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everything for drink, leaving their children a burden to the community, and themselves a pest to society. He prays that the matter have the consideration of the House. I have been directed to report that it appears not unreasonable to suppose, from the allegations of the petitioner, that the evils complained of are induced more by his own business, that of a publican than by the existing system of pawnbroking, and that the remedy might be found in a direction not contemplated by the petitioner. The Committee have no recommendation to make. T. Kelly, 18th July, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Hori Potaua and 3 Others. The petitioners state that they have done some road work for the Government, and are entitled to the sum of £23 lis. 6d., and pray that they be paid. I am directed to report that the Committee have made inquiry, and cannot obtain any evidence on the matter; the Committee, therefore, recommend that the Government make inquiry into the subject, and if the Natives are found to be entitled to payment for work done, that payment be made accordingly. T. Kelly, 18th July, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of 1,219 Inhabitants of the Thames District. The petitioners pray that no greater facilities be given for liquor traffic on Sunday than at present exist. I am directed to report that, should any proposition come before the Legislature to legalize the sale of spirituous liquors on the Sunday, this petition be recommended to the favourable consideration of the House. T. Kelly, 18th July, 1876. Chairman.

Report on the Petition of 1,088 Inhabitants of the Thames District. The petitioners pray for such an alteration of the licensing law as will give effective power to twothirds of the residents in any licensing district to prohibit the issuing of licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors. I am directed to report that the subject-matter of this petition being now under the consideration of the Legislature, the Committee recommend the petition to the consideration of the House. T. Kelly, 18th July, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Chairmen and Members of Road Boards near the Pukekohe Railway Station. The petitioners pray that the road to the railway station be metalled, and that a special grant be made for the purpose. I am directed to report that, pending the decision of the House as to the construction and management of local and main Road Boards, the Committee have no recommendation to make. T. Kelly, 20th July, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of 85 Settlers of Ngaeuawahia. The petitioners pray that the upset price of the suburban land at Newcastle be reduced, from the present prohibitory price, to from £2 to £5 an acre. The Committee have made inquiry into the case of the petitioners, and directed me to report that, as the colony is expending a considerable sum of money in constructing a line of railway into the district, the Committee are of opinion that the Government are justified in declining to reduce the present upset price of suburban land in the vicinity of Newcastle. T. Kelly, 20th July, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Mary Ann Kelly. The petitioner prays that compensation be granted on account of special services rendered by her late husband in improving the registering of documents in the Eegistrar of Deeds Department. The Committee, having made further inquiry into this case, have directed me to report that, having made a recommendation in the petitioner's case during the last Session of Parliament, they do not consider it necessary to take any further action in the matter. T Kelly 20th July, 1876. Chairman.