I.—l

12

No. 310. —Petition of William Grady, of Waitahu, Eeefton. The petitioner complains that his property has been damaged by floods, which he attributes to the recent construction of a bridge over the Waitahu, a short distance above his farm. He prays for compensation. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 13th July, 1888.

No. 338.—Petition of Captain J. D. E. Hewitt, of Wellington. The petitioner prays for compensation for having been dismissed from the Civil Service without sufficient notice ; and further alleges that on his entering the service of the Provincial Government it was agreed that on completion of five years' service he should receive a bonus of 10 per cent, on the whole amount of the salary earned by him during the five years ; that at the time of abolition of the provinces, having served three years and nine months, he received from the Provincial Government a proportionate bonus of £112 10s., and entered the service of the General Government, in which he has remained until the present year. He claims payment of the sum of £37 10s., being the balance that would have fallen due to him fifteen months after abolition. I am directed to report that the petitioner appears to the Committee to be equitably entitled to payment of £37 10s., being a provincial liability ; and, if the Government, on inquiry, is satisfied that such is the case, the Committee would recommend that this sum be paid to the petitioner. 13th July, 1888.

No. 366. —Petition of Daniel Camemon, of Greytown, Wairarapa. The petitioner alleges that in the Maori outbreak of 1869 his crops were damaged to the value of .-£9O by rebel Natives during his absence from his farm on military service. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on the subject of this petition. 18th July, 1888. _ _

No. 254.—Petition of John Gillett, of Opawa. The petitioner shows that he has been in the service of the Railway Department for nearly fourteen years continuously but for one break of seventeen days. He complains tiiat he has been dismissed without compensation, and prays for relief. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee, the short break in the petitioners' service ought not to interfere with his receiving such retiring allowance as is usually given by the department to men serving in the like capacity. 17th July, 1888.

No. 296.—Petition of John Black of Dunedin. The petitioner states that he has been fined £200 by the Public Works Department for delay in completion of a certain contract on the Otago Central Railway. He pleads that the delay arose from causes entirely beyond his own control, and prays for remission of the fine. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the Government should be recommended to remit the fine imposed upon the petitioner. 17th July, 1888.

No. 326. —Petition of B. L. Clack of Auckland (No. 2). The petitioner prays for a certified copy of the report of the inquiry held by Mr. Dietriet Judge Seth Smith, in September, 1886, into certain charges made by the petitioner against Mr. Brewer, Ecgistrar of the Supreme Court at Auckland, and for a certified copy of Mr. Brewer's written defence. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner has'already received from the "Cnder-Secretary for Justice a letter containing the substance of Mr. Judge Smith's report, the Committee sees no reason why the prayer of the petitioner should be granted. 17th July, 1888.

No. 376. —Petition of G. E. Coopee of Devonport, Auckland. The petitioner states that since his discharge, on the reduction of the Permanent Militia, he has been unable to obtain employment. He prays that his name may be placed on a list of persons for employment under Government as vacancies may occur. I am directed to recommend that the prayer of the petitioner be granted. 17th July, 1888.

No. I.—Petition of James Atkinson, of Upokongaro. The petitioner states that he was wounded in the head by rebel Natives in 1865, while carrying mails, and that he has lost his sight in consequence of the svound. He prays for compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee, after taking evidence, is of opinion that the petitioner did receive a gun-shot wound in the service of the colony, and that from that wound his blindness has resulted. The Committee would therefore recommend the petition to the favourable consideration of the Government, 20th July, 1888,