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No. 557.—Petition of W. Keates and 1G Others, of Waimarama. Petitioners pray that they may be granted a concession in regard to payment of rent at Waimarama. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. Kith December, 1909.

No. 559.—Petition of Helen B. Stowell and 20 Others, of Westport. I'ktitioneks pray that they may be granted a title to their sections at Westport. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 16th December, 1909. No. 218.—Petition of J. Townley and 10,999 Others, of Waiapu. Petitioners pray for the opening-up of further Native lands in the Waiapu and Cook Counties. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, with a recommendation that the land be acquired for settlement purposes as soon as possible. 16th December, 1909. No. 293.—Petition of E. F. Tizakd, of Birkenhead. Petitioner prays that he may be allowed to select a moderate area of Government land on the Piako River for flax-growing purposes. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make upon this petition. 16th December, 1909. No. 484.—Petition of Eustace Lane, of Pukehou. Pbtitionkh prays for inquiry in connection with the Hawke's Bay Land Board. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 16th December, 1909. No. 131.— Petition of F. M. Kenny and 431 Others. Petitioners pray for acquisition of land in the vicinity of Woodville for closer settlement. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 16th December, 1909. No. 36.—Petition of Hahry Voght, of Omata, New Plymouth. Petitioner prays for compensation in connection with a farm near Huntly. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 16th December, 1909. No. 546.—Petition of John Riddell, of Mahoemii. (No. 2.) Petitioner prays that holders of leases of small grazing-runs prior to the passing of " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907," be enabled to obtain an exchange of their leases for renewal leases on terms and conditions not inconsistent with " The Land Act, 1908." I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 16th December, 1909. No. 522.—Petition of T. R. Lees and 38 Others, of Te Araij Poverty Bay. Petitioners pray that " The Land Act, 1908," be amended to give power to holders of leases under the renewable-lease system to obtain the fee-simple of their holdings under favourable conditions. I am directed to report that, as the question is one of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th December, 1909. Manukau . Control and Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above-mentioned Bill, lias the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed as amended by the Local Bills Committee. 20th December, 1909,

No. 218.—Petition of J. Townley and 10,999 Others, of Waiapu. Petitioners pray for the opening-up of further Native lands in the Waiapu and Cook Counties. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, with a recommendation that the land be acquired for settlement purposes as soon as possible. 16th December, 1909.

No. 293.—Petition of E. F. Tizard, of Birkenhead. Petitioner prays that he may be allowed to select a moderate area of Government land on the Piako River for flax-growing purposes. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make upon this petition. 16th December, 1909.

No. 484.—Petition of Eustace Lane, of Pukehou. Petitioner prays for inquiry in connection with the Hawke's Bay Land Board. 1 am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 16th December, 1909.

No. 131.—Petition of F. M. Kenny and 431 Others. Petitioners pray for acquisition of land in the vicinity of Woodville for closer settlement. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 16th December, 1909.

No. 36.—Petition of Harry Voght, of Omata, New Plymouth. Petitioner prays for compensation in connection with a farm near Huntly. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 16th December, 1909.

No. 546.—Petition of John Riddell, of Mahoenui. (No. 2.) Petitioner prays that holders of leases of small grazing-runs prior to the passing of " The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1907," be enabled to obtain an exchange of their leases for renewal leases on terms and conditions not inconsistent with " The Land Act, 1908." I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 16th December, 1909.

No. 522.—Petition of T. R. Lees and 38 Others, of Te Arai, Poverty Bay. Petitioners pray that " The Land Act, 1908," be amended to give power to holders of leases under the renewable-lease system to obtain the fee-simple of their holdings under favourable conditions. I am directed to report that, as the question is one of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th December, 1909.

Manukau . Control and Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above-mentioned Bill, lias the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed as amended by the Local Bills Committee. 20th December, 1909.