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No. 173, Session ll.—Petition of Eobert Atkinson. The petitioner prays for redress for having been summarily dismissed from the public service without sufficient cause, and alleges that a previous recommendation made by the Public Petitions Committee has only been partly acted upon. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petitioner be offered some employment in the Government service when any suitable vacancy occurs. 21st November, 1879.

No. 170, Session II. —Petition of Charles Hill and Others, of Wellington. The petitioners pray for the introduction of an amendment into the Abolition of Imprisonment for Debt Bill, now before the House, enabling them as at present to recover from those of their debtors who possess sufficient means to pay their accounts and refuse to do so. I am directed to report that, "as the subject-matter of the petition is now before the House, the Committee do not deem it necessary to offer any opinion. 24th November, 1879.

No. 174, Session II. —Petition of Cecil Augustus Curtis. The petitioner prays for compensation for damage alleged to have been sustained by him by reason of the passing of " The Education Act, 1877." I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 24th November, 1879.

No. 201, Session II. —Petition of Richard Alyin England. The petitioner prays for compensation for loss caused by the issue to him of an auctioneer's license which afterwards turned out to be valueless. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that, if the petitioner has any claim for compensation, it is against the authorities who issued the license, but that he has no claim against the colony. 2'4th November, 1879.

No. 254, Session ll.—Petition of Ahaura Convent School Committee. The petitioners allege that the convent and school at Ahaura have been rendered unfit for the purpose for whicli they were built, by reason of the construction of tho approach to the bridge lately made over the Ahaura River, and they pray for redress. I am directed to report that it appears from the evidence taken by the Committee that the petitioners have sustained such damage, but the amount of such damage is a matter to be inquired into, and dealt with by the Government iv the usual way. 24th November, 1879.

Nos. 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, Session IL—Petitions of J. B. Hollis and Others, of Clive; J. Vautier and Others; Thomas Powdrell and Others, of Taradale; George Hislop and Others of Paketapu; J. Rymer and Others, of Meanee. The petitioners pray that the Meanee Recreation Reserves Bill may be passed by the House. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of the petitions is now before the House, the Committee is of opinion that the petitions be read when the Bill is under consideration. 24th November, 1879.

Nos. 222, 223, 188, Session II. —Petitions of the Bishop of Waiapu ; John Waters and Others, of Warepa; J. J. Hay and Others, of Kaihiku. The petitioners pray that the reading of the Bible may be practised in the State schools established under the Education Act. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of these petitions is one of public policy, the Committee do not consider it necessary to offer any opinion to the House. 25th November, 1879.

No. 7, Session II. —Petition of Walter Edward Payne. The petitioner alleges that he resigned his position in the public service on the understanding that a pension would be given him, which pension has since been refused, and he prays for redress. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the petitioner is entitled to a retiring allowance under the Abolition of Provinces Act; or, in the event of the petitioner being again employed at a lower salary, that he is entitled to a similar allowance on the difference of salary. 25th November, 1879.

Nos. 258, 266, 268, Session ll.—Petitions of Thomas Bailie and Others, of Nelson; the Bishop of Auckland and Others; J. B. Hunt and Others, of Waipa and Waikato. The petitioners pray for the construction of various public works, &c, iv the colony.