1.—2

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDEES OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Tuesday, sth July, 1892. Ordered, " That a Public Petitions M to Z Committee, consisting of ten members, be appointed to consider all petitions jthat may be referred to it by the Petitions Classification Committee, to classify and prepare abstracts of such petitions in such form and manner as shall appear to it best suited to convey to this House all requisite information respecting their contents, and to report the same from time to time to this House, and to have power to report its opinions and observations thereupon to this House ; also to have power to call for persons and papers ; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Buckland, Mr. Harkness, Mr. Joyce, Mr. Meredith, Mr. McGuire, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Taylor, Mr. T. Thompson, Mr. Wright, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. W. P. Reeves.)

Thubsday, 7th July, 1892. Ordered, " That Mr. McGuiro be discharged from the Public Petitions M to Z Committee, and that Mr. Dawson be added thereto."—(Hon. Mr. W. P. Beeves.)

No. 14.—Petition of J. McKenzie and Others, of Dunedin. Petitionebs, commercial travellers, pray that they may be granted the same privilege that seamen at present enjoy in being enabled to record their votes wherever they may be upon the day of the election. I am directed to report that, as it is proposed to deal with this question in the Electoral Bill now before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. Bth July, 1892.

Nos. 49 and 50.—Petitions of Maby McDonald and Others, and Simon McDonald and Others, of Dunedin (Beport No. 1). Petitionees pray that the House will refuse to pass any Bill providing for the extension of the electoral franchise to women. I am directed to report that, as there is a Bill before the House proposing to deal with the subject-matter of these petitions, the Committee has no recommendation to make. Bth July, 1892.

Nos. 77, 78, 75, 76, and 79.—Petitions of Bishop Moban and Others, Bishop Nevill and Others, Mayob of Dunedin and Others, John A. Millee and Others, Vincent Pyke and Others. Petitionees pray that such permanent provision may be made as will admit of the construction of the Otago Central Bailway being expeditiously prosecuted towards completion. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration. Bth July, 1892. No. 31.—-Petition of William Bobebtson and Others, of Sandymount, Otago. Be a Crown Grant. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. Bth July, 1892. No. 61.—Petition of the Boslyn Bobough Council. Petitionees pray against the passing of the Ocean Beach Public Domain Bill. I am directed to report that, as this Bill is now before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. Bth July, 1892. I—l. 2.

REPORTS OF PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE. (Mr. T. THOMPSON, CHAIRMAN.)