1.—2.

15

No. 136.—W. B. Manning. The petitioners prays that £9 7s. 6d., the balance of salary due to him, be paid. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the Government should pay the petitioner the arrears of salary due as ferryman. 15th October, 1878. "

No. 165.—Alexander Stitt. The petitioner prays that the balance of the sum awarded him by the Public Petitions Committee be paid him. I am directed to report that, as it appears the Government has made provision for the grievance complained of by the petitioner, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th October, 1878.

No. 171.—A li-red Cox and 219 other Settlers of Waikato. The petitioners give a resume of the case of the Auckland City Inspector of Sheep versus Thomas Jolly, sheepfarmer, Waikato, from which it appears that Jolly was fined .€5, and £14 costs, for suffering sheep infected with scab to be driven along a highway. The petitioners state that Jolly had a clean certificate from the Waikato Inspector, and sent in his sheep to Auckland for sale, and it appears to them very unjust that after sheep are passed by the District Inspector they arc still liable to have their sheep condemned when they arrive in the Auckland market. They pray that relief be afforded him. I am directed to report that the Committee, having considered the petitioner's case, is of opinion that it should be inquired into by the Government, as the matter is one of considerable importance to flock-owners. 15th October, 1878.

No. 179. —Frederick Williams Paul. The petitioner states that, while employed as a marker at the Maori range during the exercise of a squad in class firing, on the 2nd September, 1876, he was wounded in the right eye by a splinter of lead from a bullet coming off the target, by which he has beeu deprived of the sight of his wounded eye. He prays that his case he taken into consideration, and relief afforded him. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the petitioner is entitled to some compensation for the injury he has sustained, and recommend his claim to the consideration of the Government. The Committee is further of opinion that, from the frequent occurrence of accidents arising out of defective arrangements for protecting markers, the Government should at ouce give instructions for the initiation of a perfect system of protection. 15th October, 1878.

No. 186.—94 Jackson's Bay Settlers. The petitioners pray that the jetty at Jackson's Bay be completed without delay, and that one of the Government steam-launches be stationed there. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the subject-matter of this petition is one for the Government to consider and deal with. 15th October, 1878. .

No. 196.—Samuel John Edmonds. The petitioner prays that compensation be granted to him for loss sustained by the rebel Natives burning his vessel, the cutter " Kate/ in the Whakatane River, 1865. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that fair compensation should be given for direct loss occasioned by the act of rebel Natives, and that the matter should be inquired into by the Government, with a view to some settlement of such claims; but, with respect to this special case, the Committee has no opinion to offer to the House. 15th October, 1878.

No. 243.—Michael Saunders and other Roman Catholics. The petitioners state that they have conscientious scruples against the present Education Act, and pray that it be amended so as to include provisions similar to the Act known as the Nelson Education Act. I am directed to report that the subject-matter of this petition being one of public policy the Committee do not consider it necessary to offer any opinion to the House. 15th October, 1878.

No. 244.— E. Touet. The petitioner states that the Bench of Magistrates at Nelson has practically cancelled a deed between himself and tenant, by decision of the Court, in reducing permanently the rent, which he only agreed should be of a temporary character. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee being of opinion that the petitioner has a legal remedy, has therefore no recommendation to make to the House. 15th October, 1878. A—l. 2.