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No. 473. —Petition of J. P. Campbell and 45 Others, of Marlborough. Petitioners pray that the Direct Veto Bill be not sanctioned by Parliament. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government. 13th September, 1893.

No. 331.—Petition of the Mayor and Councillors of the Borough of West Harbour. Petitioners state that, when the Dunedin-Port Chalmers Eailway was made, the main road through the borough was considerably altered, and has never been put into a proper state of repair, the grades being steep, &c, although it was understood at that time the road should,be made as good as it was before the construction of the railway. They pray that a sum of £5,000 be granted to them. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th September, 1893.

No. 349. —Petition of Mrs. Ann Keast, of Christchurch. Petitioner states that her late husband died while in the employ of the Eailway Department, and that he left her unprovided for. She prays that she be granted a compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th September, 1893.

No. 348.—Petition of Mrs. Sarah Adams and Another, of Wellington. Petitioners state that one John O'Brien, deceased, devised to his two sons certain land and buildings in Wellington; on the decease of the said two sons the said property was to fall to one Eobert Woodgate, who was also one of the attesting witnesses to the will, and who thereby could not inherit. The petitioners pray that the technical defect be not taken advantage of by the Crown. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the prayer of the petition be granted, and the fact that the father happened to be one of the attesting witnesses to John O'Brien's will should not be taken advantage of by the Crown. 22nd September, 1893.

No. 424.—Petition of Eichaed Edward Crawley, of Wellington. Petitioner states that he was compelled to resign his position as constable in the Police Force through a quarrel with a comrade. He prays that he be allowed compensation. I am directed to report that, under all the circumstances and provocation Constable Crawley received, the Committee are of opinion the petitioner should receive whatever retiring allowance he would have been entitled to had he been retrenched. 22nd September, 1893.

No. 532.—Petition of William Grady, of Waitahu. Petitioner states that through the construction of a bridge across the Waitahu Eiver his property was seriously damaged. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. 26th September, 1893.

No. 448.—Petition of Edwin A. Look, of Christchurch. Petitioner prays that he be granted a pension or compensation on his retirement from the Public Works Department on 31st October next. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner is undoubtedly entitled to a pension, as shown in Parliamentary paper G.-10, 1872. 26th September, 1893.

No. 514.—Petition of Messrs. Cook Brothers and Another, Bay of Islands. Petitioners pray that a duty be laid upon imported fish and whale oil. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government. 26th September, 1893.

Nos. 282, 1892, and 13, 1893.—Petitions of Henry Baucke, of Wellington. Petitioner prays for a settlement of his accounts rendered against the Government, on account of his being wrongfully outlawed from the Chatham Islands in 1860, whereby he was despoiled of all his property through the alleged illegal actions of an officer of the Crown. I am directed to report that, after very careful consideration of all the documents and correspondence relative to this petition, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 26th Septemer, 1893.

No. 476. —Petition of Alexander. P. Campbell and 36 Others, of Waipu. Petitioners pray for a survey of a more direct line of road between Warkworth and Wangarei, and for a grant for its construction. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 26th September, 1893.