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No. 495. —Petition of Joseph Lewis Worms, Auckland. (N"o. 2.) The petitioner states that he was promised land for serving in the Auckland Militia and Volunteers, which he has not received. lam directed to report: The House having recommended, and the Government having appointed, a Royal Commission to inquire into and deal finally with the land claims for military service, the Committee do not consider it desirable to reopen such claims, and have no recommendation to make to the House in the petitioner's case. 11th September, 1882.

No. 496.—Petition of E. A. Fbost and Others, Settlers, Wade, Auckland. TnE petitioners state they were put to great expense in the matter of the prosecution for smuggling instituted against Emerle and Polkinghorne. and pray for relief. I am directed to report: Having read the evidence taken during the trials, and considered the petitioners' claim, the Committee are of opinion that they acted with great discretion in securing the best legal advice obtainable. The Committee have no recommendation to make to the House in the case of the petitioners. 11th September, 1882.

No. 418. —Petition of Ebenezer Bakek, Wellington. The petitioner states that he was for a period of thirteen years Clerk to the Resident Magistrate and District Courts, during which period he was charged with the receipt of fees of Court and suitors' funds ; that after he retired from the office in 1879, claims were made upon him under surcharges of £111 9s. 2d., which he paid; that in September, 1875, tie paid the sum of £92 18s. 3d. into the Treasury, being surplus moneys unclaimed, which he considers should be placed to his credit against the surcharges. He prays for relief. I am directed to report: The Committee have no recommendation to make to the House in the matter of this petition. 11th September, 1882.

No. 490. —Petition of William Crijikshank and Others. The petitioners pray that the Bible may be read in the public schools of the colony. I am directed to report: The Committee have no recommendation to make to the House on the subject-matter of this petition. 11th September, 1882.

No. 489.—Petition of Cokpoeation of Moknington. The petitioners pray for modifications in the Rating Bill now before the House. lam directed to report: The subject-matter of this petition having been dealt with by the House, the Committee do not deem it necessary to make any recommendation. 11th September, 1882.

No. 425. —Petition of Rhodes Donald, Masterton. The petitioner states that in February, 1881, a fire, caused by the locomotive engine attached to the afternoon train from Masterton, destroyed an orchard, about twelve chains of hedges, and fifteen chains of fencing, besides other damage ; that in March of the same year another fire from the same cause did him considerable damage. He claims £500 compensation. lam directed to report: The Committee have no recommendation to make to the House on the subject-matter of this petition, as there is no evidence before the Committee to prove that the fire was caused by sparks from the engine. 11th September, 1882.

No. 494.—Petition of Alfred E. Schultze. The petitioner states that he was compelled to resign his appointment in the Civil Service. He prays that he may either be reinstated or placed in an equally responsible position of trust. I am directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that the petition be referred to the Government with a view of an inquiry being made into the cause of the petitioner's enforced resignation, and also into the truth of the charge made by him against a railway official of misappropriation of Government property. 11th September, 1882.

No. 487.—Petition of John Dunn and Others, Otago and Southland. The petitioners ask for the establishment of a School of Agriculture in Otago, with an endowment of 2,000 acres of land and a subsidy of £10,000. lam directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 11th September, 1882.

Authority : Qeoeob DiDSßtrar, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB2.