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£3,000, in consideration of which the Government shall be entitled to the full benefit of all advances made by the petitioner to the Native proprietors. That the sum of £5,500 has been paid to the petitioner, and he claims £1,200 as a final settlement, viz., £500, balance of tiie £6,000, and £700 for improvements, which amount has been refused him by the Government. He prays the House will grant him compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee, having carefully considered the petitioner's claim, are of opinion that the sum offered by the Government —namely, £500 —is a fair settlement of the petitioner's case. sth September, 1881.

No. 180. —Petition of C. H. Ltjndon, of Auckland. The petitioner states that she is a Native schoolteacher ; that in 1876 herself and sister were appointed as teachers to the Lower Waihau School; they arrived at Hokianga in December of that year, where they were kept five months waiting for instructions; that the school was not opened until May, 1877; that she did not receive salary from the period of her appointment and the opening of the school (seven months), and was not allowed the expenses usually allowed in such cases ; that no salary was sent for her sister, therefore she refused to take her own ; that she applied to be removed to another school, which was assented to, but was requested to continue three months longer at the Lower Waihau School, which she consented to do; that a severe fever broke out in the school, when it was closed in consequence. That another teacher was appointed and she removed from the school, believing that, as three new schools were being erected, herself and sister would get one, but after a time these vacancies were filled up, and she has not received another appointment; that she will suffer loss, as she had purchased a property, intending to pay for it by monthly instalments. She therefore prays the House will take a favourable view of her case. I am directed to report that, having carefully considered the evidence bearing on the case, the Committee are of opinion the petitioner and her sister are entitled to the following sums, namely: For back pay up to May, 1577, £50; cost of buildings erected, £6 lls. 6d.; travelling expenses from Auckland to Hokianga and back, and boat-hire, £8 10s. ; compensation in lieu of official notice of services being dispensed with, £50 : total, £115 Is. 6d. The Committee are of opinion that, in the event of any suitable vacancies arising in any public school under the control of the Government, the claim of the petitioner and her sister to be reappointed should receive favourable consideration. The Committee also express their most decided opinion that very great carelessness has been shown by the Native School Department in connection with the appointment of these teachers, and recommend that all communications affecting the position of any employe under the Government should be in writing direct to them. 7th September, 1881.

No. 290.—Petition of Vincent Cotjntt Council. The petitioners state that, under " The Financial Arrangements Act, 1876," certain revenues were secured to counties; that, relying on the authority of this Act, the Vincent County Council undertook large public works; that subsequently "The Financial Arrangements Amendment Act, 1880," deprived the counties of subsidies and land fund, which renders them unable to complete the erection of a bridge over the Molyneux at Alexandra, the contract for which was entered into in 1878 ; that the bridge, which will cost about £20,000, would never have been undertaken had any idea existed that they would have been deprived of the subsidy and laud fund; that a sum of £8,000 is required to complete the structure ; and they pray the House to take the matter into its favourable consideration and grant them relief. I am directed to report that, although admitting that the general policy of the Legislature has to some extent disturbed the financial arrangements of the Vincent County Council, in common with other counties and boroughs throughout the colony, the Committee cannot recommend any special aid in this case which cannot be extended to all other local bodies similarly situated; and, as it appears that the Local-Government Bills now before the House have been introduced by the Government to deal with such cases, the Committee recommend that special power be given to the county to borrow, failing the passing of the Local-Government Bills. 7th September, 1881.

No. 263.—Petition of Chaeles Mack, of Auckland. The petitioner states that in 1868 he was wrongfully imprisoned on a charge of smuggling tobacco ; that he has several times petitioned the House ; and now prays for redress. I am directed to report that the Committee see no reason to alter former decision in this case. Bth September, 1881.

No. 309. —Petition of J R. Kidd and Others, of Invercargill. The petititioners pray that the House will favourably consider the desirableness of constructing the proposed line of railway from Invercargill via the Seaward Bush to the Toitois. 1 am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. Bth September, 1881.

No. 26.—Petition of David Millar, of Koslyn, Dunedin. (Referred back to the Committee by resolution of the House, 22ud July, 1881.) The petitioner states that his son, William, entered the Government Railway Workshops, Dunedin, in January, 1877, as an apprentice; that no indentures were prepared, although often applied for; that