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I.—l

It does not appear to the Committee that the main charges have been satisfactorily proved. The Committee desires to avoid doing anything that would tend to disorganize the Civil Service, but it is of opinion that official tyranny, of the existence of which the Committee have had ample evidence iv this and other cases that have come before it, is equally destructive of good discipline as is the insubordination of inferior officers, and that both, in the opinion of the Committee, should be suppressed. The Committee therefore considers that the petitioner's case should be referred to a Royal Commission, provided such Commission is composed of men of sufficient independence and high standing outside the Civil Service. 13th December, 1879.

No. 287, Session II. —Petition of Robert Mowatt. (Further Report.) 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 prays for consideration. I am directed to report that the Committee sees no reason to alter the decision already arrived at in the case of the petitioner. 15th December, 1879.

No. 350, Session II. —Petition of John Collie and Others. The petitioners pray that they may be reimbursed by Government for losses incurred in carrying out the summit contract of the Wellington-Masterton Railway. I am directed to report that the Committee dealt with the petition of the contractors in this contract during the session of 1878, and decided that they had no claim against the colony. The Committee is of opinion that the opinion arrived at with respect to the contractors equally applies to their sureties. The Committee cannot therefore recommend their claim to the favourable consideration of the House. 15th December, 1879.

No. 373, Session ll.—Petition of Abraham Kercel. The petitioner prays for relief in consequence of loss to his business as a dairyman through the disease pleuro-pneumonia. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make to the House in the case of the petitioner. 15th December, 1879.

No. 136, Session ll. —Petition of Nancabrow and Co. and Others. The petitioners pray that a telegraph station may be established at Totara-nui, in Blind Bay. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th December, 1879.

No. 365, Session ll. —Petition of John Stanley and Others. The petitioners pray for telegraphic communication between the main line to the Buller and the junction of Motueka and Motupiko Rivers. I am directed to report that tho Committee is of opinion that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th December, 1879.

No. 363, Session ll.—Petition of Daldv McWilliams. The petitioner prays for compensation, he having been wounded by Maoris whilst in the discharge of his duty on a Government survey. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the claim of the petitioner be referred to the Government with the view of such action being taken as the circumstances of the case appear to demand. 15th December, 1879.

No. 364, Session II. —Petition of William Strachan (No. 2). The petitioner prays for further inquiry into his petition regarding sleepers supplied to Government. _ I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make in the case of the petitioner, having already come to a decision on his claim. 15th December, 1879.

No. 18, Session I.—Petition of John Dougherty. The petitioner prays for compensation for loss in consequence of slaughter of diseased cattle. I am directed to report that, as no fresh evidence has been submitted in this case, the Committee do not consider it necessary to re-open the question. 15th December, 1879.