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I am directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th July, 1882.

No. 163.—Petition of John Cullen and T. H. Mat, of the Buller. The petitioners state that they contracted with the Government for the construction of a piece of road known as the Matiri contract, on the main road from Nelson to Westporfc and Greymouth ; that various portions of the work were from time to time passed ; that numerous slips occurred on portions of the road which had been completed ; that they expended the sum of £496 4s. 6d. in their removal; that numerous errors were discovered in the plan : At peg 13 a cutting was shown in place of a filling, which cost them £35 ; at peg 31 the plan shows a side-cutting where a filling was required, which error cost them £55 ; at pegs 64, 65, and 66 the plan shows a cutting averaging about 9 feet 8 inches in depth, instead of which a cutting had to be made averaging 18 feet in depth, which error cost them £30 ; that after a large portion of the metalling was done Mr. Poulson, the overseer in charge, altered the formation for a length of 55 chains by filling up the sides, which cost them £74 ss. ; that in consequence of these slips and errors their contract was not finished in the contract time, upon which the Government imposed penalties. They now pray the House for relief. lam directed to report: That, in consideration of the removal of slips, the Government forego the penalties incurred by Cullen and May, as offered by the Government in telegram of the 3rd December, 1881, and that they be paid at schedule prices for any extra filling at peg 13, any extra filling at peg 31, any extra rock-cutting at pegs 64, 65, and 66, and for any extra work in filling up formation to the level of crown of road as ordered by Mr. Poulson. 28th July, 1882.

No. 252.—Petition of E. J. Fjsltus, Auckland (No. 3). The petitioner states that he is entitled to sixty acres of land for services rendred to the Government in war-time, but his claim was not recognized by the Eoyal Commission. He prays for relief. lam directed to report: The Committee have no recommendation to make to the House on this petition. 28th July, 1882.

No. 197. —Petition of Saegood, Son, and Ewen, and Others, Dunedin. The petitioners state that it is proposed by the Harbour Board of Dunedin to alter the method of levying dues from tonnage to, an ad valorem rate. They pray that it may not be given effect to. lam directed to report: The Committee have no recommendation to make on the subject-matter of this petition. 28th July, 1882.

No. 301. —Petition of Jospeh Eogees and Others. The petitioners pray that the Kingston Hiding, in the Lake County, may be included in the Southland County. lam directed to report: As the Counties Act makes provision for the redress of the grievances complained of by the petitioners, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 28th July, 1882. *

No. 238. —Petition of Andbew Thompson, of "Waikouaiti. The petitioner states that in 1861 he bought six sections of land in the Town of Hawkesbury, upon the understanding that Government would build a jetty in Waikouaiti Bay. He prays that he may be indemnified for losses sustained through the non-erection of the jetty. lam directed to report: The Committee cannot recommend that compensation be granted to the petitioner. 28th July, 1882.

No. 196.—Petition of J. P. Mason, Auckland. The petitioner prays that his name may be added to the petition of the sons of old colonists. lam directed to report: The Committee recommend that the prayer of the petitioner be granted. 28th July, 1882.

No. 190. —Petition of Councils of Law Societies. The petitioners, representing the Law Societies of Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, state that they have considered the provisions of a Bill intituled " The Law Practitioners Act, 1882," under consideration of the House, and pray that the House may be pleased not to pass the Bill. lam directed to report: The subject-matter of this petition being under the consideration of the House, the Committee do not consider it necessary to make any recommendation. 28th July, 1882.

No. 237.—Petition of H. I. Hall and Others, of Selwyn County. The petitioners pray that an 'Act may be passed empowering the several Eoad Boards in the Canterbury Provincial District to- expend an amount, not exceeding -|d. in the pound on the rateable value of the property within their respective districts, for the suppression of the small-birds nuisance. lam directed to report: The subject-matter of this petition being under the consideration of the House, the Committee do not consider it necessary to make any recommendation, 28th July, 1882. 3—1.1.