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No. 220, 1885.—Petition of B. Cooper and Others. The petitioners pray that an Act may be passed to prohibit all publicans or other licensees from selling liquor of any kind to children under sixteen years of age ; and that the law relating to Sunday liquor-traffic may be made simple and clear. I am directed to report that, as a Bill is now before the House dealing with such matters, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 4th June, 1886.

No. 430, 1885. —Petition of Catherine Fraser. The petitioner states that in 1863 she purchased thirty-seven acres of land in the Peninsula District from the Crown, but, owing to an error on the part of the Government surveyor, she was left without access to her land.; that, although the Government acknowledged their liability to make a road, they did not do so till 1881. The petitioner prays for compensation for loss sustained. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. 4th June, 1886.

No. 33.—Petition of B. B. 8. Mebcee. The petitioner states that in 1883 he petitioned Parliament for consideration on account of his father's services to the colony; that the Public Petitions Committee reported, recommending his prayer to the consideration of the Government, with a view to offering him suitable employment; that ho has been out of employment for eighteen months, and has had to borrow money to enable him to live. He prays that if the Government cannot find him immediate suitable employment they will give him a sum of money. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend that any sum of money should be given to the petitioner, but are of opinion that the Government should endeavour to give effect to the recommendation of this Committee in 1883. 4th June, 1886.

No. 424, 1885. —Petition of William Beddoes and Others. The petitioners pray that the House will endeavour to bring about the incorporation of Fiji with New Zealand. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 4th June, 1886.

No. 48.—Petition of W. T. C. Williams and Others. The petitioners, members of the Piako County Council, pray that the Hospital and Charitable Aid Act may be amended. I am directed to report that, as the Government intend to introduce a Bill to amend the said Act, the Committee are of opinion that this petition should be referred to them for consideration. 4th June, 1886.

No. 83. —Petition of William Timms. The petitioner, late a member of the Eoyal Marines, prays that his passage-money may be refunded to him. I am directed to report that the Committee can see no reason to alter the decision arrived at last year. 10th June, 1886.

No. 45. —Petition of J. D. Armstrong. The petitioner, a licensed carrier, states that in October, 1885, one of his vehicles, while on the Nelson Wharf, was suddenly backed, in consequence of the horse being startled, and, owing to the want of a sufficient kerbing on the wharf, was precipitated into the harbour, the horse being drowned, cargo lost, and vehicle damaged; that the whole loss was directly attributable to the insufficient kerbing, it being only 2in. high; that the wharf as originally built was provided with sin. kerbing, which was afterwards reduced to 2in., owing to the decking being sheathed. He prays for compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner. 10th June, 1886.

No. 4.—Petition of Dorothy Susan McCaul. The petitioner states that she is the owner of land at Waikomiti, intersected by the Auckland and Kaipara Eailway; that ever since the opening of the railway fires have been caused by sparks from the engines, from which she has suffered considerable loss of fruit-trees and hay from time to time, amounting in the aggregate to £300 at least. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the absence of direct evidence to prove that the injury complained of was caused by sparks from the engines on the railway, this Committee cannot recommend anything further than that petitioner should seek her remedy in the law Courts, to which the Government have consented. 10th June, 1886,