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and, with the two amendments shown, they see no objection to the Bill passing if the House approves of the policy of the Bill. The Committee desires to point out that, in its opinion, the Bill should be deemed a special Act under "The Harbours Act, 1878," and, if that were done, part of clause 2, section 3, and section 7of the Third Schedule would become unnecessary. There is also no provision for taking the opinion of the ratepayers before burdening with a rate', a provision that has been inserted in almost all Harbour Boards Bills. 26th September, 1884.

No. 269, Sess. II.; No. 266, Sess. II.; and No. 270, Sess. ll.—Petitions of Mrs. Ann Eobeetson, Pebebika Ngahueuhueu and Others, and Lewis Lee and Others. Mes. Ann Eobeetson prays for inquiry re her ownership to certain lands and tenements now in the occupation of Mr. Robert Graham, Ohinemutu, Eotorua, and for compensation for losses she has sustained. The other petitions are in support of Mrs. Eobertson's claim. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom these petitions were referred, has the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered all the circumstances of the case, which is undoubtedly one of considerable hardship to Mrs. Eobertson. As however the whole of the transactions both on the part of Mrs. Eobertson and Mr. Graham were outside the law, and in no way proceeded upon action for which the State can be held responsible, your Committee does not feel justified in recommending any interference. 30th September, 1884.

No. 286, Sess. II.; No. 287, Sess. II.; No. 288, Sess. II.; and No. 297, Sess. 11. — Petitions of David Geace, Edwaed O'Haee, Sen., Heney Eyan, and Patbick Beennan. The petitioners all pray for land in respect of military services. No. 296, Sess. ll.—Petition of Maey Ann Kyle. The petitioner prays she may be allowed to exercise her late husband's order for land to which, she alleges, he was entitled for service in the New Zealand Fencible Force. I am directed by the Waste Lands Committee, to whom these petitions were referred, to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 30th September, 1884.

No. 255, Sess. ll.—Petition of Geokge,Eeickson, and Others. The petitioners pray that lands, occupied as business sites in Orwell Creek Township, under licenses may be sold. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be forwarded to the Gold Fields Committee. Ist October, 1884.

No. 304, Sess. II. —Petition of Eliza Oemiston. The petitioner prays that a certain piece of land, called Te Totara, may be convoyed to her by the Government, on her paying the sum of £150. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this petition was referred, directs mo to report that under the existing law the land cannot be sold privately, and it is recommended that a clause should be inserted in the Special Powers and Contracts Bill authorizing the Governor to convey Section 54, Parish of Mangapai, as well as the piece of land adjacent, called Te Totara, to Mrs. Ormiston, on payment by her of the sum of £150. 2nd October, 1884.

_ — • No. 285, Sess. II. —Petition of Andrew Thompson. This petition has been before the House several times previously, and I am directed by the Waste Lands Committee, to whom it has been referred on this occasion, to report that the petitioner has no claim. 2nd October, 1884.

No. 133, Sess. ll.—Petition of J. M. Lefevee and Others, Mayor and Freeholders of Hampden. The petitioners state that a Crown grant was issued on the 28th September, 1875, to the Superintendent of Otago for Section 7, Block XIII., Moeraki District, containing 3,600 acres, as a commonage for the use of the inhabitants of the Town of Hampden. The Town of Hampden not being then incorporated a borough, the control of the said reserve was placed under the control of the Hampden Eoad Board, which Eoad Board was subsequently merged in the County of Waitaki. They pray that it now may be vested in the Corporation of Hampden, and that no exchange be made without a vote of the ratepayers. I am directed to report that, it having been made to appear that the section granted is for various reasons unsuitable for the object intended, and proposals having been made to exchange the commonage, for 150 acres oLlatid- in the immediate neighbourhood of the borough, the Committee recommend that effect should be given to the proposed, exchange of 150 acres, referred to in Mr. Under-Secretary Mrott's ..report to" the Committee, No. 571, dated the 16th September, 1884, as commonage reserve, and that a clause should be inserted in the Special Powers and Contracts Bill for that purpose. 3rd October, 1884.