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No. 30. —Petition of Thomas B. Hannaford (No. 1). The petitioner states that in February, 1886, he wrote to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, asking for permission to carry out an indefinite number of matrimonial lotteries, but was informed that, in the present state of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, the Minister was powerless to aid him. He therefore prays that such alterations or additions may be made to the said Act as will enable him to carry out an unlimited number of matrimonial lotteries. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner. Ist June, 1886.

No. B.—Petition of Maria W. Wilson. The petitioner states that her husband (Eobert Old), a Taranaki settler, was employed agains* the rebel Maoris in the wars of 1860-64, and was recommended to the Government for his bravery at Waitara. That, while on duty in October, 1864, he was rushed by a mad bullock, and gored; from the effects of this wound he died in the following June. Petitioner prays for consideration on account of her husband's services. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner. Ist June, 1886.

No. 28.—Petition of Denis Hogan. The petitioner states that he met with a permanent injury while working in a quarry belonging to the Corporation of Wellington, owing to the negligence of the officers of the Corporation. That he brought an action against the Corporation under "The Employers' Liability Act, 1882," for compensation, and, in bar of said action, the Corporation pleaded want of notice of injury, as provided by the said Act; that he was confined to bed for many months, and in ignorance of the provisions of the Act omitted to give the statutory notice of injury within the time limited, and is thereby deprived of the remedy he would have had against his employers; that the Corporation knew of the injury, but insist on maintaining the technical plea; that the compensation he is entitled to under the Act amounts to more than £300. The petitioner prays that the Act may be so amended as to allow his action to be tried, or that he may have other redress. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner, but are of opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration in the event of any amendment being contemplated in " The Employers' Liability Act, 1882." Ist June, 1886.

Nos. 64, 65, and 66.—Petitions of Joseph Harvey and Others (No. 2), Joseph Chambers and Others (No. 2), and George Tait and Others (No. 2). The petitioners regret to find that the industrial and destitute children's homes are excluded from the control of the Boards who have the management of " The Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act, 1885." They urge that these homes should be immediately placed under the supervision and control of the said Boards, so that those who have to contribute to the support of these institutions may have some voice in the annual expenditure required for their maintenance. They also think that inquiry should be made as to the reason why the children of so many Eoman Catholic citizens are placed in these homes. The petitioners pray that a very special inquiry may be made into these matters, and that the Government will place all such institutions under local control. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist June, 1886.

No. 35.—Petition of William Bogle. The petitioner states that he was in the service of the Eailway Department as a Stationmaster from 1874 till March, 1886; that on the 26th March he received a peremptory notice to prepare for immediate removal from Napier to take charge of the Balclutha Station ; that he apprehended danger to his family from so sudden a change of climate, and wrote to the District Manager asking if there was no appeal, who informed him unofficially that he thought he would have to go ; that as he received no further communication, and had been told by his doctor that the change would be dangerous to his children, he felt compelled to resign; that soon after his resignation he received a letter from the General Manager to the effect that he would try and find him a station in the North Island, but no promise was made, and petitioner would have been unable to accept it as he had bound himself by another engagement. The petitioner further states that he has served the Government in various capacities for sixteen years. He prays for compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the prayer of the petitioner should be granted. 2nd June, 1886.

No. 421, 1885.—Petition of Ann Gillan. The petitioner states that she is the owner of the Scotia Hotel, in Auckland, which has been licensed for twenty years, without any complaint having been made about the manner in which it was conducted ; that the Licensing Committee have refused to renew the license, thereby causing a depreciation of £1,000 in the value of her property. She prays for redress. I am directed to report that this Committee can see no reason for interfering with the action of the Licensing Committee, 4th June, 1886.