1.—2

10

alluded to Ell has been kept in the Bankruptcy Court for five years. (17.) That the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy, in Christchurch, Mr. Latter, obtained his release from Ell's estate by an order made some time since, and has since resigned from the position of Assignee in Bankruptcy. (18.) The Committee are therefore of the opinion that Ell has suffered grievous wrong by the abuse of the powers of the Courts of Law and Bankruptcy, and beg to recommend that he be appointed trustee in his own estate, or that some other impartial person be so appointed : first, for the payment out of his estate of all his just debts; second, to hold the residue of his own estate (if any) for his own benefit. 19th August, 1891.

No. 294, Sess. ll.—Petition of J. Moeloy and 130 Others, of the Grey Valley. Petitionees pray that the Haupiri district may be opened up by the formation of a road. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 25th August, 1891.

No. 444, Sess. ll.—Petition of James M. McLaeen, of the Thames. Petitionee states he was discharged from the Government service without the usual leave of absence. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, as it has been the general rule in the Service to grant leave of absence upon retirement, the Committee recommends the Government to grant the petitioner three months' leave on full pay. 25th August, 1891.

No. 208, Sess. 11. -Petition of B. A. Teottee and 53 Others, of Mataura. Petitionees pray for an extension of the Edendale-Toitois Bailway from Glenham. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 25th August, 1391.

No. 129, Sess. ll.—Petition of Janet and Chaeles P. McDonald, of Dunedin. Petitionees state that they were left by will a certain section of land in the Upper Kaikorai district, but they were evicted from the same, and their goods sold to pay the costs of the eviction, &c. They pray for relief. I am directed to report that the petitioners are entitled in equity to relief, and that, as other persons in the same position as the petitioners have been compensated by a former Government, the Committee recommend the Government to place the sum of £200 on the supplementary estimates as compensation to the petitioners. 25th August, 1891.

No. 472, Sess. ll.—Petition of Geoege Albeet Tappek, of Palmerston North. Petitionee states that he was unjustly sentenced by the District Court Judge, at Palmerston North, to six months' imprisonment with hard labour for not keeping proper account books in his business. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee sees no reason why the judgment of Mr. Justice Kebble should be disturbed. 25th August, 1891.

No. 365, Sess. ll.—Petition of D. M. MacGoun, of Dunedin. Petitionee states that, after thirty-three years' service, he was discharged on thirteen days' notice only. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, as it has been the general rule in the service to grant leave of absence upon retirement, the Committee recommends the Government to grant petitioner three months' leave on full pay. 25th August, 1891. "

Nos. 345, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272. 273, 274, 275, 291, 292, 298, 299, 300, 305, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 382, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 418, 423, 424, 425, 426, 437, 448, 449, 450, 451, 520, 561, 562, 563, 521, Sess. ll.—Petitions of Mrs. Blair and 37 Others, of Otago; F. Hutchins and Others, F. W. Adams and Others, T. J. Wills and Others, J. T. Borlass and Others, M. Thomas and Others, J. Kirk and Others, W. E. Barker and Others, J. Booth and Others, J. S. Boss and Others, M. Mutch and Others, J. G. Fraser and Others, S. Inkster and Others, J. M. Atkinson and Others, M. Walton and Others, J. Simpson and Others, J. Gibson and Others, C. Dixon and Others, W. West and Others, J. Doull and Others, C. Woodyall and Others, M. Jamieson and Others, J. Williamson and Others, J. T. Garlick and Others, Bev. Dr. Stuart and Others, A. Barclay and Others, W. H. Prosser and Others, J. Baxter and Others, T. Baxter and Others, G. W.-Bignell and Others, T. W. Foster and Others, A. Drakely and Others, A. H. Maude and Others, M. G. Scott and Others, J. W. Watts and Others, J. Bell and Others, P. Campbell and Others, J. Simpson and Others,