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No. B.—Petition of Bichard B. Taylor, of Dunedin. Petitioner prays that a grant of land may be given to the relatives of the late Sergeant Charles Dearlove for military services rendered by him to the colony. I am directed to report that in view of " The Naval and Military Claims Settlement and Extinguishment Act, 1896," the Committee cannot make any recommendation. 27th July, 1900.

No. 478, 1899. —Petition of Michael O'Connok, of Wellington. Petitioner prays that he may be granted the New Zealand Cross for his bravery at the defence of the Turuturu-Mokai Redoubt in the year 1868. I am directed to report thaf the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 31st July, 1900.

No. 133. —Petition of Paul Joseph Muephy, of North Tiraumea. Petitioner prays for redress in connection with the alleged wrongful action of the Deputy Eeturning Officer for the election of Councillors for the Pukemiku Eiding, County of Pahiatua, on Bth November, 1899. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the Deputy Eeturning Officer did not correctly advise the voters on that occasion. 2nd August, 1900.

No. 161.—Petition of Patrick James Owens, of Auckland. Petitioner prays that he may be granted additional compensation for loss of office as an attendant in the Auckland Lunatic Asylum. I am directed to report that, taking into consideration the circumstances of the case, the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 2nd August, 1900.

No. 160. —Petition of Bessie Thorne and 3 Others, of Auckland. Petitioners pray that " The Contagious Diseases. Act, 1869," may be repealed. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd August, 1900.

No. 145. —Petition of John Cubtis and 46 Others, of Kaiwaka. Petitioners pray that they may be granted the sum of £350 for the construction of a wharf at Maungaturoto. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 2nd August, 1900.

No. 148.—Petition of H. Quane and Co. and 47 Others, of Christchurch. Petitioners pray that legislation may be introduced making the issue of trading-stamps and tradecoupons illegal. I am directed to report that there is now a measure before the House dealing with the subject-matter of the petition. The Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd August, 1900.

No. 70.—Petition of W. F. Mason, of Eotorua. . •■ Petitioner prays that he may be granted compensation on account of injuries alleged to have been received while performing the duties of bath-keeper at the " Postmaster " Bath, Eotorua. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Bth August, 1900. :

No. 127. —Petition of J. J. O'Donohue, of Auckland. Petitioner prays that he may be granted re-employment in the Prisons Department, or a retiringallowance, &c. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th August, 1900. • '

No. 102. —Petition of Thomas Quirke, of Wellington. Petitioner prays that an inquiry may be made into the circumstances of his dismissal from the Police Force of the colony, that he may be reinstated in the service, and that he be granted other relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, ex-Police Constable Quirke has been sufficiently punished, and recommends the Government to favourably consider his re-employ-ment. . . loth August, 1900.