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No. B—Petition8 —Petition of Marie J. Searle Praying for relief in connection with a house-property transaction. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered this petition, and has no recommendation to make. 4th August, 1949,

No. 92/1948 —Petition of H. B. Wylde Praying for the establishment of a Department of Philosophical Research for the investigation of certain theories advanced by him. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered this petition, and has no recommendation to make. 21st September, 1949.

No. 45—Petition of J. Perris Praying for a rehearing of his case and for compensation. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered this petition, and has no recommendation to make. 21st September, 1949.

No. 91/1948—Petition of E. F. Shadbolt Praying for compensation for damage to property allegedly caused by defence works. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered this petition, and has no recommendation to make. 28th September, 1949.

No. 38 —Petition of C. H. Tollan Praying for additional compensation in respect of an injury allegedly sustained in the course of his employment. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered this petition, and has no recommendation to make. 28th September, 1949.

No. 94/1948 —Petition of H. H. Petrie and Others ; No. 44—Petition of W. J. McMillan and Others Praying for an inquiry into the proposed schemes of the North Canterbury Catchment Board and amendment to the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act, 1941. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered these petitions and is satisfied that large-scale works are necessary to improve the drainage of the whole area between the Ashley and Waimakariri Rivers, and is not prepared to say that some diversion of the Eyre and other rivers may not be the best way of dealing with the problem. It is of the opinion, however, that the technical advisers of the North Canterbury Catchment Board should give further consideration to the need for all the works proposed by it in view of the long-term rainfall records of the district, and should make further inquiries as to the effect the scheme may have on the water-table along the Eyre River, in particular by obtaining the views of the petitioners and other local residents. After reviewing the matter in the light of this additional information the Board should, by holding sufficient public meetings before commencing work, give an opportunity to all those likely to be affected to hear and discuss its proposals. The Committee has resolved that the petitions and this report be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th September, 1949.

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