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I am directed to report that, as the prayer of these petitioners opens up a large question of public policy and is entirely outside the functions of this Committee, it has no recommendation to make. 10th November, 1887.

No. 128, Sess. ll.—Petition of the McKenzie County Council. The petitioners state that, in the session of 1886, a Committee was appointed to inquire into the system of railway management proposed by Mr. Samuel Vaile; that the said Committee recommended a trial, but attached conditions which practically rendered the carrying-out of such a trial an impossibility. They pray that these adverse conditions may be removed, and that a trial may be given to the scheme which will test its efficiency. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th November, 1887.

No. 135, Sess. ll.—Petition of James Sinclair and Others, of Waimate. The petitioners pray that the County and Borough of Waimate may be created a separate district under the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act. I am directed to report that, a Bill being now before the House proposing to deal with this question, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 10th November, 1887.

Nos. 139, 140, and 141, Sess. ll.—Petitions of H. E. Williamson and Others, Auckland; of Jubal Fleming and Others, Christchurch ; and of Charles Willeston and Others, Wellington. The petitioners allege that tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes are extensively smuggled into New Zealand, and sold at prices less than the duty payable; that this is prejudicial to the business of your petitioners, who pay duty on such commodities. They pray that tobacconists may be licensed in the same way that auctioneers are at present. That the license-fee for the sale of tobacco and cigarettes be £10 per annum, and £5 for the sale of cigars. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th November, 1887.

No. 149, Sess. ll.—Petition of John Thornden and Others, of Canterbury. The petitioners pray that Mrs. Ann Eoil, who is confined in the hospital for insane at Sunny side, may be released. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioners. 10th November, 1887.

No. 1, Sess. II. —Petition of Edward Marsh Williams, of Auckland. The petitioner states that in 1861 he was appointed Eesident Magistrate for the Bay of Islands, and held that position until March, 1880, when he was requested to retire, on the ground of economy ; that he was allowed a pension of £135 ; that in April, 1881, he was reappointed to the Civil Service as Judge of the Native Land Court, at a salary of £600, and his services were dispensed with in March, 1887 ; that his pension was not paid while he was serving as Judge ; that, on his retirement, he made an application for his pension to be recomputed under section 18, " Civil Service Act, 1866," in order that his last period of service might be considered as continuous with the former one ; that he was informed his pension had remained in abeyance during his second period of service, and now reverted to its original rate; that he was not informed at the time of his appointment that such appointment was under any special terms, and would exclude him from the benefits of section 18 ; that the interruption of twelve months in his service, viz., from April, 1880, to April, 1881, was forced upon him; and that, according to the usual computation, his retiringallowance should be £250 per annum. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony. 11th November, 1887.

No. 19, Sess. I.—Petition of H. W. Smythies, of Auckland. The petitioner states that in 1866 he gave up his occupation as a surveyor in order to enter into articles of clerkship with his father, who was a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court; that he served as articled clerk until 1869, when his father was suspended from practising under "The Law Practitioners Act Amendment Act, 1866;" that he is advised that no part of the time spent under articles will be considered as legally served. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony. 15th November, 1887.

No. 61, Sess. ll.—Petition of F. H. Tronson, of Wellington. The petitioner states that he was appointed as a draughtsman in the Public Works Department in 1875, and transferred to the Survey Department in 1877 ; that his services were dispensed with in 1887, on account of reductions in the department; that, on receiving notice that his services would be dispensed with, he applied for a month's leave of absence, which was refused. That officers