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No. 53.—Petition of James Duekin. The petitioner states that his services as Assistant Warder in the Prisons Service were dispensed with on the ground that he was to blame for the escape of a prisoner. He prays for compensation, on the ground that he had been relieved from duty at the time of the escape, and could not rightly he held responsible for it. . * I am directed to report that the Committee, having taken the evidence of Captain Hume, Inspector of Prisons, concurs in the opinion of the Committee of last session, that the petitioner's services were rightly dispensed with, and that the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 25th November, 1887.

No. 174, Session I.—Petition of Mrs. Emilia Johnstone. The petitioner prays for payment of £180, awarded to her by the Public Petitions Committee in 1884. I am directed to report that the Committee agrees with the opinion of the late Native Minister—" that the claim, is not one to be entertained by the Government." 25th November, 1887.

No. '273. —Petition of John Bobbie and Others. The petitioners state that their deferred-payment land near Te Aroha was described to them by the Government as good, whereas it turns out to be barren and bad. They pray for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th November, 1887.

No. 294.' —Petition of J. P. Beunton. The petitioner prays for a trial of the Vaile system oi railway management. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th November, 1887.

No. 322.—Petition of Messrs. Gaelics and Ceanwell and Others. The petitioners pray that in the construction of the North Island Trunk Eailway such deviation may be made as will connect the Government railway at Stratford. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th November, 1887.

No. 16. —Petition of Miles Leighton. The petitioner states that he was crippled in April, 1885, by injuries received in the military service of the colony, and is without means of subsistence. He prays for consideration and relief. I am directed to report that the Committee, having inquired into the case, and considered the report of the Defence Department, is of opinion that the petitioner is entitled to consideration ; and that the Government should be recommended to accept the proposal of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, which is ready to give the petitioner comfortable accommodation and proper attendance if the Government will guarantee a payment of £30 a year for his maintenance. 29th November, 1887.

No. 405. —Petition of the Dunedin Chambee of Commeeoe. The petitioners pray for the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the conduct of the Otago Dock Trust. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends this petition to the favourable consideration of the Government. 29th November, 1887.

No. 11.—Petition of James Given and Maey Given. The petitioners claim compensation for losses and legal expenses incurred by them in consequence of gross errors in the official survey of their land previous to the issue of the Crown grant. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioners are not entitled to any compensation. 30th November, 1887.

No. 21.—Petition of Mabgabet Hepburn. The petitioner states that she brought an action in the Eesident Magistrate's Court, at Auckland, against one Eichard Laishley, to recover half the cost of the boundary-fence between her land and his ; and that she was nonsuited on the technical objection that in the notice to fence served on Laishley her land was incorrectly described as Lot 8, whereas it ought to have been described as Lot Ba. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 30th November, 1887.