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No. 24. Petition of Rose A. Johnstone. Petitioner prays that she be allowed the value of the improvements (£700) on the section of land in Invercargill which herself and predecessors had held possession of for over twenty years, but now claimed by the Public Trustee under "The Unclaimed Lands Act, 1892." I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of the opinion that the petitioner has no legal claim, but the Committee would be glad if the Public Trustee could see his way to make the petitioner some allowance, in terms of clause 7 of " The Unclaimed Lands Act, 1894," for the money expended on improvements. 4th August, 1896.

No. 111.—Petition of John Longman and 250 Others. Petitioners ask for a sum of money to be placed on the estimates sufficient to buy a piece of land for a recreation-ground and cemetery at Belfast. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government. 4th August, 1896.

No. 19.—Petition of John Borton. Petitioner states that at the time the Government purchased the Maerewhenua Estate from him several portions, amounting to about 250 acres, were omitted through an inaccurate plan of the said estate having been furnished the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin. He prays that the several parcels of land aforesaid be bought from him at the price paid for the bulk of the estate. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. sth- August, 1896.

No. 167. —Petition of Joseph Motley and Others. Petitioners pray that a reserve in the Gorge Survey District, consisting of 2,200 acres of land, should be thrown open for settlement. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. sth August, 1896.

Nos. 170 and 171. —Petitions of Richard Norman, and Richard Norman and Henry Maidman. Petitioners pray for legislation to enable the Mount Barker farmers to obtain Crown grants for their farms. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government. sth August, 1896.

No. 88.—Petition of Samuel Southerly. Petitioner alleges that the District Agent for the Public Trustee committed irregularities in not opening tenders for the lease of Lot 4, Section 12 (a Native reserve), Mechanics Bay, Auckland, at the proper time, and in not putting up the lease by public auction. He prays that the lease granted to Grandison be cancelled, or for other relief. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee have no recommendation to make. 6th August, 1896.

No. 120.—Petition of C. G. Tripp and Others. Petitioners pray that a rabbit-proof fence be erected to protect South Canterbury from the incursion of rabbits, and suggest a line from the Waitaki, past Fairlie, to the Rangitata, estimating the cost at £20,000. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 6th August, 1896.

No. 134. —Petition of S. Boyd and Others. Petitioners pray for a sum of £250 for road-work in the Waikiekie and Ruarangi Districts, Auckland Provincial District. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 6th August, 1896.