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Board has authority to appoint or remove its own officers, the Committee do not see how they can give practical redress to the grievance complained of. T. Kelly, 21st August, 1877. Chairman.

Repoet on Petition of Richabd Thomas Sheild. The petitioner prays for compensation for loss sustained by him in not being able to occupy land leased by him from Natives in the Okutuku Block. From the evidence taken it appears that petitioner entered into an agreement with certain Natives to lease land, that they were not in a position to give a legal title, and the land which they agreed to lease to petitioner was subsequently awarded to other Natives. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make in petitioner's case. T. Kelly, 21st August, 1877. Chairman.

Repoet on Petition of Meechants, Shipmasters, Millownees, and Othees, Kaipaea. The petitioners pray that greater facilities be given for the safe navigation of the Northern Wairoa River. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. T. Kelly, 21st August, 1877. Chairman.

Repoet on Petition of James Laney. The petitioner prays that the report on his petition by the Committee during the session of 1873 be acted on. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. T. Kelly, 21st August, 1877. Chairman.

Report on Petition of Feedeeick Noeton. The petitioner states that he has studied the theory of medicine, and has for years been engaged in the practice in various capacities as medical student and assistant at hospitals; that owing to ill-health he was obliged to leave England before he completed the term of study necessary to be qualified to practise. He prays that an opportunity be afforded him to be enrolled as a duly qualified medical practitioner. I am directed to report that this Committee are of opinion that provision should be made in the Medical Practitioners Bill now before the House to enable the petitioner to be examined before a Medical Board as to his qualifications, and, if found competent, that he be duly enrolled as a medical practitioner. Thomas Kelly, 22nd August, 1877. Chairman.

Repoet on Petition of Geoege Elliott Baeton, Barrister-at-Law. The petitioner, along jvith other allegations, charges James Prendergast and Christopher William Richmond, Judges of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, with being partial in their decisions, and exhibiting an habitual want of courtesy to him when practising his professing before them in the Court; and states that there is, he believes, a combination between the said Judges to drive petitioner from practice at the Bar. Petitioner prays that full inquiry be made into the truth of the allegations set forth in his petition by a Committee of the whole House; and that, if on such inquiry it is found that justice has not been impartially administered, an address be presented by the House to the Governor, praying .that the said Judges be removed from the Bench. I am directed to report that, taking into consideration the large number of petitions now before the Committee, and the time that would necessarily be required to make an exhaustive inquiry into the serious charges made by the petitioner against the Judges of the Supreme Court, the Committee are of opinion that the inquiry into such charges ought to be made by a special Committee; and therefore^recommend this course of procedure to the favourable consideration of the House. Thomas Kelly, 22nd August, 1877. ■ Chairman.

Repoet on Petition of the Officees of the Invebcaegill Aetilleey and the Officees of the Inveecaegill Rifles. The petitioners pray that the reserve on which they have built their drill-shed be permanently granted to the Volunteers for drill and training. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Thomas Kelly, 28th August, 1877. Chairman,