3

I.—l

No. 31.—Petition of Thomas H. Hodge, of Port Chalmers. Petitioner states that he joined the service of the Bailway Department in 1875, as tally-clerk, at £140 per annum; that his services were dispensed with in 1883; that he was informed by the traffic manager other employment would be found for him; that such employment has not been found. He prays for compensation. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony. 19th May, 1887.

No. 27. —Eev. J. C. Andrew and Others. Petitioners, owners and occupiers of land in the Castlepoint and Whareama Districts, pray that the Babbit Nuisance Act may bo more equitably administered. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Babbit Nuisance Committee. 19th May, 1887.

No. 10. —Petition of Martha Cotter, of Timaru. Petitioner states that she has served the Government as matron of the Timaru Prison for thirteen years ; that, although there has never been any complaint against her, her services were dispensed with in September, 1886 ; that she was awarded £33 as compensation for loss of office. Petitioner prays for further compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 19th May, 1887.

No. 9.—Petition of Edmund Cotteb, of Timaru. Petitioner states that he has served the Government for twenty-five years, of which the last twenty-three were spent in the service of the Prisons Department; that in September, 1886, while holding the post of Gaoler at Timaru, he was suspended on account of an alleged breach of the prison regulations ; that he was advised to resign, and did so, believing that he would be treated as other Gaolers had been ; that he had only received an allowance of £65, or three months' salary. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the petitioner has no further claim against the colony, but, considering the circumstances under which he resigned, the Committee recommends him to the consideration of the Government for some light employment outside the Prisons Department. 19th May, 1887.

No. 6.-Petition of F. and G. F. Bollen, of Kaikoura. Petitioners state that on the 23rd August, 1886, they were fined 3d. per head on 35,000 sheep, under the 23rd clause of "The Sheep Act, 1878; " that when they were so fined only one infected sheep was found in a mob of 4,700 separately held, while the remainder of the sheep worked from the same station were clean; that the two flocks were divided by fences and rivers; that in the following November the mob of 4,700 was inspected and found clean; that the remainder of the flock of 35,000 had been kept isolated and came in clean also, without having been dipped. Petitioners pray that the aforesaid fine may be remitted, or other relief accorded to them. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, under the circumstances the fine should be remitted, except to the extent of 3d. per head on 4,700 sheep. 19th May, 1887.

No. 47. —Petition of John Loadee. Petitioner states that while employed by the railway authorities on the wharves at Lyttelton in February, 1886, he met with a serious accident owing to the carelessness of the employes; that said injury has prevented him from working up to the present time, and continues to do so ; that he has received three months' half-pay and three months' quarter-pay, and been informed that nothing further can be done for him. He prays for compensation for injuries received. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 19th May, 1887.

No. 34.—Petition of Eliza Sophia Symonds. Petitioned states she is the widow of the late John Symonds, who was an officer in the Customs Department for four and a half years; that he died m December, 1886, from consumption caused by a severe cold caught while employed in the Queen's Bond at Wellington. She prays for compensation on account of her husband's services. I am directed to report that the Committee does not consider that the petitioner has any claim against the colony. 20th May, 1887.

No. 68. —Petition of J. C. King and Others, of Auckland. Petitioners allege that the Eeturning Officer for the Electoral District of Waitemata added the names of Maoris to the electoral roll who were not properly qualified for that privilege; that he removed names from the said roll without the owners thereof receiving any notice of objection ; that he placed names on the supplementary roll after the writ had been issued. They pray for an investigation, and that the Eepresentation Act may be so amended as to prevent these irregularities occurring again.