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EEPOKTS. No. 54. —Petition of John Rountree. Praying that he be granted relief in connection with loss sustained by fire of standing timber on his leasehold land at Whangarei. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is of opinion that petitioner should be refunded the actual amount received by the Government for the timber, 10th July, 1916.

No. 55. —Petition of Matthew Henry. Praying for compensation for alleged loss through wrongful valuation of property known us Ballaohraggan Settlement. 1 am directed to report that the Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is of opinion that petitioner should receive a portion of the profits, if any, made by the Government on the sale of the petitioner's land, owing to the special circumstances surrounding the case. 10th July, 1916.

No. 128.—Petition of J. Pearson and 369 Others. Praying that gum-digging licenses held by alien subjects on the northern gitrnfielils be cancelled. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration and inquiry. 12th July, 1916.

No. .'199 (191.5).— Petition of James Kennedy and 20 Others. Praying that the Government acquire land for closer-settlement purposes for benefit of Christchurch Meat Company's employees at Pukeuri. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th July, 1916.

No. 59. —Petition of John McChesney and 15 Others. Prayino that certain rights be granted to them under the Land Act in. respect of land situate at Seaward Bush, South Invercargill, enabling them, to acquire the freehold of their sections at a reasonable valuation. 1 am directed to report, that in the opinion of the Committee a question of policy is involved, but the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th July, 1916.

No. 135. —Petition of Peter Cheal and 1 Others. Praying for relief and redress in connection with their business dealings as licensed surveyors with the Native Branch of the Auckland Survey District. I am directed to report that, having heard the evidence of Mr. Cheal and the SurveyorCcneral, the Committee is of opinion that the petitioners' remedy apparently lies with the Surveyors' Institute, and has therefore no recommendation to make. 14th July, 1916.

No. 53.—Petition of W. NOBRJSLL and 319 Others. Praying that legislation be passed enabling business and residential site holders of Te Aroha to acquire the freehold of their sections. I am directed to report that, as a question of is involved, this Committee has no recommendation to make. 14th July, 1916.

No. 198.—Petition of J. Hamilton and 11 Others. Praying that the Government take over their Thames High School endowment leases, in orderthat they may be granted the right of renewal as Crown tenants. 1 am directed to report that, as the leases referred to in the petition are issued for endowment land under the control of the Thames High School Board of Governors, the Committee has no recommendation to make; but, in the opinion of the Committee, as educational leases throughout the Dominion are not considered satisfactory, the Government should consider the desirability of laying down a uniform system of lease for all such endowments, 19th July, 1916.