3

L—6

Nos. 108. 127, 130, and 148. —Petitions of Hutt County Council, Miramar Borough Council, Johnsonville Town Board, and Eastbourne Borough Council. Petitioners pray that they may be excised from the list of contributing authorities enumerated in the schedule of the Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Amendment Bill. I am directed to report that, as provision has been made in the Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Act for a Commission to deal with the allocation of costs, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1911.

No. 135.—Petition of Cornelius McAuliffe, of Temuka. Petitioner prays for a compassionate allowance for the children of the late John McAuliffe, who was killed by an express train at Denmark Street crossing. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th October, 1911.

No. 151.—Petition of D. H. McLean and 3 Others, of Caroline, Southland. Petitioners pray for a compassionate allowance for loss of stacks caused through sparks from a locomotive. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 17th October, 1911.

No. 63.--Petition of Christina D. McTainsh, of Waverley Street, Sydenham. Petitioner prays for a compassionate allowance on account of her late husband being killed by an express train. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th October, 1911.

No. 257. —Petition of Samuel Vaile, of Auckland. Petitioner prays for a trial of the stage system on the Te Hana-Rotorua Railway. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 19th October, 1911.

No. 150. —Petition of Thomas McGahan, of Tuakau, Auckland. Petitioner prays for compassionate allowance for loss of office as porter in the Railway service. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that petitioner be paid back pay for the period between the date of the decision of the Appeal Board that he should be reinstated and the date of actual reinstatement by the Railway Department. 19th October, 1911.

No. 319.—Petition of Thomas Patterson, of Invercargill. Petitioner prays for compensation for injuries received at a railway-crossing in Conon Street, Invercargill. I am directed to report that the Committee lias no recommendation to make on this petition. 25th October, 1911.

No. 254.—Petition of Ernest F. Shadbolt, of 463 Madras Street, Christchurch. Petitioner prays for compassionate allowance on account of sickness caused through defective drainage at Little River Railway-station. I am directed to report that, taking into consideration the fact that the petitioner was precluded by the provisions of the Crown Suits Act from giving evidence at the trial as to the loss he sustained pievious to three months before the petition was filed, this Committee recommends the petition to the Government for consideration. 25th October, 1911.

No. 21.—Petition of Robert C. Morgan (on behalf of Railway Officers' Institute). Petitioner prays that an increase of pay and improved conditions be provided for the officers belonging to the First Division of the Railway service. I am directed to report that the Committee makes the following recommendations : That positions in the Railway service which have been reduced in status during the last few years., as set out in clause 6 of this petition, should be restored where the traffic is maintained;' that in