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Sess. 11.—1887. NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to the House of Representatives, Sess. 11., 1887, and ordered to be printed.

No. 38, Sess. ll.—Petition of Christiana Neilson. The petitioner prays that she may be given a grant of land on account of her late husband's military services. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. 9th November, 1887.

No. 45, Sess. ll.—Petition of D. TJ. McGregor and Others. The petitioners, gold-miners, of Bannockburn, Otago, pray that the gold-duty may be abolished. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Goldfields Committee. 9th November, 1887.

No. 75, Sess. ll.—Petition of James Young, Auckland. The petitioner, late a Warder in the Auckland gaols, states that he was discharged owing to illhealth, and received compensation. He prays for further consideration. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony. 9th November, 1887.

No. 116, Sess. ll.—Petition of James McCormick, of Te Aroha. The petitioner, a settler under the perpetual-leasing system, prays that he may be granted similar privileges to the village settlers. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. 9th November, 1887.

No. 122, Sess. ll.—Petition of James McKain Meek. The petitioner states that he has executed a work of art entitled " Zealandia's Jubilee Souvenir; " that said work contains a vast amount of valuable information, and if copies of the same were spread over the colony it would result in great benefit to New Zealand. He prays that the sum of £100 may be granted to him, in order that he may be able to carry out his ideas on the subject. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make. 9th November, 1887.

No. 15, Sess. ll.—Petition of Dorothy Susan McCaul, of Waikomiti. The petitioner states that she is the owner of land at Waikomiti intersected by the Auckland and Kaipara Eailway ; that ever since the opening of the railway fires have been caused by sparks from the engines, from which she has suffered considerable loss of fruit-trees and hay from time to time, amounting in the aggregate to £300 at least. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the favourable consideration of the Government. 10th November, 1887. '

Nos. 102, 104, and 106, Sess. ll.—Petitions of M. Murchie and Others, of G. E. Ehodes and Others, and of P. A. Nutter and Others. The petitioners, inhabitants of Auckland, pray that, in the construction of the North Island Trunk Eailway, such deviation may be made as will connect with the Government railway system on the west coast of the North Island at Stratford.

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REPORTS OF PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE. (MR. T. THOMPSON, CHAIRMAN.)