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No. 381.—Petition of T. B. Hannaford, of Auckland. The petitioner states that he has heard it is the intention of the Government to erect a lighthouse on Cuvier Island at a cost of £8,000; that it is in his power to submit plans, specifications, and cost of his invention " The Iron Skeleton Windmill Bell-tower Lighthouse," which structure is not only better than an ordinary lighthouse, but could be erected for one-quarter of the beforementioned sum. He prays that monetary aid may be afforded in order to enable him to employ a first-class mechanical engineer to usher his invention into the world. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 30th July, 1886.

No. 93. —Petition of Burnett and Yule, of Masterton. The petitioners, lately trading as Burnett and Yule, sawmillers, state that they supplied timber to the Opaki section of the Wellington-Napier Eailway, under arrangement with O'Malley and Pepperell, the contractors; that the said contractors became bankrupt, and the Government took over the contract, but petitioners continued to supply timber to the works, which was passed as before by the Government Inspector, and their condemned timber was also used on the works; that they have suffered loss owing to the Public Works Department taking and using their timber. They pray that the balance due to them may be paid. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion, from investigations made by them, that the petitioners should be paid the sum of £35 in full satisfaction of all claims. 30th July, 1886.

No. 418.—Petition of John M. Grace, of Auckland. The petitioner states that he is the heir-at-law of the late Peter Grace, of Auckland; that his late father in 1865 entered into a contract to construct the first section of the Auckland-Drury Eailway; that in 1866 the contract was taken out of his hands, and the plant seized; that he received the sum of £3,600, and signed a receipt in full of all demands. He now claims the sum of £3,078 25., as money owing by the Provincial Government to his father. I am directed to report that this Committee can see no reason to alter the decision arrived at by the Committee last session. 3rd August, 1886.

No. 407.—Petition of John Hunter Brown and Others. The petitioners, residents in the counties of Cook and Wairoa, pray that a permanent dray-road may be constructed to connect the towns of Napier and Gisborne and the country south of the East Cape. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd August, 1886.

No. 404.—Petition of George Groves and Others, of Southland. The petitioners pray that station-buildings may be erected at Nightcaps Eailway terminus, and that the Government will purchase the line in order to enable their prayer to be granted. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd August, 1886.

No. 393. —Petition of James Kelly, of Auckland. The petitioner states that he has discovered and patented a process by which New Zealand ironsand can be manufactured into pig-iron of a marketable quality, in a practical and economic manner. He prays that a sum not exceeding £500 may be placed on the estimates, to enable him to demonstrate in public that his statement is true. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd August, 1886.

No. 408.—Petition of J. H. Taylor and Others, of Eotorua. The petitioners pray that the Government will cause certain roads to be made in the Eotorua District, and also that the Mourea Bridge may be so altered as to admit of boat-traffic. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd August, 1886.

No. 378. —Petition of J. A. L. Hall and Others. The petitioners pray that a railway-station and cattle-yards may be erected at Kawakawa. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd August, 1886,