I.—c.

14

Report on Petition of Inhabitants of the Province of Auckland. The petitioners state that they look with alarm on any attempt to legalize the sale of intoxicating licjuors on Sunday. They pray that no further facilities be given ; but that if any alteration is made in the law, it will be in the direction of making the prohibition of the liquor traffic on Sunday more effective. I am directed to report that, should any proposition come before the Legislature to legalize the sale of spirituous liquors on Sunday, this petition be recommended to the favourable consideration of the House. T. Kelly, 22nd August, 1576. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Andrew Thompson. TnE petitioner prays that his grievances against the Provincial Government of Otago be redressed, because of money lost by him in purchasing lands in the Township of Hawkesbury, on the faith of certain public buildings and public works being constructed. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner sets forth no fresh evidence on the question which was under consideration last Session, the Committee have no recommendation to make. T. Kelly, 22nd August, 1576. Chairman.

Report on Petition of John McLeod. The petitioner states that, in 1872, he introduced several new inventions of his own, and made modifications in the existing saw-mill machinery in the Province of Auckland, that entirely removed difficulties which theu existed in the way of the profitable application of machinery to the production of marketable timber, which had up to that time proved insuperable. The petitioner prays the House to take his case into consideration and grant him relief. Having made careful inquiry into the petitioner's case, the Committee direct mo to report as follows:—That, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has not established any claim to consideration, on account of having been the first to bring iuto practical operation a profitable system of working a kauri forest, and making improvements in saw-mill machinery. T. Kelly, 25th August, 1576. Chairman.

Report on Petition of the Hokitika and Gheymouth Tramway Company. The petitioners pray that compensation be granted to them on account of loss of traffic in a tramway made by them, under protection from the County Council of Westlaud, by the construction of a Government road, it being one of the conditions of protection that, in the event of a Government road being made that would compete with the tramway, such compensation as the County Council should deem fit should be given to the owners of the tramway. The Committee, having made careful inquiry into the petitioner's case, have directed me to report that, as it appears that the Government of the County of Westland agreed to give 400 acres of land for each mile of tramway made by the Company, as compensation for loss sustained by the making of a road that competed with the tramway, the Committee recommend that this compensation be made out of land within the Province of Westland, to be selected in blocks of not less than 610 acres. T. Kelly, 25th August, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Alexander Mackay. The petitioner prays that compensation be given him on account of loss sustained by him from Nativesoccupying a portion of his land, and being obliged to remove his family to a place of safety. I am directed to report that the petitioner's case was fully inquired into and reported on last Session, and, as he has offered no new evidence iv his case this Session, the Committee see no reason to alter the decision they came to. T. Kelly, 29th August, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of John Jackson, of Wanganui. The petitioner prays that compensation be given him for loss of a lease of flax laud which he states was promised him by tho Government. I am directed to report that the petitioner's case was fully inquired into and reported on last Session of Parliament, and the Committee see no reason to alter the decision then come to. T. Kelly, 29th August, IS7G. Chairman.

Report on Pernios of Settlers and Residents in the Clutha District. TnE petitioners peaT that the Southern Trunk Lino of Railway be proceeded with by the Four-Mile Creek, and not by the deviation proposed by way of Waitepeka Valley. I am directed to report that, having made a report on the petition of the settlers of Waitepeka, which deals with the question, the Committee have no further recommendation to make. T. Keliy, 29th August, IS7G. Chairman.