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No. 55.—Petition of J. G. Cox and Others, of Castlepoint. Petitionees state that they consider the fine of £15 inflicted in March last on one Hugh Bellis, for a breach of " The Babbit Act, 1882," was excessive. They pray that the said fine, or a portion thereof, may be remitted. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this fine should be reduced to £5. BBW' 3rd June, 1887.

No. 25.—Petition of G. M. Pake, of Masterton. Petitioneb states that ho served as telegraphist in the Taupo District (at what was termed the " front ") during the time Sir Donald McLean was Native Minister; that ho performed this duty for five years, and was able at various times to supply valuable information to the Government; that he suffered hardships and pecuniary loss in obtaining said information. He prays that a bonus of £500 may be granted to him as compensation for private funds expended on Government business, and for the extra services he performed. I am directed to report that, although the Committee cannot recommend the sum named in the petition, they consider the petitioner has a claim to some extent, and therefore recommend the petition to the favourable consideration of the Government. 3rd June, 1887.

No. 18.—Petition of E. M. P. Bbookfield, of Auckland. Petitionee states that he was appointed Crown Solicitor in 1865, and also held other appointments ; that in 1881 he was offered a Judgeship in the Native Land Court, and, thinking the appointment would be a permanent one, he gave up his other offices and accepted it; that in January, 1887, he received notice that his services would be dispensed with after the 31st March, on the ground of retrenchment; that he only received £296 os. 6d. as compensation, no allowance being made in consideration of the previous appointments he had held. He prays for relief. I«am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that, as the Government admit they have no fault whatever to find with the petitioner, it would have been better that they should not have dispensed with his services on the ground of economy alone whilst they still retained in office as a Judge another gentleman whose appointment was comparatively recent. The Committee therefore recommend that the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd June, 1887.

No. s.—Petition of J. C. Soall, of Auckland. Petitioner prays that he may have a fair and open inquiry into his proposed system of musketry instruction, before a meeting of the whole of the Volunteer officers of Auckland. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd June, 1887.

No. 130. —Petition of Chables Mussen, of Caversham. Petitioner states that he has been employed in the Railway Goods Department for nine years ; that in September, 1886, he suffered the injury of a broken leg, owing to carelessness on the part of the employes ; that he has received half-pay for twelve weeks and quarter-pay for another twelve weeks, but has been informed by the department that according to the regulations no further relief can be granted ; that he is unfit for any occupation at present, and has no means of support for himself and young family. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the petitioner appears to be a worthy object for a special compassionate allowance, and the Committee therefore recommend that the petition should be referred to the favourable consideration of Government. 3rd June, 1887.

No. 108. —Petition of Edwabd Jokes, of Masterton. Pbtitionbb states that he was the contractor for the carriage of mails between the post-office, Masterton, and the railway-station for two years; that when the railway was extended to Mauriceville certain mails had to be carried by petitioner for the carriage of which he had not contracted ; that the sum of £10 was allowed him, but he has been put to a loss of fully £15 beyond this allowance. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 3rd June, 1887.

No. 90.—Petition of John Dow Busby, of Marlborough. Petitioner states that he is the occupier of the Upton Downs Bun; that in July, 1885, he was fined £269 17s. 6d. for being in possession of 21,590 scabby sheep. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that there appears to the Committee to be no reason why the petitioner should receive exceptional treatment. Numerous fines have been inflicted and payment enforced, and since 1884 none have been remitted. The Committee therefore can see' no reason to depart from the decisions arrived at in the last two sessions, and cannot recommend the granting of thr prayer of the petitioner. 3rd June, 1887.