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No. 180.—Petition of Emilie Monson Malcolm, of Avondale. Petitioner states that during the Maori war her late husband was compelled to abandon his property on the Great Barrier Island, thereby losing all his stock and the results of his labour, &c. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in view of the long period that has elapsed since the incident happened referred to in the petition, no evidence can be obtained bearing on the case, and the Committee has therefore no recommendation to make. 9th September, 1904.

No. 92. —Petition of Henry Parker, of Waiuku. Petitioner prays that he may be granted some compensation for his past services as district police constable at Waiuku. I am directed to report that, in view of the petitioner's long and valuable services rendered as district police constable at Waiuku, the Committee recommends the Government to pay to the petitioner the sum of £50 in recognitior of the same. 9th September, 1904.

No. 661. —Petition of Thomas Moore and 20 Others, of Tirohanga, &c. Petitioners pray that the sum of £100 may be placed on the estimates for the purpose of connecting Tirohanga with Pakaru by road. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th September, 1904.

No. 411. Petition of J. Rountree and 33 Others, of Waikiekie. Petitioners pray that the telephone may be extended from Mangapai to Waikiekie. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration, and that, while expressing no opinion as to the value of telephone-construc-tion with the best possible materials, there appear to be some grounds for the Committee recommending the Government to adopt some cheaper system of telephone-construction to outlyingdistricts in order to give greater opportunities for extension of the same. 9th September, 1904.

No. 490. —Petition of W. F. Parsons and 41 Others, of Ruapekapeka, _c Petitioners pray that the forming and bridging the Hukerenui-South Waiotu Valley Road may be completed, and that the sum of £300 be jjlaced on the estimates for that purpose. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th September, 1904.

Nos. 377, 378, 379, 380, 381, and 382. Petitions of V. H. Reed and 110 Others, H. S. Ludbrook and 35 Others, A. W. Edwards and 54 Others, J. C. Good and 21 Others, H. S. Robinson and 28 Others, and W. Clarke and 20 Others. Petitioners pray that the two existing sections of railway-the Kawakawa-Opua and the Wha-ngarei-Hukerenui —may be connected without delay. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th September, 1904.

Nos. 652 and 653. - Petitions of James Ware and 287 Others, and R. H. Harnett and 175 Others. PETITIONEES pray that the Whangarei-Kawakawa railway-line may be completed. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th September, 1904.

Nos. 532 and 533. —Petitions of Frances Fannie Mercier and John Francis Mercier, of Toko. Petitioners allege that the petitioner John Francis Mercier contracted consumption while in the employ of the Government, &c. They pray for relief. I am directed to report that, in consideration of the circumstances of the case, the Committee recommends the Government to place the sum of £100 on the supplementary estimates as a compassionate allowance in full satisfaction of all claims and demands. 14th September, 1904.