I—s.

The Land for Settlements Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have duly considered the same, and beg to recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments thereto as set forth on the attached copy of the Bill. 26th August, 1892.

No. 695, 1891, Sess. ll.—Petition of Mary Ann Cannon. Petitioner states that her late husband, James MacDonough, was granted a block of land in the Rangitikei district in 1860 for military services. MacDonough was lost in the snow while prospecting in Otago. Petitioner married again, and only recently discovered that the land had been forfeited for non-residence. Prays that a title for the said land may now be granted to her. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they have no recommendation to make with reference to the above petition. 26th August, 1892.

No. 291.—Petition of Robert Hamilton. Petitioner prays for a grant of land as a free immigrant to the colony, to which by law he was entitled, but failed through ignorance to apply for. He prays relief. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they have no recommendation to make with reference to the above petition. 26th August, 1892.

No. 360.—Petition of D. H. Lusk and 11 Others. Petitioners are members of a small-farm association at Auckland, and pray —(1) That all small-farm -settlers may have the right of purchase after four years' holding; (2) permission for non-residence on bush-lands for three years; (3) return to regulations of 1885; (4) to be able to purchase land at a minimum of 10s. per acre; (5) permission for each settler to acquire a maximum of 320 acres. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they are of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th August, 1892.

No. 290. —Petition of G. H. Kemper and 44 Others. Petitioners are members of the Pahiatua Farm Homestead Association, and pray for monetary assistance from the Government to enable them to cultivate their holdings. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they are of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th August, 1892.

Nos. 318, 319, and 320.—Petitions of the Hunterville Small-farm Associations, Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Petitioners pray that the Land Bill may be so amended as to allow of four years elapsing before residence is compulsory; also that they may be allowed to acquire the freehold of their lands after a certain number of years have elapsed. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they are of opinion these petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th August, 1892.

No. 234. —Petition of H. H. Thompson and 62 Others. Petitioners pray that a road may be constructed from Victoria Valley to Mangamuku, Okaihau, Kaitaia, Auckland. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they are of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th August, 1892.

No. 295.—Petition of Lauritz Borck and 20 Others. Petitioners pray that a road may be constructed from Nydia Bay to Havelock, via Black Point. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they are of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th August, 1892.

No. 364.— Petition of W. Matthews and 370 Others. Petitioners pray that the Land Bill may be so amended as to allow four years to elapse before residence is compulsory ; and also that they may be allowed to purchase their holdings after a term of years. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they are of opinion this petition, should be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th August, 1892.

No. 356.—Petition of Percy Roberts and 2 Others. Petitioners pray that the Land Bill may be so amended as to allow four years to elapse before residence is compulsory, and also that they may be allowed to purchase their holdings after a term of years. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they are of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th August, 1892,

3