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1.—16

Wellington City Milk-supply Amendment Bill. The Local Bills Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it is a local Bill; that the Standing Orders have not been strictly complied with, inasmuch as the last advertisement relating to the Bill was published more than thirty days after the commencement of the session—namely, on the 30th July ; and that the rights and prerogatives of the Crown are not affected. The Committee recommends that the Bill be not allowed to proceed. 14th October, 1929.

Hawke's Bay Rivers Amendment Bill. The Local Bills Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it is a local Bill ; that the Standing Orders have been complied with, with the exception of those parts of Standing Orders 361 and 366 which were suspended by the House ; and that the rights and prerogatives of the Crown are not affected. In view of a sharp difference of opinion between the Hawke's Bay Rivers Board and a section of the ratepayers as to the merits of the scheme contained in the Bill and those of an alternative scheme, and in view also of an election in January next for members of the Board, in which the chief issue is likely to be the adoption of one or other of the said schemes, the Committee recommends that the Bill be not allowed to proceed this session, and suggests to the Board that it promote another Bill next session. 29th October, 1929.

Petition of J. Pallesen and 418 Others, of Hawke's Bay. Praying for inquiry into the circumstances under which the approval of the Hon. the Minister of Public Works was granted to a certain scheme for flood-prevention in Hawke's Bay. The Local Bills Committee, to which was referred the above petition, has the honour to report that, as the subject-matter of the petition was considered in connection with the Bill to which it relates and on which the Committee has reported, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th October, 1929.

Petition of Unaiki Matenga and 19 Others, of Hawke's Bay. Praying for relief in connection with the Hawke's Bay River Board's Ngaruroro and Tutaekuri drainage proposals. The Local Bills Committee, to which was referred the above petition, has the honour to report that, as the subject-matter of the petition was considered in connection with the Bill to -which it relates and on which the Committee has reported, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th October, 1929.

Urban Farm-lands Rating Bill. The Local Bills Committee, to which was referred* the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the Bill and taken evidence thereon, and, in view of the numerous objections received from local bodies and of the undertaking by the Municipal Association that the matter of urban farm-land rating would be fully considered at its next Conference, the Committee recommends that the Bill be not allowed, to proceed. 29th October, 1929. (Note. —Minutes of evidence brought up and laid upon the Table. Not ordered to be printed.)

Otaki Borough Adjustment and Farm-lands Rating Bill. The Local Bills Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the Bill and taken evidence thereon, and recommends that the Bill be not allowed to proceed. 29th October, 1929.

Petone and Lower Hutt Gas-lighting Amendment Bill. The Local Bills Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the Bill, although introduced as a local Bill and an amendment to a local Act, really falls into two parts, one of which confers wide powers on a private company (which powers would normally be sought by means of a private Bill) ; that the Standing Orders relating to local Bills have been complied with ; and that the rights and prerogatives of the Crown are not affected. The Committee recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with amendments as shown 011 the copy of the Bill annexed hereto. Ist November, 1929.