I.—B.

No. 270. —Petition of Ernest Goodall, of Dunedin. Praying for financial relief on account of the termination of daughter's engagement with the Dunedin Training College. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with the following recommendation : While fully recognizing that the petitioner was reasonably and fairly treated by the Otago Education Board, and has no legal or moral claim for compensation against the Education Department, the Committee is of the opinion that the petitioner rendered a great service to the State in giving evidence which led to the conviction of Abraham Alfred Isaac Leonard Lind. That the nervous strain that the petitioner was subjected to as a witness for the Crown contributed to her breakdown in health, and in the opinion of the Committee she should be granted a compassionate allowance sufficient to provide for her maintenance until she is restored to health. 23rd February, 1933.

No. 272. —Petition of Peter Eurse, of Oropi School, Tauranga, Teacher. Praying for amendment ot regulations governing teachers' C certificate examination. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a recommendation that the petitioner be allowed to sit for his B certificate, taking in English language and literature as a compulsory subject; and in the event of his obtaining a pass in that subject he be credited with a full C certificate. 23rd February, 1933.

No. 477, Sess. 1, 1932. —Petition of M. E. Baker and 44 Others, of 17 Baldwin Street, Moera, and 5 similar Petitions, as per Schedule attached. Praying that children under the age of six years be not excluded from the State schools. I am directed to report that, as the petitions involve a matter of Government policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. Bth March, 1933.

Schedule. No. 478, Sess. 1, 1932.—-Worry, A. E., and 53 others. No. 481, Sess. 1, 1932. —White, H. 8., and 36 others. No. 479, Seas. 1, 1932. —Harry, I)., and 49 others. No. 482, Sess. 1, 1932. —Hoare, J. H., and 36 others. No. 480, Sess. 1, 1932. —Barlow, R., and 45 others.

Special Report. 1 have the honour to report that the Education Committee desires to record its hearty appreciation of the able and tactful manner in which the Chairman, Mr. Bodkin, has controlled the business of the Committee during the session. It further desires that this resolution shall be recorded on the minutes of the Committee and reported to the House. Bth March, 1933. John Bitchener, Member of Committee,

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Education Committee desires to record its satisfaction at the efficiency and courtesy shown by the Clerk, Mr. M. S. Pasley, in the discharge of his various duties during the session ; and it also desires that this resolution shall be recorded on the minutes of the Committee and be reported to the House. Bth March, 1933. W. A. Bodkin, Chairman.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Education Committee, consisting of ten members, has held twelve meetings during the session, with an average attendance of seven members. One hundred and ten petitions were considered and reported upon. Of these, thirty-four were in connection with free kindergartens ; forty-four with training colleges ; twenty-three with school text-books ; six with children under six years ; and three miscellaneous. Two petitions were held over. Bth March, 1933. W. A. Bodkin, Chairman.

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