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No. 137.—Petition of E. H. Bakbwell, M.D., of Auckland. The petitioner prays for an inquiry into the subject of the prevalence of leprosy in New Zealand. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th August, 1890.

No. 140. —Petition of John Jackson. The petitioner relates his adventures. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this document, as containing no prayer, is not a petition, and that the Committee has therefore no recommendation to make. 12th August, 1890.

No. 159. —Petition of Alexander Clack and Others, of Wellington. The petitioners pray for general reform of the fiscal and land policy of the colony. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th August, 1890.

No. 163.—Petition of the Hobson County Council. It is alleged in the petition that, in consequence of an error in the rate-roll supplied to the Hobson County Council by the Property-tax Department, the Council sold one piece of land for arrears of rates due on another piece belonging to a different owner ; that the Council was thereby involved in litigation and incurred expenses amounting to £330 ; that the Government repudiates the responsibility of the Property-tax Department, and refuses to pay these expenses. The Council prays for relief. I am directed to report that, having inquired into the subject of the petition, the Committee is of opinion that the Government was justified in not recognising the claim. 12th August, 1890.

No. 174. —Petition of Thomas Aheabn, of Greymouth. The petitioner states that he is bliud, and prays for a grant of money to enable him to go to Australia for medical advice and change of climate. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of this petition. 12th August, 1890.

No. 175.—Petition of the Hobson and Otamatea County Councils, The petitioners pray for maintenance of the western branch of the Great North Road. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th August, 1890. _J

No. 191. —Petition of Edwin Habbow (No. 2), of Lake, Auckland. The petitioner advertises a pamphlet entitled " New Zealand as I have found it," of which he ia the author, and prays that the Government may purchase 1,000 copies of it for the use of the Agent-General. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of this petition. 21st August, 1890.

■ No. 194.—Petition of John Maeie Geace, of Auckland. The petitioner states that he is the son and heir-at-law of the late Peter Grace, of Auckland, who in 1865 contracted to construct a section of the Auckland and Drury Eailway; that in 1866 the Provincial Government seized the contract and the plant, paying the contractor £3,600, and taking from him a receipt in full. He now claims £3,078 2s. as due by the Provincial Government to his late father. I am directed to report that the Committee, having further inquired into this case, is of opinion that the petitioner has no claim to any further payment beyond that of £3,600 made to his father by the Auckland Provincial Council, and accepted by him as final on the 18th July, 1866. 21st August, 1890. __

Nos. 196 and 200. —Petitions of Kate Connell and Others, of Whangarei; and Elizabeth McDiabmid and Others, of West Taieri. The- petitioners pray for repeal of "The Contagious Diseases Act, 1869." Nos. 207 and 208.—Petitions of P. B. Frasee, M.A., and Others, of Waiareka, Otago; and G. A. Haekness, M.A., and Others, of Nelson. The petitioners petition in support of the School Committees Election Bill. I am directed to report tliat, as there are now before the House Bills dealing with the matters of these petitions, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st August, 1890,