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I am directed to report that, as the delay in payment was not in any respect occasioned or contributed to by the Insurance Department, and as a cheque for the amount was during the time awaiting compliance by the petitioner with certain indispensable conditions, the Committee cannot recommend payment of any money to the petitioner. 25th September, 1884.

No. 9, Sess. I.—Petition of Hugh Caldee and Others, Caversham. The petitioners, burgesses of the Borough of Caversham, Otago, pray that the Caversham Drainage Bill, 1884, may receive the favourable consideration of the House. I am directed to report that, the Bill having passed through the House of Representatives, the Committee have no recommendation to make in regard to it. 30th September, 1884.

No. 109, Sess. ll.—Petition of William Samuel Geipfin, Wellington. The petitioner states that he was four years in the Government Insurance Department; that he resigned upon the understanding that he would receive compensation, which understanding has not been fulfilled. He claims compensation for overtime-work, and four months' pay, amounting to £126 12s. I am directed to report that the Committee, having gone into the case by examining several witnesses, and reading a considerable amount of documentary evidence, are of opinion that the petitioner has no claim against the Government. 30th September, 1884.

No. 164, Sess. ll.—Petition of Albxandee McCausland Hamilton, Campbelltown. The petitioner states that in 1879 he was employed by the Railway Department at Invercargill; that in April of that year he lost his leg, through an accident caused by the negligence of an enginedriver ; that in 1881 the House granted him £50. He received this amount, which he considers inadequate compensation for the loss he has sustained. He prays for further relief. I am directed to report that the recommendation of the Committee of 1881 having been carried out, and the petitioner having given a receipt in full of all claims, the Committee cannot recommend any further payment to petitioner. 30th September, 1884.

No. 227, Sess. ll.—Petition of J. G. Wabd and Others, Invercargill. The petitioners pray for recognition of Captain Baymond's services in making known the discovery of oat phosphorus rabbit poison. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Select Committee on Waste Lands. 30th September, 1884. -

No. 41, Sess. I.—Petition of Geobge Longhukst, Wellington. The petitioner, a convict in Mount Cook Gaol, Wellington, states that on the Bth April, 1880, he was found guilty of rape on a girl named Genevieve Elizabeth Adams; that a sentence of ten years' penal servitude, with two floggings, was passed on him; that he is now undergoing ten years' penal servitude, and has suffered two floggings of twenty-five lashes each ; that there was strong presumption that he had been falsely charged with the said crime in pursuance of a conspiracy between the said Genevieve Elizabeth Adams and her father, James Jonathan Adams, for which they were indicted and tried in the Supreme Court. He further states that, from the Judge's charge to the jury on this trial, it was again and again pressed upon the jury that they must be satisfied that the charge a"gainst Longhurst was false, before they could convict the Adams prisoners; that a verdict of guilty was brought in against both prisoners. He prays that he may receive relief from the penalty imposed upon him for the offence attributed to him. I am directed to report that this Committee, having carefully considered the documentary evidence, and heard Messrs. Shaw and Gully, counsel on behalf of the petitioner, and having taken into consideration that the matter has been fully gone into by different Executives and by His Excellency the Governor, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 30th September, 1884.

No. 215, Sess. ll.—Petition of John Dunn, Auckland. The petitioner states that he is the late senior warder in the gaol in Auckland, in which he served seventeen years; that through severe ill health and infirmities he was compelled to resign; that he is now eighty years old, afflicted with incurable rheumatism, and is unable to support himself and his aged wife. He further states that he has petitioned the House, but hitherto without avail. He prays for further inquiry into his case, with a view to its alleviation. I am directed to report that, having considered the petition and the evidence given on former petitions, the Committee recommend the petitioner's claims to the favourable consideration of the Government. Ist October, 1884.

■..•No. 217, Sess. ll.—Petition of R. B. Maetin and Others. The petitioners are the committee of the Otago Benevolent Institution, and state that, in dealing with cases of destitution, the large proportion of applicants consist of women and children deserted by their husbands and fathers—in many cases connived at by the wives themselves; that your