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said Act their condition has been greatly improved. They pray the House will not sanction any alteration of the Act, or deprive them of any benefits already conferred on them by it. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th October, 1884.

No. 369, Sess. ll.—Petition of J. Wilson and Co. The petitioners state that they have established the manufacture of hydraulic lime in the Provincial District of Auckland, and ask for a bonus of £2,000; and that the Government will be pleased to use it in the public works of the colony. I am directed to report that, in regard to the question of bonus, the Committee have no recommendation to make; and that, as to the question of using it in Government works, the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th October, 1884.

No. 312, Sess. ll.—Petition of H. Tanner and Others, Kihikihi. The petitioners state they are European and Native residents at Kihikihi; that, from the proximity of Kihikihi to the Puniu Eiver, the erection of a traffic bridge thereon is indispensably required; that it would greatly improve the condition of the Natives settled over the river, and give an impetus to the local trade of the town. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th October, 1884.

No. 541, 1883.—Petition of T. Tunks and Others. The petitioners state that a postal service is urgently required from Tauranga to Te Aroha. They state they have a great grievance, as their letters and papers, now sent via the Tauranga-Thames route, take four days to reach Te Aroha. They suggest a mode of service which would give them facilities of communication such as they require. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petition should be referred to Government for consideration. 16th October, 1884.

No. 390, Sess, II.; and No. 415, Sess. ll.—Petitions of A. D. Willis and Others, Wanganui; and John Handley and Others, Waitotara. The petitioners state they are in favour of the Wanganui Harbour Eating Bill passing into law. I am directed to report that, the subject-matter of these petitions being now before the House, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 16th October, 1884.

No. 57, Sess. I.—Petition of F. G. Mace and John Bassett, Patea. The petitioners state that they opened a gravel-pit and constructed a line of road to the same at a cost of £360, in order to carry out a contract on the Normanby and Hawera section of permanentway ; that on the completion of their contract the Government took over the line to the pit, and are now using it; that the Resident Engineer recommended the payment of £182 Bs. to them on account of the pit-road. They pray that they may be awarded such sum as may appear just. I am directed to report that the Commitee, having examined the petitioner Mace, and Mr. Holmes, District Engineer, and considered documentary evidence, are of opinion that the sum of £5 Bs., admitted by the Engineer-in-Chief to be due to the petitioners, does not seem to the Committee to meet the claim of the petitioners, and that, therefore, the petition be referred to the Government for consideration, as was done in the session of 1882. 16th October, 1884.

No. 397, Sess. II. —Petition of C. P. Hulbeet and Others, Christchurch. The petitioners, the Mayor and Councillors of Christchurch, pray that the House will pass an Act giving power to the Council of the City of Christchurch to deal with the Market Eeserve for general municipal purposes, as it has proved a failure as a market for sale of colonial produce. I am directed to report that, the subject-matter of this petition having been dealt with by the House, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 16th October, 1884.

No. 363, Sess. ll. —Petition of Thomas McGann, St. Bathans. The petitioner states that he is a late sergeant of New Zealand Constabulary ; that he served for a period of nineteen years; that he resigned his position in December, 1881, and asked for compensation, as he resigned on account of ill-health, which was disallowed by the then Minister of Defence. He prays that he may be awarded compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee see no reason to alter the resolution come to in the session of 1882. 16th October, 1884. -

No. 105, Sess. I.—Petition "of P. Kelly, P. O'Beien, and P. Sherlock, Westport. The petitioners state that they are miners, and were the contractors for the track from Mokihinui Township to reefs; that the plan of the Public Works Department only showed two bluff rocks; that there were other rocks not marked on the plan, which put them to some considerable expense to get out; that they sent in a claim for extras to the Public Works Department, and were told