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No. 278. —Petition of Thomas Thwaites. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying for a grant of land as a Coast Guard Volunteer, have directed me to report that, the case of the petitioner having been dealt with by the Naval and Military and Local Forces Land Claims Commission, the Committee see no reason to reopen the case. 25th July, 1882.

Nos. 286 and 292. —Petitions of Geoege Raynee and Thomas Speechy. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom were referred the above petitions, praying for grants of land for services rendered as Volunteers, have directed me to report that, in their opinion, there is no evidence to show that the petitioners have any claim. 25th July, 1882.

No. 287.—Petition of T. L. Wallis. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying for a grant of land as compensation for losses sustained during the Waikato war of 1863 and 1864, have directed me to report that there is no evidence to show that the petitioner has any claim..' 25th July, 1882.

No. 220. —Petition of William John Haeeison. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom were referred the above petitions, praying that the Governor's consent may be withdrawn, and Crown grant not issued to W. W. Masters for Section 5, Nevis District, part of Run No. 354, held under lease by the petitioner, have directed me to report that the petition be referred to the Government for its favourable consideration. 25th July, 1882.

Nos. 169 and 170. —Petitions of Robeet Cocheane and John Beyees. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom were referred the above petitions, praying that Crown grants may be issued for land at Herd's Point, occupied by the petitioners, have directed me to report that, in their opinion, the petitioners have no claim. 31st July, 1882.

No. 303.—Petition of N. G. Lennox and Others. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying that the station-ground at New Lynn Railway-station be not leased for brick-making purposes, have directed me to report that, the land having been already leased by the Government, the Committee see no reason to disturb the action of the department. 31st July, 1882. .

Resolution Repoeted to the House. The Waste Lands Committee have directed me to report the following resolution to the House: " The Waste Lands Committee, in view of the material change in the Standing Orders effected by resolution in the House, and of the opinion as expressed thereon last night, Resolves, That the public Bills and private petitions inpinging on questions of policy ought not to be taken into further consideration until an opportunity has been afforded to the House of either appointing a new Committee, or of issuing specific instructions in regard to the several matters of business referred to it." Ist August, 1882.

Defeeeed-Payment Settlees' Relief Bill, 1882. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have directed me to report that the Committee have given careful consideration to the Bill for relieving deferred-payment settlers, and taken valuable evidence bearing on the subject. Interpreting, however, the desire of the House, as expressed by its resolution of the 31st July, that questions of public policy relating to the waste lands of the Crown should not stand referred to this Committee, and finding that this Bill is of that character, they beg to report the Bill to the House without recommendation. Ist August, 1882.

Defeeeed-Payment Settlees' Belief Bill (Report No. 2). The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Deferred-payment Settlers' Relief Bill, have the honor to report that, after taking evidence as to the working of the deferred-payment system, the Committee are of opinion that the provisions of this Bill do not meet the requirements of the case, — (1.) Because the proposed mode of securing relief would be found cumbersome in practice; (2.) Because the mode of obtaining relief would be costly, as involving heavy law expenses to applicants; (3.) Because it is specially objectionable, as establishing a comparatively inexperienced Court to review the decisions of a responsible department having both experience and practical training to guide it. 3rd August, 1882.

Defebeed-Payment Settlees. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the following petitions, viz.: Nos. 100, Thomas D. Durton and Others; 124, H. Smith and Others; 147, A. McKinnon and-Others; 262, George Telford and Others; 263, James Hartstonge and Others; 267, Eobert Barr and Others ; 290, R. Cunningham and Others (No. 2) have the honor to report that the case of a number of the petitioners is