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the sum of £209 6s. lOd. by way of compensation, said sum being computed on his General Government service. He prays that the following sums of money may be paid to him, viz., £147 95., being compensation on account of service under the Provincial Government; £35, being an amount deducted in the year 1880-81 by way of 10 per cent, on his salary; and £180 for the twelve months' leave of absence which he was granted on half-pay. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the Government. Ist December, 1887.

No. 90, Sess. ll.—Petition of George Willmer. The petitioner states that in 1884 he purchased upwards of ten thousand sheep on the Waipapa Eun ; that he did not then know the run had been infested with scab for twenty years ; that he erected twenty miles of permanent fencing, and destroyed thousands of scabby sheep ; but at length found so many infected sheep came through the wire fencing from the high ranges of Crown lands that he decided to destroy the whole of the remainder of his flock; that he did this voluntarily, and got no compensation from Government; but that owners who destroyed under compulsion from the department were compensated at the rate of 2s. 6d. per head; that the district is now quite free from scab. He prays for compensation. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony. 2nd December, 1887. ______________

No. 249, Sess. ll.—Petition of George and William Mathison, of Dunedin. (Second Eeport.) This petition having been referred back to the Committee by the House for reconsideration, I am directed to report that the Committee, while not renommending the prayer of the petitioners, would suggest that, upon the petitioners' giving security for the costs of an action at law, Government should afford them facilities to prosecute their claims in the Courts, should they be so disposed. 2nd December, 1887.

No. 293, Sess. ll.—Petition of Samuel Morrison. The petitioner states that he was a warder of the Dunedin prison for seventeen years; that on the 21st October, 1886, he was employed as warder-overseer over a number of prisoners working in a quarry at Otago Heads ; that the work was very dangerous for the prisoners, owing to the falling rocks, &c. ; that his attention was occupied in watching the falling debris in order to prevent the men being struck; that when the prisoners were mustered in the evening one was found to have escaped; that an inquiry was subsequently held over his escape and petitioner dismissed in consequence. He prays that he may be compensated for loss of office. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony. 2nd December, 1887.

No. 368, Sess. II. —Petition of Aeithea Seymour Symonds, of Onehunga. The petitioner, widow of the late John Jermyn Symonds, asks for a compassionate-allowance on account of her late husband's long services. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner. 2nd December, 1887.

No. 386, Sess. ll.—Petition of George Eoss and -Others. The petitioners, settlers of Parua Bay, pray for telephonic communication with the rest of the colony. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd December, 1887.

Nos. 391, 392, 393, 394, and 395, Sess. 11. — The Petitions of W. Ogilvie and Others, of H. McKrures and Others, Hurndall and Blundell and Others, John Warnock and Others, and of Earle and Montgomery and Others. The petitioners, retail tradesmen of Auckland, pray for the abridgement of shop hours. I am directed to report that, as a Bill dealing with the subject-matter of this petition is now before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd December, 1887.

No. 73. —Petition of Jonathan Mann, of Hawke's Bay. The petitioner states that in the year 1847 he leased a block of land near Wellington; that in 1848 some Natives fired a piece of adjoining bush; that the fire spread on to his land and completely destroyed his homestead, causing a loss of £300 to him. He prays that the Government may compensate him for his losses. ] am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony. 6th December, 1887.

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