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No. 89.—Petition of Feedeeick Smith and 46 Others, in the Huia District, Auckland. Petitionees draw attention to the urgent need of roads, bridges, and a public wharf in their district. I am directed to report that, as the matter of the petition refers to the Public Works policy of the Government, the petition should be referred to the Government. 20th July, 1894.

No. 60.—Petition of David Molndoe, of Epsom, Auckland, Nurseryman. Petitionee states that he is the holder of a Hospital Endowment Lease, Lot 24, Section 6, Epsom Boad Board District. That the petitioner greatly improved the said land in many ways. That upon the expiration of his first lease the upset rental was increased from £5 ss. per acre per annum to £12 6s. per acre per annum. That he had only three weeks' notice of such an increase, and had no chance of selling his nursery stock. That he cannot make a living out of the land at the increased rent. He prays for relief. I have to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make. 20th July, 1894.

No. 128.—Petition of James Smith, of Wellington, late Arms-cleaner. Petitionee states that he has been Arms-cleaner at the Defence Store Department, Wellington, for twenty-seven years, and on the 31st of May, 1894, he was compulsory retired. He claims compensation. I am directed to report that the petition having been already dealt with by the Government, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 20th July, 1894.

No. 45.—Petition of James William Witty, of Gisborne, Secretary, Gisborne Harbour Board. Petitionee sets out details of his military services, and asks that his case be taken into consideration by the House. I "am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make. 20th July, 1894.

No. 127. —Petition of John Outeam, of Dunedin. Petitionee states that in the year 1878 he was granted a pension of £188 per annum; that in the year 1890 the said pension was not again voted by the House. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, while fully admitting the absence of any legal claim on the part of the petitioner, nevertheless the Committee thinks he has some claim to consideration on account of what amounts to a moral obligation having been entered into in the year 1878, when he was granted a gratuity of £188 per annum, which moral obligation the Committee considers would be met by granting the petitioner the sum of £50 per annum. 25th July, 1894.

No. 34. —Petition of Maegaeet Peden, of Dunedin. Petitionee states that her late husband died while in the employ of the Bailway Department, and that she has lately broken her leg. She prays for a compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 25th July, 1894.

No. 114.—Petition of Alexandee McDonald, of Westport. Petitionee states that he performed'services to the colony by prospecting for gold, and forming roads thereto, and by being employed as overseer in the Public Works Department, &c. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 25th July, 1894.

No. 99.—Petition of Thomas Millett, of Thames. Petitionee states that in the year 1864 he came to the colony, paying his own and wife's passagemoney. That upon arrival he applied for the usual land-grant of 40 acres each and was refused the same. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that in the event of the petitioner being able to prove to the satisfaction of the Government that he paid his own and wife's passage-money to Auckland in 1864, the Committee recommends the prayer of the petition be granted, notwithstanding his being unable to produce the necessary land-order. 26th July, 1894.

Nos. 178, 180, 181, 182, 186, 189, 190, 191, and 193, Petitions of the Ministers' Conference, of Dunedin ; Knox Church Young Women's Association, Dunedin ; Social Reform Association, of Dunedin; Women's Franchise League, of Dunedin; Baptist Church, Dunedin ; Moray Place Congregational Church, Dunedin; Ladies' Association of Knox Church, Dunedin; Young Women's Christian Association, Dunedin; and Trinity Wesley Church, Dunedin. Petitionees pray that the age of consent be raised to not less than sixteen years. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th July, 1894.