I.—&.

3

No. 206.—Petition of Adam Patterson and Another. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss of warehouse accommodation through duplication of the Mosgiel -Dunedin Railway. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Bth September, 190*. No. 276.—Petition of W. Sadler. Petitioner prays for compensation for injuries received while in Government service. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the (rovernmonl for considerai ion. Bth September, 1908. No. 194.—Petition of J. A. Connell. Pbtitionbr prays for an inquiry in connection with the Wellington Railway Offices contract. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 30th September, 1908. Nos. 104 and 493. —Petitions of Samuel A'aile. Petitioner prays for an unconditional trial of the system known as " Vaile's stage system." I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 30th September, 1908. Christohuroh-Lyttelton Railway. Order of Reference dated the Bth Day of July, 1908. Il.u ing considered the question referred to the Committee by the House of Representatives in connection with the Lyttelton-Christchurch Railway, and having taken evidence thereon, 1 have the honour to report,— 1. That the evidence submitted to the Committee disclosed no ground of complaint regarding the passenger-fares or the adequacy of the means of communication, or regarding the service generally as at present carried out. 2. That the only ground of complaint disclosed by the evidence was regarding the method of computation of the charges for freight under which the Department charged by measurement or dead-weight at its option, the contention being that the charges should in every case be on a dead-weight basis on existing rates. The Committee find that the method of computation is uniform throughout the Dominion with respect to all port lines except the Bluff-Invercargill, where in the year 1885 the measurement rate was limited to a charge not exceeding twice the rate for deadweight. . , The Committee resolved that the whole question of the method of computation of the freight, charges on port lines be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th October, 1908. No. 624.—Petition of Robert Davis. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss of a horse caused by breaking its leg in a cattle-stop. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th October, 1908. No. 309.—Petition of William Barton. Pbtitionbr prays for compensation for and security from fires caused by sparks from railwayengines . , [ am directed to report that the Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th October, 1908. No 418.-—Petition of G. W. Mace and 20 Others. Petitioners pray for the construction of a loading and receiving yard at Mangaiti Station. 1 am directed to report that the Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th October, 1908.