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Report on Petition of James Moran. Petitioner contracted to supply 10,000 railway sleepers for tho use of the Waikato Railway, but finding that he could not complete his contract without heavy loss, he offered to deliver to the Government 2,000 sleepers without cost, and forfeit his deposit of £10, on the condition that he was relieved from his contract. The offer was accepted. But he subsequently learned that other contractors, somewhat similarly circumstanced, were relieved from their contracts, their sleepers paid for, and their deposits refunded. He prays that relief be afforded him. The Committee, having made inquiry into petitioner's case, find that other contractors for sleepers in similar cases have not had their deposits refunded or sleepers paid for. The Committee cannot therefore recommend that any allowance be made to petitioner. T. Kelly, 10th October, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Clifford Iveson and 29 Others living on the Banks of tho Wanganui River. The petitioners state that the Government of New Zealand are building a railway bridge across the Wanganui River, which will prevent the passage of sea-going vessels, and cause serious loss and inconvenience to the petitioners. They pray the case may be investigated. The Committee have made inquiry into the petitioner's case, and direct me to report that the bridge in question allows a space of 30 feet between the bridge and high water, which will allow the passage of barges, but not of sea-going vessels; and as the construction of the bridge is well advanced towards completion, the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioners to the favourable consideration of the House. T. Kelly, 10th October, 1876. Chairman.

Report (No. 2) on Petition (No. 2) of H. W. Farnall (referred back to the Public Petitions Committee). The Committee, having examined petitioner and the late Provincial Secretary of Auckland, Mr. Sheehan, M.H.R., have directed me to report as follows: — The petitioner was appointed Immigration Agent, by the Superintendent of Auckland, in 1573, under the provisions of " The Auckland Waste Lands Act, 1867;" but at the time the appointment was made the 21st section of the Act of 1567, which gave the Superintendent authority to make such an appointment, had been repealed by " The Auckland Waste Lands Act, 1870." The Committee consider the appointment was not legally made, as no salary was appropriated by the Provincial Council for the service ; but as the petitioner appears to have accepted the appointment in good faith, and performed some service for the province, the Committee consider that he has some claim on the province for the service he rendered. T. Kelly, 11th October, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of R. H. Rhodes and Robert Wilkin.

The petitioners state that, owing to a conflict in the Nelson Scab Act of 1868, they were compelled to pay a fine of 2d. per head on 5,196 sheep when they were clean. They pray that the fine be remitted. I am directed to report that it appears that owing to a conflict in li The Nelson Scab Act, 1868," the petitioners took out a license, which the clean condition of their sheep at the time did not require; and, judging from the penalties which have been inflicted in such cases, your Committee are of opinion that justice would be done by remitting the amount paid for the said license, deducting five pounds (£5) the penalty hitherto imposed by the Courts in such cases ; such refund to be charged against the Province of Nelson ; aud your Committee therefore recommend the prayer of the petitioners to the favourable consideration of the House. T. Kelly, 11th October, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Members of the Kakanui Harbour Board. The petitioners state that they are short of money to carry out important harbour works at Kakanui, and pray that relief be afforded them. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of this petition has been before the House, the Committee have no recommendation to make. T. Kelly, 11th October, 1876. Chairman.

Eeport on Petition of Eesidents of Switzers. This petition, having no signature, is informal; and the Committee have directed me to report that it cannot be received. T. Kelly, 12th October, 1876. Chairman.