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No. 474. —Petition of Mrs. Blackwell and Others, of Kaiapoi. Petitionebs pray for the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee. 3rd September, 1901.

No. 501. —Petition of James Aitkbn, of Invercargill. Petitioner prays for a public inquiry into circumstances connected with the divorce case, Wallace v. Wallace, in which case petitioner was joined as co-respondent. I am directed to report that this Committee, having heard the evidence of the petitioner and having read the affidavits and declarations put in by him, finds that he has established his claim to such public inquiry. 3rd September, 1901.

Nos. 524 and 525.—Petitions of E. P. Joyce and Another, and the Peogeessive Libeeal Association. Petitioneks pray for alteration in the method of election of members of Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee. 3rd September, 1901.

No. 567.—Petition of A. Hateick and Others, of Wanganui. Petitioners pray that the prayer of the petition of Eleanor Ward be granted. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, this petition should be referred to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee. 3rd September, 1901.

No. 178.—Petition of Dr. T. E. King, of Takaka. Petitioner prays for inquiry into the circumstances of his retirement from the service of the Lunacy Department, and compensation therefor. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition shpuld be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th September, 1901.

No. 221.—Petition of W. Golding, of Wanganui. Petitionee prays for a grant of land for military services rendered. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make. 12th September, 1901.

No. 305. —Petition of Eliza Doncliff, of Westport. Petitioner prays that she be granted compensation for the death of her late husband, an employe of the Westport Harbour Board. I am directed to report that this Committee recommends the Government to place the sum of £150 on the estimates as compassionate allowance to the petitioner, and to deduct the same sum from moneys payable to the Westport Harbour Board. 13th September, 1901.

No. 360. —Petition of Emilia Johnstone, of Port Waikato. Petitioner prays that she be granted compensation for losses sustained by her late husband during the early Native disturbances. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th September, 1901.

No. 692.—Petition of Bannatyne and Co. (Limited), of Wellington. Petitioners pray for the refund of certain moneys paid and costs and expenses incurred by them in consequence of an illegal demand made by the Collector of Customs for the payment of poll-tax on Chinese deserters from the steamship " Indralema." I am directed to report that this Committee recommends the Government to pay the balance now unpaid of the total sum claimed by the petitioners. 13th September, 1901.

No. 222.—Petition of J. Giffoed, of Kaihu. Petitionee prays for compensation for the sale of his property by the Bank of New Zealand under a mortgage given by him for balance of purchase-money. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make. 26th September, 1901.

No. 355.—Petition of E. Hodge, of Mercury Bay. Petitioner prays that he be granted compensation for military services. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make 26th September, 1901.