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No. 69.—Petition of the Otamatea County Council and 137 Others. Petitioners pray for a grant of £500 for the improvement of the main road from Mangawai to Tokatoka. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition to be referred to the Government for consideration. 22nd August, 1893.

No. 251. —Petition of Stephen Lancaster and 6 Others, of Karori. Petitioners pray that the charge for telephone connections to Karori be reduced to £5 per annum. I am directed to report that, in view of the great advantage derived from the telephone system throughout the country districts, and its probable extension, the Committee recommends the revision of the scale of charges to be considered by the Government. 22nd August, 1893.

No. 273.' —Petition of Thomas J. Deane, of Tenui. Petitioner prays that his daughter, Mary Ellonor Deane, may be paid a portion of the estate of James Graham, lately deceased. I am directed to report that, as the Public Petitions M to Z Committee have a similar petition before them, and have commenced their investigation of the same, the Committee recommends the petition be referred to that Committee. 25th August, 1893.

No, 296.—Petition of Alexander Brodie, of Auckland. Petitioner prays that he be granted some reward for the many public services rendered by him in connection with opening up roads through Native lands, &c. I'am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 25th August, 1893.

No. 223.—Petition of Catherine Barnes, of Wellington. Petitioner states that she was ejected from the Resident Magistrate's Court and Government Buildings, Wellington, by Government officials with great force, &c. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 25th August, 1893.

No. 333. —Petition of J. J. Lewis and 509 Others, of Canterbury. Petitioners pray that the principal of the direct veto be not sanctioned by Parliament. I am directed to report that, as a Licensing Amendment Bill is now before the House, the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 25th August, 1893.

No. 277.—Petition of B. Howard and 182 Others, of Otago. Petitioners pray that Saturday may be declared the statutory half-holiday for the Provincial District of Otago. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 25th August, 1893.

No. 343.—Petition of James King, of Greymouth. Petitioner prays that the duty on such photographic materials as mounts, bromide paper, and other sensitised papers may be abolished. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 25th August, 1893.

No. 257.—Petition of John Coyle, of Bulls. Petitioner states that, after twenty-two years and six months' service in the Police Force, he was compelled, through failing health, to send in his resignation, and was refused any retiring allowance on technical grounds. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, as a Medical Board reported that the petitioner was unfit for further service through failing health, the Committee recommends he be allowed the usual retiring allowance. 25th August, 1893.

No. 41.—Petition of the Christchuech Drainage Boakd, Christchurch. Petitioneks pray that an annual subsidy be granted them by the Government for the removal of sewage from the Government Buildings in Christchurch. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 25th August, 1893.