L—l

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I am directed to report that, in che opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 2nd November, 1898.

No. 364. —Petition of William Loveday, of Pollen Street, Thames (No. 2). The petitioner prays for an inquiry and for relief. I am directed to report that, as in the opinion of the Committee the petitioner has not exhausted his legal remedies, it has no recommendation to make. 2nd November, 1898.

No. 363.—Petition of F. W. Boynton, of Fort Street, Auckland (No. 2). The petitioner prays for a refund of duty paid by him upon certain machinery. I am directed to report that the petitioner, having cited the case of Brett v. Eose regarding the duty upon certain printing machinery, has not upon his own showing exhausted his legal remedies in respect to the first part of the prayer of his petition ; therefore the Committee has no recommendation to make thereon. And, as regards the second part of the prayer, the Committee finds that it is a matter of public policy, and it has therefore no recommendation to make upon it. 2nd November, 1898.

No. 360.—Petition of J. A. Beale and Others, of Auckland. The petitioners pray that the cultivation of grape-vines, and the wine and brandy industries of New Zealand, may be encouraged by granting a bonus, or by a loan for that purpose. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these are matters entirely relating to the public policy of the Government, and the Committee has therefore no recommendation to make. 2nd November, 1898.

No. 61, 1897.—Petition of Thomas A. Fry, deceased. The petitioner prayed for inquiry and relief. I am directed to report that, the petitioner having died since the presentation of his petition, and that-his widow having petitioned Parliament upon the same behalf, the Committee recommends that the first petition should be allowed to lapse. 2nd November, 1898.

No. 381. —Petition of Wi Kupe, of Parihaka. The petitioner prays for the remission of certain fines imposed upon him for breaches of the Licensing Act. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner has not as yet applied for the remission of the said fines in the proper quarter, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd November, 1898.

No. 79. —Petition of Catherine Barnes, of Wellington. The petitioner prays for inquiry and for relief. I am directed to report that, upon the facts adduced, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th November, 1898.

No. 343.—Petition of Alfred Ceossey, Eanfurly Hotel, Wellington. The petitioner prays for an inquiry into certain alleged actions of the police and for redress. I am directed to report that, the petitioner having appeared before the Committee and stated that he wished to withdraw the petition and all its contents, the Committee recommends that leave be granted accordingly. (Vide 1.-lc, Eeport of Commissioner of Police.) 4th November, 1898.

No. 385.—Petition of E. C. Ludwig, of 38, Lambton Quay, Wellington. The petitioner prays for inquiry and for relief. I am directed to report that, the petitioner not having exhausted his legal remedies, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th November, 1898.

No. 286.—Petition of J. F. Kells, of Palmerston North. The petitioner prays for compensation upon account of military services. I am directed to report that, the petitioner's case differing somewhat from other claims for military services, and as there seem to be points calling for inquiry, the Committee is of the opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 4th November, 1898.

No. 185.—-Petition of Caroline Keen, of Tawaha, Featherston, The petitioner prays that she may receive compensation upon account of her late husband's military services.