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demanded by Government of £1,200 a year and carry out the arrangements made with its customers ; that £1,246 was demanded from them as rent from the 30th September, 1879, Vo the 15th October, 1880. They pray that the House will cause inquiry to be made and afford them relief. lam directed to report: Having carefully considered the case of the petitioners, the Committee recommend that the petition, together with the evidence thereon, and the draft summary submitted by the Chairman to the Committee, be forwarded to the Government for consideration. Ist September, 1882.

No. 337. —'Petition of Maegaeet Mills and Others, Timaru. The petitioner, Mrs. Mills, states that her late husband entered the Government service in June, 1566, and remained in it until the day of his death, which took place on the 14th May, 1882, whilst in the discharge of his duties, trying to save the "City of Perth," wrecked at Timaru. The petitioners pray that a sum of money may be granted to the said. Margaret Mills by way of compassionate relief and compensation for the loss of her husband. lam directed to report: The Committee have no recommendation to make in the case of the petitioners. Ist September, 1882.

No. 327.—Petition of Chaeles Mack, Newton, Auckland. The petitioner states that he was illegally imprisoned in 1808, on a charge of smuggling tobacco, by which he has sustained actual loss to the extent of £325. He prays the House will grant him relief. I am directed to report: The Committee, having previously dealt with this case, have no recommendation to make to the House. 4th September, 1882.

No. 217.—Petition of Ann Eobeetson, Eotorua. The petitioner states that in February, 1880, she entered into possession of the Ohinemutu Hotel; that soon after taking possession she was forcibly ejected from the said premises. She prays that a Commission may issue to inquire into the said matter, and grant her relief. I am directed to report: The Committee, having previously dealt with this case, have no recommendation to make to the House. 4th September, 1882.

No. 218.—Petition of William Keewin and Others, Eotorua. The petitioners ask that the prayer of the petition of Ann Eobertson may be accorded to her, and that the House will direct that a Commission may issue to inquire into her case. I am directed to report: The Committee, having previously dealt with this case, have no recommendation to make to the House. 4th September, 1882.

No. 447. —Petition of Patrick Connell, Alexandra, Auckland. The petitioner complains of the forced closing of his hotel (through instructions from Mr. Bryce) during a Native meeting, by which he lost £180. He prays the House to grant him relief. I am directed to report : The Committee consider that the action taken by the Defence Minister was a proper exercise of authority ; but if Ihe petitioner thinks that he has been illegally dealt with the Courts of law are open to him to obtain redress. 4th September, 1882.

No. 308.—Petition of Geoege "White, Westport. The petitioner states that the Buller to wing- track has been kept in repair for the last four years at some considerable cost to himself. He prays the House will cause inquiry to be made, and make such order as may seem meet. lam directed to report: The Committee have no recommendation to make to the House on the petitioner's case. 4th September, 1882.

No. 452. — Petition of Heney Robbets, Tararu, Thames. The petitioner states that lie was discharged in 1853 from Her Majesty's 58th Eegimentin Auckland; that he was unable to take advantage of the law which gave him the right to select sixty acres of land ; that he was prevented from having his claim included in the report of the lioyal Commission. He prays the House will grant him relief. I am directed to report: It appears, from the evidence before the Committee, that the petitioner could have selected land as a discharged soldier if he had complied with the conditions, but he failed to do so. He also failed to make an application to the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into such cases until the lioyal Commission closed, and the Chairman of the Commission states that it is doubtful whether the claims could have been granted. The Committee cannot therefore recommend his claim. 4th September, 1882.

No. 433.—Petition of William Pickett, Oiiehunga. The petitioner states that he was in the employ of the Government for a period of seven years ; that he was suddenly dismissed without an inquiry. He prays for relief. lam directed to report: The Committee have no recommendation to make to the House in the case of the petitioner. sth September, 1882-