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I am directed to report that, having taken evidence, the Committee are of opinion that the Besident Surgeon exceeded his authority in accepting tenders; but they can see no sufficient reason for depriving Mr. Webb of his contract, and recommend that he be treated as contractor for the present year. 18th September, 1885.

No. 418.—Petition of W. T. L. Teavers, Wellington. The petitioner prays that the House will not entertain the Wellington Harbour Board Bill, and will not suffer the proposals contained therein to become law. I am directed to report that, as the matter has been already dealt with, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 18th September, 1885.

No. 405.—Petition of E. Wilson and Others. The petitioners state that the present system of managing the railways of the colony has proved most unsatisfactory in every respect ; that in their opinion a complete change is necessary. lam directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government. 18th September, 1885.

No. 314.—Petition of B. Tapsell and Others, Auckland. The petitioners, children of the late B. Tapsell, ask for consideration for services rendered by their father in rescuing persons from the hands of rebel Natives. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make, 18th September, 1885.

No. 406.—Petition of Samuel Stephenson, Auckland. The petitioner, late hotclkeeper, Mount Albert, Auckland, has been deprived of his license for three years, which has entailed disaster and ruin on him. He asks the Government to find him some employment. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner, 18th September, 1885.

No. 417.—Petition of Martin Krippner, Auckland. The petitioner states that some years back he was the means of bringing out a number of emigrants for a German settlement at Auckland. He prays for some^consideration for past services. I am directed to report that the Committee see no reason to alter the report of last session. 18th September, 1885.

No. 409.—Petition of Charles Chitty. The petitioner states that he was in the Defence Department from 1863 to 1868, and was appointed Clerk to the Besident Magistrate's Court, and was dispensed with owing to reductions in the department, for which he received £40 as compensation. He prays for further compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petitioner has no claim, 18th September, 1885.

No. 425. —Petition of P. Siedeberg, Dunedin. The petitioner states that he is a contractor at Dunedin; that he contracted for the erection of the railway over-bridge, Dunedin; that he had another contract for railway sheds; and that in carrying out such contracts he used 3,955 barrels of cement. He claims a rebate of duty on the cement, which he asks may be granted. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the refund claimed. 19th September, 1885.

No. 202. —Petition of Frederick G. Mace and John Bassett. The petitioners state that they contracted with the Government to construct the Normanby and Hawera permanent-way; that in performance of said work they had to open a gravel-pit, at a considerable cost, which the Government took over and are still in possession of. They pray for a sum of money as compensation. I am directed, to report that, while the Committee are of opinion that the petitioners have no legal claim, yet, as the Government appear to have derived some benefit from the labour and material of the petitioners, the Committee recommend that they be paid the sum of £25. 19th September, 1885.

No. 415.—Petition of Mary Agnes Daniels, Wellington. The petitioner states that she is the wife of M. S. Daniels, who is now undergoing a sentence of penal servitude. She prays for the remission of the sentence passed on him. I am directed to report that the Committee consider that the petition should be referred to the Government. 19th September, 1885.

No. 211.—Petition of the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel. The petitioner states'that he was Agent-General of the colony, and that he was director of the New Zealand Agricultural Company, a position which he was requested to resign; that he was