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"'_;_'_: No. 179.—Petition of Herman Beaun, of Wellington. '* Petitioner prays for compensation for injuries received by him, while in the service of the Post and-Telegraph Department. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony; " : • ' sth September, 1899. : "- : ' ■■'"■- :; ■,

No. 229.—Petition of Charles D. Evans, of Wellington. Petitioner prays that he be granted an old-age pension. -"■- ; lam directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make. , 6th September, 1899.

Nos. 330, 345, 346, 347, 319, 362, 363, 367, and 305 (all similar).—Petitions of J. White and 61 Others, of Kakahu Point; Bey. T. Noeeie and 35 Others, of Papakura; J. Donald and 36 Others, of Christchurch; James Cleland and 40 Others, of Belfast; W. J. Comrie and 53 Others, of Hastings ; M. Jones and 34 Others, of Waikino; D. Armstrong and 32 Others, of ■".■;"■. Taylorville; C. McKenzie and 114 Others, of Geraldine; and Bey. J. Dickson and Others, of Temuka. ....... Petitionees pray for the suppression of gambling. ■:■. I.am directed to report that the prayer of the petitions involves a question of public policy, and that the Committee has, therefore, no recommendation to make. 6th September, 1899. ' :.:...

No, 240.—Petition of Geoege Fishee, of Wellington. Petitionee prays that the sum of £100 be refunded on account of the loss sustained by the owners of the barque " Lothair " owing to the detention of the vessel in quarantine at the Port of Nelson. '.';'. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 6th September, 1899. _

No. 191.—Petition of D. Banks, of Ashley. Petitioner prays for an inquiry into the circumstances under which certain sheep were seized by the police as having been stolen prior to their purchase by petitioner. I have theTtonour to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make. 12th September, 1899.

No. 298.—Petition of Mrs. I. A. E. Gascoyne, of Nelson, Petitioner prays that Major F. J. W. Gascoyne be granted a pension in accordance with his military rank and services. ■■ :; lam directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 12th September, 1899.

No. 174. —Petition of Edwin Bezae, of Wellington. Petitioner prays that the sum of £4 be paid to him for services rendered to the Defence Department, as Drill-Instructor at Blenheim. . I am directed; to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony. .... ■ . 12th September, 1899.

utaioT ' No. 106.—Petition of A. Cochran and 119 Others, of Waikumete. Petitionees pray that (1) the sum of £300, for the improvement and extension of the New LynnHuia Boad; and (2) the further sum of £300 for building bridges and metalling the road from Kelly's Bridge to the Waikumete Bailway-station, be placed upon the estimates. „...I.am directed to report that this Committee recommends the Government to give effect to the report of the Chief Surveyor, Auckland, upon the prayer of this petition. 12th September, 1899.

No. 59.—Petition of E. A. Blackbqurn and 68 Others, of Waikumete. Petitioners pray that the sum of £500, for the improvement of the Waikumete-West Coast Boad, be placed upon the estimates. ' I am directed to report that this Committee recommends the Government to give effect to the report of the Chief Surveyor, Auckland, upon the prayer of this petition. 12th September, 1899.

No. 203. —Petition of Edward Hutchings and Others, of Wellington. Petitioners pray that they may receive consideration for military services rendered to the colony. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioners are entitled to a sum of £20 each by way of refund of moneys actually paid out of pocket, at the time the members of the Wellington Defence Force, at their own expense, made their way to the front. 15th September, 1899. .

No. 317.—Petition of James Gibson, of Masterton. ..,., Petitionee prays that, having resided in the colony since 1862, he be granted 40 acres of land. ;,,;.>...! am. directed to report that, in. the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony. .. ~...., .'.-... ....,.■ 15th September, 1899. ..■..:,,....-..., ..: