L—l.

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I am directed to report that the Committee, having reconsidered the petition of the Hauhau Tramway Company as directed by the House, is of opinion that the petitioners have no claim whatever against the colony for compensation. 20th November, 1879.

No. 9, Session ll. —Petition of Messrs. Sutherland and Smith. The petitioners, who were contractors for the construction of the Onehunga Wharf, allege that there is a balance due to them on account of the contract of £1,302 ss. 9d., for which the Treasury have forwarded a cheque for £993 15s. Bd., now lying in the Bank of New Zealand, which is only to be paid on petitioners giving a discharge in full of all claims; and that, having refused to do this, the petitioners are sustaining injury in their business in consequence ; and pray for compensation. I am directed to report that the petitioners refused the final payment under the misapprehension that the acceptance of the money would debar their claim for further consideration. As, however, the Public Works Department state that the acceptance of the payment will not have this effect, the Committee do not consider it necessary to make any recommendation. 20th November, 1879.

No. 57, Session I.—Petition of W. A. Mosley and other Settlers of Inch-Clutha. The petitioners pray for compensation for loss caused by floods at Inch-Clutha. I am directed to report that the Committee, having examined the plan and section of the railway embankment showing the flood-level, and taken evidence, is of opinion that the question should be referred by the Government to a Commission, in order that evidence may be taken in the district, and the facts reported to the Government. 20th November, 1879.

No. 48, Session ll.—Petition of David Connor. The petitioner prays for a grant of land as a Volunteer, his certificate having lapsed. I am directed to report that, as it appears from the evidence before the Committee, that the petitioner's claim lapsed through his own neglect, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 20th November, 1879.

No. 54, Session I.—Petition of Samuel Phillips. (Further report.) The petitioner states that he was an assistant in the Photo-lithographic Department, and that he has been discharged from the public service without sufficient cause. I am directed to report that, having taken further evidence in the case of the petition of Samuel Phillips, referred back to the Committee by the House, the Committee is of opinion that it would be injudicious to restore him to the office he formerly occupied; but recommend that he be employed in the public service in some other department. 20th November, 1879.

No. 175, Session ll.—Petition of George Jervis. The petitioner, having received the sum of £100 as a reward for assisting in procuring evidence which led to the conviction of the perpetrators of the Maungatapu murders, prays for a further consideration for the same service. I am directed to report that, having examined the petitioner and reconsidered his claim, the Committee see no sufficient cause to alter the decision already arrived at during the last session. 20th November, 1879.

No. 99, Session II. —Petition of John Gwynneth. The petitioner prays for compensation for an alleged discovery of a practicable route for a line of railway between Porirua and the foot of the Paikakariki Hill. I am directed to report that, having taken evidence in the case of the petitioner, the Committee is of opinion that he has not established any claim against the colony. 21st November, 1879.

No. 100, Session ll.—Petition of Daniel Climie. The petitioner claims to have been the discoverer of a practicable route for a line of railway between the City of Wellington and the West Coast of the North Island. I am directed to report that it appears, from the evidence before the Committee, that Mr. Climie agreed with the promoters of a private company to make a preliminary survej' of a line of railway from "Wellington through Johnsonville to Porirua, which was proposed to be constructed under the District Railways Act, for which he was to receive, in the event of a practicable route being obtained within specified limits of expenditure, the sum of £2,00t), or the appointment of engineer for the construction of the line. The Committee is of opinion that if any payment is due to Mr. Climie it is due to him by the promoters of the company, and he has no claim on the Government on the ground that the proposed line of railway has been undertaken by the colony. 21st November, 1879.