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No. 240.—Petition of G. P. Mason and Others. Petitioners pray that a sum of money may be granted to metal the road between Raetihi and Ohakune. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 242.—Petition of Fritz Bayer and Others. Petitioners pray for a grant of £50 to assist in forming a bridle-track to their homesteads. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 104.—Petition of W. J. Gray and Others. Petitioners pray for Government assistance to complete the road between the East Coast settlements and the Waikato. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 32.—Petition of Leonard Masters and Others. Petitioners ask for a grant of money to assist in draining Tangonge Lake, in Kaitaia and Ahipara Districts. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 38.—Petition of A. J. Hatfield and Others. Petitioners ask for assistance to repair the Wainui-Kaukapakapa Road. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 216.—Petition of William Dickhon and Others. Petitioners pray that a sum of money may be granted to maintain the main road from Dunedin to Cape Saunders. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition bo referred to the Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 226.—Petition of Eobeet Niooll and Others. Petitioners recommend that Mrs. E. Ryder, of Hamilton, whose husband was killed when in the employment of the Government, should be granted either a remission of her rent or a compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 48.—Petition of M. T. Eeueti and Others. Petitioners pray that a grant of money may be given them to form a road through Sections 1 to 11, Block B, Otago Heads Native Reserve. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be- referred to Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 233. —Petition of William Chadwin and Others. Petitioners pray for a grant of £500 to assist in opening up and forming a road known as the Maungaturoto-Waikiekie Eoad. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

The Joseph Houston Land-grant Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom the above-mentioned Bill was referred for consideration, have the honour to report that they have duly considered same, and they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendment as set forth on the annexed copy of the Bill. 9th December, 1897.

The Land for Settlements Act Amendment Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom the above-mentioned Bill was referred for consideration, have the honour to report that they have duly considered same, and recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments as set forth on the annexed copy of the Bill. 9th December, 1897.