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I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the [Committee, the report of the Waste Lands Committee in October, 1884, on a similar petition from the same petitioner, should be reaffirmed— viz., " The petitioner not having complied with the terms of ' The Waste Lands Act, 1858,' the Committee cannot recommend his prayer to the favourable consideration of the House." 31st July, 1888.

Nos. 347, 380, 396, 397, 411, 424, and 428.—Petitions of William F. Mawe, Jesse Sage, William Watts, Chaeles R. Campbell, John Daly, Dugald McLadchlan, and Isaac Reading. The petitioners state that they served in the Imperial and Volunteer Forces in New Zealand during the Maori war. They pray that they maybe given grants of land or compensation for their services. I have the honour to report that, in terms of a resolution already arrived at, the Committee are of opinion the above seven petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration. 14th August, 1888.

No. 393. —Petition of Chaeles Mainwaeinu. The petitioner states that he served as an officer in the Indian Navy; that he arrived in Auckland in the year 1863 ; that he has not yet received the grant of land to which he is entitled as an officer of Her Majesty's Navy. He prays that the grant may now be given to him. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 14th August, 1888.

No. 365.—Petition of Maey Williams. The petitioner states that her husband, John Williams (now deceased), was a soldier in the 58th Regiment during the year 1858. Petitioner prays that the grant of land to which her husband was entitled for such service may now be granted to her. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 14th August, 1888.

No. 361. —Petition of J. W. Jackson and 26 Others, Pemberton Special Settlement. The petitioners state that they are "members of the Wanganui Small-farm Association ; that the association was formed under the regulations in force relating to special settlements ; and that one Dudley Eyre was appointed secretary to the association; that the said Dudley Eyre has absconded with a large sum of money intrusted to him by the members of the association for payment to the Receiver of Land Revenue and for other purposes. They pray for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioners have no claim against the colony; but the Committee recommends that, under the heavy losses the petitioners have suffered through the defalcations of their secretary, they receive reasonable consideration in the matter of survey charges. Hth August, 1888.

No. 404.—Petition of Andeew Jack, Wade, Waitemata. The petitioner states that he has planted seven acres with forest-trees in the Provincial District of Auckland. He prays that he may receive the compensation to which he is entitled under the Act for the encouragement of tree-planting. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th August, 1888.

No. 462.—Petition of Edwaed Jones. The petitioner states that he served in the 58th 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. 17th August, 1888.

No. 324. —Petition of R. Dickson and Others. The petitioners pray that a tract of land along the skirts of the Croyden Bush, and now infested with rabbits, should be cut up into fifty-acre sections, with a view to abating the nuisance and encouraging settlement. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th August, 1888.

No. 344.—Petition of Geobge McClban, Hawera. The petitioner scates that he purchased Section No. 100 in the Patea Survey District, which section was originally a grant to Katene (a Native) ; that he has been refused the title to said section on the ground that Katene had become a rebel; that in year 1886 a Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives legalising his title, but it was thrown out by the Legislative Council. He prays that his title be now granted to him.