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I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government, in order that such action may be taken as may be considered necessary to remove the grievance complained of. T. Kelly, sth December, 1877. Chairman.

Repoet on Petition of James Delaney. Petitionee prays for a Crown grant of sixty acres of land, to which he considers himself entitled as a discharged soldier. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner was not entitled by law to land when he took his discharge, the Committee cannot recommend his claim to the favourable consideration of the House. T. Kelly, sth December, 1877. Chairman.

Repoet on Petition of 111 Residents of the Municipality of Roxbuegh. The petitioners pray that " The Roxburgh Reserves Act, 1876," be amended so as to exclude the property of Daniel L. Dalton from its operation. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of this petition is now under the consideration of the House, the Committee do not consider it necessary to make any recommendation. T. Kelly, sth December, 1877. Chairman.

Report on Petition of H. H. H. Hanson. Petitionee states that he was engaged by the Agent-General as Surgeon-Superintendent of the ship " Duke of Edinburgh," to sail from London to Lyttelton, and was to receive as payment for his services a sum of £50, and a further sum of 10s. a head for each statute adult landed alivo. That he has not received the full remuneration agreed to be paid. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee do not think it necessary to reverse the decision twice arrived at by the Immigration Commissioners at Lyttelton in the case of the petitioner, and cannot, therefore, recommend his prayer to the favourable consideration of the House. T. Kelly, sth December, 1877. Chairman.

Report on Petition of 100 Inhabitants of the Town of Napier. Repoet on Petition of 144 Residents of Hawke's Bay. Repoet on Petition of J. W. Humpheey and 59 other Residents of the Pbovincial Disteict of Hawke's Bay. Repoet on Petition of C. U. Robinson and 59 other Residents in the Provincial District of Hawke's Bay. The petitioners state that a block of land at Te Aute containing 2,383 acres was granted for the benefit of the aboriginal inhabitants of New Zealand, and a second block adjoining, containing 4,626 acres, was granted for the education of the children of Her Majesty's subjects of both races. That the land is held by the Rev. S. Williams under lease, which will expire in February, 1878, at a rental of £500. That the estate will yield a much greater rental if let by tender, or cut up into smaller lots aud let on long leases. That they are informed that it is the intention of the trustees to grant a fresh lease of the land to the Rev. S. Williams at an inadequate rental. They represent that the management of the school supported by the endowment has not been satisfactory, and they pray for inquiry into the matter. The Committee, having made inquiry into the case of the petitioners, have directed me to report that the Committee are satisfied that the management of the To Aute Estate has been hitherto such as to improve its value ; they recommend that, in the interest of education, it should be so dealt with for the future as to produce the largest immediate revenue without detriment to the ultimate value of the property, and that every letting should be by public auction or by public tender. T. Kelly, sth December, 1877. Chairman.

Report on Petition of C. D. Pell and Others. The petitioners object to the removal of the East Coast Native Land Court from their district, and to having the business of the Court conducted by means of visiting Courts, for reasons stated. I am directed to report that, as the Government are responsible for the efficiency of the department in question, the Committee have no recommendation to make to the House. T. Kelly, sth December, 1877. Chairman.

Repoet on Petition of Robert Stuart and 919 other Inhabitants of Hawke's Bay. Report on Petition of A. Kennedy and 132 other Inhabitants of Hawke's Bay. The petitioners pray that a bridge be constructed across the Ahuriri Harbour to connect the Town of Napier and the southern portion of the district with the northern portion and with the Provincial District of Auckland.