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I am directed to report that, as the above-mentioned Bill is now before the House, this Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th December, 1887.

No. 456, Sess. ll.—Petition of W. J. Kirk. The petitioner, Chairman of the Pitone Town Board, prays that the Slaughterhouses Act 1877 Amendment Bill may not be passed, except with such modifications as will exempt from its operation slaughterhouses lawfully established within any borough or town district. I am directed to report that, as a Bill proposing to deal with the subject-matter of the petition is now before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th December, 1887.

No. 429, Sess ll.—Petition of Walter Prince and Others, of Inangahua. The petitioners pray that telephonic communication may be established between Inangahua Junction and Lyell. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 13th December, 1887.

No. 437, Sess. ll.—Petition of P. Thompson and Others, of Christchurch. The petitioners pray that the rate of pay on relief-works may not be reduced. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 13th December, 1887.

No. 407, Sess. ll.—Petition of James E. Lysaght and Others, of Taranaki. The petitioners pray that, in the construction of the North Island Trunk Eailway, the Stratford route may be adopted. I am directed to report that, as the prayer of this petition opens up a large question of public policy entirely outside the functions of this Committee, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th December, 1887.

No. 470, Sess. ll.—Petition of B. P. Perry and Others, of Masterton. The petitioners pray that a prohibitory liquor-law may be passed. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 20th December, 1887.

No. 468, Sess. ll.—Petition of William Eeid, of Dunedin. The petitioner, a seed-merchant, states that in July, 1884, he purchased ten sacks of timothy grass seed from E. Willett of Biverton ; that the said E. Willett delivered the seed in good order to the station-clerk at Biverton; but that, in the course of transit to your petitioner, it was damaged by water to such an extent as to render it unsaleable. He prays that payment may be made to him of the value of the seed —viz., £32 4s. 7d. —and expenses attached thereto; or that the question of time within which an action should be brought be waived, so that he may lodge a claim for the damage sustained in a Court of law. I am directed to report that the Committee, having considered the report from the Eailway Department, and all documents in connection with petitioner's case, have no recommendation to' make. 20th December, 1887.

No. 484, Sess. II. —Petition of William Stephenson. The petitioner, late a constable of police, states that, after having served for twenty-one years in the New Zealand service, he has been compelled to retire, owing to a clause in the Constabulary regulations obliging constables to do so when they attain the age of sixty years. He prays that he may be reinstated, as he has a wife and family to support, and is just as capable as ever of performing the duties of the office. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 20th December, 1887.

No. 371, Sess. ll.—Petition of S. W. Nicholls and Others, of Taranaki. The petitioners pray that a road may be constructed between Waitara and the Central Eailway. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred, to the Government for consideration. 20th December, 1887.

No. 473, Sess. ll.—Petition of Patrick McCroy, of Tikitere. The petitioner prays for relief on account of losses sustained through the Tarawera eruption. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 20th December, 1887.

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