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I.—l

No. 217, Session ll.—Petition of Nathaniel McCreery. Thf petitioner complains of a decision of Dr. Ormond, R.M. of Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, for trespass against the petitioner, and he prays for redress. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make to the House in the petitioner's case. sth December, 1879.

No. 219, Session ll. —Petition of Edward Ceoker. The petitioner prays for an inquiry into the circumstances of a conviction obtained against the petitioner's wife, Mary A. Croker, in the Supreme Court in Auckland. I am directed to report that the Committee sees no reason to interfere with the decision of the ordinary Courts of law in the case of the petitioner. sth December, 1879.

No. 287, Session II. —Petition of Eobeht Mowatt. The petitioner alleges that he has not received from the Government the amount of pay to which he is entitled for services as drill-instructor of artillery, and he prays for consideration. I am directed to report that the Committee sees no reason to alter the decision arrived at in the session of 1877 with respect to the petitioner's claim. sth December, 1879.

No. 233, Session ll.—Petition of Edmund O'Malley. The petitioner alleges that he has sustained loss in completing the contract for the Thorndon reclamation, caused by the action of the railway authorities. I am directed to report that the Committee, having inquired into the case of the petitioner, is of opinion that he has no claim against the colony. sth December, 1879.

No. 298, Session ll.—Petition of J. C. Firth and other Citizens of Auckland. The petitioners pray that the House will not remove any barriers made for the protection of private citizens against wealthy corporations, by freeing such corporations from liabilities for forming streets according to levels fixed. The petitioners also call attention to the fact " that there is uo protection to the owners of property at the time of fixing the levels, as the Council claim the despotic power of going into streets and fixing the levels irrespective of damage." I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the petition be read to the House when the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill is under consideration. slh December, 1879.

No. 275, Session II. —Petition of Thomas McMillan. The petitioner prays that a refund of passage-money from England to New Zealand may be made to him. I am directed to report that tho Committee has no recommendation to make to the House in the case of the petitioner. Bth December, 1879.

No. 93, Session I.—Petition of Messrs. Bauchop and Co. The petitioners pray for consideration of injury to mill at Port Chalmers through railway works. I am directed to report that, from the evidence before the Committee, it appears the petitioners have a claim for consideration on account of loss they have sustained by flood-waters being diverted on to their land by a railway cutting. The Committee recommends the Government to make inquiry into the petitioners' claim, and award such compensation as they may be found to be entitled to; and, in the event of the petitioners declining to accept the decision of the Government, the Committee recommends that they be allowed to sue the Crown, the Government waiving any technical forms that would prevent the matter in dispute being decided on its merits. Bth December, 1879.

No. 94, Session I.—Petitiou of Messrs. Allen and Kingstreet. (Further Report.) Tue petitioners pray for compensation on account of loss they have sustained by flood-waters being diverted on to their land by a railway cutting. I am directed to report that the Committee sees no reason to alter its former report on this case. Bth December, 1879.

No. 324, Session II.—Petition of Thomas Kirk. The petitioner prays that a road may be granted to his land, purchased in 1876—-viz., part of Section 10, Block VIII., Taieri District—to which there is no means of access at present. I am directed to report that the Committee inquired into the petitioner's case during the session of 1878, and recommended tho Government to use its influence with the Road Board of the district to