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No. 151.—Petition of Michael Scanlon. Petitioner prays that Section No. 15 of the Pahiatua-Puketoi Special Settlement (for which he had paid, and which had unnecessarily been gazetted a school reserve) be returned to him. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, the petitioner should, if possible, be placed in possession of the land. 20th August, 1896.

No. 479 of 1895.—Petition of E. A. Seddon. Petitioner prays that the sums of money received as rent by the Government from her for her section at Rotorua, together with the costs of improvements on the land, may be returned to her. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd September, 1896.

. No. 367.—Petition of S. H. MacDougall. Petitioner, who is a Crown tenant in the County of Tauranga, states that he has suffered severely by having his pasture and stock destroyed by fires in the years 1894 and 1895, the said fires having been ignited by contractors working for the County Council. He prays that the benefits of the Pastoral Tenants' Relief Act may be extended to him. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of opinion that the application should be dealt with by the Minister of Lands and the Auckland Land Board. 2nd September, 1896.

No. 302.—Petition of Duncan Matheson and Others. Petitioners pray that Run No. 167, in the Provincial District of Canterbury, be let to them at the Commissioners' valuation, or a reduction made in the rent of both runs, Nos. 167 (as aforesaid) and 168. • I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd September, 1896.

No. 310.—Petition of George W. S. Patterson and 147 Others. Petitioners pray that provision may be made for constructing and repairing the main road between Waitangi Falls and Ohaeawai, Kaikohe and Taheke. I have the honour to report that in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee this petition should be referred to the Government. 2nd September, 1896.

No. 16.—Petition of J. M. McCaskill. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss sustained to the extent of £1,600 during the Maori war. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th September, 1896.

No. 222.—Petition of R. J. E. McCormick. Petitioner states that his section of land at Te Aroha was forfeited by the Auckland Land Board without satisfactory reason. He prays for compensation. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th September, 1896.

Nos. 355, 356, 357, and 358.—Petitions of R. F. W BBST ER an d Others; Adam Maddill and Others; Arthur Faucett and Others; and A. J. Glasson and Others. Petitioners pray that the Government will obtain a vote from Parliament to enable it to construct a bridge across the Waikato River at Tuakau, and charge the cost thereof against the price of the land acquired in Opuatia Block ; and at once have the said land acquired in the said block cut up into suitable areas and small farms, and thrown open for selection. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Minister of Lands for his consideration when the public works estimates are being prepared. 4th September, 1896.

No. 359. —Petition of William Watson and Others. Petitioners pray that Run No. 223 a, Provincial District of Otago, be at once 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 Government for consideration. 4th September, 1896. 2—l. 5.