1.-1.

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No. 305. —Petition of Canteebitby Faemees' Association. The petitioners complain of the high rate charged on the railway for the carriage of farm produce. They pray for a substantial reduction. No. 312. —Petition of Geoege Bbadfoed and Others, County of Selwyn. The petitioners complain of the present high rate of tariff charges on the Canterbury railways for the carriage of grain. They pray that a reduction may be made in the same. I am directed to report: The subject-matter of these petitions being one of public policy, the Committee do not consider it necessary to make any recommendation to the House. 2nd August, 1882.

No. 321. —Petition of David McMillan and Others, County of Selwyn. The petitioners state that they consider the present tariff rates on the Canterbury Eailways are vexatiously burdensome, and pray that they may be reduced. No. 326.—Petition of Membees of the Cobn Exchange and Others, Christchurch. The petitioners state that they consider that the present unprecedented and excessively high rates on the lines of railways throughout New Zealand should be reduced to the extent of one-third. They pray the House to give effect to such a reduction. lam directed to report: The subject-matter of these petitions being one of public policy, the Committee do not consider it necessary to make any recommendation to the House. 2nd August, 1882.

Nos. 313, 316, 317, 335. —Petitions of J. L. Lewis and Others, New Zealand; Gavin Menzies and Others, Oamaru; J. C. Bttefoed and Others, Nelson ;C. S. Totton and Others, Eangitata. The petitioners pray that the Bible may be read in the public schools of the colony. lam directed to report: The Committee do not consider it necessary to make any recommendation to the House on the subject-matter of these petitions. 2nd August, 1882.

Nos. 67, 228, and 229.—Petitions of Thomas Spencee, Thames; John Fiett, Thames; and Phillip James Peeex, Thames. The petitioners state that waterworks have been constructed to supply the inhabitants of the Thames with water by diverting the Waikiekie Stream, running through their lands, such waterworks having been handed over to the Thames Borough Council; that the said Council granted them, in lieu of their rights, the water flowing through an inch-pipe from the main; they enjoyed such supply for several years, but have been deprived of their rights by an Act of the Legislature. They now pray for relief. I am directed to report : It appears, from the evidence before the Committee, that the petitioners have been deprived of their riparian rights, without compensation, by Acts of the Legislature, intituled " The Thames Water Supply Act, 1876," and " The Thames Water Supply Transfer Act, 1880." The Committee are of opinion that the Borough Council of the Thames be invited to consider the claims of the petitioners on equitable grounds, and, failing any favourable compromise being come to, the Committee recommend the Government to invite the Legislature to pass an Act to restore the rights of the petitioners. 3rd August, 1882.

No. 244. —Petition of Thomas Geaham, Auckland. The petitioner states that he was a Volunteer from the Thames to Parihaka; he claims back pay amounting to £6 7s. 6d., and prays for relief. lam directed to report: That, as the Committee have already dealt with the petition of the Thames Volunteers, and recommended two months' pay be granted them, it is not necessary to make any recommendation in the petitioner's case. 3rd August, 1882.

No. 329.—Petition of W. Feasee and Others, County of Waimate. The petitioners pray that the Hidings of Waihao and Hakateramea may be excluded from the Timaru Harbour Board Eating District. No. 314.- —-Petition of Geobge Tuenbttll and Others, North-East Harbour District. The petitioners pray that the Portobello Enabling Bill may pass into law. No. 315.—-Petition of Geoege Andeeson and Others, Broad Bay. The petitioners pray that the Portobello Enabling Bill may pass into law. No. 340.—Petition of J. White and Others, Peninsula Eoad District. The petitioners pray that the Portobello Enabling Bill may not pass into law. lam directed to report: The subject-matter of these petitions being before the House, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 3rd August, 1882.