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Nos. 98 and 99.—Petitions of Joseph Mandl and Others atid Jesse Steer and Others. The petitioners pray for the completion of the Greymouth-Hokitika Eaihvay at once. 1 am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th July, 1890.

No. 119.—Petition of T. Tyne, of Coromandel. The petitioner, late a gaol-warder at Mount Eden, alleges that he was dismissed from the service of the Prisons Department without sufficient cause, and prays that he may be granted his compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend that the prayer of the petitioner should be granted. 29th July, 1890.

No. 20.—Petition of Lieut.-Colonel Stapp, of New Plymouth. The petitioner states that he has served in the Imperial and colonial service for a period of over forty-eight years, and that now, having arrived at the age of sixty-five years, he is compelled to retire under the provisions of the Volunteer Kegulations, 1889; that he has served as a colonial officer for thirty-two years ; that he is now too old to start life anew, and has not sufficient means to keep him comfortably. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, while admitting that petitioner has rendered valuable services to the colony, the Committee cannot see its way to recommend that anything in the way of a pension should be granted, but would refer the petition to the Government for consideration. 30th July, 1890.

No. 34. —Petition of John Edwin Macdonald, of Auckland. The petitioner states that in the year 1879 he was appointed Eesident Magistrate and District Judge for Auckland ; that in 1882 he was appointed a Judge of the Native Land Court, and that later on in the same year he was made Chief Judge of the said Court; that, owing to the strain of overwork, petitioner's health broke down, and he resigned the position of Chief Judge in 1889, was given leave of absence, with the understanding that on the re-establishment of his health he should be restored to the position of Eesident Magistrate at Auckland; that he is still on leave, never having been well enough to take up the duties of Eesident Magistrate. Petitioner prays that his case may be specially considered. I am directed to report that, seeing that Judge Maedonald has already received the sum of £875, being salary for fifteen months' leave on full pay, and is further entitled to one month's pay for each year of service, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 30th July, 1890. ._

No. 75. —Petition of Job Palmes, of Ashurst. The petitioner prays that the Government will pay him for certain materials supplied to the contractor for the Ashurst contract of the Napier-Palmerston Eailway. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony. 30th July, 1890. .

No. 68.—Petition of W. J. N. Eobinson, of Wellington. The petitioner alleges that certain moneys belonging to him are retained by the Government. He prays that said moneys may be paid over to him. I am directed to report that, as petitioner has not produced any evidence to substantiate the allegations contained in his petition, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 30th July, 1890.

Nos. 123 and 143.—Petition of Andeew Primrose, Chairman, Waikato Hospital and Charitable Aid Board; and J. Townley, Chairman, Cook District Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. The petitioners consider it unjust that they should be required to give aid to aboriginal natives unless their lands and property be rated and held liable respectively for such purpose, or a lien be taken by the Government thereon for such purpose. They pray that such alterations may be made in the Hospital and Charitable Aid Acts as will remove the injustice under which they now suffer. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioners have just cause of complaint, but, as the Government intend to bring in a Bill to deal with the question of hospital and charitable aid. this petition should be referred to them for consideration. sth August, 1890.

No. 105.—Petition of Sarah Caeoline McGavock, of Avenal. The petitioner prays for further compensation on account of her late husband's long services in the Eailway Department. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no further claim against the colony. sth August, 1890.

No. 14.—Petition of Mary Jane Toomey, of Lyttelton. The petitioner states that her father, "William Bailey, was in the Eailway service for nineteen years—viz., from March, 1870, until April, 1889—when he had to retire on account of ill-health. That eleven years ago, on the occasion of a general reduction, his wages were reduced by 2s. per