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No. 41.- —Petition of D. Sinclair and 270 Others, of Nightcaps. Praying that the Government acquire the Nightcaps Coal Company's railway from Wairio to Nightcaps. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 20th August, 1923.

No. 169. —Petition of W. E. Wilson and 40 Others, of Wanganui. Praying that no portion of Wanganui Racecourse be taken for railway or commercial purposes. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th August, 1923.

No. 170.—Petition of T. B. Williams and 6,760 Others, of Wanganui. Praying that no portion of Wanganui Racecourse be taken for railway or commercial purposes. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th August, 1923.

No. 171. —Petition of W. Murcott and Another, of Rongotea. Praying for the adoption of automatic gates at level crossings in various parts of the Dominion. I am directed to report that in the, opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th August, 1923.

No. 32. —Petition of William Hodge, of Christchurch. Praying for further inquiry into his claim for compensation for loss of employment in the New Zealand Railways Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 28th August, 1923.

No. 125.—Petition of R. H. Hanson, of Auckland. Praying for a compassionate allowance for injuries received while in the service of the New Zealand Railway Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th August, 1923.

No. 15. —Petition of The Amalgamated Society op Railway Servants. (Second Report.) Praying that a permanent Board be constituted to deal with the wages and conditions of employment in the New Zealand Railway Department. I am directed to report that, as this is a matter of policy, the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th August, 1923.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Committee, consisting of ten members, during the session held six meetings, the average attendance being eight members at each meeting. The number of meetings held by the Committee was .. .. .. 6 The number of petitions referred to the Committee was .. .. 14 The dumber of petitions referred to the Government for consideration was .. 6 The number of petitions referred to the Government for favourable consideration was .. .. • ■ • ■ • • • • • • .. 2 The number of petitions on which the Committee had no recommendation to make was .. .. • ■ • • • • • • • • .. 2 The number of petitions referred to other Committees was .. .. .. 2 The number of petitions held over was .. .. .. .. .. 2 The number of reports brought down by the Committee and presented to the House was .. .. • • • • • • •. 12 The number of petitions withdrawn was .. .. .. .. .. 1 28th August, 1923.

Approximate Cost ot Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (475 copies), £2 ss.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l923.

Price 3d.]

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