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No. 326. —Petition of the Harbour Boaed of Wellington. Petitioner prays (1) that the House will so amend "The Harbours Act, 1878," that the Board may obtain payment of storage-charges upon goods received on account of the Government of New Zealand or any department thereof; and also (2) that the sum of £308 19s. lid., being the amount which petitioner claims to have earned and charged for storage as aforesaid, be placed upon the estimates. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government, with a recommendation that legislation be introduced with a view to amending the Harbours Act in the direction indicated by the petition ; and, in respect of the second clause of the prayer of petitioner, I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. (Vide also Legislative Council Paper No. 9.) 11th October, 1899.

No. 406.—Petition of Beyant Bailey and Others, of Auckland. Petitionees pray for alteration in the regulations affecting vessels of less than 35 tons register trading in the Auckland District. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th October, 1899.

No. 103.—Petition of Thomas Baeeon, of Auckland. Petitioner prays for compensation for injuries sustained during the Maori War. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th October, 1899.

No. 369.—Petition of F. Downard and Others, of Auckland. Petitionees pray that restrictions be imposed upon trawling in the Hauraki Gulf. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 17th October, 1899.

Nos. 422, 426, 437, 454, 462, and 479 (all similar).—Petitions of A. J. McPherson and Others, of Southbridge; J. Elmslie and Others, of Christchurch; B. Ewan and Others, of Otahuhu; A. Blake and Others, of Halcombe; G. C. Ellis and Others, of Kingsdown; J. L. Christensen and Others, of Mayfield. Petitionees pray that the House will pass some measure for the suppression of gambling. I am directed to report that, as the prayer of these petitions involves a question of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to* make. 17th October, 1899.

No. 348.—Potition of A. W. Edwards and Another, of Hokianga. Petitionees pray that the costs paid by them in connection with the prosecution instituted against them under the Arms Act be refunded. I am directed to report that, in view of the fact that His Excellency has been pleased to grant petitioners a free pardon in respect of the sentences imposed upon them in these cases, the Committee recommends that the costs paid by them be refunded. 17th October, 1899.

No. 444.—Petition of Bobert Page and Others, of Hokianga. Petitioners pray that the costs paid by G. E. Hedger, J. D. Martin, and B. Goldsworthy in connection with certain prosecutions instituted against them under the Arms Act be refunded. I am directed to report that, in view of the fact that His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to grant the defendants a free pardon in respect of the sentence imposed upon them in these cases, the Committee recommends that the costs paid by them be refunded. 17th October, 1899.

No. 476.—Petition of J. M. Douglass and Others, of Woolston. Petitioners pray that the sum of £200 be placed upon the estimates for the reconstruction and remetalling of the Ferry-bridge Boad, Woolston. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th October, 1899.

No. 50. —Petition of Eenest F. Clack, of Dunedin. Petitionee prays for an inquiry into the cause of his dismissal from the construction branch of the Telegraph Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1899. 2—l. 1.