I.—l

16

No. 684.—Petition of John Hill, of Auckland. Petitioner 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. 14th September, 1891.

No. 695. —Petition of Maby Ann Cannon, of Dunedin. Petition re a land claim. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. 14th September, 1891.

No. 570. —Petition of Alexander Cairns, of Dunedin. Petitioner prays for consideration on account of certain public services alleged to have been rendered by him. I am directed to report that the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 15th September, 1891.

No. 574.—Petition of John Lundon, of Auckland (No. 1). Petitionee prays for a bonus for services rendered in the inauguration of the village special-settle-ment scheme, north of Auckland. I am directed to report that the Committee, having taken the evidence of the following witnesses—viz., Hon. J. Ballance, Mr. Gavin, Mr. Eliott, and petitioner himself, consider that the petitioner has been already fairly compensated by the Government for his services in connection with the village settlement scheme; but, looking to the fact that the Hon. Mr. Ballance admits having promised petitioner that he would recommend him for a bonus of £100 if he performed his work satisfactorily, which Mr. Ballance admits has been done, the Committee recommend that the Government should pay the sum of £100 to petitioner, such payment to be in full of all demands of the said petitioner against the Government in'jconnection with the village settlement scheme north of Auckland; on receipt of the said sum of £100 the said petitioner to execute a full release under seal. 15th September, 1891.

No. 585. —Petition of John Lundon, of Auckland (No. 2.) Petitioner prays for compensation for alleged damage through having a cheque dishonoured which was drawn against a voucher deposited at the National Bank, but which voucher was not acknowledged by the Crown Lands Department. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony on the grounds of this petition. 15th September, 1891.

No. 648.—Petition of John Jeevis, of Auckland. Petition re certificate of title to his land under Land Transfer Act. I am directed to report that, as this petition deals with a question of law between the several parties concerned, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th September, 1891.

No. 650.—Petition of H. J. Hawkins, of Te Aroha. Petitioner prays for amendment of the lunacy laws. I am directed to report that, as the lunacy law has already been altered in the direction desired by the1 petitioner, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th September, 1891. .

No. 660.—Petition of Thomas Caetee, of Wellington. Petitionee prays for relief in connection with his services having been dispensed with by the Defence Department. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim agaiast the colony. 15th September, 1891.

*.. No. 689. —Petition of H. S. Jones and Others, of Onehunga. Petitioners pray that a duty may be placed on imported iron. I am directed to report that, as this petition deals with a matter of public policy, in the opinion of the Committee it should be referred to the Government. 15th September, 1891.

No. 696. —Petition of Daniel Egan, of Wellington. Petitioneb alleges that he was injured while in the employment of the Government. He prays for a compassionate allowance to take him up to the Hot Springs. I am directed to report that, as the Government have offered to let the petitioner use the sulphur baths at Eotorua free of charge, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th September, 1891. .

No. 716. —Petition of W. Davis and Others, of Bay of Islands. Petitioners pray that sittings of the Eesident Magistrate's Court may be held at Waimate North as heretofore.