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No. 253.—Petition of Wm. Bobinson and 221 Others, of Waipawa. Petitioners pray that " The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Amendment Act, 1893," be so amended as to prohibit the conveyance of alcoholic liquors into prohibited districts by private conveyance, public carriers, &c. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th August, 1894.

Nos. 242 and 251.—Petition of Isabella McNeil and 290 Others, and Matilda Burgell and 62 Others, of Auckland. Petitioners pray that "The Contagious Diseases Act, 1869," may be repealed. I am directed to report that, as there is a Bill now before Parliament dealing with the subjectmatter of the petitions the Committee has no recommendation to make. 9th August, 1894.

No. 227. —Petition of the Bev. J. Ferguson and 65 Others, of Invercargill. Petitioners pray that the age of consent may be raised to not less than sixteen years. I am directed to report that, as there is a Bill now before Parliament dealing with the subjectmatter of the petition, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 9th August, 1894.

No. 156. —Petition of George Vesey Stewart, of Katikati. Petitioner states that he was a candidate for the Bay of Plenty district at the last general elections, and, although he polled only one-fifth of a vote short of the number required to entitle him to the return of his £10 deposit, the said deposit was forfeited by the Government. He prays for the return of his deposit. I -am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 9th August, 1894.

No. 246.—Petition of William Osborne and 16 Others, of Motatau. Petitioners pray for the construction of a road from the Kawakawa Bridge to Section 19, Block VIII., Motatau Survey District. I am directed to report that, as the prayer of the petition is a matter of Government policy, the Committee recommends it be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th August, 1894.

No. 328. —Petition of L. M. Beisterer and 29 Others, of Motukaraka. Petitioners pray that the road leading through Motukaraka to Kohukohu along the river-side may be formed as early at possible. I am directed to report that, as the prayer of the petition is a matter of Government policy, the Committee recommends it be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th August, 1894.

No. 279. —Petition of Laura B. McArtney and 1,946 Others, of Nelson. Petitioners pray that " The Public Health Act, 1876," be amended so as to render vaccination voluntary for parents who object to submit their children to the dangers thereof. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th August, 1894.

Nos. 310 and 327.—Petition of James E. Mathew and 13 Others, and John Williams and 29 Others, of Omaha. Petitioners pray that the Omaha Village Settlement wharf may be connected with the county main road. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th August, 1894.

No. 249.—Petition of F. Mackenzie and 711 Others, of Bay of Islands and Hikurangi Districts. Petitioners pray for the construction of a line of railway to connect the Hikurangi-Whangarei line with the Kawakawa-Opua line, so as to open up the coal-beds, &c, in the districts. I am directed to report that, as the prayer of the petition is a matter of Government policy, the Committee recommends it be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th August, 1894.

No. 243.—Petition of Abraham Stott, of Wellington. Petitioner prays for a grant of land for volunteer services rendered. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner has already received a grant of land for military services, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 10th August, 1894. 2—l. 2.