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No. 274.—Petition of D. H. McKenzie and Others, Shipowners, Auckland. The petitioners pray that the pilotage exemption certificates in use in the colony may be assimilated to those of New South Wales. lam directed to report: That these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th August, 1882.

No. 383. —Petition of J. Chtjech and Others, Otago and Southland. The petitioners pray that a School of Agriculture may be established in Otago and Southland, and that 2,000 acres of Crown lands may be reserved for that purpose. That the House will grant unto the University Council of Otago a subsidy of £10,000, or an endowment of land to meet the expenses of erecting the necessary buildings, <fec. I am directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th August, 1882.

No. 295. —Petition of J. D. Hunteb and Others, Gordon Town District. The petitioners pray that " The Town Districts Act, 1881," may be amended. lam directed to report: The subject-matter of this petition being one of public policy affecting local government, the Committee refer it to the Government for consideration. 29th August, 1882.

No. 350. —Petition of Eobeet Geaham, of Eotorua (No. 2). The petitioner states that he has been engaged in planting large areas at Tararu, Thames, with forest trees, also on a considerable scale at Ellerslie, with the object of obtaining the benefits to be derived under "The Forest Trees Planting Encouragement Act," 1871." He prays the House will take his case into consideration, and grant him relief. lam directed to report: The Committee cannot make any recommendation to the House in the case of the petitioner, but refer it to the Government for consideration. 30th August, 1882.

No. 193.—Petition of Mrs. E. Miees and Others, Widows, of the Kaitangata Eelief Fund. The petitioners state they are widows, sufferers from the late Kaitangata disaster, and beneficiaries under the Kaitangata Eelief Fund. They pray that a Committee may be appointed to inquire into the administration of the Kaitangata Eelief Fund. I am directed to report: The Committee are of opinion the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 30th August, 1882.

No. 264.—Petition of Robert Atkinson, Auckland. The petitioner states that he was dismissed, after twelve years' service, from the Customs Department; that he has petitioned the House for several sessions endeavouring to prove his innocence of the charges for which he was dismissed. He now requests the House will grant him an investigation into the charges brought against him, and favourably consider his claim to compensation for loss of office. I am directed to report: The Committee have no recommendation to make to the House in the case of the petitioner. 30th August, 1882.

No. 234. —Petition of G-eoeg-e Mullengeb, Auckland. The petitioner asks for an inquiry into his dismissal from his appointment as Inspector of Permanentway, Auckland Railways, in April, 1882. He states he claims £500 for loss of office. lam directed to report: The Committee have no recommendation to make in the case of the petitioner. 30th August, 1882.

No. 344. —Petition of W. T. Wtatt and Others, Kaiwarra. The petitioners state they are residents about "Wellington, Kaiwarra, Johnsonville, Ohariu, Porirua, and [neighbourhood ; that they petitioned the Hutt Council to abolish the toll-gate, which petition was not entertained by the Council. They now pray the House will take steps for abolishing the Kaiwarra Toll-gate. lam directed to report: As the Committee are of opinion this is a matter for the County Council to deal with, they have no recommendation to make to the House. 30th August, 1882.

No. 390. —Petition of James Faebelii, Wellington. The petitioner states that he was twenty years in the Armed Constabulary without any charge of misconduct or disobedience being brought against him; that in May, 1882, he struck a man named Eraser, in self-defence, for which he was fined by the Eesident Magistrate at the Thames, and afterwards dismissed the Government service. He prays that he may be reinstated in his former position as detective at the Thames. I am directed to report: Having carefully considered the case of the petitioner, the Committee are of opinion that he has some claim for consideration, and recommend, if he cannot be reinstated in the police force, that on account of long service and previous good conduct, he receive employment in some other department of the public service for which he is suitable. 30th August, 1882.