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I.—l.

No. 258, Sess. ll.—Petition of M. H. S. Peacock and Others, Manutahi. The petitioners, settlers residing about Manutahi and Woodville, ask for access by road to the railway station on the north side, within the railway fence. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the work in question is one that should be performed by the local body. 7th November, 1884.

**4 No. 406, Sess. 1883.—Petition of James Haepee, Ohaupo. The petitioner claims compensation for damage to his land by large quantities of water brought on to it by the railway formation and the ditches not being cleared out. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 7th November, 1884.

No. 529, Sess. ll.—Petition of Mabgaeet Madigan, Wellington. The petitioner asks for compensation for loss of her husband, killed by a railway accident at Kaiwara. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 7th November, 1884.

No. 542, Sess. II. —Petition of Maey Phelan, Kumara. The petitioner asks for compensation for the loss of her husband, killed by an accident at the sludgechannel, Kumara, in 1880. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th November, 1884.

No. 483, Sess ll.—Petition of Emelia Johnstone, Eaglan. The petitioner claims for loss of sheep in 1861 through the action of King Natives; that Judge Beckham allowed the losses proved, and awarded a sum of £180; and that no effect has been given to that award. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the Government should inquire into the case, and that, if the amount of the award has not been paid, the same should be paid. 7th November, 1884.

No. 441, Sess. II. —Petition of Joseph Mackay, Wellington. The petitioner states that he was for some time engaged in the service of the New Zealand Government Life Insurance Department; that he was criminally prosecuted by the department, but the Grand Jury threw out the Bill. He prays the House to grant him satisfaction. I am directed to report that the Committee have examined Mr. Luckie, Mr. Thorne, Hon. Mr. Stout, Mr. Munro, and the petitioner; they also had before them a large mass of documentary evidence. They are satisfied that the petitioner is innocent of any criminal intent. As, however, the petitioner acted injudiciously and in contravention of the rules of the department, the Committee cannot recommend a large sum by way of compensation. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, they are of opinion that a payment of £50 would meet the case, and they accordingly recommend the payment of this sum to the petitioner as an act of grace. 7th November, 1884.

No. 459, Sess. ll.—Petition of W. Wardeup and Others. The petitioners ask that the Mayors of South Dunedin, Caversham, and St. Kilda may be appointed members of the Ocean Beach Domain Board. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petition should be referred to the favourable consideration of the Government. 7th November, 1884.

No. 488, Sess. II. —Petition of Henby McPheeson, Frankton. The petitioner states that he lost employment promised him in the Eailway Department through a regulation made by the department prohibiting the employment of persons over the age of forty. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government. 7th November, 1884.

No. 300, Sess. II.; No. 311, Sess. II.; No. 366, Sess. II.; No. 392, Sess. II.; No. 420, Sess. II.; No. 421, Sess. II.; and No. 500, Sess. ll.—Petitions of W. John Haee, E. Faeeell and Others, B. S. White and Others, C. Coombes and Others, J. Kenyon and Others, H. H. Seabeook and Others, and C. Gothaed and Others. The petitioners express a wish that the orphanages and homes for destitute children now existing in the colony may t)e placed upon a different basis than at present. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that these petitions should be referred to the Government. 7th November, 1884.