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No. 4.—Petition of Janet Smith, of Sydenham. Petitionee states that her late husband was employed for seventeen years as boilermaker in the railway service, and that his death was accelerated by the work upon which he was employed. She prays for compassionate allowance or other relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 18th July, 1894.

No. 124.—Petition of Elizabeth Walls, of Sydenham. Petitionee states a certain piece of land at Okahu was bequeathed to her by her brother without her knowledge, and that the said land was sold by the Hobson County Council for non-payment of rates. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. , 18th July, 1894.

No. 43. —Petition of John Peek, of Marlborough. Petitionee states that he had to resign his position of guard in the railway service through failing health after twenty years service. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 18th July, 1894,

No. 11.—Petition of J. M. Twomey and 121 Others, of Canterbury. Petitionees pray that the regulations prohibiting fishing in the Milford Lagoon with nets be cancelled. 1 am directed to report that the Committee recommends the prayer of the petition be not granted. 18th July, 1894.

No. 130. —Petition of A. M. Claek and 495 Others, of Geraldine County. Petitionees pray that the regulations of the Geraldine Acclimatisation Society, prohibiting fishing with nets, be not interfered with. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of the petition has been dealt with by refusing to grant the prayer of the petition of J. M. Twomey and others, the Committee has no further recommendation to make. 18th July, 1894,

No. 137. —Petition of The Women's Cheistian Tempeeance Union, Dunedin. Petitionees pray that the age of consent be raised to sixteen years, and that clause 196 of the Criminal Code Act be amended, &c. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 18th July, 1894.

No. 35.—Petition of Waltee M. Olliviee, of Christchurch. Petitionee states that after nearly twenty-eight years service in the Bailway Department he was dispensed with at three months' notice, without the option of being transferred to another branch of the service. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 19th July, 1894.

No. 14.—Petition of William Washington Webb, of West Oxford. Petitionee states that he served in the Bailway Department as guard, &c, for nearly twenty-two years; that on the Ist November, 1893, he was dismissed for an alleged breach of the railway regulations, in allowing a passenger to travel without paying the fare ; that there were extenuating circumstances for his doing so. He prays to be reinstated or to receive compensation. I am directed to report that, while admitting the necessity of punishment in this case, the Committee express a hope that the Bailway Commissioners may see their way to find employment for petitioner in a lower grade. 19th July, 1894.

No. 102.—Petition of Loeentz Beisteeee, of Hokianga, Auckland. Petitionee states that certain deferred-payment land held by him at Hokianga has been forfeited by the Auckland Land Board for non-fulfilment of improvement conditions. He prays for relief, or that the land may be restored to him. I am directed to report that the petition should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. 20th July, 1894.