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1898. NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Tuesday, the 28th day op June, 1898. Ordered, —" That a Public Petitions A. to L. Committee, consisting of ten members, be appointed to consider all petitions that may be referred to it by the Petitions Classification Committee, to classify and prepare abstraots of suoh petitions in such form as shall appear to it best suited to convey to this House all requisite information respeoting their contents, and to report the same from time to time to this House, and to have power to report its opinions and observations thereupon to this House ; also to have power to call for papers and persons ; three to be a quorum. The Committee to consist of Mr. Crowther, Mr. Joyce, Mr. J. W. Kelly, Mr. Lawry, Mr. R. McKenzie, Mr. MoLean, Mr. O'Regan, Mr. Symes, Mr. Lethbridge, and the mover."—(Hon. W. Hall-Jones.)

No. 38.—Petition of J. G. Anderson, of Masterton. Petitioner prays for the remission of a fine imposed under the Beer Duty Act. I am directed to report that, as there are extenuating circumstances and evidently no fraudulent intention upon the part of the petitioner, the Committee recommends that half the fine be remitted. 29th July, 1898.

No. 83.—Petition of Mother Mary Joseph Aubert, of Jerusalem, Wanganui. Petitioner prays for assistance to enlarge the Foundling Home at Jerusalem, on the Wanganui Eiver. I am directed to report that the Committee, having gone very fully into the subject-matter of the petition, and having found the object and methods to be most worthy, recommends the petition to the favourable consideration of the Government. 29th July, 1898.

No. 160 (1897). —Petition of T. S. Armstrong and 34 Others, of Waikomiti, Auckland. Petitioners pray that the sum of £500 may be put upon the estimates for metalling the TitirangiBrooklyn Eoad. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Bth July, 1898.

No. 81.—Petition of Chables Beown, of New Plymouth. Petitioner prays that the Committee's former report may be given effect to. I am directed to report that, the petitioner having accepted his reappointment as a Licensed Native Interpreter, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th August, 1898.

Nos. 59 and 60. —Petition of J. Brooking and 69 Others, and George Hill, of Devonport, Auckland. Petitioners pray that G. Hill may receive further compensation for discharge from the Torpedo Corps, or suitable employment. I—l. 1.

REPORTS OF PUBLIC PETITIONS A TO L COMMITTEE (Me. JOYCE, CHAIRMAN.)