I—B,

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No. 374, Session ll. —Petition of James Travis. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the petition of James Travis, relative to the wrongful sale of a portion of his residence area, has directed me to report that, as the Government have undertaken to make inquiries into the matter, the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to tho Government. 11th December, 1879.

No. 377, Session IL—Petition of Benjamin Holmes. The AVaste Lauds Committee, to whom was referred the petition of Benjamin Holmes, stating that, as his discharge as a soldier was wrongly worded, he failed to obtain land, has directed me to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 11th December, 1879.

"The Special Powers and Contracts Act, 1879." The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Bill intituled the Special Powers and Contracts Act, has the honor to report that it has gone through the Bill, and recommends that the same be passed with the amendments shown in the attached copy. 11th December, 1879.

No. 215, Session ll.—Petition of Edward Douglas. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the petition of Edward Douglas, praying for compensation for services rendered, has directed me to report that the Committee is of opinion that the petitioner has no claim. 11th December, 1879.

No. 384, Session ll.—Petition of William Timms and Others. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred tho petition of AVilliams Timms and others, praying for land as discharged soldiers, has directed mo to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 15th December, 1879.

No. 387, Session II. —Petition of William Cox and Others. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the petition of AVilliam Cox and others, relative to land settlement in Hawke's Bay, has directed me to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for their consideration. 15th December, 1879.

No. 393, Session II. —Petition of John Finnertv. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the petition of John Finnerty, stating that he has not received his remission certificate as a discharged soldier, and praying for relief, has directed me to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition, loth December, 1879.

5 Land Grants to Discharged Soldiers of tue Imperial Service. The Waste Lands Committee has directed me to report that, in reference to the petitions presented during the present session from discharged soldiers of the Imperial service in the colony, for grants of land to which they claim to bo entitled, the Committee is of opinion,— 1. That the claims of soldiers discharged in the colony should be recognized where at any time the claimants have been entitled to grants of land, but, through informality or ignorance of the regulations, failed to comply with the conditions. 2. That where the bona fides of a claim shall have been established, a grant of sixty (60) acres of land should be awarded in such manner as the Minister of Lands may determine. 3. That the Government should bring in a Bill to give effect to the foregoing resolutions during the next session of Parliament. 15th December, 1879. _^_____ *

By Authority: Geoege Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB7o. Price od.]