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No. 112. —Petition of John Lewthwaite. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying for special legislation in reference to land claims, have directed me to report that they are of opinion that these claims of long standing might have been, by the exercise of ordinary diligence on the part of the petitioner, adjusted many years ago; that the larger portion of them have been already settled; that the petitioner has now no legal claim against the colony, and the only equitable claim is for a sum of £75, which the Committee recommend should be paid, or that he be allowed, in lieu thereof, to select 75 acres of land within the Province of Taranaki, but outside the confiscated blocks; and that this be considered a final settlement of the petitioner's claim. 27th July, 1881.

No. 207.—Petition of Feank D. Bell. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, relative to an injustice he received through the action of the Land Department, have directed me to report that the Government proposals, as founded upon the resolutions of the Waste Lands Committee of last session, do not apply to petitioner's case; the Committee therefore cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner. 29th July, 1881.

"Land Act 1877 Amendment Bill, 1881." TnE Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have directed me to report that they have gone through the Bill, and recommend that the same be passed without amendment. 2nd August, 1881.

"East Coast Lands Bill, 1881." The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have directed me to report that the Committee have gone through the Bill, and recommend that the same be passed without amendment. 2nd August, 1881,

No. 168.—Petition from Thames County Council. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying that an inquiry may be instituted in the value of certain titles of timber leases, &c, have directed me to report that this Committee do not see their way to recommend any interference, and recommend the petitioners, if they feel aggrieved, to take such steps as they may be advised to test the validity of the leases. 2nd August, 1881.

"Mastebton and Greytown Lands Management Act 1871 Amendment Bill, 1881." The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred " The Masterton and Greytown Lands Management Act 1871 Amendment Bill, 1881," together with the new clause and schedule, have directed me to report that the Committee have gone through the Bill, and they are of opinion that the Standing Orders on Local Bills have been complied with as regards the new clause; but, in the absence from the colony of Mr. Charles Hooking Carter, " in whom the land is vested in trust under Crown grant," consider it inespedient»to recommend the introduction of the clause into the Bill. 3rd August, 1881.

Nos. 174, 244, 245, and 246.—Petitions of S. Davenport and Others, W Atkin, J Machln, W Ceoizen and Another. TnE Waste Lands Committee, to whom were referred the above petitions, praying for grants of land for military services, &c, have directed mo to report that, with reference to a large number of petitions which have been referred to this 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. sth August, 1881.

Nos. 223 and 243. —Petitions from the Cook County Council and Others, and the Maniototo County Council. The "Waste Lands Committee, to whom were referred the above petitions, praying 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, the Committee have no report to make thereon. sth August, 1881.

No. 242.—Petition from the Maniototo County Council. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying for restoration of 20 per cent, of land revenue, have directed me to report that, in so far as the prayer of the petitioners relates to a question of public policy, this Committee have no recommendation to make; but, as regards the restoration of 20 per cent, of the land revenue to the local bodies, the Committee are of opinion that such restoration is fair and reasonable, and recommend accordingly sth August, 1881.