1.—2.

No. 29/1937. —Petition of F. Sampson, Invercargill. Praying that a general inquiry be held into the Borstal system in Now Zealand ; and that the right of appeal be granted in the event of a person's name being removed from the list of Official Visitors to Borstal institutions. I am directed to report that the Committee has considered this petition and, as to the part thereof praying for an inquiry into the Borstal system in New Zealand, recommends favourable consideration ; and also recommends that a parliamentary Committee be set up to investigate the whole penal system in New Zealand. The Committee has no recommendation to make in respect of the latter part of the prayer of the petition. 27th September, 1939.

No. 159/1937-38. —Petition of F. Sampson, Invercargill. Praying for an inquiry into the Borstal system and also into the method of appointing prison visitors. I am directed to report that the Committee has considered this petition and, as to the part thereof praying for an inquiry into the Borstal system in New Zealand, recommends favourable consideration ; and also recommends that a parliamentary Committee be set up to investigate the whole penal system in New Zealand. The Committee has no recommendation to make in respect of the latter part of the prayer of the petition. 27th September, 1939.

No. 90/1938. —Petition of H. Schmidt, and 23 Others, 268 Queen Street, Auckland. Praying for amendment of the Fair Rents Act, 1936, to provide for the extension of its provisions to include business premises. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Statutes Revision Committee, to which has been referred the Fair Rents Amendment Bill. 27th September, 1939.

No. 130/1937. —Petition of J. Treloar, and 19 Others, Hamilton. Praying that a Committee be set up to inquire into the Prison and Borstal systems. I am directed to report that the Committee has considered this petition and recommends that it be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. The Committee also recommends that a parliamentary Committee be set up to investigate the whole penal system in New Zealand. 27th September, 1939.

No. 69. —Petition of R. W. MaoMillan, 27 Tamar Street, Oamaru. Praying for compensation in respect of injuries allegedly sustained while employed by the Public Works Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration. 4th October, 1939.

No. 63.' —Petition of F. F. Park, 222 Springfield Road, St. Albans, Christchurch. Praying for compensation for loss allegedly sustained owing to the operation of the Transport Licensing Act and its amendments. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 4th October, 1939.

No. 64.—Petition of 6. B. Simpson, and 510 Others, Turanga-o-Moana. Praying that licensed premises be not established at Matamata. I am directed to report that the member in charge of the petition having expressed a desire to withdraw same, the Committee recommends that he be allowed to do so. 4th October, 1939. A. H. Nordmeyer, Chairman.

Special "Report. I have the honour to report that at its final meeting the Public Petitions M to Z Committee passed the following resolution : " That this Committee desires to record its appreciation of the care and ability with which the Chairman, Rev. Mr. Nordmeyer, has conducted the business of the Committee during the session ; and it also desires that this resolution shall be recorded on the minutes of the Committee and be reported to the House." sth October, 1939. W. S. Goosman, Member of the Committee.

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