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No. 66.—John Alexandeb Wilson, Tauranga. The petitioner states that he was Judge of the Native Land Court and Eoyal Commissioner under " The Tauranga District Land Act, 1867;" that he has been deprived of his appointment as a Judge of the Native Laud Court, although it was understood this appointment was to be a permanent one, and in consideration of which he withdrew a money claim on account of commission on Native lands purchased on account of the Government; that he had to remove to Tauranga, which cost him over £500 ; that he has been put to heavy expenses upon the faith of an understanding which has been broken by the authorities; and that his summary dismissal as a Judge has seriously injured him. He prays the House will cause full inquiry into his case and such relief to be afforded him as may seem meet. lam directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that the petitioner is not entitled to the compensation claimed for the purchase of Native lands, as such claim was abandoned on his appointment of Judge of the Native Land Court. With respect to the claim for consideration for loss of office, the Committee are of opinion that, owing to a want of harmony between the Chief Judge and the petitioner, it is not expedient in the public interest that he be reappointed a Judge of the Native Land Court; but the Committee recommend that some other appointment in the public service, for which he is suitable, be offered him. 31st August, 1882.

No. 455.—Petition of W. A. Lowe and Others, Nelson. The petitioners pray that a Eoyal Commission may be appointed to inquire into the best line to be adopted for connecting the present northern extremity of the Southern Trunk Eailway with the Port of Picton on Cook Strait. No. 457. —Petition of John Aspinall and Others, Shotover The petitioners pray that a telephone may be granted them at Skippers, and promise to give the usual guarantee. lam directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that these petitions be referred to the Grovernment for consideration. 31st August, 1882.

No. 460.—Petition of James Tipping and Others, Seventy-Mile Bush. The petitioners ask that the railway-station may be erected at Danevirke. No. 470. —Petition of B. Doheety and Others, Jackson's Bay. The petitioners pray for more frequent communication with other parts of New Zealand. No. 471. —Petition of William Duncan and Others, Eaglan District. The petitioners pray for telegraph communication with other parts of the colony. lam directed to report: The Committee are of opinion that these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 31st August, 1882.

No. 352.—Petition of Aethtje Hoene and Others, Thames. The petitioners pray that the House will inquire into the nature and circumstances of James Farrell's case, with a view to reinstating him in his former position in the Armed Constabulary. No. 454.—Petition of J. C. Davis and Others. The petitioners ask that the Proclamation that County Cook be a Native Licensing District under " The Licensing Act, 1881," be withdrawn. lam directed to report: The Committee have no recommendation to make on the subject-matter of these petitions. 31st August, 1882.

No. 162. —Petition of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. The petitioners state that in 1871 they secured an allotment of land contiguous to the raiiway-station of Lyttelton by public tender and erected a store thereon, and fitted dumping plant therein, at a cost of £8,000 ; that at the end of three years the Provincial Government exercised its option of determining the agreement for occupation (twenty-one years), repaying to your petitioners the sum of £3.000 ; that subsequently the Provincial Government leased the said store to them at a rental of £240 per annum, the said lease to expire on the 30th September, 1876; that they continued to occupy the said store until July, 1877, when the General Government put up the store for lease by public tender; that they accepted a lease of the said store, together with the adjoining stores, for the yearly rentals of £1,635 and £1,365, and then the Government entered into storage competition at reduced rates ; that in March, 1879, your petitioners surrendered the latter store, which is now used by Grovernment for storage; that they then arranged to-erect a store at Officers' Point, to which they were promised a railway siding ; that they then gave notice of their intention to surrender the lease of the store held at the rental of £1,635, in September, 1879 ; that they commenced erecting a building on Officers' Point, but, owing to the difficulties with respect to the siding, it was suspended ; it was then arranged that they should have a new lease of the Government store for twenty-one years, seven years certain, and thereafter subject to six months' notice, expiring at the end of any third year, if required for railway purposes, the company to pay arrears of rent and forego any claim for a siding at Officers' Point; that on the 29th day of September, 1880, they accepted a notice to quit on the 15th October of that year, at very great loss and inconvenience, finding it impossible to pay the rental