I.—l

14

Nos. 403, 434, and 455.—Petitions of J. Lilewall and Others, of Devonport; Philtp Cooper and Others, of Cambridge ; and Edward Browne and Others, of Mahurangi. The petitioners pray for the abolition of the totalisator. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th August, 1888.

No. 426. —Petition of Thomas Brown and Others. The petitioners pray for immediate expenditure of £1,000 on roads in the County of Clutha. I am directed to report that, as all the signatures to this petition are pasted on, the petition is irregular, and the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th August, 1888.

No. 404. —Petition of Andrew Jack, of Wade, Waitemata. The petitioner prays for consideration under the Forest Trees Planting Act. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, this petition should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. 14th August, 1888.

No. 409.—Petition of David Burns and Others, of Karioi. The petitioners pray that the practice of levying rates according to valuation may be discontinued, and that land may for the future be rated according to its area, irrespective of improvements. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 14th August, 1888.

No. 423. —Petition of J. Goodfellow and Others, of Hokianga (No. 2). The petitioners pray for construction of a wharf at Omapare. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 14th August, 1888.

No. 169.—Petition of John Horsburgh, Emanuel Jones, and Henry Mueller, of Chat ha. The petitioners allege that they erected certain fencing for the Government along the Catlin's Eiver Eaihvay; that part of the work, after being approved by one Government Engineer, was condemned by his successor; and that they are refused payment for this part of the work. They pray for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioners have no claim to any further payment. 17th August, 1888.

No. 427. —Petition of Alexander Dundas, of Palmerston North. The petitioner states that lie served as a surveyor under the Provincial Governments of Otago, Southland, and Wellington, from March, 1861, till the abolition of the provinces; that he continued in the service of the General Government till February, 1888, when he was discharged with compensation for his service under the General Government only. He prays for compensation for his provincial service also. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 17th August, 1888.

Nos. 453, 460, and 469.—Petitions of F. S. King and Others, of Pakuranga; Hugh K. Gilmour and Others, of Howick; and W r. Steadman Aldis, of West Tamaki. The petitioners pray for the repeal of " The Contagious Diseases Act, 1869." 1 am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on the subject of these three petitions. 17th August, 1888.

No. 387.—Petition of G. E. Charlton and Others, of Seacliff. The petitioners pray that 500 acres of the Seacliff Asylum Eeserve may be cut up into allotments and leased for twenty-one years. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of this petition. 21st August, 1888.

No. 425.—Petition of ErHiuiM J. Bkowne, of Woodhill, Kaipara, Helensville. The petitioner prays for compensation for land taken for railway purposes. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the proper course for the petitioner to pursue is to send in a formal claim to the Minister for Public Works, as prescribed by " The Public Works Act, 1882." 21st August, 1888,