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No. 48, Sess. 1., and No. 227, Sess. ll.—Petitions of J. A. E. Menzies and Others, and J. G. Waed and 25 Others. The petitioners pray for some recognition for the valuable services rendered to the colony by Captain Eaymond towards the extinction of the rabbit pest. The Committee have had under its consideration the claims of Captain Eaymond on account of his having brought into economical use phosphorized oats as a remedy for the rabbit pest. It would appear that this gentleman devoted considerable pains to the perfecting of his method, and at once made it known to the public without hope of reward. There is no doubt that immense benefit has accrued from the use of the poison, both on private property and on Crown lands. Your Committee therefore is of opinion that public services such as these should be recognized by the State, and they therefore recommend that a sum of £500 be placed on the Supplementary Estimates as a reward to Captain Eaymond. 3rd October, 1884.

No. 3, Sess. II. —Petition of John Bigelow. The petitioner neglected to make use of his land order during the time allowed for exercising same. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this petition was referred, has the honour to report that 'applicant, having failed to take advantage of the provisions of the Act, and the opportunities offered him within the prescribed time, the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner. 7th October, 1884.

No. 149, Sess. ll.—Petition of Eichaed Cliffoed. The petitioner prays for restoration of his land, of which he alleges he was wrongfully deprived. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this petition was referred, has the honour to report and recommend that the proposal made by Mr. Whitcombe, Crown Lands Commissioner, Taranaki, in his letter to the Under-Secretary for Crown Lands, dated the 23rd September, 1884, be given effect to by the Government, and that a clause be inserted in the Special Powers and Contracts Bill of this session for the purpose. 7th October, 1884.

No. 101, Sess. I.—Petition of James McColl and Others. The petitioners allege there is no means of access to their property, and pray for inquiry. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this petition was referred, has the honour to report that the settlement of this question, which is one of considerable hardship, belongs to the local authorities; and your Committee recommends that the Government place themselves in communication with the County Council, and request their- good offices to promote a settlement as between the petitioners and the Eoad Boards concerned. 7th October, 1884.

No. 256, Sess. ll.—Petition of Heney Walkee Mitchell. The petitioner alleges he has a claim on the Government for money due for commission while engaged as a Land Purchase Agent, and prays that the agreement entered into by the late Sir Donald McLean may be carried out The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this petition was referred, has the honour to report that Mr. Henry Mitchell has a claim for consideration, and the Committee recommends the Government to settle same, under clause 7, Government Land Purchase Act, having regard to work done by the petitioner up to the present time on completed and uncompleted purchases. 9th October, 1884.

No. 8, Sess. I.—Petition of Joseph Riohaed Clement. The petitioner prays that a road maybe made to give him access to his land. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this petition was referred, has the honour to report that the Committee recommends that the offer of the Government, conveyed in the telegram from the Under-Secretary to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, dated the Bth March, 1884, remain open for such time as will enable Mr. Clement to complete arrangements with Mr. Studholme, but that the Government should adopt no further responsibility, should such offer not be accepted. 10th October, 1884.

No. 38, Sess. ll.—Petition of Petbb Pope Fagg. The petitioner prays that the sum of £490 be awarded him, value of improvements to land bought by him, but to which he never got a title, and subsequently sold by the Government for the above sum, which sum is still in the hands of the Government. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this petition was referred, has the honour to report that, having considered the evidence on behalf of the persons concerned, it appears to have been the intention of the Committee Which reported on this case on previous occasions that the claim of the petitioner to soim allowance for his improvements should be recognized, and in this the present Committee concurs. It is the opinion of the Committee that Mr. Fowler, to whom the petitioner agreed to sell the land, is also entitled to share in the compensation to bo given. The equities of the case would be met by dividing th.9 compensation between the petitioner and Mr. Fowler, and the Committee recommends accordingly. But it appears that a sum of £165, supposed by Mr. Fowler to have been paid to the petitioner, has never been so paid, but is now in the hands of a Mr. McCaul. The Committee accordingly recommends that Mr. Fowler give Mr. Fagg an order to