MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO CONSIDER THE PENk SIONERS' PETITION. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31st, 1855. Present — Messrs. Carlelon Messrs. Mackay Taylor Forsailh Mr. Sewell—Chairman. On motion of Mr. Carleton, the following Petition was read: — Auckland, August 17th, 1855. To the Honorable the Speakers and Members of the Honorable the House of Representatives. The humble petition of Her Majesty's, the undersigned, veteran Pensioners— Most respectfully sheweth- that they have spent the flower of their age and life in their country's service, and that in consideration thereof they were awarded a pension in proportion to their respective service, which pension they should not be deprived of unless they were convicted of felony, or guilty of gross violence or outrage towards the persons employed in paying pensioners. Your petitioners further shew (hat by proclamation in the War Office Circulars in the years 1847-48-49 they were encouraged to emigrate with their famalies to this Colony, and certain rewards held out to them for doing so, as will be seen on reference to their printed instructions on that head, and other documents in their possession, which will prove to your Honorable House that faith has been broken with them, and that uncalled for coercive and vindictive measures have been substituted and resorted to, instead of boons as intended by their most gracious Sovereign and liberal country. Such treatment had never a precedent in any branch of Her Majesty's service. Punishment inflicted, pensions suspended, and not permitted to petition the higher authorities, or much less to speak in defence of their rights, or appeal to a Court of Enquiry. Your humble petitioners now pray that the Representatives of the People in your Honorable House, will entertain the prayer of their petition, and grant them a Commitlee of Enquiry, in whose presence they will be permitted to vindicate their rights and satisfy the Committee of your Honorable House, that they have fulfilled on their part, as long as they were permitted, the several duties imposed on them by their respective engagements in coming to this Colony, and that they have not forfeited by any misconduct of theirs, their pensions, which have been suspended, nor the cottage and acre, which they have been expelled from. For which favor your humble and obedient servants, now Her Majesty's civil subjects, electors in the Town and Suburbs of Auckland, shall ever pray. John Bolton, formerly Serjeant in H.M. 16th Regt. Edward Hynes, late Color Serjeant 23rd R.W. Fusilliers, Matthew McCormick, late 25th Kegt. Foot, John Hoop, late Serjeant 39th Regt.