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No. 538.—Petition of Angelique Therasse. The petitioner states that she arrived in Wellington in July, 1883; that on the Bth August she was arrested for stealing a mantle, which she states was purchased by her in Christchurch; that she was committed and sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour; that from inquiries made in Christchurch as to the purchase of the mantle at that place the statement was corroborated, and she was released from gaol on the 25th August with a free pardon. She further states that she is without means, and prays the House will inquire into her case and grant her relief. lam directed to report: That the Committee, having inquired into the petitioner's case, are of opinion that she has sustained a grievous wrong, and recommend the Government to pay her the sum of £50 as compensation for the injury sustained, and £5 for her legal expenses. 4th September, 1883.

No. 504. —Petition of Thomas Wriglet and Others. The petitioners—Mayor, Councillors, burgesses, and householders of the Borough of Tauranga— state that the borough has not received any endowments; that they therefore consider the borough is entitled to the whole of the unsold lands within its limits. They pray that these lands may be vested in the Corporation of the Borough of Tauranga. lam directed to report: That the Committee are of opinion that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 4th September, 1833.

No. 536.—Petition of Thomas G. Hungerford, Catlin's Eiver. The petitioner states that he is Crown Lands Banger and Conservator of Forests, which he has held for the last nine years; that he was promised an increase to his salary, which has not been given effect to. He prays for consideration. lam directed to report: That the Committee are of opinion that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 4th September, 1883.

No. 537, —Petition of John Falloy and Others, Oamaru. The petitioners—unemployed of Oamaru and district —solicit that work may be found them. lam directed to report: That the Committee are of opinion that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. 4th September, 1883.

No. 474.—Petition of Mart Phelan, Kumara. The petitioner states that an accident occurred on the sth July, 1880, at the Sludge-channel, Kumara, through which her husband was killed, leaving herself and family unprovided for. She prays for relief. lam directed to report: That the Committee, being unable to obtain the information asked for at the Public Works Department, cannot make any recommendation to the House. 4th September, 1883.

No. 532.—Petition of Thomas Webster and Others. The petitioners—members of the Pukekaroro Eoad Board—state that their district is situated many miles from the nearest public pound. They pray that the Ordinance of 1846 and 1849 be not repealed. lam directed to report: That the Committee have no recommendation to make in the subjectmatter of this petition. 4th September, 1883.

No. 410.—Petition of Mathew Edg-ak, Epsom, Auckland. The petitioner states that, in 1871, he entered into contract with the Auckland Provincial Government for the construction of the Eiverhead and Hellensville line of railway; that the contract was taken over by the Government, and at that time a number of sleepers were left on the ground belonging to him; that they were subsequently used by the engineers for various purposes. He prays the House to consider whether his position is such as to entitle him to recognition and relief. lam directed to report: That the evidence before the Committee does not show conclusively that any quantity of the sleepers referred to were used by the Government. The Committee cannot therefore recommend the claim to the favourable consideration of the House. 4th September, 1883.

Nos. 526, 528, 529, 530, 534, and 535.—Petitions of Mathew C. Notman and Others, William Gabbie and Others, James Clover and Others, E. Smith - and Others, James Attewell and Others, Hugh A. Bishop and Others. The petitioners pray the House to maintain intact the present free, secular, and compulsory clauses of the Education Act, and not to allow any alteration therein. I am directed to report: That the Committee have no recommendation to make on these petitions. 4th September, 1883.

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