27

1.—6.

Eeport on Petition of the Mayor of the City of Auckland. The petitioner prays, on behalf of the Councillors and citizens, that the allotment of land granted in trust for free baths and wash-houses by Sir George Grey, Governor, in 1850, be restored to the citizens of Auckland. I am directed to report that the Committee have inquired into the matter, and find that the reserve in question is now Crown land, having been so declared by "The Public Domains Act, 1860." The Committee recommend the Government to take steps by Act of Assembly to restore this reserve to its original purpose. T. Kelly, 20th October, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Ellen Tourney, formerly McCombie. The petitioner prays that she may be allowed the claim to land to which her late husband Alexander McCombie was entitled as a member of the New Zealand Fencibles, and of which he was deprived on technical grounds. The Committee, having made inquiry into the case of the petitioner, find that the late husband of the petitioner had a claim, which was disallowed on technical grounds. The Committee recommend that a sum of £25 be paid to the petitioner as the estimated value of the land scrip to which the petitioner's husband would have been entitled; such sum to be charged a«ainst the land revenue of the Province of Auckland. T. Kelly, 20th October, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of G. Bentham Morris. The petitioner states that he contested the seat for the Electoral District of East Coast at the late election, against Captain Read and others. That Captain Read was declared elected, and that petitioner petitioned against Captain Read retaining his seat on account of his having used bribery to obtain such return. That upon the said petition, Captain Read was declared unseated, and petitioner declared the sitting member. That petitioner's expenses were £596 12s, and the amount of expenses allowed petitioner by the Committee was £150. Petitioner prays that for this relief be granted him, I am directed to report that the subject having been referred to and dealt with by a Special Committee, this Committee do not think it desirable to revise their decision. But the Committee consider that the law on the subject of disputed elections is very unsatisfactory, and recommend that the law be assimilated to that of England. T. Kelly, 20th October, 1876. Chairman.

Eeport on Petition of 57 Eesidents in the Kaipara District. The petitioners pray for the extension of the Kaipara Eailway to Auckland. I am directed to report that the Committee have no opinion to offer to the House on the subjectmatter of this petition, as it is a matter for the consideration of the Government. T. Kelly, 21st October, 1876. Chairman.

Report on the Petition of 143 Settlers of the Kaipara District. The petitioners pray for the construction of a Wharf at Helensville. I am directed to report that the Committee have no opinion to offer to the House on the subjectmatter of this petition, as it is a matter for the consideration of the Government. T. Kelly, 21st October, 1876. Chairman.

Report on Petition of H. J. Reid. The petitioner prays that land to which he would have been entitled as a discharged soldier, if he had remained in Auckland for three years after making his selection, be now granted him. I am directed to report that the petitioner forfeited his claim to the land by not fulfilling the conditions on which it was given ; the Committee cannot therefore recommend his prayer to the favourable consideration of the House. 21st October, 1876. T. Kelly, Chairman.

Report on Petition of Chairman and Members of the Ashley Road Board. The petitioners pray that the House will, by enactment, allocate such a proportion of the land fund of the district as will enable the Board to meet the reasonable requirements of the settlers. I am directed to report that as the Government measures now before the House deal with the subject-matter of this petition, the Committee do not consider it necessary to make any recommendation to the House. T. Kelly, 21st October, 1876. Chairman.