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No. 107.—Petition of Edward W. Puckey. The petitioner states that he was in the public service of the colony from 1863 to 1880, when, for no fault of his own, his services were dispensed with; that he received compensation under " The Civil Service Act, 1866; " that in 1881 he was reappointed to the Civil Service, and allowed half-pay for the time he was out of office, but had to refund the compensation he had received, less the half-pay allowance; that he has been officially informed that " The Civil Service Amendment Act, 1871," bars his right to a pension on his ultimate retirement; that, owing to there having been a want of continuity in his service, for which he is not accountable, his right to retiring allowance is forfeited. He prays for such relief as his case deserves. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 24th June, 1886.

Nos. 160 and 161.—Petitions of Eichard Jervis and Others, and C. Carboys and Others, of Auckland. The petitioners pray that the House may take such steps as are necessary to influence the Home Government to prevent the proposed annexation of the New Hebrides Islands by France. I am directed to report that, the subject-matter of these petitions being now before the House, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 24th June, 1886.

No. 157. —Petition of A. Devore and Others, of Auckland. The petitioners state that a petition is in course of signature praying for the construction of a loopline of railway from Auckland to Penrose, along the foreshore at Parnell. They pray that the prayer of said petition may not be granted. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 14th June, 1886.

No. 191.—Petition of David McKay and Others, of Lower Mataura. The petitioners pray that the Edendale-Toitois Eailway may be completed to a reproductive point. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 24th June, 1886.

No. 132.—Petition of G. W: Woodroofe and Others. The petitioners pray that certain, amendments may be made in the Municipal Corporations Bill. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, the petition should be referred to the Government in order that they may consider the question raised, and grant such relief to the petitioners as may seem desirable. 24th June, 1886.

No. 74. —Petition of John Crawford, Auckland. The petitioner states that he has sustained a loss of more than £50, owing to fires caused by sparks from railway-engines. I am directed to report that, in the absence of direct evidence to prove that the injury complained of was caused by sparks from railway-engines, this Committee cannot recommend anything further than that petitioner should seek his remedy in the law-courts, to which the Government have consented. 25th June, 1886.

No. 123.—Petition of Singleton Eochfort, Auckland. The petitioner prays that measures may be adopted with reference to the practice, pursued by the Court of Appeal, of levying fees of Court. I am directed to report that, in the opinion, of this Committee, the levying of fees by the Court of Appeal is authorized by law, and they cannot therefore recommend the prayer of the petitioner. 25th June, 1886.

No. 198.—-Petition of W. H. Bosworth, New Plymouth. The petitioner states that he was Gaoler at Her Majesty's prison in New Plymouth for more than twenty years; that his services have been dispensed with owing to his being over sixty years of age; that he received serious injuries while in the performance of his duties, and is now unfit for manual labour. He prays for an annual retiring allowance under the 38th section of " The Civil Service Act, 1866," or other relief. I am directed to report that although the injuries received by the petitioner were serious, yet the long time during which he afterwards continued to be employed renders the 38th clause of "The Civil Service Act, 1866," in the opinion of the Committee, inapplicable, and they therefore cannot recommend that the prayer of the petitioner should be granted. 25th June, 1886.

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