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No. 425. —Petition of C. B. Price and Others. Petitioners pray for a Commission to inquire into the drainage of Lake Ellesmere, and that Government will take steps to free their farms from the flood-water with which they are now inundated. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government with a strong recommendation that steps be taken to carry out the intention of " The Land Act, 1892 " (section 107), dealing with the matter. 6th October, 1904.

No. 689. —Petition of Arthur McKeown. Petitioner prays that no legislation be passed to alter the system under which he now occupies land. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government. 6th October, 1904.

No. 554. —Petition of James Bishop. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss sustained by being turned out of his section. I am directed to report that, after investigation, the Committee is assured the petitioner has suffered severe hardship, and recommends the petition be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration with a view to compensation. 6th October, 1904.

Land Boards Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Land Boards Bill, has the honour to report that, Parliament having decided to refer the subject to a Royal Commission, it has no recommendation to make. 6th October, 1904.

No. 758. —Petition of G. W. Williams and Others (together with 9 other similar Petitions, as per attached Schedule). Petitioners pray that a referendum vote of the electors be taken on the questions that no more Crown lands be sold, and that the freehold of any lands leased from the Crown be not granted. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petitions be referred to the Government. 11th October, 1904.

Schedule. No. 777. —W. E. Lynn and others. No. 824.— R. Ferguson and others. „ 812. —A. H. Cooper and others. „ 825.—M. Moloney and others. „ 813. —E. Jones and others. „ 826.—C. E. Hopkins and others. „ 822. —Rose C. Atkinson and others. „ 827.— J. A. McCullough and others. „ 823.—James Lindear and others.

No. 713.—Petition of W. Kershaw and 21 Others. Petitioners pray that Crown tenants may have the option of purchasing the freehold of their sections. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government. 11th October, 1904.

No. 811. —Petition of John Gray and Others. Petitioners pray that a sum of £600 be granted out of the timber royalties for expenditure on the Towai-Waiotu Road to repair damage done to said road by cartage of timber. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 11th October, 1904.

No. 753. —Petition of Basil Hewett and Others. Petitioners pray that legislation be passed entitling local bodies to receive a proportion of the royalties derived from the sales of timber and flax. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 11th October, 1904.