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No. 171. —Petition of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants of New Zealand. Praying that all Railway servants who have attained the age of sixty years, or have forty years' service, and who are eligible to retire on an allowance of £300 or over, be so retired. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 12th December, 1921.

No. 170.—Petition of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants of New Zealand. Praying for an investigation of the claims of returned-soldier apprentices employed in the Eailway service. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th December, 1921.

No. 3. —Petition of Theresa Margaret Dore, of Ngaio, Wellington. Praying for compensation for alleged injuries received in a railway accident at Ngaio. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th December, 1921.

No. 112. —Petition of Frederick Marshall, of Kawakawa. Praying for compensation for loss of cattle killed on railway-line. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th December, 1921.

No. 180.—Petition of Mary Moss, of Auckland, and 38 Others. Praying that free railway passes be granted to the inmates of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind once a year. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th December, 1921.

No. 298/20. —Petition of George Arthur Pearson, of Wellington. Praying for the promotion which he alleges is due to him in the Railway service. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that, in accordance with the request of the petitioner, leave be given for this petition to be withdrawn. 12th December, 1921.

No. 306. —Petition of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants of New Zealand. Praying that further relief be granted to W. J. Mather, who was injured in an explosion at the Mount Egmont quarry. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion, in view of the exceptional circumstances, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration for a compassionate allowance. • 21st December, 1921.

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 the Bill be allowed to proceed with amendments as shown on the copy attached. Ist February, 1922.

No. 350. —Petition of B. W. Dagg, of Queenstown, and 414 Others. Praying for the summer tourist traffic to the Lakes district to be extended over the Easter period, as in former years, and that week-end excursions be reinstated. I am directed to_ report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd February, 1922.