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Nos. 486, 488, 499, and 502.—Petitions of S. W. Enteican and Others, of Westport; Bey. G. B. Inglis and Others, of Ashburton; B. M. Byburn and Others, of Wanganui; and J. Hendeick and Others, of Tauranga. Petitionees pray for the suppression of gambling. I have the honour to report that, as the prayer of the petitions involves a question of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1899. --, . .- :

No. 490.—Petition of W. Dawson and Others, of Kaukapakapa. Petitionees pray for the passing of a Bill to appoint scrutineers for local-option polls. I am directed to report that, a Bill dealing with the subject-matter of this petition having already been passed by the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1899.

No. 461.—Petition of Basil Hewett and Others, of Waimai. Petitionees pray that a Bill, submitting certain questions to the electors of the colony, be passed by the House. 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. 17th October, 1899.

No. 424.—Petition of W. C. Feaser and Others, of Auckland. Petitionees pray for the passing of the Local Government Voting Beform Bill. I am directed to report that, as this Bill has already been passed by the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1899.

Nos. 34 and 445.—Petitions of W. E. Gibson and Others, of Auckland, and F. H. Manning and Others, of Auckland. Petitionees pray for an inquiry into certain matters connected with the Avondale Lunatic Asylum, Auckland. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1899.

No. 489.—Petition of Isabella Donne Hamlin, of Auckland. Petitioner prays for compensation for the death of her husband, an interpreter in the service of the Native Land Court. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 19th October, 1899. ,

No. 485.—Petition of W. Hallett and Others, of Whangamomona. Petitioners pray for aid to establish a school at Whangamomona, Taranaki. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 19th October, 1899. '

Nos. 188 and 460.—Petitions of John Fitzpateick (Nos. 1 and 2), of Wairoa. Petitionee prays that he be granted an old-age pension. 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. 19th October, 1899.

No. 139.—Petition of Timothy Hayes, of Auckland. Petitioner prays that he be granted an old-age pension. . 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. 19th October, 1899.

No. 165. —Petition of John Buckland, of Auckland. Petitioner alleges that a remission certificate, which had been charged by order of the Supreme Court in his favour, was wrongfully handed over by the Treasury to the Official Assignee, Auckland. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 19th October, 1899.

No. 505.—Petition of Kate M. Butchee and Others, of Waimate. Petitioners pray that the House will adopt measures for the suppression of gambling. 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. 19th October, 1899.