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No. 448/ —Petition of W. T. Locke Travers, of Wellington. The petitioner prays that the House will not sanction any legislation calculated to divert certain land, and buildings thereon, now held by the Wellington College Trustees, from the purposes contemplated by "The Wellington City Eeserves Act, 1872." I am directed to report that, the subject-matter of this petition having been dealt with by the House, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 11th August, 1886.
No. 455.—Petition of Walter Swift and Others, of Kawakawa. The petitioners state that they have heard that a petition has been presented to the House praying that Kawakawa Eailway-station may be removed to Waiomio Village ; that the said removal is not necessary, and would be a great injustice to those who have bought land in the vicinity of the station under the belief that the present site would be a permanent one. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 11th August, 1886.
No. 452.—Petition of Frederick Cock and Others, of Waihi and Katikati. The petitioners pray that the Ohinemuri Eiver may be rebridged at Waihi. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 11th August, 1886.
No. 449. —Petition of John J. Macdonald and Others. The petitioners state that they were appointed members of the Greenstone Licensing Committee by the Governor ; that they held a meeting, and granted licenses ; that, objections being raised by the police and others against certain licenses applied for, they adjourned for fourteen days to consider them that, without being asked whether they intended to refuse the license or not, a mandamus was obtained to order a renewal to one J. K. Birley ; that in consequence of this action they have been saddled with law expenses to the amount of £60. They pray that their case may be considered, all documents relating thereto called for, and relief granted. I am directed to report that, having examined the documents relating to the case, and taken the evidence of Mr. Fergus, M.H.E., the Committee have no recommendation to make. 11th August, 1886.
No. 445.—Petition of Charles Pope. The petitioner states that he is the captain of the screw-steamer " Tui; " that on the 31st October 1885, Mr. E. Cobb, sheep-owner, shipped twelve sheep on board the said steamer at Foxton for Wellington ; that in November following twelve sheep, which he had every reason to believe were the same ones he had brought down, were shipped at Wellington for Foxton, and he was informed by their owner, Mr. Cobb, that everything was all right, which he understood to mean that a certificate had been obtained. He prays that the fine which was imposed upon him for a breach of the Sheep Act may be remitted. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the fine should be remitted. 11th August, 1886.
No. 450.—Petition of George Sumpter, of Oamaru. The petitioner, the Chairman of the Oamaru Harbour Board, states that certain lands in Oamaru were vested in the Board; that the value was greatly increased by reclamation and protective works made by the Board at a heavy outlay ; that in 1879 the Minister for Public Works intimated that the land would be required for the purposes of a loop-line of railway, and in consequence the Board was prevented from leasing the same; that on the 13th August, 1885, the Minister offered £9,316 as compensation for the said land ; that a plan showing the land referred to accompanied the offer, and the whole land shown was stated to contain approximately 4 acres 2 roods; that, although the Board considered the sum offered insufficient, it was compelled to accept, being in financial difficulties ; that, by Proclamation in the Gazette of the 18th February, 1886, land belonging to the Board to the extent of 8 acres 1 rood perches, was taken for railway purposes ; that the Board accepted tho sum of £9,316 on the understanding that the amount of land taken corresponded with the quantity mentioned in the letter of the Minister for Public Works of the 13th August; that an extra amount of land has been taken, and the remaining land belonging to the Board is lessened in value ; that the land taken includes certain sidings which were not shown on the plan referred to, and therefore the Board has received no compensation for them, and has sustained serious loss through the whole transaction. The petitioner prays for compensation on behalf of the Board. I am directed to report that the Committee have taken evidence regarding the case, and cannot recommend that any further compensation be granted. 13th August, 1886.
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