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No. 451. —Petition of James Joseph Millock, Auckland. The petitioner prays that his case may receive favourable consideration, as he considers the evidence brought against him was not sufficient to cause his dismissal from his appointment of Warder in Mount Eden Gaol. lam directed to report: The Committee have no recommendation to make to the House in the case of the petitioner. Bth September, 1882.

No. 477.—Petition of J. Cattell and Others, Wellington. The petitioners state they are purchasers of reclaimed land, sold by order of the Government in Wellington in 1879; that the auctioneer, after consultation with the Colonial Secretary, who was present, stated the Government would make, metal, and complete the public streets abutting upon the said land ; that, relying upon this statement, they purchased several allotments, and that the roads still remain unmetalled and not completed. They pray for relief. lam directed to report: Having taken the evidence of Sir G. Whitmore, who was at the time of the land sale Colonial Secretary, and also the evidence of other gentlemen who were present at the sale, the Committee are of opinion that the Government has carried out in a liberal manner what appears to have been authorized with reference to the formation of the streets on the reclaimed land. Bth September, 1882.

No. 387. —Petition of George King, Christchurch. The petitioner states that in 1878 he purchased from W. A. Brown the whole of his season's wheat crop ; that in March and April of that year Brown delivered to the railway authorities at Chertsey 2,485 sacks of wheat, for which he obtained receipts, and which the railway authorities undertook to deliver to petitioner at Christchurch. Upon the Bth May your petitioner discovered that the wheat delivered by the railway authorities to him was 227 sacks short. On inquiry, he was told by the Bailway Manager at Christchurch that if he would pay Brown upon the receipts, and the wheat was not forthcoming, it would be paid for by the Department. He paid Brown, but up to the present time, although he has made repeated applications, his claim remains unsettled. He prays for relief. I am directed to report: It appears from the evidence submitted to the Committee that the petitioner can seek redress from the Government in the law Courts for the loss complained of. The Committee cannot therefore deal with the case until his legal remedy has been exhausted. Bth September, 1882.

No. 368.—Petition of ¥. C. Walker, Ashburton. The petitioner is Chairman of the Ashburton County Council, asking, on behalf of the ratepayers, for a reduction of the railway tariff for freight. No. 400. —Petition of J. P. Jameson, Christchurch. The petitioner is President of the Christchurch Industrial Association, asking that the tariff charges on the New Zealand Railways may be revised, as the charges are in many instances excessive. I am directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. Bth September, 1882.

No. 480. —Petition of John A. Mclleaith and Others, South Malvern. The petitioners are residents of South Malvern, Selwyn County, asking for a reduction on the charges for goods, freight, and passenger traffic on the Canterbury railwayp. No. 473. —Petition of Moegan Hayes and Others. The petitioners state they are ratepayers in the Wallace County, requesting that a railway siding and station be granted them on the south side of river at Eiverton. lam directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. Bth September, 1882.

No. 438. —Petition of John Bidgood and Others, G-isborne. The petitioners urgently call for the immediate establishment of telephone communication between the Township of Ormond and the Borough of Gisborne, and a branch Post Office at Ormond, under the supervision of a Government officer. I am directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. Bth September, 1882.

No. 120 of 1881.—Petition of John Keily, Auckland. Refekbed to the Public Petitions Committee by order of reference dated 23rd August, 1882. The Public Petitions Committee reported in 1872 that the petitioner was entitled to the sum of £936; he then petitioned the House in the following year, being dissatisfied with the amount awarded him, when the Committee reported " they saw no reason to depart from their recommendation to the House during the last session." He again petitioned the House in 1881, and the Committee reported " they saw no reason to alter the decision arrived at in 1872." He now agrees to accept the amount, but asks that interest may be allowed him on the same from the year 1872. I am directed to report: The Committee, having considered the claim of John Kelly, and the correspondence thereon with the Government, are of opinion that the sum recommended by the Oom-