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No. 126. —Petition of Charles Eailly, of Auckland. Petitioner prays for reinstatement in the Telephone Department, or for compensation for loss of employment. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 29th July, 1891.

No. 134.—Petition of Annie d£ Carle, of Dunedin. Petitioner prays for compensation on account of a certain section of land belonging to her in St. Kilda having been injured by the soil being excavated by the Public Works Department. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, an officer of the Public Works Department should be requested to file a claim in Court, under the provisions of the Public Works Act, and to give the necessary notices to the petitioner, so that she may place her case before a Compensation Court, and receive such an amount as the Judge and Assessors thereof may deem just and reasonable. 29th July, 1891.

No. 173. —Petition of Eobeet Paul Hodge, of Waipu. Petitionee states that he belonged to the transport corps, was invalided, and received a pension for two years. He now prays for further relief. I am directed to report that, after having examined all the documents in connection with this case, the Committee can see no reason to depart from the decision of the Committee of 1885 —viz., that the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 29th July, 1891.

No. 182.—Petition of Chaeles Townley Beowne, of Wellington. Petitionee states that he considers that his discharge from the Police Force, under the exceptional circumstances of his case, was attended with great hardship, loss, and degradation. Also, that his transfer to Auckland, in 1888, involved considerable pecuniary loss, as he was compelled to dispose of his furniture at a sacrifice of £95. He prays that, in addition to the compensation which he has received, he may be paid his salary for the three months' leave of absence to which he was in equity entitled, amounting to £75 Is. 6d., together with compensation for the loss on his furniture (£95). I am directed to report that it appears to the Committee there is a want of uniformity in dealing with public officers on retirement, some being allowed three months' pay in lieu of notice, in addition to the compensation to which they are entitled, while others are dispensed with without this being granted. That the Committee, while not approving of officers getting anything beyond the compensation to which they are entitled under the Civil Service Eegulations, is of opinion that the petitioner, having been a good officer, and having in view the fact that other officers have had three months' pay allowed them on retirement, recommends that the petition be dealt with in a similar manner, and that the sum of £75 Is. 6d. be paid to him. 29th July, 1891.

No. 201.—Petition of William Haeeis, of Wellington. Petitioner prays for consideration on account of having lost his employment in the Wellington Police Force, and because he sustained an injury to his leg while in the Force. I am directed to report that, from an examination of the papers in connection with this case, the Committee find that the petitioner has been twice discharged from the Police Force for drunkenness. They consider that he has no claim whatever against the colony. 29th July, 1891.

No. 220.—Petition of Edwaed Hammond, of Auckland. Petitioner states that, for nearly twenty-three years, he has been an officer of the Native Land Court, at Auckland; that his services were dispensed with on the 31st May last; that had he remained in the Service until December of next year he would have been entitled to a pension under "The Civil Service Act, 1866 ;" that he is incapacitated for further work, owing to an accident he met with in the public service about a year ago. He prays that his pension may be granted to him. I am directed to report that, having fully considered this case, the Committee is of opinion that petitioner should receive such amount of compensation as he is entitled to under the Civil Service Eegulations, but cannot recommend the prayer of the petition as regards a pension. 29th July, 1891.

No. 229. —Petition of the Hobson County Council, of Auckland (No. 2). Petitioners state that all the lands owned by the Kaihu Valley Eailway Company were not included in the property-tax valuation-roll for 1889 ; that through this omission the county had no power to levy rates thereon; that the value of the portion omitted was £50,000; that they have suffered loss of rates to the amount of £833 6s. Bd. They pray for relief. I am directed to report that, the Hobson County Council having neglected their interests in not amending the statements of values prepared from the property-tax assessor's.work, which were forwarded to the County Council with the request that the Council would assist in perfecting such statements, but which the Council neglected to- do, this Committee is of opinion that the petitioners have no claim upon the colony. 29th July, 1891.