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No. 41 —Petition of G. H. Murray tha V^ e petitioner's invalidity benefit, No. 7/119, be restored in full as from the Ist day of January, 1948. I have the honour to report that the member presenting the petition having requested permission to withdraw it, the Committee recommends that he be allowed to do so 15th September, 1948.

No. 47—Petition of J. Orsulich Praying for the grant of an age-benefit in respect of hinfself and his wife. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered this petition but as the petitioner has not exhausted his legal remedv, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th September, 1948.

No. 10—Petition of Mary A. Newberry Advances f C^rporatioiT^ 011 propert - v taken over Lailds Department of State I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered this petition, and lias no recommendation to make. 22nd September, 1948.

No. 43—Petition of P. E. Millett Praying for inquiry into the circumstances of and compensation for his arrest and other matters m connection therewith. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered this petition, and has no recommendation to make. 29th September, 1948.

No. 46—Petition of W. H. Simister, of Takapuna Praying for reinstatement into the Police Force or, alternatively, for an increase in superannuation. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered this petition, and recommends that it be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration. 6th October, 1948.

No. 124/1947—Petition of Napier Borough Council Praying that action be taken to prevent the removal of stone, shingle, or sand from the beach between the Waitangi, on the south, and the Napier Borough boundary, on the n osition° r a C ° mmiSSlon 0f In( l uir y b e set up to inquire into and report upon the I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered this petition. It is of the opinion that the taking of reasonable quantities of shingle from the beach appears to be unlikely to harm the building-up of the foreshore over a long period of years, but that continued excavation (particularly behind the crest of the beach) may weaken the natural barrier that now protects the low-lying countryside from occasional heavy seas. The Committee is unwilling, however, in the absence of sufficient technical evidence or knowledge, to come to a final conclusion on this point, and recommends that the Government give favourable consideration to its being investigated by a Commission of engineers, one each to be appointed by the Government and the petitioner,

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