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No. 98. —Petition of Edwin Arnold and Others. The petitioners are basket-makers residing in the colony, and state that their trade suffers owing to the competition of the British and intercolonial manufacturer; and pray that their industry may be protected by an ad valorem duty of 15 per cent, on importations. I am directed to report: The subject-matter of this petition being one of public policy, the Committee do not consider it necessary to offer any opinion to the House. 16th June, 1882.

No. 46. —Petition of George St. Geokge, New Plymouth. The petitioner states that he is an original land claimant of the Plymouth Company of New Zealand 1841, having purchased a rural section of fifty acres, which now forms part of the Township of Waitara ; that he has been deprived of his propertv by the fiat of the Government; that his claim to compensation was recognized by the Government, and arbitrators appointed, when the property was valued in 1855 at £800 and £1.200, and out of the discrepancy no award was made, and the matter fell through. He was afterwards told he had the alternative of taking £100 worth of land, or his claim would lapse, under the strain of pecuniary difficulties he took the £100 worth of land under protest that it would not compromise his right to the land he originally purchased, or to his claim for compensation for the same, as devoted to public purposes. He prays that his case may be again submitted to arbitration, or compensation granted him. lam directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that the petitioner is entitled to the sum of £700, being the difference between the value put on his claim by a Government arbitrator in 1855 and the value of the Waitara Town sections given him in 1867. 21st June, 1882.

No. 18.—Petition of Charles France, M.R.C.S., Wellington. The petitioner states that ho was for nineteen years and a half medical attendant at the Mount View Lunatic Asylum, Wellington ; that he has received compensation for his services under the General Government, but compensation for his provincial services had been refused by the Government; that he petitioned the House during last session, when his petition was reported, on as follows: "The Committee are of opinion that, under the circumstances of the case, the petitioner is entitled to the allowance granted for loss of office under ' The Abolition of Provinces Act, 1875.' " He prays that the sum of £250 may be placed on the Estimates in liquidation of his claim. lam directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that Dr. Prance is not entitled to compensation as a provincial officer in the terms of the 13th section of " The Abolition of Provinces Act, 1875," as his retention of office under the General Government till 1881 constituted him a permanent officer of the Government, and as such he received compensation for loss of office in the terms of "The Civil Service Act, 1866." With respect to the equitable claim, the Committee do not consider that there are any special circumstances in the petitioner's case that would warrant them in recommending further compensation, for which the law does not make provision. 21st June, 1882.

No. 34.—Petition of Alexander Clare, Dunedin. The petitioner states that in 1803 ho bought sections of land Nos. 5 and 6, Block IV., Otago Peninsula; that the road round the block was disconnected with the district road, thereby leaving no means of access to his property ; that the Provincial Government acknowledged their liability to provide a road to the said block, but never made it; and that he has been debarred the use of his land in consequence. He now prays for redress for the loss sustained. lam directed to report: The Committee cannot recommend the House to grant the compensation asked for by the petitioner. 21st June, 1882.

No. 44. —Petition of James Hill, New Plymouth (No. 1). The petitioner states that he was employed for sixteen years in the hospital at New Plymouth ; that certain charges (upon which he was tried and acquitted) were made against him ; that he resigned his position pending the trial, and that he was not reinstated. He prays the House to grant him compensation for loss of office as a Provincial Government servant. I am directed to report: The Committee, having considered the petitioner's claim, are of opinion that he ia not entitled to compensation as a provincial officer under "The Abolition of Provinces Act, 1875." 22nd June, 1882.

No. 45.—Petition of James Hm, New Plymouth (No. 2). The petitioner states that, in his position of Hospital Steward, he had owing to him, on account of the hospital, a sum of £84 6s. 4d. for buildings erected, fowls, garden-produce, and washing; that he applied to the Government and Hospital Board for payment, and only received £29 ss. 7d. as payment for the buildings. He prays the House will inquire into his claim and grant him relief. lam directed to report: As the subject-matter of this petition has been inquired into and decided on by the Hospital Board at New Plymouth, and as no evidence has been submitted to the Committee to show that the Board came to a wrong decision in the petitioner's case, the Committee hare no recommendation to make. 22nd June, 1882.

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