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No. 306.—Petition of Wangantti Harboue Boaed. The petitioners state that the Corporation of Wanganui purchased from the Provincial Government of Wellington the Wanganui Bridge, with the wharf and foreshore; that the Harbour Board took over the responsibility from the Corporation ; and that the Government had taken the foreshore for railway purposes, notwithstanding the wharf and foreshore were pledged to the holders of debentures issued by the Corporation of Wanganui to pay for the bridge ; that the Board has received no compensation from the Government. They pray the House for redress. I am directed to report that the equitable claims of the petitioners to the value of the foreshore taken for railway purposes be referred to arbitration, the arbitrators to take into consideration the benefit received by the Harbour Board by the construction of the wharf, the profits of which are received by the Board. 16th September, 1881.

No. 327. —Petition of John Smaet, of Wellington. The petitioner states that in January, 1878, whilst working as a navvy on the Mungaroa-Rimu-taka section of the Wellington-Masterton Eailway, he was knocked down by a ballast-engine, and sustained serious damage, and has since had his leg amputated, which has incapacitated him from earning his livelihood as heretofore. He prays the House will grant him relief. I am'directed to report that the petitioner's case be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 16th September, 1881.

No. 329. —Petition of James Linton and Others. The petitioners state there is great danger and inconvenience to the passenger traffic on the South side of the Manawatu and the Borough of Palmerston North, also from Wairarapa and Napier, and great danger in driving stock on the main lines of road which converge at the Manawatu River. They pray the House will place a sum on the estimates which will be sufficient to construct the line of road. I am directed to report that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th September, 1881.

No. 239.—Petition of W M. Thomson and Others, of Normanby The petitioners state that the Government have not placed the railway station on the extension site granted for that purpose, but have placed it on a site far distant from the Normanby extension, and have thereby caused the petitioners serious loss. They pray the House to cause inquiry to be made, and grant them relief. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make to the House on the subiect-matter of this petition. 16th September, 1881.

No. 311. —Petition of John Quiglet, of Masterton. The petitioner states that in 1877 the Inspector of Police delivered into his charge a child of the name of Laffin, with instructions to clothe and feed the child, for which he was to receive 10s. per week, which sum was paid until January, 1879, when notice was given to petitioner that the amount would be 7s. 6d. per week, to be paid by the Wellington Benevolent Society, which amount was paid up to December, 1879 ; that he has since applied to the Wairarapa West County Council for maintenance, but was refused on the ground that the Council has no available funds for the purpose. He therefore prays the House to make some provision for the maintenance of the child from the 31st December, 1879, and for its future maintenance. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the Government should make a fair payment for the maintenance of the child to date, and that for the future the child should be maintained at the expense of the State, if there is no local body that can be made legally liable. 17th September, 1881.

No. 108.—Petition of A. McCatjsland, of Hamilton. The petitioner states that he was a railway porter in January, 1877, and continued in such service until April, 1879 ; that on the 29th April of that year he sustained a severe accident at the Invercargill Station when on duty, the engine having knocked him down and passed over his body, through which lie had to have one leg amputated; that he has a family, and is now unfit for employment; and prays the House to grant him relief. I am directed to report that it appears, from the evidence before the Committee, that the petitioner has been offered the position of a point-keeper at 325. per week, which has been declined; the Committee recommend that the offer be again made if such a position is open; failing the acceptance of this, that the petitioner be paid £50 in full of all claims against the Government. 17th September, 1881. "

No. 360.—Petition of John Beery, of Auckland. The petitioner states that in 1877 he was employed to assess and value properties in the Ararimu Highway District, and that he has applied to the Treasury for payment of the amount due to him, namely, £11 2s. 4d., and also to the county The latter refuse payment on the ground that the work was done previous to the Council being gazetted. He prays the House will grant him relief. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petitioner's claim for services rendered be paid. 17th September, 1881.