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No. 272. —Petition of Agnes Scott, of Gisborne, and 293 Others, and 7 similar Petitions (as per Schedule attached). Praying for the repeal of section 4 of the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Act, 1920. I am directed to report that in he opinion of the Committee these petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a view to depriving the guilty party of all right to initiate divorce proceedings under the said section. 7th December, 1921.

Schedule. No. 273.—Charlotte Jordan and 180 others. | No. 283. —Mary Williamson and 947 others. No. 278. —Jessie Graham and 2,759 others. No. 288.—Belle Rathbone and 468 others. No. 279. —Elizabeth A. Robertson and 300 others. No. 293.—M. P. Vercoe and 153 others. No. 280.—C. W. Humphreys and 459 others. |

No. 243, Petition of Edith Sadlier, of Nelson, and 74 Others ; and No. 245, Petition of Ethel Hutchinson, of Dannevirke, and 621 Others. Praying for the repeal of section 4 of the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Act, 1920. I am directed to report hat in the opinion of the Committee these petition, should be referred to the Government or favourable consideration, with a vi w to depriving the guilty party of all right to initiate proceedings under the said section. 7th December, 1921.

No. 100. —Petition of Robert Macaltster, of Auckland. Praying for further compensation for loss of office. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government fo: favourable consideration, with a suggestion that petitioner's pension should be increased to £150 per annum. 7th December, 1921.

No. 163. —Petition of W. J. Williams, of Christchurch, and 1,052 Others. Praying for the appoin'ment of women as Justices of the Peace, jurors, and police. I am directed to report hat the Committee has no recommendation to make 7th December, 1921.

No. 259. —Petition of Thomas A. Wrenn, of Christchurch. Praying for compensation for expenses incurred in connection with certain litigation. I am directed to report that in ihe opinion o the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th December, 1921.

No. 231. —Petition of A. C. Nottingham, of Christchurch. Praying for a refund of excess-profits tax. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to thg Government for favourable consideration. 15th December, 1921.

No. 286.—Petition of J. J. Meikle, of Auckland. Praying for further compensation for injuries sustained by him by reason of his imprisonment on a false charge. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a suggestion that it should consider the granting to petitioner of a sum of £4 per week for the remainder of his life. 21st December, 1921.