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Report on Petition of John Maguire. The Petitioner states that he has been for twenty years employed in Her Majesty's service in the Police Force and in the Armed Constabulary of New Zealand, and has acquitted himself to the satisfaction of his superior officers; that in 1866 he was the means of saving Government property at the Oxford Railway Station, to the value of about £6,000, from destruction by fire ; that, owing to his exertions in the heat and subsequent unavoidable exposure to a heavy rain, he was attacked by paralysis and permanently disabled from doing any work requiring bodily exertion; that on his discharge he received the sum of £100. He prays for consideration and some further relief. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the Government should make inquiry into this case, and, if it is found that the petitioner received permanent injury in consequence of his exertions to save Government property from being destroyed by fire, a small annual allowance should be given him. T. Kelly, 15th November, 1877. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Charles Mack. The petitioner states that in 1869 he and Thomas Davis purchased in Auckland 249 lbs. of sheepwash tobacco and paid the customary duty. They took the tobacco to Dunedin packed in boot trunks and shipped as luggage. At Port Chalmers the tobacco was seized by the Customs authorities, and petitioner and his partner charged before the Magistrates with smuggling. They were convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of £100, or, in default, be imprisoned for six months. Being unable to pay the fine, they had to undergo the term of imprisonment. They obtained from Auckland the bonded certificates and submitted them to the Justices of the Peace who committed them, but failed to get a reversal of their decision or to obtain their release. Petitioner hopes his case may meet with favourable consideration, and prays for redress. I am directed to report that, from the evidence before the Committee, it appears that the petitioner was convicted for smuggling without a full inquiry into the circumstances of the case, and that it is very doubtful whether such conviction was in accordance with the law, although the petitioner evidently thought that he was acting illegally. The Committee therefore recommend the Government to make further inquiry, and deal with the matter as the justice of the case may demand. T. Kelly, 15th November, 1877. Chairman.

Repoet on Petition of F. Keating and Othees, of Oemond, Poverty Bay. The petitioners pray that the Motu Block be %pened up for selection on the deferred-payment system. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the case of the petitioners is one for the consideration of the Government. T. Kelly, 15th November, 1877. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Maria Andrewaetha. The petitioner prays that the House will take her destitute condition into consideration, and grant her a small pension. I am directed to report that the Committee do not consider that the petitioner has any claim for a pension, and cannot therefore recommend her case to the favourable consideration of the House. T. Kelly, 15th November, 1877. Chairman.

Repoet on Petition of Alfred Henry White. The petitioner states that he served in the Armed Constabulary, with a good character, for upwards of eight years, and was removed from the service in January, 1877, owing to reductions being made, receiving one month's pay as compensation. He prays for compensation under " The Civil Service Act, 1866" —viz., a montli's pay for each year of service. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petitioner has no claim for further consideration. T. Kelly, 15th November, 1877. Chairman.

Repoet on Petition of Alfred Edgecombe. Petitionee states that he is an inmate of the Hospital at New Plymouth suffering from disease of the lungs, having spent the best years of his life in the military service of the Colony. He prays for a pension. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner. T. Kelly. November 22nd, 1877. Chairman.