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REPORTS. No. 393 (1915). —Petition of John Ritchie, of Bruce Bay, and 81 Others, and 4 similar Petitions (as per Schedule attached). Praying to have the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Act amended, and to have the Okarito and Okuru Ridings excluded from the operation of the Act; and that a special Act be passed enabling the Westland County Council to hand over to a Board of Trustees that portion of the rates from Okarito and Okuru Ridings which that body formerly paid into the funds of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board at Hokitika. I am directed to report that, it appearing that the relief sought by petitioners is already provided by the present Act, this Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st June, 1916.

Schedule. No. 394/15.— J. W. Graham and 13 others. I No. 396/15.—Andrew Scott and 140 others. No. 395/15. —P. O'Donnell and 15 others. No. 397/15. —R. Hyndman and 7 others.

No. 39, —Petition of John Soott Myers, of Marshlands, Christchurch. Prating for searching investigation into the facts set out in his petition, and that he be compensated for the wrongs he has suffered in prosecuting the seducer of his daughter, a girl of fourteen years. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to. the Government for consideration and inquiry. 21st June, 1916.

No. 25. —Petition of N. G. Trotter, of Rivcrton, and 66 Others. Praying that one Francis Arthur Leader be now released from the sentence of twelve months' imprisonment that he is serving. I am directed to report that in the opinion of this Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st June, 1916.

No. 15.—Petition of Alfred Pearce, of Kaiapoi. Praying for inquiry into the matter of a certain contract for the erection of the Hapuka River Road-bridge, and for compensation to be paid petitioner in respect thereof. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st June, 1916.

r No. 311 (I.9ls).—Petition of Mary McCracken, of Auckland, and 1,599 Others. Praying that the quarrying of scoria and stone on Mount Albert, Auckland, may be stopped. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Railways Committee, as it relates solely to matters connected with the Railway Department. 28th June, 1916.

No. 97, Petition of the Taieri County Council and Others.; and No. 197, Petition of the Bruce County Council. Praying that the toll-gate erected by the Green Island Borough Council at the bridge over the Kaikorai Stream may be abolished, or for other relief. « I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee these petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. sth July, 1916.

No. 64, Petition of Clara Spurdle, of Wanganui, and 2,450 Others, and 49 similar Petitions (as per Schedule attached); No. 22, Petition of J. H. Gunson, of Auckland, and 14,999 Others; and No. 38, Petition of Mrs. Sutcliffe, of Auckland, and 203 Others. Praying, as to No. 64, that liquor-bars be closed at 6 p.m. daily until the close of the present war and for six months afterwards; and, as to Nos. 22 and 38, that the British regulations under the Defence of the Realm Act against treating with intoxicating liquors should be immediately brought into force in New Zealand.