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No. 477.—Petition of Andeew Huntek, of Kakaramea, Patea. The petitioner prays for compensation for damage to his property and for loss of live-stock, alleged to have been caused by the negligence of the persons employed by the Government in making the Foxton and New Plymouth Railway, which passes through his land. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of this petition. 28th August, 1888.

No. 482.—Petition of Elizabeth Bubeae, of Wellington. The petitioner alleges that she furnished the police with information which led to the conviction of two incendiaries. She prays for consideration. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner is not entitled to any reward. 28th August, 1888.

No. 486.—Petition of Alexandee Geant, M.A., late Headmaster of the District High School' Waimate. The petitioner complains that he has been improperly removed by the South Canterbury Education Board. He prays for redress. I am directed to report that, as the petition deals with the subject of the relations between an Education Board and its employe, this Committee is of opinion that there is no ground for interference, and therefore declines to consider the petition. 28th August, 1888.

No. 487.—Petition of Caeoline Guthbie, of Wellington. The petitioner states that her son, George Henry Guthrie, was injured by Charles Thomas Tatum in April, 1885; that she accordingly sued Mr. Tatum in the Supreme Court for damages; that judgment was given against her with costs ; that payment of the costs was levied by distraint; and that she has been left without means to appeal against the decision of the Court. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on the subject of this petition. 28th August, 1888.

No. 488.—Petition of Geoege Hale and Allan Wilson, of Okaiawa, Taranaki. The petitioners pray for relief from excessive rents, and for compensation for improvements made by them as lessess of a Native reserve. I am directed to recommend this petition to the favourable consideration of the Government. 28th August, 1888.

No. 492.—Petition of E. and T. Cabmichael, of Wellington. The petitioners pray for remission of penalties exacted by the Public Works Department for delay in completion of their contract to build the Government Printing Office. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, the delay in carrying out the work was caused by the department itself, and not by the contractors. The Committee therefore recommends that the penalty of £300 imposod upon the petitioners should not be enforced. 28th August, 1888.

No. 493. —Petition of Fkancis Feanks, of Temuka, Canterbury. The petitioner alleges that lie sent two hogsheads of ale to London to the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, with directions that the exhibits should be sold by public auction at the close of the Exhibition. He complains that it was, on the contrary, sold privately, for less than the value of the casks. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, since it appears to the Committee that the Exhibition officials did the best that was possible under the circumstances, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1888.

No. 494.—Petition of J. J. Elwin and Others, of New Plymouth. The petitioners are leaseholders under the West Coast "Settlements Act, and pray for relief from excessive rents. I am directed to recommend this peUtion to the favourable consideration of the Government. 28th August, 1888.

No. 497. —Petition of John Lundon, of Onehunga (No. 3). The petitioner states that a certain sum, voted by a former Parliament for making a road to open up certain Grown lands for settlement, has never been so applied. He prays for restoration of the vote. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, this petition should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. 28th August, 1888.