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No. 467. —Petition of the Bishop of Cheistohuboh and Others. Petitioners protest against the Divorce Extension and Amendment Bill. I am directed to report that, as this Bill is now before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st August, 1891.

No. 516. —Petition of the Haweea County Council. Petitionees pray for relief from the New Plymouth Harbour rate. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of this petition is now under the consideration of the House, the Committee kas no recommendation to make. 21st August, 1891.

No. 528.—Petition of Thomas Fibman, of Christchureh. Pbtitionee prays for a grant of land for military services. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Naval and Military Claims Committee. 21st August, 1891.

Nos. 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540, and 546.-—Petitions of Sabah E. Packeb and Others, E. M. Coad and Others, E. Mobeison and Others, J. H. A. Bakes and Others, E. P. Eichmond and Others, Maey Spring and Others, J. Mobeis and Others, Mrs. Fletcheb and Others. Petitionees pray that the franchise may be extended to women. I am directed to report that, as a Bill dealing with the subject-matter of these petitions is now before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st August, 1891.

No. 363.—Petition of A. W. Cabkeek. Petitionee states that he was authorised to survey a block of land in the Otaki district; that he proceeded to perform the work, and after a portion had been done and considerable expense incurred, the Survey Department illegally and unwarrantably cancelled his authority, thereby causing him loss which he estimates at £100. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 26th August, 1891.

No. 396. —Petition of A. A. Fantham, of Hawera. Petitioneb states that in the year 1889 he became entitled to a land order under the Forest Trees Planting and Encouragement Acts ; that he received the scrip and gave it into an agent's hands to make use of for him ; that said agent neglected to do so until too late, and has now returned the order to him. Petitioner prays that steps may be taken to enable him to make use of his scrip. I am directed to report that the petitioner, having failed to make use of his scrip within the time prescribed by law, has no claim against the colony. 26th August, 1891.

No. 427. —Petition of Thomas Haycock, of Richmond, Nelson. Petitioneb prays for a bonus on account of discovery of an improved method of utilising tow and refuse of dressed flax. I am directed to report that the Committee, having carefully considered the evidence of Mr. Haycock in reference to the samples of the waste products of flax submitted to them, recommend that the Government should purchase from him five tons according to samples submitted to Committee, the cost of same not to exceed £14 per ton; that the same should be sent to the AgentGeneral to be distributed amongst manufacturers, with the view of having their value tested, and reported on to the Government. 26th August, 1891.

No. 459. —Petition of Lindsay Jackson, of Thames. Prtitionee prays for refund of bail escheated. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend that the prayer of the petitioner should be granted. 26th August, 1891.

No. 285. —Petition of Joseph Hatch, of Invercargill. Petitioner states that in July, 1890, the whole of the position of the Macquarie Island oil-trade was placed in the hands of the Government by letter. That the Government has persistently tried to stop the oil-trade by urging the Tasmanian Government, the owners of the Macquaries, to cause it to be discontinued. That a petition was presented to the House last session praying that the wanton destruction of penguins there, and on various New Zealand dependencies, might be prohibited. That erroneous evidence was taken, and your present petitioner and his business freely defamed, while he was not summoned to give evidence on his own behalf. That in March, 1890, a party was sent to the Macquaries by petitioner; that they were under legal articles to remain for twelve months, and that a sufficient supply of food and stores were landed with them. That he expended £1,000 or more in putting suitable plant on the ground to work the oil business. That in December last the Government, without rhyme or reason, sent down the s.s. " Kakanui " to bring up his men from the Macquaries, a foreign port; that eight of them agreed to leave the island, and their lives were sacrificed in attempting to reach New Zealand. That the Government