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No. 164.—Petition of Dunedin Free-Thought Association. The petitioners pray that no alteration be made in the present unsectarian system of education in the public schools. lam directed to report: The Committee do not consider it necessary to make any recommendation to the House on the subject-matter of this petition. 28th July, 1882.

No. 306. —Petition of Egbert F. Bolton, Dunedin. The petitioner states that he resigned his appointment as a Government Insurance Agent of Otago, at the instigation of Mr. Knight, the Actuary, whereby he suffered great loss, and that he received £50 compensation. He prays that more adequate remuneration for the loss he has sustained through his resignation not having been more promptly accepted may be granted to him. I am directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that the Government have dealt very generously with the petitioner, and cannot therefore recommend his claim to the favourable consideration of the House. The Committee recommend the Government to institute a more prompt audit of the accounts of agents of the Insurance Department. Ist August, 1882.

No. 137. —Petition of George Lumb, Dunedin. The petitioner states that he was a revenue officer in the service of the Government; that when he left the service there was a sum owing to him of £180, expenses of assistants ; that the money was expended under the directions of the Superintendent of the Province, James Macandrew, Esq., who promised he should be reimbursed, which up to the present time has not been done. He now prays for relief. lam directed to report: The Committee cannot recommend the claim of the petitioner, as there is no evidence before the Committee to justify such a recommendation. It also appears that no application has been made to the G-overnment. Ist August, 1882.

No. 307.—Petition of Thomas Harvey and Others, Macetown, Otago. The petitioners pray that a telegraph line be established in connection with the Arrow office. No. 310. —Petition of R. Mackinnon and Others, County "Wallace, Southland. The petitioners pray that the present time-table to the Nightcaps may be altered ; that a telegraph and post office be established in the Nightcaps Township. No. 338. —Petition of John Jebson and Others, North of Christchurch. The petitioners pray that the railway from Oxford to Sheffield may be completed. lam directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd August, 1882.

No. 309. —Petition of Neill and Co. and Others, Dunedin. The petitioners pray that further borrowing powers may be granted to the Otago Harbour Board to the extent of £200,000 ; that power be given to increase the rates by Is. per ton; and that all wharves in the port of Otago be under the control of the Board. lam directed to report: As the subject-matter of this petition is now under the consideration of the House, the Committee do not consider it necessary to make any recommendation to the House. 2nd August, 1882.

No. 268.—Petition of the Vincent County Council, Otago. The petitioners state that the Council has been deprived of sources of revenue assured to it by "The Financial Arrangements Act, 1876 ;" that the bridge at Alexandra is now nnmnleted, but the Council is unable to complete the necessary payments, unable to perform its ordinary duties of maintaining the county roads in repair, and saddled with an overdraft of about £5,000. They pray for relief. lam directed to report: The petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd August, 1882.

No. 180.—Petition of William Innes and Others, Port Chalmers. The petitioners pray that the House will limit any borrowing powers that may be granted to the Otago Harbour Board to the sum of £100,000, and that the expenditure be controlled by the Empowering Statute ; that measures be taken to reconstruct the Harbour Board, and that the wharves at Port Chalmers may not be handed over to the Board. I am directed to report: The subject-matter of this petition being now before the House, the Committee have no recommendation to make to the House. 2nd August, 1882.

No. 336. —Petition of E. Griffiths and Others, Orari, South Canterbury. Tee petitioners pray that the Bible may be read in the schools of the colony. lam directed to report: The Committee do not consider it necessary to make any recommendation to the House on the subject-matter of this petition. 2nd August, 1882.