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No. 329. —Petition of Eichabd Salteb, Auckland. The petitioner states that he is owner of a house and allotment in Upper Queen Street; that in making Upper Queen Street the Board of the Karangahape District made a cutting which caused hint to remove his house, and inflicted serious damage to Iris property, which cost him an expense of £157 10s. 6d. He prays for relief. lam directed to report: That the Committee are of opinion that the colony is not responsible for the loss sustained by individuals through the action of local bodies; the Committee cannot, therefore, recommend the petitioner's claim to the favourable consideration of the House. 9th August, 1883.

No. 327. —Petition of Feedekick G. Mace and Another, Patea. The petitioners state that, in the performance of a contract to construct the Normanby and Hawera section of permanent-way, it became necessary to open a gravel-pit at great expense ; that at the completion of their contract the Government took over the line to the gravel-pit. They now pray for compensation. lam directed to report: That, as no further evidence has been offered in this case, the Committee adhere to the report of last session. 9th August, 1883.

Nos. 326, 334, 339, 340, 341, and 358.—Petitions of S. Osgood and Others, A. C. Iveesen and Others, S. Lawny and Others, E. Vealb and Others, Maby Jane Coyle and Others, John Febguson and Others. The petitioners pray that the House will pass into law the Local Option Extension Act. lam directed to report: That, as the subject-matter of these petitions is now;under the consideration of the House, the Committee do not consider it necessary to make any recommendation to the House. 9th August, 1883.

No. 357. —Petition of Henby Keane and Others. The petitioners, members of the Licensed Vituallers' Association, and licensed persons in the Provincial District of Canterbury, pray that the Licensing Acts, 1881 and 1882, may be amended. I am directed to report: That, as the Licensing Act is now before the House, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 9th August, 1883. -

No. 179. —Petition of Thomas Stewabt. The petitioner states that he was a member of the late Colonial Defence Force, and served from the beginning of the war, in 1863, until it was disbanded, in 1864; that he was promised by the late Colonel Nixon, on behalf of the Government, a grant of land, which promise has not been fulfilled. He prays for relief. lam directed to report: That the Committee find that there is no record showing that Colonel Nixon was authorized by the Government to make a promise of land to the corps, and cannot, therefore, recommend his claim to the favourable consideration of the House. 9th August, 1883.

No. 372. —Petition of Fritz Jensen, Palmerston. The petitioner, Mayor of Palmerston, states that a Bill was passed in 1879 intituled the Palmer- " ston North Eeserves Act, granting to the Borough of Palmerston North a section of ground, with a building thereon, for the purposes of a hospital; that a hospital of considerable proportions has become a necessity owing to the increased population. The Borough Council therefore prays that Sections 1021 and 1019, on the plan of the Township of Palmerston North, may be made over to them as a site for the proposed hospital. lam directed to report: That the petition be referred to the Government for consideration 10th August, 1883.

No. 398.—Petition of P. Day and Others, Mosgiel. The petitioners state that in 1880 the Government granted the use of a disused post and telegraph office for an athenaeum, library, and mechanics' institute; that the building has been faithfully used for that purpose ever since. They pray that the land and building thereon may be granted to the Mosgiel Town Board and their successors for an athenaeum, mechanics' institute, and public library. lam directed to report: That the Committee recommend that the petitioners have the use of the building rent-free, so long as it is not required for General Government purposes. 10th August, 1883.

Nos. 375 and 376.—Petitions of W. Sonnbss and Others, Gore District; and Bobbbt (Humming and Others, Chalton District. The petitioners pray that the Gore to Kelso line of railway be at once proceeded with. lam directed to report: That these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th August, 1883.

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