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No. 171. —Petition of Joseph L. Woems, Auckland (No. 1). The petitioner states that he was injured by hard work while in gaol, and prays for relief. lam directed to report: The Committee have no recommendation to make to the House on petitioner's case. 15th August, 1882.

No. 154. —Petition of A. Jameson and Others, Pukekohe. The petitioners pray that portions of the Auckland-Mercer (Te Awamutu) line of railway may be fenced. I am directed to report ■. That the Committee are of opinion the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th August 1882.

No. 276,—Petition of "W. "Wood and Others, Coromandel. The petitioners ask for the completion of the Thames-Waikato Eailway. No. 370. —Petition of W. E. Beownlee and Others, Havelock. The petitioners ask for the construction of a better wharf, and that the channel be marked with beacons. No. 392.—Petition of Alexander Boyle and Others, Otaio, South Canterbury. The petitioners pray for the erection of a goods shed at the Otaio Eailway-station. No. 407. —Petition of M. McLeod and Others, Waipu. The petitioners pray that the road between "Waipu and Whangarei may be completed. lam directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. No. 396, 397, and 398.—Petitions of W. Jejtoer and Others, Otago; John C. Aebxjckle and Others ; John Andbew and Others. The petitioners pray for the establishment of a School of Agriculture in Otago. lam directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th August, 1882.

No. 186. —Petition of Coenelius Little. The petitioner asks for compensation for the loss of his son, a member of the Defenee Force, who died from the effect of a wound received at Eangiawhia in 1864. lam directed to report: The Committee do not consider that the petitioner is entitled to relief from the colony under the circumstances stated in his petition. 16th August, 1882.

No. 345.—Petition of H. Dodson and Others, of Marlborough. The petitioners pray for the repeal of the beer-tax. lam directed to report: The subject-matter of this petition being one of public policy, the Committee do not consider it necessary to make any recommendation to the House. 16th August, 1882.

No. 6. —Petition of Dr. H. Divee, "Wellington. The petitioner states that he is Surgeon to the "Wellington Naval Brigade ; that prior to the departure of the Volunteers for active service at Parihaka he was asked by the officers of the several companies to examine the men who were about to proceed to the front; he did so, and claims the sum of £77, being at the rate of ss. per man, which sum the Government has refused to pay. He now prays for relief. I am directed to report: The Committee, having fully considered the petitioner's case, cannot recommend his claim to the favourable consideration of the House. 18th August, 1882.

Nos. 61 and 409.—Petitions of Thomas Butler, Nelson. The petitioner states that he was Superintendent and Clerk of the Nelson Lunatic Asylum; that in 1876 he was removed from office by the Provincial Executive ; that a Eoyal Commission investigated his case in 1877 ; that for several years he has made application to be heard, but up to the present time this has been refused. He now prays to be heard, and asks to be allowed to resume the duties of his office. lam directed to report: The Committee, having examined the petitioner, and fully considered the case, cannot recommend his prayer to the favourable consideration of the House. 18th August, 1882.

No. 428. —Petition of C. Eedwood and Others, of the Marlborough District. The petitioners state that they are sheepfarmers in the Provincial District of Marlborough ; that, owing to the mountainous and rough character of the land, and the difficulties of fencing the same, they find a great difficulty in eradicating the scab upon some of their runs ; that the power vested in Inspectors by section 23 of " The Sheep Act, 1878," to determine arbitrarily whether or not reasonable exertions