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State Foeests Act Amendment Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have duly considered the same. They recommend that it be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown in a copy of the Bill attached. 20th July, 1888.

No. 346.—Petition of Michael Gill. The petitioner states that he served in the 57th Regiment and the Colonial Forces during the Maori war. He prays that a grant of land may be given to him. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 20th July, 1888.

No. 172. —Petition of R. M. Hawkes and Others. The petitioners state that in the year 1880 they entered into possession of lands in the Waikawau Block, under '•' The Homestead Act, 1877 ;" that they have not yet received Crown grants thereof. They pray that the grants be now issued. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government, with a recommendation that the Crown grants be issued to the petitioners. 20th July, 1888.

No. 236.—Petition of Stephen Eael. The petitioner states that in the year 1876 he purchased from one James Whitney, a discharged soldier of the 12th Regiment, a scrip for sixty acres of land ; that the land was selected for him in the Parish of Okahu, Kaipara. He prays that a Crown grant for said land may be issued to him. I am directed to report that the Committee reaffirms the report made to the House by the Waste Lands Committee in August, 1883, upon a similar petition from the same petitioner—viz., " That the attention of the Government be drawn to the memorandum signed by T. G. Waters (copy of which is attached), issued by the Crown Lands Department at Auckland, by which the petitioner seems to have been misled into purchasing the claim of one Whitney. That the Government be recommended to give effect to the prayer of the petition." 20th July, 1888.

Public Reseeves Sale Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have duly considered the same. They recommend that it be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown in a copy of the Bill attached. 26th July, 1888. '

No. 239, Sess. 11., 1887. —Petition of James McCabe and Another. The petitioners state that they are the owners of two sections in Franklin South, Auckland; that in the year 1870 they put a caretaker in charge of the sections, and petitioners went to Humphrey's Gully, Westland ; that during their absence the sections were sold by the Government to a recrea-tion-ground committee. They pray that the sections may be restored to them. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the claim of the petitioners is a just one, and that the sections taken from them should be reconveyed to them. 31st July, 1888.

No. 224.—Petition of Leonaed Simpson. The petitioner states that, by direction of the Chief Surveyor, Auckland, in September, 1881, he commenced the survey of Block Paengaroa North, in the vicinity of Maketu ; that in March, 1882, the Chief Surveyor directed him to discontinue the survey ; that since that date the work has not been proceeded with; that petitioner agreed with the Natives to make no demand for payment until the completion of the survey; that he was nine months on the survey, and expended a sum of £215; that, owing to his agreement with the Natives, he is unable to recover this money. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 31st July, 1888.

No. 173.—Petition of Edwaed Lambeet. The petitioner states that in the year 1862 he received a school-teacher's land-order; that in the year 1863 he was called away to join the Volunteers, and was unable to carry out the conditions of his land-order. He prays that he may now be given the land or compensation therefor. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim on the colony. 31st July, 1888.

No. 121.—Petition of Thomas Mielett. The petitioner states that in the year 1864, prior to his emigrating to New Zealand, he purchased two land-grants for that colony in London ; that since his arrival he has been promised the land, but has not been given it. He prays that the land be now granted to him,