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I am directed to report ■. The Committee are of opinion that these petitions be referred to the ■Government for consideration. 9th September, 1882.

No. 357. —Petition of Eobert Geaham (No. 7), Eotorua. The petitioner states that, in the year 1863, he agreed to grant to the Government the site for the Ellerslie Eailway-station without monetary consideration, but upon the express condition that the station should be erected on the north side of the line ; that it was erected on the south side notwithstanding his protests, and by which he has suffered much loss and damage. He prays for relief. lam directed to report: The Committee have no recommendation to make to the House on the subject-matter of this petition. 9th September, 1882,

No. 479.—Petition of W. H. Beetham and Others, Masterton. The petitioners express great sympathy with a person of the name of Walter Essex Cross, on account of his having been proceeded against by the Customs authorities for having in his possession a portion of an illicit still. That the case fell through, but the said W. E. Cross was put to the expense of £15 in defending himself, which the petitioners urge should be refunded to him. I am directed to report: The petitioners, consisting of 100 persons, express great sympathy with W. E. Cross in consequence of his being compelled to pay £15 in defending himself against a charge brought against him by the Customs authorities for having in his possession a portion of an illicit still, which charge proved on trial to be unfounded, and they pray that the costs be paid by the colony. The Committee find that if an average payment of 3s. each was made by the petitioners as a practical illustration of their sympathy, Mr. Cross would be refunded his costs without the necessity of any appeal to the sympathy of the House; and the Committee recommend the petitioners to adopt this means of redress. 9th September, 1882.

No. 478.—W. W. Tatlob and Thomas Mason, Wellington. The petitioners state they are two of the executors and trustees of the will of the late William Barnard Ehodes, and pray that they may be heard in opposition to the Bill intituled " The Ehodes' Estate Duty Act, 1882." I am directed to report : As the subject-matter of this petition is now under the consideration of the House, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 9th September, 1882.

No. 448. —James Goeeie, Nelson. The petitioner states that he was a contractor for forming the road from Havelock to Wairau Eiver > that, owing to continual wet weather, he sustained heavy loss and was much delayed in time of finishing. He prays for relief. lam directed to report: The Government having remitted the penalties incurred by the petitioner through non-completion of his contract within the specified time, the Committee see no special reason why he should receive additional consideration over the contract price. 9th September, 1882.

No. 420. —Petition of David Hutchison. The petitioner states that he was a lieutenant in the Volunteer Cavalry, in which he served during the Waikato war in 1863 at serious loss to himself; that the late Colonel Nixon held out promises that they would receive grants of land ; that the Eoyal Commission reported, " That the Government are not called upon to fulfil such promises, as there is no documentary evidence to show he had any authority for making such promises." He prays the House will grant him redress. lam directed to report: As it appears that the petitioner's case came before the Eoyal Commission appointed to deal finally with land claims for military service, and has been dealt with by it, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 9th September, 1882.

No. 485. —Petition of Dickesoh" J. Bubnett and Others, Waikato District. The petitioners pray that the House will take the matter of their petition into consideration, and take such steps for the repeal of the beer-tax as the House may think proper. lam directed to report: The subject-matter of this petition beiug one of public policy, the Committee have no recommendation to make to the House. 9th September, 1882.

No. 474. —Petition of Josiah Tittchen and Others, Gisborne. The petitioners state that in 1880 the police reported a forgery, and they undertook to prosecute, which was stopped for further instruction, the case was then abandoned. They ask that steps may be taken as will lead to even-handed justice and impartial treatment by the police of all men. I am directed to report : From the evidence before the Committee it appears that a charge of forgery was made against the person referred to in the petition, but the case was dismissed by the Eesident Magistrate before whom it was heard ; subsequent action was proposed to be taken by the police of uttering a deed knowingly to be forged, but as the former ease broke down the Government did not think it advisable to take the responsibility of instituting fresh proceedings. The Committee have no recommendation to make to the House in the case. 11th September, 1882. s—l. 1.