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No. 155.—Petition of Mrs. Annie Cleet The petitioner states that she was left a widow with four children, in 1878, totally unprovided for; that her late husband served the colony actively as a military settler from 1861 to 1867, and that in 1874 he was grievously wounded whilst marking at the butts in his capacity of sergeant; that in 1878 he died from the effects of the wound, and she prays for compensation and consideration for her fatherless children. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that, taking into consideration the fact that the petitioner's late husband rendered good service to the colony in the field during the Native disturbances on the West Coast during Tito Kowaru's war, and that he subsequently received a dangerous wound at the rifle butts at the Thames, whilst on duty, the petitioner is entitled to some compassionate allowance, and recommend the Government to place the sum of £100 on the Supplementary Estimates for that purpose. 11th August, 1881.

No. 133.—Petition of William White, of Christchurch. The petitioner states that he was owner of Lot 98, Timaru; that the said lot was taken in 1876 by the Government for public purposes ; that he received no notice of such intention, and had sold the land for £90, but could not give a title. He prays that relief may be given him, as he has suffered loss through no fault of his own. I am directed to report that the Committee, having made further inquiry into the case of the petitioner, see no sufficient reason to alter the decision arrived at during last session. 11th August, 1881.

No. 58.—Petition of Charles Eeatherstone Mitchell, of the Thames. The petitioner states that he supplied goods to the Natives in the Thames District, on the authority of Mr. Mackay, the said Natives being the owners of the Piako block of land, and that, on the authority of the Native Minister, Mr. Sheehan, he made further advances to the said Natives, amounting in all to £304, which claim remains unsettled. He prays that the House will make inquiry into the case, and grant him relief. I am directed to report that the Committee, having inquired into the case of the petitioner, are of opinion that he has no claim on the Government. 11th August, 1881.

No. 90.—Petition of Geokge Phipps Williams, of Christchurch. The petitioner states that he was in the employ of the Public Works Department as Eesident Engineer, and that he temporarily resigned his appointment in 1873, and made application shortly after and was reappointed ; that he received notice in June, 1878, without any previous intimation, that his services would be dispensed with after the 30th September of that year. He submits that he is entitled to compensation for removal from his office, and prays the House to grant him compensation. I am directed to report that, as it appears the petitioner resigned his appointment in 1873, and was afterwards reappointed temporarily and his services subsequently dispensed with on the reduction of the service, the Committee do not consider that the petitioner has any claim for compensation. 11th August, 1881.

No. 210. —Petition of S. W Alcorn and I. Graves, of Wellington. The petitioners state that on the representations of Mrs. Nicholas (two of whose children were killed by the accident on the railway at the Rimutaka), they supplied her with mourning to the value of £55 13s. 6d., believing the Government would liquidate the claim, which has not been done. They pray the amount may be placed on the Estimates. I am directed to report that, having made careful inquiry into the case, the Committee are of opinion that, whatever the merits of any claim of the Nicholas family may be for consideration on account of the Eimutaka accident, the petitioners have no claim on the colony for payment of accounts incurred by Mrs. Nicholas which were not authorized by the Government. 12th August, 1881.

No. 4. —Petition of William Blewden, of Auckland. The petitioner states that he was contractor for the formation and drainage of the Newmarket sites, Auckland; that he encountered a large quantity of rock, although he and other contractors were informed by the Assistant Engineer that there was no rock whatever; and that he was put to an additional expense of £1,500 in consequence. I am directed to report the Committee are of opinion that it was the duty of the contractor to examine the ground, and satisfy himself as to its nature before tendering, and therefore he has no claim against the colony for alleged loss sustained in carrying out his contract with the Government. 17th August, 1881.

No. 101. —Petition of John Codling, of Auckland. The petitioner states that in June, 1879, the Hon. J Sheehan, Native Minister, directed him to supply the Native chief Te Wheoro and his friends with board and lodging, and also to supply Eewi and others with a special dinner, and charge the same to the Government; that his account for these expenses, amounting to £74 25., has not been paid, although repeated applications have been made for payment. He therefore prays the House to grant him relief.