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No. 493. —Petition of B. P. Webster and 49 Others, of Pukekohe. Petitioners pray that the district around Pukekohe may be declared a township within the boundaries described. I am directed to report that, pending legislation about to be introduced affecting the matter, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th August, 1894.

No. 407. —Petition of Bobert McConnell, of Dunedin. Petitioner states that on the 12th May, 1894, he was wrongfully arrested and illtreated by two constables in Dunedin, whereby he has suffered loss and bodily harm. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, from the evidence adduced, this Committee is of opinion that an inquiry by a Stipendiary Magistrate should be instituted into all the circumstances of the case, and begs to report to that effect. 29th August, 1894.

No. 442.—Petition of Mrs. Mary Tautari, of Bay of Islands. Petitioner states that her late husband mortgaged a piece of land with a residence thereon to the Government for £300, to be paid off in instalments, of which the sum of £160 still remains to be paid, which petitioner is unable to do. She prays that she be granted the relief which has been extended to similar cases. I am directed to report that the evidence adduced before this Committee clearly shows that it was never intended to insist on the repayment of the money lent to petitioner's husband on mortgage ; this Committee is therefore of opinion that the prayer of the petition should be granted. 4th September, 1894.

No. 292. —Petition of James Beid and 24 Others, of Sanson. Petitioners pray that the title to the Township of Livingston may be granted to them. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. 4th September, 1894.

No. 417.—Petition of Mary O'Brien, of Opawa. Petitioner prays that she may be granted a compassionate allowance on account of her late husband and eldest son, both having been killed while in the employ of the Bailway Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th September, 1894.

No. 501. —Petition of John Pitches and 18 Others, of Tuapeka. Petitionees pray that provision may be made for the widow of the late Hon. Vincent Pyke, in recognition of his valuable services, &c, to the colony. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 4th September, 1894.

No. 489.—Petition of John William Simms, of Wellington. Petitionee states that in May last he was wrongfully arrested in Masterton on the charge of larceny, whereby he was put to considerable loss and injury to his character. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the attention of the Hon. the Minister of Defence should be drawn to the action of Sergeant McArdle, of Masterton, in pressing the prosecution of the petitioner at Masterton on the 11th May, 1894, when the Stipendiary Magistrate, after hearing the evidence, dismissed the case; and that the Hon. the Minister should cause an inquiry to be made into the action of the sergeant, and check the evident overzeal of the police, which in this case has resulted in great loss and injury to the character of the petitioner, which loss appears to this Committee to be without any remedy. sth September, 1894. .

No. 30.—Petition of David Thornton Smith, of Wellington. Petitionee states that he had to resign his position of Assistant Librarian to the parliamentary library in March, 1891, after twenty years' service, and received six months' leave on full pay. He prays that he be granted an additional allowance. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make. sth September, 1894.

No. 490. —Petition of the Members of the Picton Lawn Tennis Club, of Picton. Petitionees state that they occupy a portion of the Courthouse Beserve, at Picton, as a tenniscourt, and upon which they have spent over £70, but that the permission to occupy the said ground has been withdrawn by the Justice Department. Petitioners pray for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth September, 1894.