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lam directed to recommeiid: That the matter be referred to the Government for their favourable consideration. 24th August, 1883. . :.\

No. 466. —Petition of Helen Heddar and Others. Petitionees protest against Market Eeserve at Tauranga being applied to the purposes of a district school. :- , r lam directed to report: That the question is one which can only be properly dealt with by the Legislature in a Bill to be promoted by the local authorities. 24th August, 1883.

No. 470. —Petition of Eobert Bishop. Petitioner states that he was discharged from 21st Hussars, 1860, in Calcutta, and came to New Zealand to settle two years after. He, however, had lost his papers, but afterwards obtained certified copies and claimed grant of land, but he has never been able to obtain it. He prays for relief. lam directed to report: That, the claim of the petitioner having been considered by the Naval and Military and Local Forces Land Claims Commission, the Committee see no reason to reopen, the case. 24th August, 1883.

Middle Island Half-Caste Grants Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Bill intituled "The Middle Island HalfCaste Grants Act, 1883," have the honour to report that they have gone through the Bill, and recommend that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 29th August, 1883.

Special Powees and Contracts Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Bill intituled " The Special Powers and Contracts Act, 1883," have the honour to report that they have gone through the Bill, and recommend that it be allowed to proceed with the amendments as shown on the copy. 29th August, 1883.

No. 454.—Petition of Petee Pope Fagg. Petitioner states that he bought a rural section of land, sold by public auction, in the Township of Palmerston, in 1873. He agreed with the Superintendent of Wellington to pay a portion of the purchase-money down, and the remainder within ten years. He has fulfilled his obligations and paid taxes, but the Government has refused to accept the balance of the purchase-money, notwithstanding that the Waste Lands Committee have already reported favourably. He prays for relief. I am directed to report: That the question should be referred to the Government, with the recommendation that the land should be offered for sale as of special value, and weighted with improvements. 30th August, 1883. .

No. 76. —Petition of E. Pbendeegeast and 45 Others (Eeport No. 2). Petitionees pray that the building and site of the old schoolhouse at Pokeno may be made over to the settlement for the purposes of a public hall. lam directed to report: That, the Committee have reconsidered this petition, but, as the matter has been dealt with in the Special Powers and Contracts Bill, this Committee have no further recommendation to make. 30th August, 1883.

No. 472. —Petition of Thomas Miglet and Others. Petitioners pray that Lots 256, 263, 289, and the roadway, may be conveyed to the Auckland Education Board for increasing the school accommodation at Tauranga. lam directed to report: That, as the question is one which can only be properly dealt with by the Legislature, in a Bill to be promoted by the local authorities, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 30th August, 1883.

No. 475.—Petition of J. S. Eyan. Petitioner states that he was discharged from the 57th Eegiment in 1865, and sent his scrip to Wellington, claiming 60 acres of land in Taranaki or Auckland. His scrip was never returned, and he has had no land allotted to him. He prays for relief. lam directed to report: That, the claim of the petitioner haying-been considered by the Naval and Military and Local Forces Land Claims Commission, the Committee see no reason to reopen the case. 30th August, 1883.

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