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1894. NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDER OE REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. t2Cth Day of June, 1894. Ordered, " That a Public Petitions M to Z Committee, consisting of ten members, be appointed to consider all petitions that may be referred to it by the Petitions Classifications Committee, to classify and prepare abstracts of such petitions in such form and manner as shall appear to it best suited to convey to this House all requisite information respecting their contents, and to report the same from time to time to this House, and to have power to report its opinions and observations thereupon to this House ; also to have power to call for persons and papers : three to be a quorum. The Committee to consist of Mr. Collins, Mr. Earnshaw, Mr. Praser, Mr. Lang, Mr. McNab, Mr. Meredith, Mr. Morrison, Mr. E. M. Smith, Mr. Willis, and the mover." —(Hon. Mr. Reeves.)

No. 25. —Petition of G. W. Woodboofe and 92 Others, of Masterton. Petitionees state that the Borough of Masterton contains a very large area of farming land upon which the owners have to pay rates levied for improvements in the town portion. Petitioners pray that the boundaries be so altered as to exclude from the borough those lands which derive no benefit from such rates. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion the petition should be referred to the Government, with a recommendation that the Municipal Corporations Act be amended in the direction set out in the petition. 6th July, 1894.

No. 10. —Petition of A. J. Schnackenbebg and 14 Others. Petitionees pray that the age of consent be raised to eighteen years. I am directed to report that, as the matter refers to a question of policy, the Committee recommends the petition to the Government for consideration. 6th July, 1894.

No. 49. —Petition of William John Mooee, of Wellington. Petitionee states that he joined the Armed Constabulary in September, 1881, and that his services as storekeeper were dispensed with on the 31st March, 1894, without compensation. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petitioner should receive compensation based, firstly, on the practice prevailing up to the date of letter minuted by the Hon. Minister of Defence, on 25th June, 1887, and secondly, thereafter on the terms expressed in the said letter. 17th July, 1894.

No. I.—Petition of Eobeet Bobinson, of Wellington. Petitionee states that he joined the Armed Constabulary in the year 1872, and that on the 31st of May, 1894, his services as arms-cleaner were dispensed with, and that he did not receive any compensation. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petitioner should receive compensation, based, firstly, on the practice prevailing up to the date of letter minuted by the Hon. Minister of Defence, on the 25th of June, 1887, and secondly, thereafter on the terms expressed in the said letter. 17th July, 1894. I—l. 2.

REPORTS OF PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE (Mb. MEREDITH, CHAIRMAN.)