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No. 52.—Petition of Matteo Gibens and 21 Others, of Karamea. Petitioners pray that the road from Black Creek to the Oparara Eiver, on the Karamea-Colling-wood Eoad, be widened into a dray-road. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th August, 1893.

No. 187.—Petition of the Otamatea County Council, Maungaturoto. Petitioners pray for a division of the North of Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid District, so that each county shall distribute its own charitable aid. I am directed to report that, as the whole question of charitable aid will be dealt with shortly, the Committee recommends the petition to the Government for consideration. 15th August, 1893.

No. 66.—Petition of the Horowhenua County Council. Petitioners state that the charitable-aid levy absorbs [nearly one-third of the Council's revenue, and pray for an amendment of the Act. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government. 15th August, 1893.

No. 298.—Petition of Thomas F. Byrne and 45 Others, of Kumara. Petitioners pray for a reduction in the price charged by Government for water for sluicing purposes. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee. 15th August, 1893.

No. 260. —Petition of William Guffie and Another, of Mount Buster. Petitioners complain of the injustice done them by changing their mining leases into licensed holdings under " The Mining Act, 1886." I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee. 15th August, 1893.

No. 90.—Petition of David Cunningham, of Dunedin. Petitioner states that his patent for a fire-escape has been used by the Public Works Department when erecting the police barracks in Dunedin, without payment of any royalty, &c. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th August, 1893.

No. 64. —Petition of James Beatty, of Gisborne. Petitioner states that he entered the Service as gaoler in 1865, and his services were dispensed with in March, 1891, a total service of over twenty-five years, but that he only received compensation for his services since 1876. He prays for further compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th August, 1893.

No. 655, 1892.—Petition of Thomas E. Bkooke, of Lyttelton. Petitioner states that after over twenty years' service in the Government Eailways he is now incapable of performing any laborious work. He prays that he may be granted a compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th August, 1893.

No. 2.—Petition of William John Davidson, of Sydenham, Christchurch. Pbtitionbe states that in 1865 he was in charge of the surf-boats during the Maori war, and that he performed special services in landing troops, &c. He prays that a compassionate allowance be granted him for such services. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th August, 1893.

No. 284. —Petition of Henby Cook Lanauze, of Christchurch. Petitioner states that he was retired from the .position of District Police Clerk through physical incapacity on account of blindness. He prays for further compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th August, 1893.