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Nos. 133, 147, and 184.—Petitions of E. W. Dee and Others, of Nelson; C. A. Fawcett and Others, of Gisborne ; and H. E. Edeidge and Others, of Wanganui. Petitioners pray that merchant tailors and ready-made clothing factories be registered as separate trades. I am directed to report that the subject-matter of these three petitions being a question of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th August, 1899.

No 42.—Petition of Thomas Dollman, of Westport. Petitioner prays for a further grant, in addition to the sum of £30 already awarded to him, for services as a naval officer. I am directed to report that, as the departmental report upon the petition states that petitioner would appear to be entitled to a further grant of at least £10, the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th August, 1899.

Nos. 224, 225, and 255.—Petitions of J. Ford and Others, of Christchurch; J. H. Glasson, of Christchurch ; and J. Ford and Others, of Christchurch. Petitioners pray that the Auctioneers Act Amendment Bill be not made law. I am directed to report that, as the Bill in question is now before the House of Bepresentatives, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 22nd August, 1899.

No. 13. —Petition of John Hislop and Others, of Dunedin. Petitioners pray that the postal rates for conveyance of jewellery within the colony be revised. I am directed to report that, as it appears by the departmental report that some of the grievances set forth in the petition have been already redressed, the Committee recommend that it be referred to the Government for consideration. 23rd August, 1899.

No. 181. —Petition of Norman Cole Bakek and Others, of Wairamarama. Petitioners pray for a Government grant of £250 towards the completion of the Tuakau Boad. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 23rd August, 1899.

No. 199.—Petition of Heney B. Huddleston, of Blenheim. Petitioner prays for redress as against the Survey Department. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government with the view that the prayer thereof may be given effect to. 23rd August, 1899.

No. 185.—Petition of W. F. Harding and Others, of Castlepoint. Petitionees pray that the interest on loans from the Advances to Settlers Department may be reduced from 5 to 4 per centum. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of the petition involves a question of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make thereon. 23rd August, 1899.

Nos. 145, 194, 231, 232, and 281 (all similar). — Petitions of Lane and Brown, of Totara North; G. A. Campbell and others, of Wanganui; E. Porter and Co. and others, of Auckland ; A. B. Donald and others, of Auckland; T. and S. Morrin and Others, of Auckland. Petitionees pray that materials used in the construction of ships be admitted in the colony duty-free. I am directed to report that, as the prayer of the petition involves a question of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th August, 1899.

No. 163. —Petition of Bey. W. Bannerman, of Dunedin. Petitioner prays that the Deceased Husband's Brother Marriage Bill be rejected by the House. I am directed to report that this Bill is now before the House, and that the Committee has therefore no recommendation to make. 29th August, 1899.

No. 245.—Petition of W. Gilpin and 93 Others. Petitionees pray for the mitigation of the sentences passed upon the boys Willis and Ireland at Featherston. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make. sth September, 1899.

No. 132.—Petition of William L. Falconer, of Masterton. Petitionee prays for inquiry into the circumstances under which a fine of £25 was imposed upon him for failing to keep down the rabbits on his farm. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Agricultural, Pastoral, and Stock Committee. sth September, 1899.