I.—l

1889. NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be ■printed.

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Tuesday, the 25th Day of June, 1889. Ordered, " That a Public Petitions A to L Committee, consisting of ten members, be appointed to consider all petitions that may be referred to it by the Petitions Classification Committee, to classify and prepare abstracts of such petitions in such form and manner as shall appear to it best suited to convey to this House all requisite information respecting their contents, and to report the same from time to time to this House, and to have power to report its opinions and observations thereupon to this House ; also to have power to call for persons and papers ; three to be a quorum: the Committee to consist of Mr. Allen, Mr. Blake, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Fish, Mr. Goldie, Mr. Loughrey, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Moat, Mr. Seymour, and the mover." —(Hon. Mr. Hislop.)

Nos. 3, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, and 19. —Petitions of the Lake County Council, the Patea County Council, the Waitotaea County Council, the Hutt County Council, the Taieei County Council, the Haweea County Council, the Waipa County Council (No. 1), and the Eaglan County Council. The petitioners pray for such, amendment of the existing licensing law as may transfer to Borough and County Council's and Town Boards the powers now exercised within their respective districts by Licensing Committees. I am directed to report that the Committee is not prepared to recommend the prayer of these petitions. 28th June, 1889.

No. 20.—Petition of various County Councils and Eoad Boards. The petitioners pray for such amendment of " The Slaughterhouse Act Amendment Act, 1888," as may permit settlers living at a distance from towns and boroughs to kill and dispose of meat to the extent of one head of neat cattle or four sheep monthly. I am directed to recommend this petition to the favourable consideration of the Government. 28th June, 1889.

No. 37. —Petition of the Cheistchuech Gas, Coal, and Coke Company (Limited). The petitioners pray that a Bill to empower the Christchurch City Council to construct gasworks in opposition to those of the petitioners may not be allowed to pass. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, this petition should be referred to the Local Bills Committee. 28th June, 1889.

Nos. 63 and 64.—Petitions of the Clifton County Council and the Whakatane County Council. The petitioners pray for amendment of " The Land Act, 1885," so as to facilitate the settlement of Crown lands. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, these two petitions should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. (Vide, 1.-5.) 4th July, 1889.

No. 81.—Petition of J. Ballantyne and Co. and Others, of Christchurch. The petitioners pray that the Christchurch City Council Empowering Bill, now before the House, be not allowed to pass. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, this petition should be referred to the Local Bills Committee. 4th July, 1889. I—l. 1.

REPORTS OF PUBLIC PETITIONS A TO L COMMITTEE. (Mb, SEYMOUR, CHAIRMAN.)