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I am directed to report that, as it appears from the evidence given before the Committee that the petitioner deserted before serving his three years as a military settler, the Committee cannot recommend his prayer to the favourable consideration of the House. T. Kelly, 12th September, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Trustees of the Melanesian Trust. Tnic petitioners pray that they be relieved from the claim for legacy duty made on the estate of the late Bishop Patteson. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioners to the favourable consideration of the House. T. Kelly, 12th September, 1876. Chairman.

Report (No. 1) on Petition (No. 2) of H. W. Farnall. The petitioner states that he was appointed Immigration Agent for the Province of Auckland in the United Kingdom in 1873, and acted in that capacity for eighteen months ; but no provision appears to have been made by the Provincial Council for this Agency ; and as, by the legislation of the General Assembly, petitioner cannot now bring his case before the Provincial Council, he prays that the House will grant him relief. The Committee, having inquired into the case of the petitioner, have directed me to report as follows: —That the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner to the favourable consideration of the House. T. Kelly, 12th September, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of S. G. Rowley. Petitioner states that he left the service of the Provincial Government of Nelson in January, 1873, because of failing eyesight. That a sum of £112 10s. was placed on the estimates of the Provincial Council as compensation for past services, but was struck out by the Council. The petitioner prays that the House will grant him relief. I am directed to report that the case of the petitioner having been dealt with by the Provincial Government of Nelson, this Committee have no recommendation to make. T. Kelly, 12th September, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Charles Kelling and Others. The petitioners pray that, as the telegraph line passes through Upper Moutere, a telegraph station be erected there. I am directed to report that the prayer of the petitioners be recommended to the favourable consideration of the Government. T. Kelly, 12th September, 1876. . Chairman.

Report on Petition of 400 Residents of Otago, relative to the Appointment of George Lumb as a Revenue Officer. The petitioners enumerate the services performed by Mr. Lumb, lately employed by the Provincial Government of Otago ; and they pray that his sphere of action be enlarged by employing him in the General Government service. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make on the subjectmatter of this petition. T. Kelly, 12th September, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of C. E. Pritchard. Petitioner states that, in consequence of letters received in England from the General and Provincial Government in New Zealand, an association, consisting of gentlemen of means, position, aud influence, was formed for carrying out a special settlement. That the petitioner has come, at considerable expense, to New Zealand for the purpose of entering into a contract for a special block of land to be formed into a special settlement; aud he prays that the House will be pleased to grant him such redress as to the House shall seem fit. The Committee have inquired into the case of the petitioner, and have directed me to report as follows, viz. : —The Committee are of opinion that the petitioner has not established a case for redress, inasmuch as the land applied for does not come within the terms of " The Auckland Waste Lands Act, 1874," relied on by the petitioner. The Committee, however, are of opiniou that if the settlement of population on the block of land applied for could be arranged on satisfactory terms, it would promote the interests of the colony ; but the Committee refrain from making any specific recommendation, as the subject is one for the consideration of the Executive Government. T. Kelly, 12th September, 1876. Chairman.