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No. 34.—Petition of Major John Lockett, of Wanganui. The petitioner prays for compensation for his discharge from the military service of the colony. I am directed to report that this Committee sees no reason to dissent from the finding of the Public Petitions Committee that reported on this case on the 2nd October, 1878, to the effect that the petitioner has no claim to consideration. sth June, 1888.

No. 7. —Petitions of Messrs. Finch, Lewin, and Forbes, of Te Awamutu. The petitioners pray that Licensing Commissioners may have discretionary power to reduce the fee for publicans' licenses in places where the population is small. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on the subject of this petition. sth June, 1888.

No. 91. —Petition of William Dunn and the Tokomaikiro Farmers' Club. The petitioners pray for the removal of the present, restrictions on the establishment of distilleries in the colony. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. sth June, 1888.

No. 102.—Petition of the Gbey Valley Coal-miners' Association (No. 1). The petitioners pray that a duty of not less than ss. a ton may be imposed on imported coal. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. sth June, 1888.

No. 103.—Petition of the Gbey Valley Coal-miners' Association (No. 2.) The petitioners pray that the Eight Hours Bill may become law. I am directed to report that, inasmuch as there is now before the House a Bill dealing with the matter of this petition, the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth June, 1888.

No. 108.—Petition of Chinese Residents (21) of Auckland.' The petitioners protest against any legislation that imposes, or may hereafter impose, restrictions on the immigration and residence of Chinese in this colony, pleading that such legislation is not only unjust and impolitic in itself, but that it constitutes a violation of treaties now in force between the British and Chinese Empires, i I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. sth June, 1888.

No. 107.—Petition of County Councils (21). The petitioners pray for legislation to simplify the acquisition or exchange of land for public roads. % I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, it is desirable that the exchange of land for roads, as between local bodies and private owners, should, if possible, be simplified, and the cost thereof reduced. sth June, 1838.

No. 115. —Petition of the Mayob of Auckland and Others. The petitioners pray for the abolition of the property-tax. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. sth June, 1888.

No. 7G. —Petition of E. J. Deiqhton, of Te Wairoa, Hawke's Bay. The petitioner prays for fulfilment of a promise made to him in May, 1887, by the late Premier, that a sum of £20 should be placed on the estimates for repairs to the petitioner's house. I am directed to report that, inasmuch as the Government has already granted the prayer of the petitioner, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 6th June, 1888.

No. 78. —Petition of Emma Bayne, of London, England '(by her Attorney, William Farnie, of Dunedin). The petitioner claims inheritance of a sum of £15 6s. 9d., now held by the Public Trustee, and prays for payment thereof. I am directed to report that, if the Government is satisfied of the truth of the petitioner's allegations, the -Committee would recommend that the sum be paid to the petitioner. 6th June, 1888.