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No. 261.—Petition of Hugh Gunn, of New Plymouth. Praying for compensation for alleged infringement of his spark-arresting appliance by the Railway Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1919.

No. 229.—Petition of J, Simpson, of Swanson. Praying for compensation for loss sustained by fire alleged to have been caused by sparks from railway-engine, T am directed to report thai the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th October, 1919.

No. 488 (1917). -Petition of C. Dunk and Others, of Palmerston North. Praying that Cook Street, Palmerston North, be not closed by the Railway Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1919.

No. 105 (1918). —Petition of the Executive Council of the New Zealand Locomotive Enginedrivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association, Praying for an increase of wages and improved conditions for members of the above association employed on the New Zealand railways. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of the petition has been dealt with in the Government Railways Amendment Bill since the presentation of the petition, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th October, 1919.

Government Railways Amendment Bill. The Railways Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed with amendments as shown on copy of the Bill attached hereto. The Committee further recommends the Government forthwith to set up a Board consisting of — (1.) (a.) The Judge of the Arbitration Court (or other Judge of the Supreme Court), who shall be the Chairman ; (b.) A representative of the Government; (c.) A representative appointed on the nomination of the Railway Officers' Institute; (d.) A representative appointed on the nomination of the Amalagamated Society of Railway Servants; and (c.) A representative appointed on the nomination of the Locomotive Engine-drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association. (2.) The nominated members referred to in (c), (d), and (c) above to act as members of the Board only in respect of such matters as relate to their respective branches of the Railway service. (3.) The duty of the Board shall be to consider and report upon such questions affecting the wages and working-conditions of members of the Railway service as may be referred to it by the Minister of Railways. 29th October, 1919.

No. 11.—Petition of the Amalgamated Society or Railway Servants of New Zealand, Wellington. Praying for an alteration of the policy of the Government Railways Department in respect to superannuation. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. lib November, 1919.

No. 326.--Petition of G. Halley, of New Brighton. Praying for compassionate allowance for services rendered to the Railway Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th November, 1919.

No. 324. —Petition of S. B. Gibb, of Motunau, North Canterbury. Praying for compensation for loss sustained through fire caused by sparks from railway-engine. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 4th November, 1919,