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No. 283. —Petition of Mrs. Elizabeth McGrath and 10 Others, of Dunedin. Petitioners pray that the age of consent be raised to not less than sixteen years, &c. I am directed to report that, as there is a Bill dealing with the matter now before Parliament, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 10th August, 1894.

No. 105. —Petition of Luke Nelson Nattrass, of Pitone. Petitioner states that while engaged upon the erection of a telegraph-line for the Post and Telegraph Department he so injured his hand that he was unfit for work for twelve months, thereby incurring great loss. He prays that some suitable employment be found him by the Government. I am directed to report that, considering the petitioner was under hospital treatment for three months, and partially disabled for twelve months, the Committee considers the amount (£10) granted him by the department totally inadequate as compensation for injuries received and loss sustained, and recommends the department to comply with the prayer of the petition, and place him in permanent employment. 14th August, 1894.

Nos. 82 and 151.—Petition of G. H. Swan and 701 Others, and B. B. Sim and 30 Others, of Hawke's Bay. Petitioners pray that the main road connecting Napier, Wairoa, and Gisborne may be completed. I am directed to report that, as the prayer of the petitions is a question of Government policy, the Committee recommends they be referred to the Government for consideration. 14th August, 1894.

No. 153.—Petition of Mrs. Louisa Wilkinson, of Palmerston North. Petitioner states that her late husband was in the employ of the Mines Department, and that he died on 'the 26fh October, 1887, and petitioner alleges that the sum of £120 compensation, and £70 os. lOd. overtime, were, at the time of his decease, owing to him. She prays that these amounts be paid to her. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 14th August, 1894.

No. 241. —Petition of James Whittington, of Woolston. Petitioner states that his hotel, the Courteny Arms, was, on the 30th Juno, 1894, closed under the provisions of " The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act, 1893," whereby he has suffered great loss. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner was refused his hotel license through the operation of "The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act, 1893," the Committee considers the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 14th August, 1894.

No. 237.—Petition of Harry Saunders, of Christchurch. Petitioner states that through the provisions of " The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act, 1893," his hotel, the Albert, was, on the 30th June, 1894, closed, whereby he has suffered great loss and hardship. He prays for compensation. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner was refused the renewal of his hotel license through the operation of " The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act, 1893," the Committee considers the petitioner has no claim upon the colony. 14th August, 1894.

No. 295. —Petition of John McCorley, of Balelutha. Petitioner states that, through the closing of his hotel on the 30th June, 1894, under "The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act, 1893," he has suffered great loss and hardship. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner was refused his hotel license through the operation of "The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act, 1893," the Committee considers the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 14th August, 1894.

No 88.-—Petition of Eose Anna Morgan, of Wanganui. Petitioner states that her husband was killed on the Wanganui Wharf, while loading the s.s. " Stormbird" with wool, by a bale being tipped out of a cart and falling into the hold upon him. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the absence of more complete information, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 14th August, 1894.

No. 316.—Petition of Louisa Symons and Arthur John Symons, of Palmerston North. Petitioners pray that the legacy devised to the petitioner, Arthur John Symons, by the late Mrs. J. P. B. Wright, and now in the hands of the Public Trustee, be paid to him. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend that the prayer of the petitioner be granted. 15th August, 1894.