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L—s.

Wanganui School-sites Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Wanganui School-sites Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 20th December, 1909.

Masterton Trust Lands Exchange Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Masterton Trust Lands Exchange Bill, ha* the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 20th December, 1909.

No. 534. —Petition of D. A. Poole and 60 Others. Petitioners pray that they may be granted payment for all improvements done by them upon the lands leased by them from the Public Trustee, and for a perpetual renewal of such leases, and thai in assessing upon any renewal of leases none of the improvements done by the petitioners shall lx a taken into consideration. lam 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 proposals submitted by the. Public Trustee and accepted by the petitioners be adopted. The correspondence and minutes of evidence are attached hereto. 20th December, 1909.

Nos. 319, 563, and 185.—Petitions of Tieka Koona and 22 Others, Charles Findlay and Others, H. Palmer and 7 Others. Petitioners pray for inquiry into and redress for certain grievances in connection with the drainage of the Taieri Plain. lam directed to report that the Committee recommends that one Board is best able to deal with the Taieri drainage scheme ; that the classification and boundaries are not satisfactory on the East Taieri side; that some judicial authority or commission be appointed to deal wth the 1 latter recommendation. The minutes of evidence are attached hereto. 20th December, 1909. [Vide Appendix 1.-sb.]

No. 31. —Petition of Hugh McLean, of Wellington. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss in connection with the Wairiki Runs. lam directed to report that this Committee is convinced that the petitioner, Mr. Hugh McLean, has suffered severe loss owing to the non-reduction of his rent as recommended by the Otago School Commissioners in 1897. The Committee is of opinion that Mr. McLean should be adequately compensated for the above loss, and strongly recommends that the Government should favourably consider the prayer of this petition. 22nd December, 1909. _

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has during the session held nine meetings, with average attendance of 8-04. The number of petitions referred to the Committee was 56, 33 of which were reported on and 23 held over until next session. Twenty-one Bills were referred to the Committee, al\ of which were reported on. The Committee desires to place on record its appreciation of the courtesy and tact manifested by the Chairman (Hon. Mr. T. Duncan) in presiding over the deliberations of the Committee during the session. 22nd December, 1909.

Schedule of Petitions held over until Next Session. No. 86.— W. Munn and 11 Others, and 20 similar Petitions. ~ 571. —Messrs. Forest and Clarke. ~ 597.—M. C. Robieson and 17 Others.

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