I.—l

12

No. 107, Sess. I.—Petition of Mary Phelan, Kumara. The petitioner states that she is the widow of Denis Phelan, who was killed at the Sludge-channel, Kumara, which she believes was a Government work; that by the death of her husband she was deprived of all means of support for herself and family; that from ill-health she is unable to earn a livelihood for herself and family; that she has not received any compensation. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee, having inquired into the circumstances of the petitioner's case, cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner. 14th October, 1884.

No. 223, Sess. ll.—Petition of T. B. Hannaford, Auckland. The petitioner suggests the erection of bell-turrets worked by wind-mills, and coated with luminous paint, on the sunken rocks and reefs surrounding the coast of New Zealand. I am directed to report that the Committee, having referred the petition to the Marine Department, have been informed by that department that the petitioner is in error with respect to his statement that the New Zealand coast is especially dangerous from sunken rocks and reefs; they are also informed it is not desirable to carry out the suggestions of the petitioner that windmill bell-turrets should be erected on sunken rocks and reefs. The Committee cannot, therefore, recommend the prayer of the petitioner. 14th October, 1884.

No. 13, Sess. I.; No. 17, Sess. I.; No. 18, Sess. I.; No. 25, Sess. I.; No. 30, Sess. I.; and No. 31, Sess. I. — Petitions of Bishop Moean and Others, Dunedin; J. J. Crofts and Others, Eoss; Ellen Walsh and Others, Blenheim; Fbank Connel and Others, Temuka; James Butler and Others, Lincoln and Malvern; Michael Stapleton and Others, Ellesmere. The petitioners, Eoman Catholics, pray for justice and equity in the matters of education. I am directed to report that the Committee do not consider it necessary to offer any opinion to the House on the subject-matter of these petitions. 14th October, 1884.

No. 123, Sess. ll.—Petition of Chables H. Steward, Napier. The petitioner states that he served his time in the Waikato war, and selected land at Eahui Pakeka, and built a house in the redoubt, and paid license for three years, when he was ordered to remove with his family ; that the house and fencing cost him over £350, all of which was sacrificed. He prays for compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 14th October, 1884.

No. 51, Sess. I.—Petition of L. W. J. Nathan and Others, Auckland. The petitioners state that they are merchants in Auckland, and elsewhere; that on the 4th day of October, 1882, the barque " Gazelle " was seized by the Customs authorities for a breach of the Customs laws; that they consider the course adopted was of the utmost harshness, and has created a feeling of uneasiness among shipowners; that they consider the fine of £100 inflicted upon the captain was sufficient to satisfy the demands of justice. They pray that redress may be granted to the owner. I am directed to report that, having heard the evidence of the Hon. Mr. Eeynolds, Commissioner of Customs; Mr. McKellar, Acting Secretary for Customs; and Mr. Hamlin, M.H.E., the Committee—whilst convinced that the owner of the " Gazelle," James Cole Ellis, member of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales, has not been in the least degree cognizant of the guilty acts of his servant —do not see their way to make any recommendation, but refer the matter to the consideration of the Government. 14th October, 1884.

No. 226, Sess. ll.—Petition of Heney Feeeman and A. H. Wyld, Palmerston North. The petitioners state that they were the owners of a vessel called the "Emerald," which was wrecked in the harbour of Kaikoura through the gross misconduct of the Harbourmaster of that port; that they brought an action against the Government for £800; that, from the judgment of the Judge, the whole of the facts were found in their favour, with the exception that, as there were no dues received from the wharf at Kaikoura, they could not recover. They pray for relief. I am directed to report that, having heard the evidence of the Hon. Mr. Beynolds, Commissioner of Customs, and the solicitor for the plaintiffs, the Committee do not see their way to make any recommendation, but refer the matter to the consideration of the Government. 14th October, 1884.

No. 350, Sess. ll.—Petition of Jane Cummick and Others, Dunedin. The petitioners state that they are working-women residing in Dunedin and suburbs; that, prior to the passing of " The Employment of Females and Factories Act, 1873," the women employed in the various work-rooms and factories in New Zealand 'were detained at work in heated and badlyventilated rooms from a period of from eight to twelve hours a day; that since the passing of the