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I.—l

No. 66, Session ll. —Petition of W. J. Braithwaite and Others, of Waikaia (No. 2). The petitioners pray for the immediate survey and construction of the Waikaia Branch of the Waimea Plains Railway. I am directed to report that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th October, 1879.

No. 63, Session ll.—Petition of Alexander Smith. TnE petitioner prays for compensation for alleged loss incurred by him on the Helensville contract of the Kaipara-Puniu Railway, owing to the Government taking over the contract. I am directed to report that the Committee, having again inquired into the petitioner's case, cannot recommend his claim to the favourable consideration of the Government. 29th October, 1879.

No. 67, Session II. —Petition of J. D. Fraser. The petitioner prays for the refund of a deposit of £200 made by him in tendering for the Marton contract of the Wanganui and Manawatu Railway. I am directed to report that, having reconsidered the petitioner's case, the Committee adheres to the decision given in the session of 1876. 29th October, 1879.

No. 47, Session I. —Petition of Joseph Carter. The petitioner prays for consideration for loss of employment as warder at the Whau Lunatic Asylum, in Auckland. I am directed to report that, as it appears from the report of the Inspector of Lunatic Asylums, the petitioner left the service without notice, the Committee cannot recommend his claim to the favourable consideration of the House. 29th October, 1879.

No. 3, Session ll.—Petition of William Harris. The petitioner prays for compensation for loss of employment in the Wellington Police Force. I am directed to report that, as it appears from the report of tho Under Secretary for Defence, the petitioner has twice been discharged from the police force for drunkenness, the Committee cannot recommend his case to the favourable consideration of the House. 29th October, 1879.

No. 138, Session I. —Petition of Rev. J. C. Andrew. The petitioner prays for a reduction of the assessment of certain lands made under " The Land-Tax Act 1878." I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that it not desirable to review the decision of the Court of Appeal constituted under " The Land-Tax Act, 1878." 29th October, 1879.

No. 118, Session ll.—Petition of Robert Charteris. The petitioner prays that no Bill or clause of a Bill dealing with or affecting his land may be passed without petitioner being allowed a full opportunity of urging objections thereto. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of the petition in now before the House in a Bill proposing to give a right of road through petitioner's land, the Committee recommend that this petition be read to the House when the said Bill is being considered. 29th October, 1879.

Nos. 40, 41, 49, 60, 77, 78, 87,101,117, 129 of Session IL, and Nos. 136, 137, 142,144 of Session I. —Charles Haselden and Others ; J. and J. McLeod and Others; A. D. Allan and Others; W. J. Braithwaite and Others (No. 1) ; the Mayor of Kumara and Others of the West Coast of the Middle Island ; S. Alister Brown and Others, of Wangaloa; John Hunter and Others, of Dunedin; Thomas Bullock and Others, of Ashburton; Charles Morgan and Others, of Dunedin; Philip Herapath and Others, of Auckland; W. Perkins and Others, of SeventyMile Beach; H. Bamford and Others, of Woolston and Opawa; "Waimea County Council aud Motueka Highway Board ; and John Robertson and Others, of Martin's Bay. I AM directed to report that, as the subject-matter of these petitions are questions of policy as to the construction of public works by the colony in the several districts named by the petitioners, the Committee do not consider it necessary to offer any opinion further than to refer them to the Government for consideration. 29th October, 1879.