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1909. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE. ROUTE OF NORTH OF AUCKLAND RAILWAY: REPORT ON THE PETITIONS RELATING THERETO; TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

Report brought up on the 23rd December, 1909, and ordered to be printed.

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House, of Representatives. Friday, the Bth Day of October, 1909. Ordered, " That a Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to consider all petitions from M to Z that may be referred to it by the Petitions Classification Committee, to classify and prepare abstracts of such petitions in such form and manner as shall appear to it best suited to convey to this House all requisite information respecting their contents, and to report the same from time to time to this House, and to have power to report its opinions and observations thereupon to this House ; also to have power to call for persons arid papers ; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Buxton, Mr. Colvin, Mr. Craigie, Mr. J. Duncan, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Hogan, Mr. McLaren, Mr. Pearce, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Buddo.)

BEPOET.

Nos. 11, 251, and 281. —Petitions of .1. J. Suthbrland and Others and T. Neii,d and Others (together with similar Petitions as per attached Schedule). Petitioners pray as follows : — Petition No. 11 and other similar Petitions. —That the North of Auckland Railway-line shall not be deviated so far west as proposed, but retained on what is known as the "eastern route," and that a Royal Commission may be appointed to inquire into and report upon the circumstances concerning the suggested deviation of the line. Petition No. 281 and other similar Petitions. —That the adoption of the western route may be adhered to. I am directed to report that in the opinion of this Committee, the question being one for expert engineering opinion and public policy, affecting the needs of the greater number of settlers not served by water carriage, the question be referred to the Government for consideration and further inquiry. 23rd December, 1909. James Craigie, Chairman.

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