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No. 533.—Petition of Matilda L. Glasson, of Christchurch. Petitioner states that her late husband died while in the postal service, and she was promised by the department that she should receive a gratuity of two years' salary of her late husband, but she has only received eighteen months' pay. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the full two years' salary should be paid to the petitioner, as advised in the letter sent to her by the Postmaster-General, bearing date the 24th February, 1892. 29th September, 1893.

No. 488.—Petition of John Jackson, of Wanganui. Petitioner states that he first entered the service of the Government as an armed policeman, he then was deputed to carry mails between Wanganui and Wellington, and performed many other services during the Maori war. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th September, 1893.

No. 535.—Petition of Thomas King and 117 Others, of Tiniroto. Petitioners pray for a grant of money for the improvement of the Wairoa-Gisborne Eoad. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th September, 1893.

No. 527. —-Petition of Eichard James Feltus, of Auckland. Petitioner states that he was employed as sub-enumerator for the collection of the census returns, and understood that he was to be paid 10s. per day, and 10s. per day travelling-expenses, but was only paid 10s. per day. He prays for relief. •I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th September, 1893.

No. 554.—Petition of W. G. Gabrard, of Auckland (No. 2). Petitioner states that his son kept possession of certain moneys which he had intrusted him with, and that theEesident Magistrate at Auckland refused to issue a summons for his arrest. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee sees no reason to alter their former decision. 29th September, 1893.

No. 556.—Petition of Eichard Carr, of Papakura. Petitioner states that he lost an eye while in the service of the Eailway Department, and is in straightened circumstances. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th September, 1893.

No. 534. —Petition of Thomas Ceaig and 5 Others, of Auckland. Petitioners pray that steps be taken to raise lawyers in the social scale, &c. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th September, 1893.

No. 123. —Petition of Edward O'Haea Canavan, of Wellington. Petitioner alleges he was dismissed from the charge of the Porirua School, on account of false reports from the Inspector to the School Board. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, if the petitioner is a suitable teacher for a Native school, the Committee recommends him for employment in that capacity. 29th September 1893. "

No. 447. —Petition of David Andrew and 5 Others, of Otago (vide also Appendix 1.-1b). Petitionebs pray that, in the event of the Government paying for the Fernhill Eailway line in cash or otherwise, a sum or sums may be deducted from the amount so agreed to be paid, sufficient to meet the claims of the petitioners for the land taken for the railway, wages, &c. ; that, in the event of a Bill being introduced to vest the said railway line in any peison or persons, a clause may be inserted providing that he or they, before assuming possession of the said railway line or in any way dealing with it, pay to petitioners such sum or sums of money as may be found to be due to them. I am directed to report,— 1. That the Fernhill Eailway line was made by the Government in 1882 for a private company, and afterwards, under " The Government Eailways Act, 1887," was vested in the Eailway Commissioners. 2. That the Committee recommends an yiquiry should be held before a Judge of the Supreme Court, to ascertain who are the legal representatives of the said Fernhill Eailway and Colliery Company. 3. That the Eailway Commissioners take the necessary steps to revest the Fernhill Eailway line in the legal representatives of the said company.