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No. 111, Petition of William Syme, of Onehunga, Auckland ; and No. 106, Petition of J. W. Silcock and Others, of Waitaki and Mangaiti. Praying for compensation for losses incurred through the Waihou River Stop-bank Scheme. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered these petitions, and recommends that they be referred to the Government for inquiry ; and the Committee desires to recommend to the Government that a Commission of Inquiry be appointed with the objects of establishing and reporting to the Government on —(1) The extent, if any, of the flood damage ; (2) the cause of such flooding ; (3) what compensation, if any, is due to the land-occupiers of the district affected : such Commission of Inquiry to consist of an independent engineer, the Chairman of the County Council, and a representative of the Public Works Department. Bth October, 1930.

No. 73.—Petition of Arthur Maryon Graham Wanklyn, of Napier, Farmer. Praying for compensation for losses alleged to have been incurred in farming Crown lands, for reinstatement as a Crown tenant, and for other relief. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition, and recommends that it be referred to the Government for consideration, with a view to removing the petitioner's disqualification from taking up Crown or settlement lands for a period of ten years. Bth October, 1930.

Hawke's Bay Rivers Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Hawke's Bay Rivers Amendment Bill, and recommends that, so far as it affects the rights and prerogatives of the Crown, the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 10th October, 1930.

No. I.—Petition of W. E. G. Holland, of Edgecumbe, Farmer. Praying for compensation for losses incurred on the Hereford Park Settlement. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition, and recommends that it be referred to the Government for favourable consideration ; and the Committee desires to suggest to the Government that the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Auckland be instructed to further investigate the case. 10th October, 1930.

No. 70.—Petition of P. J. Kenny and 7 Others, of Pongakawa, Settlers. Praying for an inquiry into the administration of the Waihi swamp lands. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition, and recommends that it be referred to the Government for favourable consideration ; and the Committee desires to recommend to the Government that an inquiry be held and investigation made in the locality affected. 10th October, 1930.

No. 421/1929. —Petition of John Mcßeth and 2 Others, of Puriri Settlement, Gonville, Wanganui. Praying that the capital prices of their workers' dwellings in the Wanganui District be reduced. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition, and has no recommendation to make. The Committee considers that the principle involved in the prayer of this petition affects the whole Dominion; and while, therefore, unable to make any recommendation in these particular cases without affecting workers' dwellings elsewhere, it desires to recommend to the Government that the whole question of workers' dwellings be investigated with a view to deciding what policy of relief is to be adopted in regard to them in the future. The Committee wishes to point out that as the State Advances Department has no agencies, these workers' houses are in many cases falling into disrepair, which further prejudices reletting them. 10th October, 1930.

No. 198. —Petition of J. F. Parker, of 92 River Road, Claudelands, Hamilton. Praying that he be given power to claim a sum of money from the estate of the late Patrick Desmond (deceased), or other relief. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition, and, as the petitioner has not exhausted his legal remedies, has 110 recommendation to make. 10th October, 1930.

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