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No. 60. —Petition of W. C. Daldy, of Auckland, and 1,515 Others. The petitioners pray for repeal of "The Eailways Act, 1887," and for a trial of the Vaile system on the Government railways of the colony. I am directed to recommend the immediate appointment of a Select Committee, with power to send for persons and papers, to inquire into the subject of this petition. Bth July, 1890.

No. 7. —Petition of Benjamin P. Bayly, of Hamilton. The petitioner alleges that he has been dismissed from his office of Sheep Inspector without proper cause. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has been treated with every consideration by the Government, and that the Committee has, therefore, no recommendation to make. 10th July, 1890. ,

No. 9.—Petition of T. B. Hannapord, of Auckland. The petitioner repeats his assertion that the late Engineer-in-Chief, in designing the ironwork of the Cuvier Island lighthouse, has pirated an invention of his own. He prays for further inquiry. I am directed to report that, having again examined the plans, the Committee adheres to its report of 6th August, 1889—namely, " 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." 10th July, 1890.

No. 54. —Petition of Mary and William Steadman Aldis, of Auckland. The petitioners pray for the repeal of "The Contagious Diseases Act, 1869." I am directed to report that, since there is now before the House a Bill dealing with the subject of this petition, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 10th July, 1890.

No. 15. —Petition of Simon Fraser, of Auckland. The petitioner alleges that a Select Committee of the Provincial Council of Otago, in 1864, recognised and admitted his claim to a reward of £1,500, for the discovery of the West Taieri Goldfield, of which sum he has received, as yet, only £30 on account. He prays for payment of the balance, or for other suitable consideration. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, this petition should be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee. 15th July, 1890.

No. 38. —Petition of William Hanlon, of Dunedin. The petitioner prays for additional allowance on retiring from the office of sergeant of Police. I am directed to report that, since the petitioner has already received compensation in accordance with the rule adopted by the department—namely, to grant not exceeding two years' pay to Inspectors and one year's pay to sergeants and constables, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th July, 1890.

No. 41.—Petition of James Atkinson, of Wanganui. The petitioner states that he was wounded in the head by rebel Maoris in 1865, while carrying mails, and that he has lost his sight in consequence of the wound. He pleads that the sum of £50 already paid to him is insufficient, and prays for further relief. I am directed to report that, since the Government has adopted the recommendation made by this Committee in 1888, the Committee has no further recommendation to make. 17th July, 1890.

No. 64.—Petition of J. W. Faulkner, of Dunedin. The petitioner prays for refund of the Customs duty paid by him on a machine for making wirenetting. I am directed to report as follows : —The petition was considered at a meeting of the Committee held on the 15th July, 1890. Present: Mr. Seymour (Chairman), Mr. Allen, Mr. Blake, Mr. Fish, Mr. Goldie, Mr. Loughrey, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Moat. Mr. Loughrey moved, and the question was proposed, That, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Mr. Marchant moved, That the question be amended by the omission of all the words after the word " that," and the insertion of the following words in lieu thereof : " since the duty on machinery has been imposed by Parliament, the Committee has no recommendation to make." And the question being put, " That the words proposed to be omitted stand part of the resolution," the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 5 : Mr. Allen, Mr. Blake, Mr. Fish, Mr. Loughrey, Mr. Moat. Noes, 2 : Mr. Goldie, Mr. Marchant. So it was resolved in the affirmative. 17th July, 1890.