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No. 257. —Petition of John Coyle. Petitioner prays for a retiring-allowance on account of services in the Armed Constabulary, from which force he was compelled to resign on the ground of ill-health. I am directed to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Public Petitions Committee A to L for consideration. Ist August, 1893.

Nos. 196 and 258.—Petitions of Marmaduke Dixon and Others, of West Eyreton, Canterbury. Petitioners pray that the extended powers sought to be conferred on the Waimakariri-Ashley Water-supply Board, under "The Water-supply Act, 1891," may not be granted; and, also, that Mr. Dixon may be permitted to take water for irrigation purposes from the Waimakariri Eiver. I am directed to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of opinion that no private waterright should be admitted in any county or water-supply district unless under the control and sanction of such bodies. 2nd August, 1893.

No. 138.—Petition of the Waimakariri-Ashley Water-supply Board. Petitioners pray that extended powers maybe conferred upon them, under " The Water-supply Act, 1891/' in order that they may give effect to their proposed irrigation scheme. I am directed to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of opinion that the Act is defective so far as Part A is concerned ; but, as considerable change of opinion seems to have arisen in the district, they are of opinion that further legislation should be postponed until after the next election to the Board. 2nd August, 1893.

The Wilson Land Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Wilson Land Bill, have the honour to report that they have considered the same and made no amendment therein, and they therefore beg to recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed. 4th August, 1893.

No. 30.—Petition of Moses S. Breach. Petitioner is the owner of land situated on the Hoteo Eiver, Kaipara Harbour, Auckland. The land came into petitioner's possession by exchange nearly thirty years ago. Petitioner only received a Crown grant for the land in August, 1888. In the Crown grant land amounting to 27 acres in all, said to be excess of that to which petitioner is legally entitled, was cut out by the department. Petitioner states that the land so taken is the only spot suitable for a landing-place and for a dry building-site. The department offers to reconvey the land so cut out back to petitioner for £1 per acre. Petitioner prays that he may be allowed to retain the whole of the land which he has been in undisturbed possession of for nearly thirty years. I am directed to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 4th August, 1893.

No. 255.—Petition of J. Anderson and 29 Others, of Makaretu and Blackburn, Hawke's Bay. Petitioners are settlers in the districts of Makaretu and Blackburn, and pray that the area of land set apart as a forest reserve in the district may not be thrown open as a special settlement, as they are of opinion that the settlement is being promoted for speculation purposes. I am directed to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of opinion that the prayer of the petitioners should receive the careful consideration of the Government. 15th August, 1893.

No. 132.—Petition of John Waed, of Auckland. Petitioner prays for a grant of land as a free immigrant, for which he duly received an order, but was unable to obtain a Crown grant. I am directed to report that the Waste Lands Committee has no recommendation to make in reference to this petition. 15th August, 1893.

The Auckland Hospital Beserves Exchange Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Auckland Hospital Eeserves Exchange Bill, have the honour to report that they have considered the same, and beg to recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. A copy of the Bill is attached hereto. 15th August, 1893.

Nos. 403, 140, 378, 374, 300, 368, 366, 365, 364, 361, 25, 51, 56, 58, 62, 72, 734 of 1892, 75, 326, 739 of 1892, 330, 334, 325, 313, 308, 242, 297, 240, 243, 252, 265, 272, 278, 281, 16, 121, 117, 116, 102, 114, 100, 231, 162, 228, 191, 160, 136, 158, 164, 98, 96, and 97.—Petitions of B. E. Lambert, Thomas Pratt, E. Spencer, Thomas McMillan, James Pearce, W. G. Garrard, W. Parry, Thomas Penk, John Kelly, D. Macartney, Charles Crozier, Thomas Dolman, James Eoss, Edwin G. Clements, B. J. Daveney, James McGrath, Margaret Gee, P. Brogan, M. W. Wilson, James Neway, James Camp, E. Healey, E. Alcorn, J. A. Lloyd, W. H.Beere, V. Blagrove, D. Cameron, M."Looney, W. McDowell, F. W. and J. E. Mackenzie, T. E.Woolfield, W. Golding,