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No. 371.—Petition of Daniel Fallon, of Auckland. Petitioner states that in September, 1888, he entered into a contract with the Kaihu Valley Eailway Company to construct the terminal section of their railway; that he did work to the value of £6,641 ss. Id.; that the company went into voluntary liquidation in May, 1890; that the Queen, as mortgagee, entered into possession of the completed railway, and also the land through which petitioner was constructing the terminal portion; that he received a progress-payment of £639 12s. Bd., but there are no assets of the company out of which he can be paid the sum of £6,001 12s. sd. still owing; that the work done by him will prove of great benefit to Her Majesty as owner of the remaining portion of the line, and that it would be profitable for Her Majesty to cause his contract to be completed, as it would open up the timber traffic. Petititioner prays that the House will recommend that the railway should be completed, and that he should be employed to complete it under the terms of his contract with the company; also, that he may be paid the amount due under his said contract —viz., £6,001 12s. sd. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the Government should take steps to obtain from Mr. Owen and the Kauri Timber Company a substantial guarantee to cut and send by rail such a quantity of timber yearly as may be agreed upon, and, in the event of such an arrangement being entered into, the petitioner to be paid for the work already done by him on his Kaihu Valley Eailway contract, and that he be allowed to complete the same at the expense of the Government. Failing such arrangement being made, the Committee is further of opinion that the petitioner is entitled to some consideration in equity, and therefore refers the petition to the Government for consideration. sth August, 1891.

No. 94. —Petition of James Bennet and Others, of Eankleburn, &c. Petitioners pray that a sum of money may be placed on the estimates for the construction of a road between Beaumont and Eankleburn. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 6th August, 1891.

No. 277.—Petition of E. J. Feltus, of Auckland (No. 1). Petitioner prays for consideration on account of alleged long public services. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 6th August, 1891.

No. 211. —Petition of Alpheus Hayes, of Waimate. Petitionek alleges that, under the present deferred-payment system, a selector may take up a large area, and after paying several hundred pounds on account thereof, he may at any time rile as a bankrupt and defraud his creditors, although possessing possibly an interest in the said land amounting in value to four or five times the total of his debts. Petitioner prays that the law may be amended. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of .the Committee, Bills being now before the House proposing to deal with the land and bankruptcy laws, the subject-matter of this petition should be considered in passing these measures, and that the petition should therefore be referred to the Government for consideration. 6th August, 1891.

Nos. 233, 234, and 235. —Petitions of G. E. Nicholson and Others, James Harrison and Others, and James Isbister and Others. Petitioners pray that a sum of money may be voted for the completion of the construction of the Main Trunk Boad, north of Auckland. . lam directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration. 6th August, 1891. _____

No. 372. —Petition of John Bell, of Oamaru. Petitioner states that he has served in the Police Force of the colony for over seventeen years, and that he has now been discharged for alleged misconduct. He prays that the usual compensation may be allowed him, or for other relief. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend that the prayer of the petitioner for compensation should be granted. 6th August, 1891.

No. 114.—Petition of Jessie Kelly, of Port Chalmers. Petitioner claims an allowance for her late husband's services as a pilot under the Provincial Government. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee^ the petitioner has received all the compensation she is entitled to, and has no further claim upon the colony. 7th August, 1891.

No. 248.—Petition of Hugh Brown, of Auckland. Petitioner prays for compensation for his services as a pilot under the Provincial Government, or for a pension. 2—l. 1.