1.-2.

18

No. 252.—Friendly Societies of the Provincial District of Otago. The petitioners state that they obtained a lease of five acres of land at Sawyer's Bay from the Provincial Government of Otago in 1874, and that a promise of an additional acre was made to them by the Superintendent of Otago, and on the faith of that promise they occupied and planted the laud. They now find that a lease of the said acre of laud has been granted to Mr. Willis, by which they are injuriously affected, as it takes away their frontage to the railway. They pray for redress. The Committee find that this lease to Mr. Willis was duly granted in April, 1876, on the authority of the Provincial Executive by executive minute dated Bth February, 1875, the previous promise of the land alleged to have been made having apparently been forgotten. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that under the circumstances of the case the Government should aid the Friendly Societies iv obtaining legal possession of the land leased to Mr. Willis under " The Sawyer's Bay Leasing Ordinance, 1874," Province of Otago. 23rd October, 1878.

No. 290. —Robert Townsend. The petitioner states that he joined Her Majesty's 53rd Regiment in 1851, and from 1853 to 1862 served in India; that in 1866 he joined the permanent staff of the Taranaki Volunteers as bugler; that in 1877 he got wounded in his arm while on duty at the rifle butts, which wound has disabled him from following his occupation as musician. He prays that enquiry be made, and relief afforded him. I am directed to report that, the Committee is of opinion that the Government should make enquiry into the petitioner's case, and if found equitably entitled to consideration, that relief be afforded him. 23rd October, 1878.

No. 167.—John Dougherty and Thomas Hayes. The petitoners pray for relief on account of sixty-one head of cattle which they drove from the Kaikoura District, with the view of selling them on the West Coast, and which cattle were killed by order of the Kaikoura Cattle Inspector, in the Ahaura River, at a place called Haupiri. I am directed to report that as it appears that the petitioners removed the cattle from an infected district, contrary to law, tho Committee canuot recommend their claim to the favourable consideration of the House. 24th October, 1878.

No. 298.—C. A. Durie and others, of Waitotara. The petitioners state that, they entered into au agreement with the Government to secure the Government against any actual loss that might happen from the establishment of a Telegraph Statiou at Waitotara, and they complain that they are called upon to make good loss arising from debiting the Telegraph Station with charges which ought to be partially borne by the Post Office. They pray for redress. I am directed to report that the Committee see no reason to disturb the present arrangements. 24th October, 1878.

No. 315. —James Grave. The petitioner states that, a sum of £75 ss. 9d. is clue to him from the late Provincial Government of Otago, for wharfage paid on 317 tons of coal supplied for the use of the railway at Oamaru. He prays that his case may be considered, and relief afforded him. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the sum of £75 ss. 9d. be paid by the Government to the petitioner, and that the amount be refunded to the Government by the Oamaru Harbour Board. 24th October, 1878.

No. 164.—Henry Dent Gardiner. The petitioner states that he lost over 3,000 bushels of wheat owing to a fire caused by a spark from a railway engine. He prays for relief. No. 321. —David Sinnott. The petitioner states that he lost a stack of hay aud some drays and other property in a fire caused by a spark from a railway engine. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that with respect to damage caused by negligence on the part of the Railway Department, the person injured should be placed in the position of beiug able to recover, by action in Courts of law; but with respect to these special cases the Committee has no recommendation to make. 25th October, 1878,