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Sess. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

JOINT AGRICULTURAL, PASTORAL, AND STOCK COMMITTEE REPORTS. (HON. C.J. JOHNSTON, CHAIRMAN.)

Presented to the House of Bepresentatives, and ordered to be printed.

No. 47.--Petition of S. Bbabazon and 107 Others. The petitioners pray for certain amendments in "The Babbit Act, 1882." I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, the Babbit Nuisance Act should be amended so as to give to the Minister for Agriculture, or to Babbit Boards, the necessary power to group settlers in a given area for the purposes prayed for in this petition. 19th November, 1897.

No. 5. —Petition o Geoege Wilks. The petitioner prays for some acknowledgment for the discovery by him of a blight-specific. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that Mr. Wilks's specific has not been sufficiently tested, therefore they have no recommendation to make. 19th November, 1897.

No. 279.—Petition of W. Boyce and 211 Others. The petitioners pray that fixity of tenure and fair rent be applied to certain trust lands in the Motueka district. , I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, the above petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 20th December, 1897. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (1,250 copies), 17e.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB97. Price 3d.]