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REPORTS.

No. 20.—Petition of James Young and 33 Others. Praying that the New South Wales system of religious teaching in schools be introduced by a Referendum Bill. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 23rd August, 1912.

No. 6. —Petition of Emma Lascelles Mellsop, of Devonport, Auckland. Praying that her name be placed on the list of those receiving superannuation. I am diiected to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 23id August, 1912.

No. 34.—Petition of George Blackett, of Raglan, Auckland. Praying that he may be admitted to the benefits of superannuation. 1 am directed to report that, in view of the fact that the discretionary power vested in the Teachers' Superannuation Board, under section 225, subsection (1), of the Education Act, 1908, was taken away by the Public Service Classification and Superannuation Amendment Act, 1908, without notice, the question of giving these benefits to the petitioner, and to those similarly situated, be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. A further option of six months within which to join the Superannuation Fund being recommended. 23rd August, 1912.

No. 166. —Petition of James K. Law. Claiming overdue house allowance in connection with the Aramoho Public School. I am directed to report that in the opinion of this Committee the petitioner is entitled to the amount claimed by him for house allowance, but that he has no claim against the Government, the matter being one between him and the Wanganui Education Board. 17th September, 1912.

No. 281 (1911).—Petition of M. M. Kiharoa and 49 Others. Praying for a grant of £1,300 for extension and maintenance of the Native College at Otaki. I am directed to report that the member in charge of this petition having intimated his desire to have the same withdrawn, the Committee recommends that the petition be withdrawn accordingly. 17th September, 1912.

No. 190. —Petition of Henry N. Garland. Praying for compensation for loss of office as Secretary to the School Commissioners in the Auckland Provincial District. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a recommendation that the petitioner be paid sixmonths' salary (less one month already received). Further, the Committee suggests that the Government arrange for the payment of this amount out of the funds accruing from the reserves dealt with by the late School Commissioners at Auckland. 17th September, 1912.

Report on a Memorandum of the Education Department referring to the System and Cost of Conveyance of Public-school Children to and from Country Schools. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that this memorandum be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 19th September, 1912.