3

I.—l

No. 24.—Petition of N. J. Campbell and 125 Others, of Waipu. Petitioners pray that the sum of £300 may be granted for the purposes of road-construction. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th August, 1898.

No. 148.—Petition of W. A. Collis, Chairman of the New Plymouth School Committee, and 22 Others. Petitioners pray that all School Inspectors may be placed under the control of the Education Department. I am directed to report that, as the prayer of the petitioners involves a question of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1898.

No. 62.—Petition of Peter Coira, of Temuka. Petitioner prays that certain articles of jewellery may be returned to him by the police. I am directed to report that, it having been shown that the Solicitor-General has advised that the police have no legal power to comply with the petitioner's request, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd August, 1898.

No. 2.—Petition of Annie Coventry, of Wellington. Petitioner prays for the payment of a further sum of money for patent rights in re telephone subscribers' index. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th July, 1898.

No. 340 (1897).—Petition of W. E. Clouston and Others, of Blenheim. Petitioners pray that provision may be made for a lighthouse upon Point Eobinson. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th July, 1898.

No. 151 (1897). —Petition of William Cook, of Upper Opaki, Masterton Petitioner prays that a certain road may be extended at the Government expense. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 22nd July, 1898.

No. 30.—Petition of J. Clack and 14 Others, of Waiau. Petitioners pray that the sum of £100 may be placed upon the estimates, as a grant-in-aid, for the purpose of erecting a wharf at Waiau Pa. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 22nd July, 1898.

No. 6.—Petition of H. E. Crofts, of 28, Ponsonby Eoad, Auckland. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss of office. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner has brought forward no evidence other than that which the Committee has considered upon previous occasions, the Committee sees no reason to vary its former report—viz., that the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 13th July, 1898.

No. 267 (1897).— Petition of J. W. Cbaig and 1,206 Others, of Napier. Petitionebs pray for the refund of legacy duty paid upon a bequest to the Hawke's Bay Children's Home. I am directed to report that the Committee is of the opinion that "The Charitable Gifts Duties Exemption Act, 1883," should be amended to provide for bequests to charitable institutions which may be unaffiliated under " The Unclassified Societies Eegistration Act, 1895," being paid to such institutions free of legacy duty; but, as the matter involves a question of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. Bth July, 1898. .

No. 303 (1897).— Petition of E. L. Clack, Brickmaker, of Auckland. Petitionek prays for an inquiry into an action of the Eegistrar of the Supreme Court at Auckland. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th July, 1898.