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No. 245. —Joseph Colesby. The petitioner states that he had to abandon his stock and land at White Cliff, at the time of the massacre at that place. That he suffered great loss in consequence, and finally was obliged to sell the land below its value, and has not yet recovered from the losses he sustained. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make to the House in the petitioner's case. 25th October, 1878.

No. 253. —S. Baigent and Others. No. 255. —President of the Marlborough Teacher's Association. The petitioners state that it has been ruled that the Education Board have power to appoint and remove teachers without consulting the School Committee. They pray that the Education Act may be so amended and worded that the School Committee shall, in all cases, have a voice in the appointment and removal of teachers. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 25th October, 1878.

No. 269. —Blenheim Fire Brigade. The petitioners pray that members of Fire Brigades may be granted free passes on the railways when travelling on duty and to demonstrations of Fire Brigades. I am directed to report that, as the Government has announced that they intend to deal with the subject-matter of this petition, the Committee do not deem it necessary to make any recommendation. 25th October, 1878.

No. 302. —Alexander Crawford. The petitioner prays for some compensation for loss sustained through the Licensing Court, held at Hamilton in July, 1877, refusing to grant him a license for an hotel he had bought. I am directed to report that the Committee do not consider it advisable to review the action of the Licensing Commission in granting or refusing the issue of a license to a public-house. 25th October, 1878.

No. 318. —Edwin Clarke. The petitioner states that, in April, 1872, his services as messenger in the Native Department were dispensed with, after an inquiry into a petty charge marie against him; and that he has received no compensation for loss of office. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee see no sufficient cause to review the decision of a Board that inquired into and dealt with this case in 1871. 25th October, 1878.

No. 330.— W. Nixon- and Others. The petitioners pray that the Government will take the necessary steps for alienating that portion of the Tramway Reserve commencing at the western corner of Section No. 13,574, and terminating at the eastern corner of Section No. 9,544, on the Ellcsmcre Road Board map. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the subject-matter of this petition is one for the consideration of the Government. 25th October, 1878.

No. 346.—Messrs. Holt and Macartiiv of the Press Agency. The petitioners state that they carry on the business of Press telegraph ageuts, and they pray that they may have equal rights ami facilities for using the telegraph throughout the colony as are granted to any other persons carrying ou the same business as themselves. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that, with reference to the Press Agency, or Press Agencies, no monopoly should be granted, and that all newspapers, whether evening or morning papers, and Press Agencies in the colony, should be placed with regard to telegraph on an equal footing, and therefore recommends the prayer of the petition, embodied in section 3, to the favourable consideration of the House. 29th October, 1878.

No. 329. —David Proudfoot. The petitioner states that he was one of the promoters of the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway, and that, iv the year 1873, the promoters sold their interest in the said railway to the