. 626.—Bain, Alexander, and 6.711 others. No. 244.—Hughi and 137 others. N . 110.— Barker. —. and 438 others. No. 107.—Jordan. C. W., and 561 others. No. 168. —Barnett, Annie H.. and 883 other*. No. 208.-—lust. M.. and 137 others. No. 217.—Bennett. Ida. and 44 others. No. 171. —Kenny, Mildred, and 109 others. No. 166. —Berre.sford-M iUrinson, E., and 229 others, No. 149. —King, Margaret, and 174 others. No. 479.—Bodkin. W. A., and 10 othere. No. 123.—Kirk. J., and 183 others. No. 164.— Bowen, J., and 32 others. No. 239. —Knowlγ . Ma py R., and 44 others. No. 190.—Brake. ('.. and 140 oth< rs. No. 179.—Little, J. C, and 281 others. No. 174. —Browne. Robert, and 86 others. No. 194. —Love, R. J., and 29 others. No. 165.—Boylen. H. F., and 45 others. No. 169.—Lynch, M. J., and 47 others. No. 180.—Bryan, A., and 1,458 others. No. 241.—McGill, D., and 99 others. No. 279. —Callaghan, Margaret, and 74 othere. No. 301.—McSwiggan, J. McG., and 30 others. No. 113. —CUughley, John, and 21 others. No. 300. —McKenzie, A., and 292 others. No. 277. —Caughley, R., and 4 others. No. 477. —Marslin, Ed., and 32 others. No. 177. —Chapman, Alice, and 109 others. No. 478. —Marslin, M., and 6 others. No. 210.— Collier, W. C, and 746 others. No. 51.—Meyers, C. X., and 1,835 others. No. 242.—C00k, Charles, and 117 others. No. 281. —Newdick, F., and 144 others. No. 69.—Cooke, C. J., and 1,000 others. No. 167.—Pickering, T.. and 81 others. No. 182.—Cousins. 11. (J., and 1,502 others. No. 192.—Potter, S., and 119 others. No. 173. —Crow, W. J., and 72 others. No. 291.—Rayne, George, and 270 others. No. 191. —Davidson. W.. and 175 othere. No. 181. —Raynor, Elsie, and 1,373 others. No. 72.—De Latour, H. A., and 932 others. No. 82.—Roach, T., and 450 others. No. 208. —Donaldson. Gladys and 137 others. No. 176.—Rothbury, S., and 126 other . No. 240.—Douglas, G. H., and 99 others. No. 50.—Roulston, T., and 1,433 others. No. 261. —Duncan, G., and 225 others. No. 112. —St. John, C. E., and 448 others. No. 243. —Earl, Florence, and 167 others. No. 120. —Shrimpton, J., and 163 others. No. 109. —Farland, W. J., and 388 others. No. 163. —Steward, Thomas, and 1,000 others. No. 170. —Fletcher, Amiie, and 91 others. No. 111. —Sutton, John, and 1,104 others. No. 156. —Foster. G. 8.. and 178 others. No. 105.—Talbot, H. E., and 923 others. No. 175. —Friel, Isabel C, and 151 others. No. 302.—Teasdill. F., and 178 others. No. 71.—Fullford. Annie, and 1,233 others. No. 218.—Timlin, P. J., and 55 others. No. 209.—Goulton, F. 8., and 609 others. No. 147.—Turner, J. R.. and 200 others. No. 260.—Graham, J., and 100 other-. No. 238.—Twoh'H, James, ,md 204 others. No. 70.—Hall, E. A., and 727 others. No. 178.—Wakelin. H., iird 57 others. No. 106.—Hill. W. G., and 341 others. No. 172.—Wallace, W., and 308 others. No. 108.—Hirper. Freda., and 247 others. No. 290.—William!, C. F., and 355 othere. No. 73.—Holder, H. F., and 331 others. No. 262.—W00d. E. A., and 11 others. No. 237.—Holland, Rlioda. and 58 others.

No. 42. —Petition of August Fromont and 1,312 Others, and 59 similar Petitions (as per Schedule attached). Praying that the Religious Instruction in Schools Referendum Bill be not passed. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion the proposals in the Religious Instruction in Schools Referendum Bill introduced this session by the Hon. James Allen, should not be allowed to become law. (Vide also 1.-13b.) 30th October, 1914.