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No. 270. —Petition of Haeey Voght, of New Plymouth. Pbaying for compensation for loss sustained through non-completion of contract by Advances to Settlers Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th October, 1912. No. of E. Young and Others, of Mount Eden, Auckland. Praying that portion of the Public Domain, Mount Eden Borough, be not alienated. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th October, 1912.

No. 250.—Petition of W. R. Nevill and 31 Others, of Ida Valley. Praying for a reduction in the rate for irrigation under the Government Ida Valley irrigation scheme. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make upon this petition. 15th October, 1912.

No. 145. —Petition of E. Black and 12 Others, of Taieri. Praying for relief in respect of rates on loans raised under the Taieri Drainage Acts. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 15th October, 1912.

No. 272.—Petition of J. B. Steedman and Sons, of Thames. Praying for restoration of timber rights and acquired privileges in connection with the watershed of Waikawau. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th October, 1912.

No. 240.—Petition of E. H. Hardy and 117 Others, of Te Kuiti. Praying that Pukenui No. 2t Block, Borough of Te Kuiti, may be acquired for subdivision. I am directed to report that, as a question of policy is involved, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 15th October, 1912. No. 222.—Petition of Patrick J. Murphy, of Hihitahi. Praying for compensation for alleged wrongful arrest and action taken against him, charging him with having offered to accept money as an inducement to abstain from bidding as an intending purchaser of a license of Crown lands —to wit, a pastoral run in the Raketapauma Block. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make on this petition. 15th October, 1912.

Dunedin Garrison Hall Trustees Empowering Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Dunedin Garrison Hall Trustees Empowering Bill, have the honour to report that they have carefully considered the same, and recommend that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 22nd October, 1912.

No. 336.—Petition of Albert William Page, of Cheviot. Praying for legislation empowering the District Land Registrar at Christchurch to register a transfer of a lease-in-perpetuity section to him. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 22nd October, 1912.

No. 287.—Petition of John Maher, of Taumarunui. Praying for an inquiry into the sale of Section 3, Block XV, Ohura Survey District. I am directed to report that, after inquiry, the Committee recommend that the Lands Department take back the petitioner's lease and return the purchase price to him. 22nd October, 1912.

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