i.—_.

4

No. 14.—Petition of Geobge Holland. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying for a grant of land in consideration of services whilst in the Waikato Militia, &c, have directed me to report that they cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner. 26th July, 1881.

No. 183.—Petition of R. McKinnon and Others. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying for compensation for losses sustained through rabbit-pest, have directed me to report that they cannot recommend the prayer of petitioner. 26th July, 1881

No. 201.—Petition of M. Galyin The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying for a grant of land the petitioner states is due to him under the forty-acre system, I am directed to report that the Committee consider petitioner has no claim. 26th July, 1881.

No. 206.—Petition of W S. Coopee and Others. The Waste Lands Committe, to whom was referred the above petition, in which petitioners complain of injustice sustained under the deferred-payment system, have directed me to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioners. 26th July, 1881.

Nos. 202, 203.—Petitions from the Hokianga County Council (No. 1), the Hokianga County Council (No. 2). The Waste Lands Committee, to whom were referred the above petitions, praying that counties may be placed on the same footing as municipalities as regards landed endowments, also that an elective element may be introduced into Waste Lands Boards, have directed me to report that, the subjectmatter of these petitions being a question of public policy, they have no report to make thereon. 26th July, 1881.

Nos. 138,181,195,198, 209, and 211.—Petitions of J Chambeelain, J McDonald, E. Mulligan and Others, V Blaoeoye, B. Holmes, and "W McKeevee. The "Waste Lands Committee, to whom were referred the above petitions, in which petitioners pray for grants of land in consideration of military services in the colony, have directed me to report that, with reference to a large number of petitions which have been referred to the Committee, and which relate to alleged grievances and land claims of long standing, a proper investigation into such claims and grievances involves an amount of research which it is impossible for this Committee to bestow The Committee are therefore of opinion that all such petitions arising out of circumstances which have occurred prior to the commencement of the present Parliament should be inquired into by the Government during the recess. . 26th July, 1881.

No. s.—Petition of Fbedemck Lamb. The "Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying for redress in consequence of his land scrip being lost in Government Offices, thereby debarring him from exercising the same, have directed me to report that the Committee recommend that £23 be placed on the supplementary estimates, and handed to petitioner in satisfaction of his claim. 26th July, 1881.

Nos. 10, 76, 86, 87, 88, 89, 91, and 105.—Petitions from the Alcaroa County Council (No. 1), the Southland County Council (No. 1), the Clutha County Council, the Kaikoura County Council, the "Wallace County Council, the Ashburton County Council, the Waikouaiti County Council, and the Inangahua County Council (No. 3) The "Waste Lands Committee, to whom were referred the above petitions, praying for the restoration of 20 per cent, land revenue, as hitherto enjoyed, have directed me to report that, in so far as the prayer of the petitioners relates to questions of public policy, this Committee has no recommendation to make; but, as regards the restoration of the 20 per cent, of the land revenue, the Committee is of opinion that such restoration is fair and reasonable, and recommends accordingly 26th July, 1881.

" Txmaeu Habboub Boaed Endowment Bill, 1881 " The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have directed me to report that they have gone through the Bill, and desire to state that the Committee do not recognize it as a part of their functions to express an opinion on the advisability of granting endowments as proposed by this Bill. 26th July, 1881.