1.—2

14

Repoet on Petition of Lewis Letton and Others. The petitioners state that they were employed by Messrs. McMinnimin and Co., railway contractors ; that he failed, being indebted to the workmen some £1,200, of which they recovered only £40. That the Government promised that if they completed the work at scheduled prices, the Government would pay the balance. That the works have been so completed, but that the balance due has not been paid by the Government. The petitioners pray for favourable consideration, and an investigation of their claims. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the workmen employed by the Contractor McMinnimin, who did not receive their pay in consequence of his failure, are entitled to the consideration of the Government; and that the balance of the money for work done in the hands of the Government at the time of his failure should be divided among them in the proportion of their proved claims. T. Kelly, 20th September, 1877. Chairman.

Repoet on Petition of H. D. Gaedinee. The petitioner states that the wheat grown on fifty-seven acres of his land was destroyed in consequence of being ignited by fire from the furnace of a passing railway-engine belonging to the Government, and prays that compensation be given him. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that it has not been satisfactorily proved that the wheat was fired by sparks from the passing railway-engine; the Committee have therefore no recommendation to make to the House on the petitioner's case. T. Kelly, 25th September, 1877. Chairman.

Repoet on Petition of Saw-mill Ownees, Catlin's Riyee. The petitioners pray that the Government improve the navigation of the river, by removing certain dangerous rocks in the centre of the fairway. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petition be referred to the favourable consideration of tho Government. T. Kelly, 25th September, 1877. Chairman.

Repoet on Petition of James Hill. The petitioner prays that a title be given him for land received from the Provincial Government in exchange for land taken from him for the construction of a public road. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that a Bill should be brought in by the Government to give the petitioner a title to the land received by him from the Provincial Government in exchange for land surrendered by him for road purposes. T. Kelly, 25th September, 1877. Chairman

Report on Petition of James Billing. The petitioner prays that the fine imposed and the costs incurred by him in defending an action instituted by the Provincial Government of Taranaki, in the Resident Magistrate's Court, be refunded. From the evidence taken, it appears that the Harbourmaster at New Plymouth took proceedings against the petitioner in the Resident Magistrate's Court to cause him to remove the wreck of the steamship " Patterson " from the Waitara Eiver, the petitioner being the registered owner at the time the vessel went ashore. The case went against the petitioner, and he was fined £50 in default of removing the wreck. The Resident Magistrate allowed an appeal, provided that a sum of money was lodged in Court on a certain date. Such sum of money not having been lodged, the petitioner lost his chance of appeal in the case. The wreck not having been removed, the Harbourmaster again took proceedings. The case was heard before two Justices of the Peace, and decided against the petitioner. The petitioner appealed to the Supreme Court. The Court decided that, as the petitioner was not the actual owner when the Harbourmaster took proceedings, the verdict must be given in his favour. The petitioner's costs and fine in the first case amounted to £97 Bs. 7d., and in the appeal case to £89 6s. 9d. I am directed to report that, as the case has been dealt with by the Supreme Court, the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner to the favourable consideration of the House. T. Kelly, 25th September, 1877. Chairman.

Report on Petition of A. J. Willis (No. 1). The petitioner prays that some consideration be shown him ou account of his holding the office of Warden on the Otago Gold Fields, from 1863 without salary, during the time he held the office of Under Secretary of the province.