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No. 30. —Petition of Thomas Crough and 129 Others, and 22 similar Petitions (as per schedule attached). Praying for an extension of the Westland Railway from a point near Ross to the south side of the Mikonui River. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee, this being a matter of policy, the petition, together with the minutes of evidence, should be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th September, 1915. Schedule. No. 81.-— R. Greenlees and 49 others. No. 42. —T. Nolan and 41 others. No. 32.— J. McGregor and 66 No. 43.— T. A. Condon and 6 others. No. 33.— W. J. Houston and 11 others. No. 44.— J. Ritchie and 19 others. No. 34.— J. O'Neill and 8 others. No. 45.— R. Mcintosh and 8 others. No. 35.— J. Donovan and 14 others. No. 46.— R. Ritchie and 3 others. No. 36. —A. T. Cooper and 32 others. No. 47.—-A. Wells and 25 others. No. 37.— J. W. Graham and 4 others. No. 48.— W. Mitchell and 8 others. No. 38.— J. Cuttanco and 43 others. No. 49.— J. Hunt and 93 others. No. 39.—L. Sullivan and 14 others. No. 50. —J. Grimmond and 186 others. No. 40.— W. Searlo and .1.2 others. No. 81.—A. Clifton and 131 others. No. 41.—P. Hende and 16 others. I No. 132.— G. R. Hunter and 158 others.

No. 64. —Petition of Charles T. Houghton, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for injuries received while employed as chainman on a survey party. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th September, 191.5.

No. 169.—Petition of Margaret Jackson and 3,150 Others; and No. 283, Petition of William Armstrong and 183 Others. Praying for a reduction of the sentence passed on Louis Fosbender for manslaughter. 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; and the Committee respectfully desires to point out to the Government that this case shows the great necessity for the right of appeal in criminal cases similar to the English criminal appeal law. 22nd September, 1915.

No. 268.—Petition of Peter Ambrose Levin, of Wellington. Praying for further compensation for services rendered by him to the State. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 22nd September, 1915.

No. 327. —Petition of John Bell, of Auckland. Praying for an inquiry and compensation for loss sustained by him through an alleged miscarriage of justice. I am directed to report the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. Ist October, 1915.

No. 269. —Petition of Hustin Curlett, of Clvristchurch. Praying for compensation for loss sustained by him through the sale of his property by the Public Trustee. I am directed to report the Committee is of opinion that an inquiry into the circumstances ■connected with the petition should be made in Christchurch, where full evidence may be obtained, and refers it to the Government for favourable consideration. Ist October, 1915.

No. 138.—Petition of Dr. Harry A. de Lautour, of Kilbirnie. Praying for redress in connection with his services as a Medical Officer in the New Zealand Military Forces. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Ist October, 1915.

No. 233.—Petition of William Smith Dryden, of Raetihi. Praying for a compassionate allowance on account of injuries received while in the employ of the Public Works Department. I am directed to report the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition, Ist October, 1915.