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No. 46.—Petition of Messrs. Bdcelli and Soero, of Callao, Peru. Petitioners pray compensation for the detention of their ship " Lothair " in quarantine at Nelson. I am directed to report that, after taking some evidence, the Chairman ruled that the Standing Orders of the House had not been complied with, in that the petitioners had not signed the petition (such ruling having been upheld by the Hon. the Speaker). The Committee are of opinion that some of the allegations in the petition have been sustained, but, in the face of the Chairman's ruling, they recommend that no further action be taken on this petition. Bth August, 1899.

No. 159.—Petition of Henry Adolph, of Auckland. Petitioner prays that he be granted an old-age pension. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to Government for consideration. Bth August, 1899. ■

No. 3.—Petition of W, C. Fitzgeeald, of Wellington. Petitionee prays that the recommendations of the Public Petitions A to L Committee as set forth in paragraphs 4 and 5 of their report made last year on a similar petition from the same person be given effect to, viz. : — Paragraph 4. " That in the interests of the public generally and of its public officials, the petitioner should be paid out of the public exchequer all moneys properly expended by him in defending the action in the Supreme Court." Paragraph 5. " That the Crown Solicitor should tax the costs and moneys out of pocket payable by the petitioner; and the Committee recommends that when so taxed the Government should pay the same." I am directed to report that the Committee finds from the evidence taken before it this year that the petitioner has received from the Government the sum £367, being nearly one-half of his claim —£735 7s. lid.—of last year, and has since recovered by process in the Magistrate's Court the sum of £60 (an amount included in the said £735 7s. lid.) from one George Lambert, which sum of £60 is referred to in the evidence adduced before the Committee last year as money paid through the intervention of Messrs. Skerrett and Wylie, solicitors, and Mr. Lambert to Mr. Boberts for the withdrawal of an action by Boberts against the petitioner. The Committee also finds that the petitioner suffered other losses by reason of the Supreme Court action which he successfully defended; but the petitioner will forego any claim therefor if the Committee's recommendation of last year be given effect to by the Government. Therefore, the Committee recommends the Government to pay the petitioner in accordance with their report presented to the House on the 27th September, 1898. Bth August, 1899.

Nos. 87 and 88.—Petitions of William Pateeson and Others, of Waiwera; and H. Hurley and Others, of Upper Waiwera. Petitionees pray for a grant of £750 towards erecting wharf at Waiwera. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that these two petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th August, 1899. '

No. 40.—Petition of Charles Clarke, of Auckland. Petitionee prays for a grant of land for military services. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 9th August, 1899.

No. 15. —Petition of Bobert E. Lester, of Kohukohu. Petitioner prays that land taken for a road at Kohukohu may be returned to him. No. 129.—Petition of Hokianga County Council. Petitionees pray that the request contained in foregoing petition be not acceded to; and that the grant of portion of the Kohukohu Boad already conceded to Mr. Lester be cancelled. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that these two petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 11th August, 1899.

Nos. 93 and 94.—Petitions of Chas. W. Buller, of Avondale Asylum, Auckland; and Caroline Hinsch and 711 Others, of Auckland. Petitioners pray that an inquiry may be held as to the detention of C. W. Buller in the Auckland Asylum. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that sufficient evidence has not been produced before them to enable them to make a definite recommendation; but, considering the number of persons (713) who have signed the petitions, the Committee consider the subject-matter thereof a question for a departmental inquiry. 17th August, 1899.