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him by the brothers Andrewartha on no security whatever, on a verbal assurance being given that they would recoup the money by work done on his allotment. From the evidence given, the work done on the section was inadequate to pay more than one-half of the sum lent—.£2oo. That Mr. Gale then took legal proceedings to recover this balance, but, owing to the fact that he could be easily induced by counsel to make admissions, judgment was given with costs against him without the five witnesses who, we believe, might have established his case being called on to give evidence. The petitioner was afterwards imprisoned through failure to pay the other side's costs. The Committee is satisfied that advantage has been taken of the petitioner's simplicity, and that he has suffered much hardship thereby. The Committee has been unable to devise any means of relief, but recommends his case to the Government for consideration. 26th October, 1906.

No. 151.—Petition of L. H. Spackman and Others, Masterton. Petitioners pray that land be acquired at Masterton for workmen's homes. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th October, 1906. No. 166.—Petition of T. Cripps, Sevenoaks, Masterton. Petitioner prays for exemption-from residence on Section 10, Langdale Estate. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th October, 1906. No. 282.—Petition of John Walsh, Eltham. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss occasioned through cancellation of his lease of part of Rotokare Domain by the passing of " The Rotokare Domain Repeal Act, 1903." I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th October, 1906. No. 361.—Petition of E. W. Porritt and 13 Others, Paeroa, Auckland. Petitioners pray that a strip of land 5 chains wide be reserved as a site for a future railway between Paeroa and Paparata. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th October, 1906. No. 400.—Petition of M. J. Dwyeh and Others, Beaumont Estate, Southland. Petitioners pray for a reduction of rent. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th October, 1906. No. 640.—Petition of Charles Clayton, Surveyor, Ohinemutu. Petitioner prays for a refund of a portion of rent paid on lease of a pastoral run. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government. 26th October, 1906. Nos. 648, 649, and 650.—Petitions of J. C. Arbuckle, Auctioneer, Lawrence, and 43 Others; John Bennetts, Roxburgh, and 241 Others; and James A. Johnston, Dunedin, and 79 Others. Petitioners pray for the introduction of legislation for the prevention of the destruction of firstclass agricultural land at Island Block and other places. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petitions be forwarded to the Government for favourable and immediate consideration. 26th October, 1906. Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Reserves and others Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill, has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown in the attached copy. Approximate unfit nf Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing {1,400 copies), £ 2 10e.

No. 166. —Petition of T. Cripps, Sevenoaks, Masterton. Petitioner prays for exemption -from residence on Section 10, Langdale Estate. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th October, 1906.

No. 282. —Petition of John Walsh, Eltham. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss occasioned through cancellation of his lease of part of Rotokare Domain by the passing of " The Rotokare Domain Repeal Act, 1903." I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th October, 1906.

No. 361.—Petition of E. W. Porritt and 18 Others, Paeroa, Auckland. Petitioners pray that a strip of land 5 chains wide be reserved as a site for a future railway between Paeroa and Paparata. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th October, 1906.

No. 400.—Petition of M. J. Dwyer and Others, Beaumont Estate, Southland. Petitioners pray for a reduction of rent. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th October, 1906.

No. 640. —Petition of Charles Clayton, Surveyor, Ohinemutu. Petitioner prays for a refund of a portion of rent paid on lease of a pastoral run. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government. 26th October, 1906.

Nos. 648, 649, and 650.—Petitions of J. C. Arbuckle, Auctioneer, Lawrence, and 43 Others; John Bennetts, Roxburgh, and 241 Others; and James A. Johnston, Dunedin, and 79 Others. Petitioners pray for the introduction of legislation for the prevention of the destruction of firstclass agricultural land at Island Block and other places. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petitions be forwarded to the Government for favourable and immediate consideration. 26th October, 1906.

Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Reserves and others Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill, has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown in the attached copy. Approximate unst nf Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing {1,400 copies), £2 10s.

Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington —1906

Price 3d.]