1.—2.

12

No. 51. —Charles Henry Steward. The petitioner prays that the House will grant him compensation for the loss he sustained in being compelled to abandon his farm, and a portion of his effects and live stock, at Rahui Pokeke, in the Waikato District, in 1868, on the alarm consequent on the massacre at Poverty Bay by Te Kooti, and was ultimately compelled to sell his farm at a great sacrifice. I am directed to report that, as this is a claim for consequential losses arising out of Native disturbances in the frontier settlements, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 9th October, 1878.

No. 61.—Robert Gordon and William Mears. The petitioners pray that their claim for compensation for loss sustained by them in obtaining restoration to the rank in the Thames Rifle Ranger Volunteers, of which they had been unjustly deprived by the captain commanding the corps, receive the consideration of the House, and that relief be afforded tliem. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that there is no cause shown why, under the circumstances of the case, the colony is responsible for compensating the petitioners for any expenses they incurred in reinstating themselves as members of the Volunteer corps. 9th October, 1878.

No. 88. —Patrick Gormon and other Licensed Victuallers of Auckland. No. 89. —Thomas Johnston and other Licensed Victuallers of Parnell. The petitioners pray that the liabilities of the licensed victuallers in the Provincial District of Auckland, especially in the matter of license fees and the burning of lights outside their houses, be assimilated to those of the licensed victuallers in the Southern Island. I am directed to report that, as the question of the licensing law is now under the consideration of the Government with a view of bringing iv a Licensing Rill, the Committee is of opinion that these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th October, 1878.

No. 108. —William Witty. The petitioner claims consideration from the House on account of military services rendered by him in the Waikaremoana couutry against Te Kooti—services^ which were recognized by the Government in lh7o. I am directed to report that the Committee, having inquired into the petitioner's case, find there is no sufficient evidence available to enable it to come to a decision. The Committee therefore recommend the Government to make inquiry into this case, with the view of giving such relief as petitioner may be found entitled to. 9th October, 1878.

No. 157.—William Peattie. The petitioner states that he has sustained a loss of £235 on account of damage received by a threshing mill of his while in the custody of the Railway Department, the loss being actual damage and destruction of mill, and loss of profitable contracts on account of his known inability to perform them in consequence of the damage his mill sustained, and the delay and uncertainty of making it fit for work. lie further states that he was deprived of his legal remedy by the Government raising technical objections in Court, which prevented the matter being dealt with on its merits. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the Government should waive any technical objections that would prevent the petitioner from having his claim decided on its merits in a Court of law. 9th October, 1878.

No. 175.—Charles Dromgool. The petitioner prays that inquiry be made into his claim for payment for five hundred railway sleepers delivered by him, and that relief be afforded. It appears, from the evidence before the Committee, that the petitioner failed to complete a contract he entered into with the Government, and that the non-payment ofthe price ofthe sleepers is in the nature of a penalty for non-performance of contract. I am directed to report that the Committee, having considered the case of the petitioner, cannot recommend his claim to the favourable consideration of the House. 9th October, 1878.

No. 197. —J. R. Charlton. The petitioner prays that compensation be awarded him on account ofthe loss sustained owing to the Maoris driving his father and family from freehold property held by them in Kawhia