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finds that the Government has strictly fulfilled the agreement entered into. The Committee cannot therefore recommend the claim of the petitioners to the favourable consideration of the House, llth December, 1879.

No. 205, Session ll.—Petition of Amos Burr. The petitioner prays for assistance from the Government, he being crippled by the loss of both hands. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make to the House on the petitioner's case. llth December, 1879.

No. 244, Session IL—Petition of James Mackay. The petitioner prays for the refund of £500, being balance of deposit lodged with a tender to construct works for Public Works Department. I am directed to report that, having made inquiry into the case of the petitioner, the Committee cannot recommend the Government to refund the deposit. llth December, 1879.

No. 341, Session IL—Petition of G. F. Maskew. The petitioner alleges that he was unavoidably absent from duty, through illness, and that he lost his employment in consequence, and he prays for consideration. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the petitioner has received more byway of gratuity than the law allows, and, viewing the case of the petitioner in its general application to the Civil Service, the Committee cannot recommend a further payment. llth December, 1879.

No. 39, Session ll.—Petition of Patrick Baerey. The petitioner prays for the issue of land scrip to which he alleges himself, his brother, aud sister, to be entitled. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that there is no evidence before it to show that the petitioner has any claim against the colony. llth December, 1879.

No. 336, Session ll. —Petition of R. Pharaztn and Others. The petitioners pray for an inquiry into the conduct of the Judge of the Assessment Court at Wanganui. 1 am directed to report that the Committee does not consider it necessary to offer any opinion to the House on the subject-matter of this petition. llth December, 1879.

No. 191, Session II. —Petition of Henry Jackson. The petitioner prays for redress of his grievances, he alleging that he was summarily and unjustly dismissed from his appointment as Chief Surveyor of the Province of Wellington. I am directed to report that the Committee has not examined witnesses in this case, but the result of the examination of the Commissioners appointed under " The Civil Service Act Amendment Act, 1871," and of the Select Committee of the Legislative Council, and other official documents have been submitted to the Committee. In consequence of the late period of the session, the Committee is unable to make such an examination into the case of the petitioner as would warrant it in making a final recommendation to the House. The Committee is, however, sufficiently informed to state that in its opinion the case of the petitioner has not been dealt with in such a manner as to satisfy the ends of justice, and to insure the proper discipline of the Civil Service. Considering the position previously held by the petitioner in the Civil Service of the Wellington Province as Chief Surveyor, and recognizing his acknowledged ability and devotion to his profession, the Committee thinks that greater consideration should have been shown him than appears to have been by the Surveyor-General. The charges made against the petitioner by that officer are practically resolved into disobedience of orders alleged to have been iesued in the early part of the year 1877. The Committee considers that such disobedience, if it actually occurred, should have been inquired into and dealt with at the time, and should not have been allowed to sleep for nearly two years. The charges were first officially made to the Government on the 15th November, 1878, but the Government did not appear to consider them to be of a very grave character, as another appointment was proposed to be given to petitioner if a suitable one could be found. Subsequently, however, the charges made were referred to a Commission appointed under " The Civil Service Amendment Act, 1871," the members of the Commission being nominated by the officer making the charges. The Committee considers that a Commission so appointed was not a fair tribunal to inquire into and decide on charges which to some extent involved professional rivalry.