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I am directed to report that the Committee consider that the subject-matter of the petition is a question for the consideration of the Government, and the Committee have no recommendation to make to the House. T. Kelly, 7th July, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of James Poland Millar. The petitioner prays that " The Otago Presbyterian Church Conveyance Validation Act, 1876," be not passed into law in its present shape. I am directed to report that the Committee see no reason to express any opinion to the House on the subiect-matter of the petition. T. Kelly, 13th July, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of John Pugh Jones and Others, Ratepayers of St. Kilda; Dugald Campbell and Others, Ratepayers of South Dunedin. The petitioners state that great injustice will be inflicted on them if any action is taken to carry out drainage works undertaken by them. I am directed to report that the subject-matter of this petition having been considered by a Committee specially selected by the House for the purpose, and that Committee having made a report, this Committee do not think it necessary to offer any opinion to the House. T. Kelly, 13th July, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of John A. D. Adams and 1,757 Others, Inhabitants of Otago. The petitioners pray that the opinion of the inhabitants of any Licensing District be taken with respect to jhe granting of a license, in the usual electoral manner. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make to the House on the subject-matter of this petition. T. Kelly, 13th July, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Joseph Thompson. The petitioner states that he served in the 57th Regiment during the Maori war, from 1861, and with the "Wellington Volunteers under Colonel McDonnell; that he is unable to do hard work, and prays for consideration. The Committee, having taken evidence in the case of the petitioner, have directed me to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner to the favourable consideration of the House. T. Kelly, 13th July, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Inhabitants of Motueka. TnE petitioners pray that a subsidy be granted for regular steam communication between Nelson, Motueka, and Golden Bay. I am directed to report that, pending the decision of the House as to the distribution of the provincial revenues, the Committee have no recommendation to make. T. Kelly, 13th July, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of C. Schroder and other Immigrants. The petitioners state that they were induced to emigrate and pay their own passages, believing that they could obtain land orders that would be useful to them when they landed, but that, on arriving in the colony, they find that they can obtain no land that they can utilize, and they pray for relief. The Committee have taken evidence in the case of the petitioners, and, having carefully considered the question in its general bearing, have directed me to report as follows: — The Committee are of opinion that the present system of granting land to immigrants who have paid their own passage to the colony is not calculated to promote the settlement of the waste lands, and that for the future it should be discontinued. That, with respect to the settlement of claims that have already been exercised, the Committee are of opinion that actual residence on the land should not be insisted on, but that improvements should be enforced. That claims which have been registered, or which may hereafter be registered, should be converted into land scrip available for the purchase of any waste land open for sale, and in payment for land sold on deferred payments, subject to improvements. T. Kelly, 14th July, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Thomas Pavletich. The petitioner states that, in the course of his business as a licensed victualler, he has been made aware of the evils arising from the present system of pawnbroking, as large numbers of the people pawn