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the City Council. Trusting in the validity of such transfer, the petitioner, on two occasions, sold goods by public auction, and was thereupon accused and convicted in the Eesident Magistrate's Court of unlawfully selling by auction, and was fined £100 for each offence. He submits that no wilful breach of the Auctioneers Ordinance was intended, and prays that the fines may be remitted. I am directed to recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for further inquiry. If, on such inquiry, the petitioner's allegations be substantiated, the Committee is of opinion that he is entitled to favourable consideration. 14th December, 1887. '

No. 416.—Petition of Hobace Bakbb, of Napier. The petitioner complains that he was discharged from the Civil Service of the colony without proper notice, and witout the usual consideration of three months' salary in lieu of such notice. He prays for inquiry and compensation. I am directed to adopt the report of the Public Petitions Committee of the 2nd June, 1887, on this case —namely, " that the Committee, having investigated the case, is of opinion that the petitioner has been fairly dealt with, and has no further claim against the colony." The Committee further recommends that, in the dismissal of officers from the public service, no allowances should be granted to them beyond those that are provided by law. 16th December, 1887.

No. 424. —Petition of B. Ibwin and Others. The petitioners are settlers in the neighbourhood of Seacliff, and object to the appointment of Mr. John Christie to be bailiff at the Seacliff Asylum. I am directed to report that as this matter seems to come within the scope of the Royal Commission recently appointed to deal with the affairs of Seacliff Asylum, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th December, 1887.

Nos. 425 and 426.—Petitions of Samuel Gowbb and Others, and James Reid and Othebs. The petitioners are ratepayers of Lake County, and pray that proceedings may be stayed in the action taken by the Auditor-General against the County Councillors for misappropriation of county funds. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend any interference with the forthcoming proceedings in the Court of Appeal. 16th December, 1887.

No. 459.—Petition of Thomas Cabteb, of Wellington (No. 2). The petitioners pray that certain persons may be summoned to give evidence on his claim for further payment for his services in the Torpedo Force. I am directed to report that the Committee declines to make any addition to the report on this case brought up 7th December, 1887. 16th December, 1887.

No. 462.—Petitions of James Coad and Others, of Waitara. The petitioners pray for the construction of a road from Mimi to Taumaranui. No." 466. —Petition of the Wellington Radical Refobm Association. The petitioners pray for amendment of the Electoral Acts. No. 467. —Petition of Thomas Beydone and Others. The petitioners pray for the establishment of telephonic communication at Waiwera South. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these three petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th December, 1887.

No. 463. —Petition of S. J. Edmonds, of Auckland. The petitioner prays for compensation for the destruction of the cutter " Kate " by rebel Natives at Whakatane in 1865. I am directed to adopt the report of the Public Petitions Committee of 1878 on this claim— namely, "that the Committee is of opinion that fair compensation should be given for direct loss occasioned by the act of rebel Natives, and that the matter should be inquired into by the Government with a view to some settlement of such claims; but with respect to this special case the Committee has no opinion to offer to the House." 16th December, 1887.

No. 41.—Petition of Henby Baucke, of Wellington. The petitioner complains that a sum of money awarded to him by the Public Petitions Committee in 1867 has never been paid to him. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the money in question was properly paid to Mr. Cameron, of Auckland ; and that the petitioner has therefore no claim against the ■colony. 16th December, 1887.

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