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lam directed to report: The Committee, having examined the petitioner, and Controller and Auditor-G-eneral, are of opinion that, taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, they recommend the Government to stop the action, and abandon the claim for a refund of the poundage fees. 15th June, 1882.

No. 59. —Petition of G-eoege J. Spaeeow and Others, Takaka, Nelson. The petitioners pray that a bridge may be erected over the Takaka River, and that a sum of money may be placed on the Estimates of expenditure for public works for the present year. lam directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th June, 1882.

No. 51.—Petition of J. D. Bentiey, Auckland. The petitioner states that he was in Her Majesty's 24th Regiment, from which he obtained his discharge for the purpose of settling in New Zealand; he submits his claim for land under the Naval and Military Settlements Act of 1858, and the amended Acts of 1868-69. and states that his claim was acknowledged by the Royal Commission, which sat in Auckland this year, to be good and valid, but too late in application. He begs the House will take his case into favourable consideration. I am directed to report: The Committee, having inquired into the case of the petitioner, cannot recommend his claim to the favourable consideration of the House. 15th June, 1882.

No. 63.—Petition of John" Cabet, Auckland. The petitioner states that he was employed as engineer on board the steam-launch ; that he was discharged in 1880 on an alleged charge, which was not investigated; and prays for a reconsideration of his case. lam directed to report: As no fresh evidence has been submitted, the Committee see no sufficient reason to alter the decision previously arrived at. 15th June, 1882.

No. 91.—Petition of John Ditnn, Auckland. The petitioner states that, having served for seventeen years in the gaol in Auckland as senior warder, he was compelled through ill health and old age to resign i he prays the House will grant him some relief. lam directed to report: The Committee, having reconsidered the case of the petitioner, see nosufficient reason to alter the decision previously arrived at. 15th June, 1882.

No. 102.—Petition of Gteoegb Mackay and Others, Lyttelton. The petitioners state that the Licensing Commissioners had refused to grant any extension of publicans' licenses after 10 o'clock. They pray the House will make such amendments in the Licensing Act, as to the hours during which licensed houses can be kept open, as will be most convenient to the public. I am directed to report: The subject-matter of this petition being now under consideration of the House, the Committee do not consider it necessary to make any recommendation. 15th June, 1882.

No. 57. —Petition of John Gbaham, Auckland. The petitioner states that he was confined in the Shortland Gaol for three months for debt, six weeks of which he was put to hard labour, contrary to the order, which provides for imprisonment alone. He prays the House will grant him compensation. lam directed to report: The Committee, having inquired into the case of the petitioner, cannot recommend his claim to the favourable consideration of the House. 16th June, 1882.

No. 72.—Petition of E. B. Caegill and Others, Dunedin. The petitioners state they are members of the Council of the Bible-in-Schools Association. They pray that the. House will take into its consideration the provisions of the Education Act, under which the Bible is excluded, and make such alterations in the same as will allow of its introduction into the public schools. lam directed to report: The Committee do not consider it necessary to offer any opinion to the House on th'9 subject-matter of this petition. 16th June, 1882.

No. 84. —Petition of Michael Egan, Coromandel. The petitioners states that he was sergeant in the Constabulary, and that whilst on service was injured in the spine, which compelled him to retire from the service in August, 1880, when he received compensation. Ho states further that he is now totally helpless and unable to provide for his family ; and prays that his case may be treated as an exceptional one, and additional compensation granted him. lam directed to report: The Committee, having considered the petitioner's case, regret that they cannot see their way to make any recommendation to the House. ]«th June, 1882.