5

I.—l

No. 98.—Petition of James Hareis and 81 Others, of Chelsea, Auckland. Petitioners pray that the Employers' Private Benefit Societies Bill may not be passed. I am directed to report that, as this matter is one of public policy, and there is now a Bill before the House dealing with the matter, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th July, 1896.

No. 99. —Petition of John Bell, of Auckland (No. 1). Petitioner prays that he may receive redress on account of certain wrongs said to have been sustained through the Stipendiary Magistrate at Auckland. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th July, 1896.

No. 94. —Petition of W. G. Garrard, of Grey Street, Auckland. Petitioner prays that an inquiry may be held into certain matters by which he is a sufferer. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has not exhausted his legal remedies, and it has, therefore, no recommendation to make. 17th July, 1896.

No. 68.—Petition of Major Charles Bbown, of New Plymouth. Petitioner prays that he may receive compensation for the deprivation of his license as a Native interpreter, and the removal of his name from the Commission of the Peace. I am directed to report that the Committee has no evidence before it as to how much compensation—if any—the petitioner is entitled to. The Committee regrets that the recommendation made by it last year—viz., that the inquiry then prayed for should be granted—has not been so granted. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Government should grant the inquiry prayed for. 17th July, 1896.

No. 71. —Petition of Alice B. M. Hill and 5 Others, of Auckland. Petitioners pray for a compassionate allowance on account of their father's services to the Government. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioners have no claim against the colony. 17th July, 1896.

No. 84.—Petition of Sir W. L. Buller, K.C.M.G., of Wellington. Petitioner prays that a Select Committee may be set up to inquire as to whether the report of the Horowhenua Commission is in accordance with the evidence as laid upon the table of the House. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition, bearing as it does upon matters connected with dealings with the Maoris, should therefore be referred to the Native Affairs Committee. 21st July, 1896.

Nos. 138, 143, 144, and 152.—Petitions of Eev. W. H. Orbell and 820 Others, of Timaru; L. C. Brady and 553 Others; G. Smith and 44 Others; and H. T. Blaib and 103 Others. Petitioners pray that Scripture-lesson books may be used in the primary schools of New Zealand. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration ; but, as the matter is one of public policy, it has no recommendation to make. 24th July, 1896.

No. 140.—Petition of Thomas Hullett, of Christchurch. Petitioner prays that the law may be amended so as to allow of his practising as an expert in cases of cancer. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th July, 1896.

No. 148.—Petition of James Gibb and Others, of Dunedin. Petitioners pray that the Deceased Husband's Brother Bill may not pass. I am directed to report that, as this Bill has already passed its third reading, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th July, 1896.

No. 136. —Petition of L. J. Freeman and 13 Others, of Napier. Petitioners pray that the proposed legislation as affecting working-men's clubs may not be passed. I am directed to report that, as there is at the present time a Bill before the House dealing with the subject-matter of the petition, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th July, 1896.