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No. 150.—Petition of Peter Murphy, of Dunedin. Petitioner states that on New Year's Day, 1888, one John Clark knocked him down and injured him, &c. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim upon the colony. 11th November, 1897. ,

No. 39. —Petition of John Thomson, of Kaipara Flats. Petitioner prays that certain adjustments of the boundaries of his land may be made. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. 11th November, 1897.

No. 113.—Petition of Joseph Thokne and 357 Others, of Parnell. Petitioners pray that an exchange of certain lands may be effected between the Public Trustee and the Borough of Parnell. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. 11th November, 1897.

No. 7.—Petition of Jeremiah O'Leary, of Woodville. Petitioner states that while working on the co-operative works in Taranaki he was so seriously injured that he is now incapacitated from earning a livelihood. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, while regretting the circumstances of the case, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 11th November, 1897.

No. 152.—Petition of George Nealb, of Hawke's Bay. Petitioner states that he was a constable in the Police Force of the colony; that he was dismissed from that Force on the representations set forth by the late Inspector Bullen; that in the year 1883 he petitioned Parliament preferring certain charges against Inspectors Hickson and Pender, and asked for an inquiry, but without result. He prays that he may be given an opportunity of substantiating the said charges before the Eoyal Com mission now being appointed. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the prayer of the petitioner be granted, provided that the order of reference of the Eoyal Commission includes such cases as the petitioner's. 16th November, 1897.

No. 4, Sess. 1., and No. 72, Sess. II. —Petitions of John James Meikle, of Wyndham. Petitioner prays that the recommendations of the Public Petitions M to Z Committee's reports of the 9th October, 1895, and the 14th July, 1896, may be given effect to. I am directed to report that this Committee, after carefully inquiring into the case of John James Meikle, considers the Government has treated the petitioner fairly by granting him the sum of £294 10s. Id. for expenses incurred in the prosecution of Lambert for perjury, and a further sum of £500 now placed on the estimates in full discharge of petitioner's claims, therefore the Committee has no further recommendation to make. 16th November, 1897.

No. 105.—Petition of James Shore, of Wanganui. Petitioner prays that he may be granted the sum of £300 as compensation for his wrongful arrest and imprisonment on suspicion of the murder of Mr. and Mrs. Jones, at Petone. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 19th November, 1897.

No. 3, Sess. I.—Petition of John Stiller, Jun., of Taranaki. Petitioner states that while a prisoner in Now Plymouth Gaol his back was so seriously injured by a fall of earth that he is unable to earn a living, &c. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 19th November, 1897.

No. 93. —Petition of William Thomas Wyatt, of Wellington. Petitioner states that after a service of upwards of forty years he was retired from the Government employ with only a month's leave of absence on full pay. He prays that he may be granted six months leave, and other relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 19th November, 1897.

No. 117.—Petition of Jambs Smith, Lawrence, Otago. Petitioner prays that legislation may bo passed extending the time for applications for validation of titles to land acquired from Natives. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Native Affairs Committee. 24th November, 1897.