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No. 512.—Petition of William Gledhill and Others. The petitioners, mechanics and labourers of Christchurch and surrounding districts of Canterbury, state that there are a large number of unemployed at the present time, and complain of the serious consequences to them of the Government importing rolling-stock from England and America that can be made here. lam directed to report: That, having considered the case of the petitioners, the Committee would call the attention of the Government to the necessity which exists of instituting some works at which the petitioners could find employment, or of removing them to such places where labour appears to be in demand; and that in future such rolling-stock as can be manufactured in the colony should be so manufactured. 3rd September, 1883.

No. 511. —Petition of John Buchanan and Others (No. 2). The petitioners state that they have sustained considerable loss from fires caused by sparks from railway engines; they further state that they believe, by a small expenditure, such locomotives could be prevented from emitting sparks which would cause such fires. lam directed to report: That the Committee are of opinion that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration, with the view of preventing, as far as possible, fires arising out of the sparks from railway engines. 3rd September, 1883.

No. 433. —Petition of Cranley N. Perry, Tuakau, Auckland. The petitioner prays for compensation for the loss of two heifers killed by the railway train passing between Tuakau and Buckland Stations, at an unfenced part of the line. lam directed to report: That the Committee are of opinion that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd September, 1883.

No. 518.—Petition of William Harris, Wellington. The petitioner states that he was Serjeant in Her Majesty's 65th Eegiment; that he was two years and a half in the Police Force in Wellington, when_he was discharged through an injury to his leg when on duty; that he was also wounded in trying to capture a runaway prisoner. He further states that- the injury to his leg prevents him working for a livelihood. He prays for relief. lam directed to report: That the petitioner's injuries appear to have been received during his service in the Police Force of the Wellington Province, and that application was made for compensation and not entertained by the Provincial Government. The Committee does not consider the colony is liable under the circumstances to pay compensation. 3rd September, 1883.

No. 517. —Petition of Milson Jones and Others, Selwyn. The petitioners, electors of the County of Selwyn, complain of the closing of the Resident Magistrate's Court at Leeston. They pray that the Eesident Magistrate's Court may be reopened at Leeston for the transaction of business as before. lam directed to report: That the Committee are of opinion that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd September, 1883.

No. 505. —Petition of William Dawson and Others. The petitioners pray that the Local-Option Extension Act may pass into law. lam directed to report: That the Committee have no recommendation to make to the House on the subject-matter of this petition. 3rd September, 1883.

Nos. 513, 514, 515, and 516.—Petitions of M. W. McKenzie and Others, Archibald Mahon and Others, John Dean and Others, and John Mcßeenie and Others. The petitioners pray that the present free, secular, and compulsory clauses of the Education Act may be maintained intact, and not allow any alteration therein to be made. lam directed to report: That the Committee have no recommendation to make to the House on these petitions. 3rd September, 1883.

JSfo. 509.—Petition of George Lumb,' Dunedin. The petitioner states that he was Eevenue Officer for the Province of Otago in 1876; that the province was indebted to him in a sum of money amounting to £168 3s. 6d., money expended by him in the execution of his duties during the period from 1871 to 1876. He prays for relief. I am directed to report: That the Committee, having carefully inquired into this case, are pf opinion that he has no claim against the colony. 3rd September, 1883.

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