1.—2

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I am directed to report that, as the petitioners pray for an alteration of the law, which provides for compulsory vaccination, and which involves a question of considerable social importance, the Committee refrains from making any definite recommendation, but refers the petition to the Government for consideration, for the purpose of making further inquiries, with a view of seeing if any relief in the manner indicated by the petitioners can be afforded. 13th August, 1891.

No. 299, 1890.—Petition of William Simpson, of Oamaru. Petitionee alleges that there was a failure of justice in his case, which was adjudicated on by the Besident Magistrate, at Oamaru. He prays for an inquiry. I am directed to report that, whilst the Committee is of opinion that the Besident Magistrate in dealing with this case may not have been justified in the extreme judgment he gave, they are also of opinion that he did not act partially, and do not think the circumstances of the case as a whole warrant the Government in holding the inquiry asked for. 13th August, 1891.

No. 215, Sess. ll.—Petition of William G. Maie, of Wellington (Second Eeport). Petitionee states that, after over twenty-eight years' service, first as an officer during the Maori disturbances, and afterwards as a Judge of the Native Land Court, he was discharged when within sixteen months of qualifying for a pension. He prays for relief. The Committee's report on this petition having been referred back by the House for consideration of the legal position of petitioner's claim to a pension, I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner is not entitled to a pension under the Act of 1858, he having served only twenty-eight years, the period of service which would have so entitled him being thirty years. This being so, the Committee has nothing to add to its previous report, except to recommend the petitioner for employment should opportunity offer. 18th August, 1891.

No. 416, Sess. ll.—Petition of William McKeevee, of New South Wales. Petitionee states he is entitled to a grant of land for military services. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 18th August, 1891.

No. 344, Sess. ll.—Petition of Hugh McGeegoe and 16 Others, of Wendon. Petitionees state they bought sections of land, part of an educational endowment, but that the terms are to high. They pray for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 18th August, 1891.

No. 422, Sess. ll.—Petition of A. McLachlan and 59 Others, of Clinton. Petitionees complain that the license fee for the Clinton Eailway Hotel and Eefreshment-room is not paid to the local body. They pray for relief. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 18th August, 1891.

No. 386, Sess. ll.—Petition of G. W. Eiley and 25 Others, of Marlborough. Petitionees pray that the Act, which makes it punishable to destroy stoats, weasels, &c, be amended, and that their importation may be discontinued. I am directed to report that, as the petition refers to a question of policy, it be referred to the Government for consideration. 18th August, 1891.

No. 389, Sess. ll.—Petition of P. S. Beown, Chairman of Whangarei County Council. Petitionee prays for an amendment of the Public Works Act in order to simplify the means of acquiring and exchanging land for public roads. I am directed to report that, as the petition refers to a question of policy, it should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 18th August, 1891.

No. 228, Sess. ll.—Petition of F. Mackenzie and 201 Others, of the Bay of Islands. • Petitionees pray that the existing Kawakawa, Opua, and Kamo-Whangarei Eailways may be connected. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 19th August, 1891.

No. 362, Sess. ll.—Petition of Thomas Quill, of Queenstown. (Second Eeport.) Petitionee states that his son, who was the main support of petitioner and his family, lost his life while in the employ of the Government. He prays for relief.