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No. 434.—Petition of J. J. D'Postine, of Petone. Praying for relief on account of accident caused by a kick from a horse while in the employ of the Public Works Department. 1 am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 27th October, 1917.

No. 475.—Petition of J. G. Hughes, of Island Bay, Wellington. Praying for relief on account of his enforced retirement from the Defence Forces through being medically unfit, caused by ill health contracted while on active service. 1 am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion the petitioner has a just and equitable claim, and recommends his case for immediate and favourable consideration. 27th October, 1917.

No. 480, Petition of S. A. Lyttle and 5 Others; and No. 483, Petition of Edward Pearson and 3 Others. Praying for an amendment of the Legislature Act, 1908, so far as it relates to the alteration of electoral boundaries and the necessity for placing licensed premises in no-license districts as the result of alterations made. I am directed to report that the Committee, while recognizing that the extreme hardship of the petitioners' case is so evident as to make the petitions worthy of the immediate and serious consideration of the Government, finds the question is one of policy, and therefore the Committee is unable to make a recommendation. 27th October, 1917.

No. 433.—Petition of J. 11. Hannan, of Auckland. (Second Report.) Praying for relief for alleged malicious prosecution. I am directed to report the Committee has no recommendation to make in connection with this petition. 27th October, 1917.

Special Report. I am directed to report that the following resolution was unanimously adopted : " That the Committee desires to record its high appreciation of the tact and consideration shown to members and petitioners by its Chairman (J. Vigor Brown, Esq.) during the time he has conducted the proceedings, and it is the unanimous wish of the Committee that this resolution should be recorded on the minutes and reported to the House." 27th October, 1917.

Special Report. I am directed to report that the following resolution was unanimously adopted : " That the Committee desires to place on record its high sense of appreciation of the services rendered by the Glerk (Mr. E. D. Dunne), whose untiring energy and courtesy have been of much assistance to the Committee in its deliberations, and that this resolution should be recorded on the minutes and reported to the House." 27th October, 1917.

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