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■ No. 311. —Petition of Thomas Pehham, Wellington. The petitioner, late a draughtsman in the Public Works Department, prays that the sum of £29 6s. Bd., a reduction of 10 per cent, from his salary, may be refunded to him. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that they cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner. 10th September, 1885.

No. 399.—Petition of G. W. Gane. The petitioner states that he purchased the right to collect the dog-tax for the County of Taranaki, with a few exemptions; that afterwards some of the Native lands were struck out of the collection, by which he lost considerably. He prays for compensation. I am directed to report that any claim the petitioner may have is not against the Government but the County Council. 10th September, 1885. .

No. 372. —Petition of John Treloar, Lawrence. The petitioner states that whilst engaged as surface-man on the railway he met with an accident which has rendered him unfit for hard work. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make. 10th September, 1885.

No. 391.—Petition of Herbert Moore, Oamaru. The petitioner, late a clerk in the Post Office, Oamaru, states that he was accused of having omitted to make an entry of £2 deposit received by him for Post-Office Savings Bank, which may be considered as a wrong accusation, the amount being deducted from his salary and then returned to him; that he resigned the service and claimed £67 10s. as compensation, and received a letter offering to reappoint him and stating the department had not the slightest suspicion of his honesty. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, the Government having withdrawn any imputation of blame against the petitioner, and having offered to reinstate him in his former position in the service, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 10th September, 1885.

No. 390. —Petition of W. A. Murray and George Eraser. The petitioners state that Mr. Murray invented an automatic block and signal service, to avert collisions on railways and accidents at level crossings; that he applied to the New Zealand Government for facilities to apply the invention to a short section of one of the railways, but the Government repeatedly refused permission. He asks that this enterprise at the hands of the House may receive recognition. I am directed to report that, as the report of the Bailway Department is adverse to the use of the patent referred to, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 10th September, 1885.

No. 346.—Petition of James IT. Blaokmore, Beilding. The petitioner states that his property, through the negligence of the Borough Council, was damaged by floods; that b.3 brought an action to recover damages; he was nonsuited through error, which cost him £27 10s. He prays for an inquiry and that he may be compensated for the loss he has sustained. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 11th September, 1885.

No. 398.—Petition of T. B. Hannafokd, Auckland (No. 2.) The petitioner states that a Mr. Thomas Brittain is detained in the lunatic asylum, Auckland, .although he considers him quite sane. Ho prays that the said Thomas Brittain may be examined by disinterested parties. I am directed to report that, the petitioner having been already discharged, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 11th September, 1885.

No. 348. —Petition of Edward J. Lord. The petitioner states that ho was for many years employed as a surveyor under the Government; that his services were dispensed with, and he received compensation. He now asks for further compensation, to which he considers he is entitled. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 16th September, 1885.

No. 389.—Petition of Thomas Kennedy. The petitioner states that he. was Crown-grant draughtsman in the Auckland Survey Department; that he was transferred from that department, to which he objected, and his services were dispensed with. He.-received compensation, and now asks for further consideration. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 16th September, 1885.