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No. 484.—Petition of George Eodgers and Others, of Taranaki. Petitioners pray in favour of the passing of the Egmont County Bill. I am directed to report that, as this Bill is now before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th September, 1892.

No. 608, Sess. 11., 1891.—Petition of the Wellington and Manawatu Eailway Company. Petitioners pray that provision may be made for a settlement of their claims with respect to the lands allocated to them under the terms of their contract with the Government, and also that effect may be given to the recommendation of the Public Petitions Committee on a petition from said company presented to the House in the session of 1889. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th September, 1892.

No. 582.—Petition of the Henley Eiver Board. Petitioners pray for a grant of money to assist them in repairing the damage done to protective works on the Taieri Eiver by the last flood. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 20th September, 1892.

No. 554. —Petition of James Stewart, of Dunedin. Petitioner, on behalf of his daughter-in-law, states that his son was in the employ of the Customs Department, Dunedin; that in the year 1890 he was instructed to proceed to the Macquarrie Islands in the s.s. "Kakanui,"to report on the condition of affairs there; that the s.s. " Kakanui " foundered with all hands. Petitioner prays that his daughter-in-law may be granted a compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that, as the Committee find that the petitioner's son was only in the temporary employ of the Government, and, further, that his daughter-in-law declined to receive aid from the " Kakanui " Belief Fund, although entitled to participate therein, they cannot recommend that the prayer of the petition should be granted. 23rd September, 1892.

No. 423.—Petition of John Moore, of Lyttelton. Petitioner, the master of the vessel " Croydon Lass," prays that the fines inflicted on him for a breach of the Lyttelton Harbour by-laws may be wholly or partially remitted. I am directed to report that, having considered the petition and read the report of the Eesident Magistrate who inflicted the fines, the Committee cannot recommend that the prayer of the petition should be granted. 23rd September, 1892.

No. 559.—Petition of Mayor of Palmeeston North and Others. Petitioners complain of the action of the Eailway Commissioners in closing certain streets in the Town of Palmerston North, and pray for relief. I am directed to report that, the Eailway Commissioners having agreed to revest that portion of Main Street fronting Sections Nos. 310, 311, and 312, in the Borough Council of Palmerston North, the Committee have no recommendation to make on that point, but recommend that the Government place on the supplementary estimates a sufficient sum to construct two 4ft. overhead footbridges at Pitt Street and Cook Street, so as to give access to Main Street, on condition that the Borough Council express by resolution their acceptance of the same, and that the consent and approval of the individual members of the deputation who appeared before the Committee is obtained. With reference to the allegations of the petitioners, that the Eailway Commissioners have refused to allow trains to stop at the northern end of the town, known as the Terrace End, the Committee are of opinion that this is a matter for the consideration of the Commissioners. As regards the further allegations of the petitioners, that the line of railway beyond West Street is constructed on the main road to Foxton in such a manner as to interfere with the rights of the freeholders and others who purchased their holdings with a frontage to the main road, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 23rd September, 1892.

No. 287.—Petition of J. G. Woon, of Hokitika. Petitioner states that he entered the Civil Service in September, 1878, and remained therein continuously until the 31st March, 1892, when he was compulsorily retired. That he is only fifty-three years of age, and that his retirement before the age of sixty is both illegal and unjust. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim for com ensation for being compulsorily retired on pension. 24th September, 1892.