I.—l

4

No. 46. —Petition of Thomas Ellis, of Wanganui. The petitioner complains that certain articles exhibited by him at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, in London, were returned to him broken and damaged. He prays for compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on the subject of this petition. 6th August, 1889.

No. 75. —Petition of F. M. P. Brookfield, of Auckland. The petitioner complains that ho lias been dismissed from the office of Judge of the Native Land Court on the ground of retrenchment only, and not for any fault of his own, white other Judges of more recent appointment have been retained in the service. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, as it appears from correspondence that the Government has^ not yet communicated to the petitioner its final decision on his case, the Committee is of opinion that the Government should be recommended to do so as early as practicable. 6th August, 1889.

No. 101.—Petition of T. B. Hannafobd, of Auckland. (No. 1.) The petitioner complains that, by the use of cast-iron for building the lighthouse-tower on Cuvier Island, the Government has pirated his own invention of cast-iron lighthouse-towers. I am directed to report that the Committee finds, on examination of plans and other documentary evidence, that no piracy of the petitioner's design has taken place, for cast-iron towers have been in use for similar purposes, both in New Zealand and elsewhere, for at least thirty years. 6th August, 1889.

No. 113.—Petition of William Ferris Browne, of Dunedin. This petition is a claim for increased retiring-allowance or compensation in respect of provincial service. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has received all the compensation he is entitled to. 6th August, 1889.

No. 133. —Petition of Frederick Crippen, of Auckland. The petitioner complains that a certain sum of money held by the Public Trustee in trust for the petitioner's children was so invested by the Public Trustee that for one period of eighteen months it yielded no income at all. The petitioner prays for payment of arrears of interest. I am directed to report that the Committee is unable to recommend the prayer of the petitioner. 6th August, 1889.

No. 157.—Petition of Hans Charles Fanzelow, of Eotoiti, Nelson. The petitioner prays for consideration for having made a certain road. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition is informal, as having a document attached to it, contrary to Standing Order No. 270. 6th August, 1889. ,

Nos. 177 and 190.—Petitions of the Ashburton County Council and the Bruce County Council. The petitioners pray for such amendment of "The Licensing Act, 1881," as shall transfer to local bodies the powers now exercised by Licensing Committees. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of these petitions. 6th August, 1889.

No. 181.—Petition of Mrs. H. Hanson and 999 Others. The petitioners protest against the licensing clauses of the Dunedin Exhibition Bill. I am directed to report that the Committee has already reported on several similar petitions during the present session, and has no further recommendation to make. 6th August, 1889.

Nos. 182, 183, and 184.—Petitions of Andeew Hunter and Others, George Death and Others, and William Wilson, J.P., and Others, of Patea. The petitioners object to the proposed formation of a new County of Waverley out of part of the County of Patea. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these three petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration. 6th August, 1889.

No. 195. —Petition of John Davies and 268 Others, of Waikaia and the Neighbourhood. The petitioners pray for completion of the Biversdale-Switzers Eailway. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, 6th August, 1889,