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No. 57. —Petition of George Waldock Ell, of Christchurch (No. 1). The petitioner makes serious charges against the Eegistrar of the Supreme Court, against the Official Assignee, and against several solicitors, all at Christchurch, by whose misconduct he has suffered, and continues to suffer, grievous wrong and hardship. He prays for inquiry and redress. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, the Government should be recommended to appoint a Commissioner to inquire into the matters alleged by the petitioner, and to report thereon to the House. 12th June, 1888.

No. 109.—Petition of Henry Baucke, of Wellington (No. 1). The Public Petitions Committee in 1867 recommended that a certain sum of money should be paid to the petitioner, who complains that it was paid not to him, but to a Mr. Cameron, of Auckland. The petitioner prays for production of the authority whereby this payment was made ; or, failing that, for prompt settlement of his account of sundry claims against the colony, amounting in all, with interest, to £67,165 10s. sd. I am directed to report that the Committee sees no reason to depart from the report brought up on the 16th December, 1887, namely, "That the money in question was properly paid to Mr. Cameron, and that the petitioner has therefore no claim against the colony." 12th June, 1888.

No. 117.—Petition of Adam Elliott and Others, of Ohinemuri. The petitioners are agricultural leaseholders, and state that their rents are disproportionately heavy, considering the poverty of the soil, and its remoteness from a sufficient market. They pray that they may be allowed to acquire the freehold of their sections. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, it is desirable that such of the settlers as have paid rent amounting to ss. an acre and upwards should be allowed to retain their leases at a nominal rent. 12th June, 1888.

No. 151.—Petition of J. W. Beaufort and Others. The petitioners pray that the Pahiatua Eiding and part of the Alfredton Biding of the County of Wairarapa North may be erected into a new county, to be called the Pahiatua County. I am directed to report that, as a Bill dealing with the subject of this petition is shortly coming before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 12th June, 1888.

No. 152.—Petition of John Gbant, of Otiake, and Others. The petitioners pray that the District Eailways Purchasing Act Amendment Bill may not be allowed to pass into law. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th June, 1888.

No. 139. —Petition of Geoegb Habdy, of Auckland, The petitioner states that after nineteen years' service in the Auckland Lunatic Asylum he was compelled, by persecution on the part of Dr. Cremonini, the new Medical Superintendent, to resign his appointment. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on the subject of this petition. 13th June, 1888.

No. 164.—Petition of James Bennett and Others, of Waipawa. The petitioners pray that a certain piece of land now in the hands of the Public Trustee, as being an intestate estate, may be granted to the Town of Waipawa for a reserve. I am directed to report that the Commtttee has no recommendation to make on the subject of this petition. 13th June, 1888.

No. 60. —Petition of John G. Dick, of Mornington, Dunedin. The petitioner prays for payment of the balance of his account for completion of the Mullocky contract on the Otago Central Railway. His claim is made up of the four items following : (1) Maintenance, £20; (2) use of plant, £52 ss. 9d ; (3) taking out rocky bottom, £279 10s. 9d.; (4) removing slip, £33 ss. 6d. I am directed to recommend that the petitioner be allowed £33 ss. 6d., the amount of his claim for removing the slip. 14th June, 1888.

Nos. 88 and 89. —Petitions of J. Duncan and the General Assembly of the Pbesbyteeian Chubch of New Zealand, and B. Ehwin and other Eesidents of Christchurch. The petitioners pray that Magistrates may be empowered, in the interests of morality, to forbid the publication of details of evidence in certain classes of police cases. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these two petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration. X4th June, 1888,