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No. 225.—Petition of John Bell, of Auckland (No. 2). Petitioner prays for redress on account of certain alleged grievances. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 14th August, 1896.

No. 150. —Petition of Geo. Jackson and 83 Others, of Christchureh. Petitioners pray that the Irish Text-book, or any other form of religious instruction, may not be introduced into the State schools. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration; but, as the matter is one of public policy, it has no recommendation to make. 14th August, 1896.

No. 203. —Petition of A. L. Bellerly, and 18 Others, of Waimata, Cook County. Petitioners pray that a sum of money may be placed upon the estimates for metalling the road between Waimata and Gisborne. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 19th August, 1896.

No. 219.—Petition of Ed. Brock and 38 Others, of Eamarama Valley, Bay of Islands. Petitioners pray that Government may grant a sum of money for road-making in the Eamarama Valley. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 19th August, 1896.

No. 273.—Petition of G. F. Dickeson and 213 Others, of Ngaruawahia. Petitioners pray that the Government may grant a subsidy for the erection of a bridge over the Waipa Eiver. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 19th August, 1896.

No. 213.—Petition of C. C. N. Barron, of Wellington. Petitioner prays that the House may remove the doubts that have been raised relative to his status, and will declare him to have been a duly-appointed officer in the Civil Service, under "The Civil Service Act, 1866," on the 11th day of June, 1867, and will grant him relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has gone very fully and carefully into the petitioner's case, and would draw the attention of the Government to two letters received by Mr. Barron (copies attached), dated respectively the 11th June, 1867, and the 7th November, 1867, from the then Under-Secretary of the Colonial Secretary's Department. The said letters convey to the minds of the Committee that the petitioner was not only an officer of the House, but was also constituted a Civil servant by virtue of the services demanded of him during the recess, and which were duly performed for many years. The Committee would also point out that, in its opinion, no precedent would be created by granting the prayer of the petitioner, as the case of no other officer under the Government would be "on all-fours " with that of the petitioner. The Committee therefore recommends that the petitioner should be allowed to make choice as between a pension (as under the Civil Service Act), and compensation as upon his length of service. 21st August, 1896.

No. 176.—Petition of Gbo. H. Dore, of Otahuhu, Auckland. Petitioner prays he may be granted redress for loss of pension (on account of military services) for the period between the 30th June, 1870, and the 18th May, 1872, as set forth in his petition. I am directed to report that the Committee has fully investigated this case, and, it having been proved in evidence that the Medical Board, which inquired into the petitioner's claim for a pension in 1870, would have granted him a permanent pension had they not considered that there was a possible chance of his ultimate recovery,—which, however, has not taken place,—the Committee therefore recommends that the prayer of the petitioner should be granted—viz., that he should receive 2s. per day pension for the two years named, as between the 30th June, 1870, and the 18th May, 1872. 21st August, 1896.

No. 237.—Petition of Frederick Gullivee, of Eangiora (No. 1). Petitioner prays that he may be granted the Volunteer long-service medal. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has not established his claim, and it has therefore no recommendation to make. 21st August, 1896. No. 239.—Petition of Frederick Gulliver, of Eangiora (No. 2). Petitioner prays that he may be given power to make a claim for a grant of land under the Naval and Military Settlers' Act. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 21st August, 1896.

No. 239.—Petition of Feedeeick Gullivee, of Eangiora (No. 2). Petitioneb prays that he may be given power to make a claim for a grant of land under the Naval and Military Settlers' Act. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 21st August, 1896.