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I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government, with the recommendation that they should be forwarded to the Eailway Commissioners. 28th August, 1890.

Nos. 214 and 215.—Petitions of Eev. L. Caesley Beady and Others, of Otaio; and Eev. Chaeles Coates and Others, of Waimate. The petitioners pray that a certain bequest to church trustees may be exempt from property-tax. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of these petitions. 2nd September, 1890.

No. 254.—Petition of T. W. Hemswokth and Others, of Christ church. The petitioners petition in support of the labour Bills now before the House. No. 256.—Petition of Edwabd Iles and other Hairdressers, of Dunedin. The petitioners petition against early closing of hairdressers' shops. No. 258. —Petition of Colman Hynes and Others, of Kaimata. The petitioners petition in favour of the Lake Brunner deviation of the Midland Eailway. No. 269. —Petition of Pbessey E. Geangee and other Schoolmasters, of North Canterbury. The petitioners petition in support of the School Committees Election Bill. I am directed to report that, as there are now before the House Bills dealing with the subjectmatters of these four petitions, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 2nd September, 1890.

No. 260.—Petition of John Smith Hickson (No. 2), of Naseby. The petitioner prays for a pension in consideration of having lost his eyesight through exposure and other hardships incurred in the discharge of his duties as Eesident Magistrate and Warden. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the case of the petitioner should be recommended to the favourable consideration of the Government. 2nd September, 1890.

No. 273. —Petition of the Wanganui Hospital and Chaeitable Aid Boaed. The petitioners pray for legislation to empower Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards to levy rates on Maori lands to meet the expense of providing relief for Maoris. I am directed to recommend this petition to the favourable consideration of the Government. 2nd September, 1890.

No. 62. —Petition of Lindsay Jackson, of the Thames. (Second Eeport : referred back to the Committee on Tuesday, sth August, 1890, for the purpose of taking further evidence. The petitioner prays for refund of bail escheated. I am directed to report that the Committee, having taken the evidence of the Warden of the Thames and of Mr. Mclntyre, the Provincial Auditor, as directed by the House, sees no reason to alter its former decision in this case—namely, " That the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petition." 4th September, 1890.

No. 176. —Petition of John Lundon, of Onehunga. The petitioner states that in 1887 the s.s. " Oreti " was under contract with the Government to make monthly trips from Onehunga to Hokianga and Whangape with special settlers for £40 a trip ; that in April, 1887, the pay of the crew being in arrear, the Seamen's Union called them out, thereby detaining the special settlers at Onehunga, where their maintenance devolved on the Government; that, to enable the steamer to proceed, the petitioner signed a promissory note for £125, the amount of wages due, on the understanding that the advance should be refunded to him by deductions from the monthly payments of £40 receivable by the " Oreti" from the Government; that no such deductions were ever made by the Government, and that when the " Oreti " was seized on the Slip, at Wellington, the Government cancelled the contract; that £50 was paid towards the promissory note by the owners of the " Oreti," and that the petitioner was sued for the balance, and judgment given against him with costs; that the sum total for which the petitioner is now liable is £120 9s. 4d. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the sum due on the promissory note, together with the costs of the action, ought to be paid to the petitioner. 4th September, 1890.

No. 244.—Petition of W. H. Bueton, of Hurunui. The petitioner charges Mr. Caleb Whitefoord, Eesident Magistrate at Kaiapoi, with partiality and injustice, and prays for an inquiry. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the charges made by the petitioner against Mr. Caleb Whitefoord have no foundation whatever, and no further inquiry need be made into the matter. 11th September, 1890.