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No. 157. —Petition of E. C. Cakk and Others, of Auckland. The petitioners pray that the system of education now established in the colony maybe maintained unaltered. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 14th June, 1888.

No. 181.—Petition of J. Ki-ntn and Others. The petitioners pray for the immediate extension of the Waipahi-Heriot Eailway. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 14th June, 1888,

No. 20. —Petition of Henby Ellison, of Napier (No. J). The petitioner states that he is the agent of Mr. C. W. Eeardon, surveyor, who took a contract from the Secretary of the Wellington Special-settlement Association for the survey of a block of Crown land; that the survey was executed in accordance with the instructions of the Inspector, Mr. Marchant; but that, after the members of the association had accordingly been permitted to enter on possession of their allotments, the Inspector issued further requisitions inconsistent with his previous instructions, and not warranted by the terms of the contract ; that the petitioner refused to comply with these further requisitions, and that the Secretary thereupon determined the contract ; that the petitioner has suffered great pecuniary loss through the unjustifiable action of the Inspector. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, the petitioner has no claim for relief. 15th June, 1888.

No. 21.—Petition of Henry Ellison, of Napier (No. 2). The petitioner states that he executed a survey for the Masterton-Mangahao Special-settlement Association to the satisfaction of the Inspector, who certified the work in October, 1886; that the plans of the survey were then lodged by the petitioner with the Commissioner of Crown Lands, on condition that no use of them should be made until the petitioner's claim against the association under the survey contract should be satisfied; that notwithstanding this condition the plans have been so used, whereby the association has been enabled hitherto to evade payment of the petitioner's claim. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, inasmuch as the petitioner has received from the secretary of the association payment of the balance due to him according to Mr. Marchant's award, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th June, 1888.

Nos. 23 and 24.—Petitions of Hannah Buennan and Jane Johnson, both of Christchurch. The petitioners have been dismissed after many years' service in the Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum, and pray that retiring allowances maybe granted to them. I am directed to recommend these two petitions to the favourable consideration of the Government. 15th June, 1888.

No. 71. —Petition of Patrick Guibk, of Wellington. The petitioner states that after a term of nearly nine years' service in the Permanent Militia he has been discharged with five months' pay, amounting to £37 10s. He prays that, in consideration of a previous term of nine years' service in the Armed Constabulary, his allowance may be increased to twelve months' pay. I am directed to recommend that the petitioner be allowed a gratuity of one mouth's pay — £7 10s.—in addition to what he has already received. 15th June, 1888. _____

No. 136. —Petition of W. C. Geakon and Others. The petitioners pray for amendment of clause 60 of " The Education Act, 1877," which relates to alteration of the boundaries of school districts. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th June, 1888.

No. 150.—Petition of W. E. Hacon, M.D., of Christchurch. The petitioner prays for remuneration for his services to the colony in cultivating vaccine lymph during his tenure of the office of Medical Superintendent at the Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. loth June, 1888,