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Masterton Trust Lands Trustees Empowering Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Hill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed as amended by the Local Bills Committee. 27th August, 1923.

Land Drainage Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the, above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with amendments as shown on copy of Bill attached hereto. 27th August, 1923.

No. 43. —Petition of Henry Snushall, of " Greenhills," near Kaikoura. Praying for legislation and relief with regard to certain " paper roads " on his land in the Kaikoura district. I have the honour to report that, as a question of policy is involved, the Committee has no recommendation to make ; that, while the Kaikoura County Council is acting within its legal rights, the petitioner is suffering hardship, and the Committee is of ojnnion that the matter is one for negotiation as between the petitioner and the County Council. 28th August, 1923.

No. 95.—Petition of R. W. Simson and 16 Others, of Puahue. Praying for revaluation and other relief with regard to their holdings in the Puahue Soldier Settlement. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th August, 1923. ,

No. 58.—Petition of William O'Donnell and 94 Others, of Owhango and other Districts. Praying for a revaluation of their holdings, and further assistance for stocking and improvements. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th August, 1923.

No. 100. —Petition of James Campion, of Hastings. Praying for compensation for loss sustained through error in survey of certain blocks of land at Fordell. I have the honour to report that the Committee is of opinion that the petitioner was misled when purchasing the land through a miscalculation of the Lands Department of the area of land included in the certificate of title. The Committee recommends that he bo afforded relief by way of special legislation in the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill of ,hi., session, enabling him to claim on the Land Transfer Assurance Fund ; further, that the Government be recommended to legislate in the direction of preventing registration of titles unless survey is of such dates, and the titles are issued under such authority, that the purchaser of the land will have recourse against the Land Transfer Assurance Fund in case a sho tage of area is found; that this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th August, 1923.

Special Report. I am directed to report that at the final meeting of the Lands Committee the following resolution was carried unanimously : " That the Committee desires to place on record its appreciation of the conspicuous ability, tact, and courtesy displayed by Mr. F. F. Hockly as Chairman of the Committee; that this resolution be recorded in the minutes and reported to the House." 28th August, 1923.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee, consisting of ten members, has held ten meetings during the session, the average attendance at each meeting being seven members. Fifteen petitions were referred to the Committee, and, of these, eight were considered and reported upon, and seven are held over until next session. Sixteen Bills and two papers were referred to the Committee, and all of these were considered and reported upon. 28th August, 1923.

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