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Nos. 132 and 154. —Petitions of Henry Mace and Others, and J. Foster and Others. Petitioners pray that effect may be given to the proposals of the Colonial Treasurer, as laid down in the Customs Duties Bill with schedules attached. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of these petitions has been under the consideration of the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th June, 1887.

No. 146.—Petition of E. S. Batebston and Others. Petitioners, residents and ratepayers of Invercargill, pray that certain waterworks may not b e erected on a public reserve in that city. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th June, 1887.

No. 147. —Petition of August Vollbbaoht, of Auckland. Petitioner prays that he may be awarded a bonus on account of having introduced the cultivation of tobacco into the colony. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend that the prayer of the petitioner be granted. 7th June, 1887.

No. 149. — Petition of R. R. M. Suthebland and Others, of Otago. Petitioners state that they consider the employment of women as barmaids to be inimical to the public weal and degrading to the sex. They allege five reasons for this belief. They pray that a register of those employed in this calling may be kept, and those now employed allowed to continue their avocation, but that, after a certain date, the employment of any other persons as barmaids be prohibited. I am directed to report that, no evidence whatever having been adduced in support of the allegations contained in these petitions, this Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th June, 1887.

No. 126.—Petition of the Bishop of Nelson. Petitionee prays that such measures may be taken by the House as will insure to every one of suitable age, however and wherever trained, the privilege of access to the examinations of the University for an ordinary degree in arts. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Bth June, 1887.

No. 8.—Petition of Mabgabet Johnston, of Taupaki. Petitionee states that in October, 1885, she purchased thirteen and a half acres of Crown land for £90, viz., Section 28a; that she paid this high price on account of there being easy access to a creek ; that no road was laid oxit through 28a at the time of sale, but that since then the owner of the adjoining section has laid claim to and caused one to be laid out which completely cuts off petitioner's water-frontage. She prays for compensation on account of the deprivation of her valuable water-rights, or that the road may be made somewhere else, so as not to interfere with her ready access to the creek. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the Allotment No. 28a, referred to by the petitioner, should not be interfered with as regards taking a road through it. Bth June, 1887.

No. I.—Petition of John Campbell, of Invercargill. Petitioner prays that an inquiry may be made into the rejection of his tender for the construction of light railwaj^s, which was sent in to the late Provincial Government of Otago. I am directed to report that this Committee can see no reason to depart from the decision arrived at by the Committee in 1878. 9th June, 1887.

No. 99.—Petition of Henry Baucke, of Wellington (No. 2). Petitioner prays that his claim, as set forth in his letter to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, of the 9th December, 1886, may be settled. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has not the slightest claim against the colony. 9th June, 1887.

No. 110.—Petition of George Howe, of Wanganui. Petitionee states that in. April, 1885, one J. A. Johnson took a contract on the Great Northern Trunk Railway, and that lie, in conjunction with one Peter Bell, became security for said contractor in the sum of £3,500; that in August, 1885, the Public Works Department took this contract out of Johnson's hands, and called on petitioner and Bell to complete it; that the sum of £500 had been deposited by Johnson as security for the fulfilment of his contract; that Bell was unable to assist, and he (petitioner) had to finish the said contract, thereby losing £8,000. He prays that the sum of £500 lodged by Johnson may be paid him (petitioner).