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No. 82. —Petition of Edwaed Eevell. The petitioner states that he was a duly-appointed Deputy Begistrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages at Kaiapoi; that in 1888, owing to illness on the part of the Begistrar, petitioner performed all the duties of the office for a period of nine weeks; that in payment for such service he has only received the amount of the fees—namely, £6. He prays for further compensation for loss of time. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 17th July, 1889.

No. 7.—Petition of John Fultox and Others, tho Members of the Otago Harbour Board. The petitioners allege that they have a grievance in connection with the reduction in the area of their endowments, and pray for such relief as may be considered equitable. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, the petition should be referred to the Public Petitions Ato L Committee. (Vide 1.-l.) 17th July, 1889.

No. 21.—Petition of Samuel Mills. The petitioner prays for a further inquiry into the conduct of the bailiff of the Eesident Magistrate's Court, Auckland. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 18th July, 1889.

No. 1.—Petition of W. H. West and Others, of Wellington. The petitioners pray that a Bill may be introduced into Parliament to establish a University College in Wellington ; that suitable endowments be granted to the said college; and that a site and suitable buildings be set apart in Wellington for the purposes of the said college. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 18th July, 1889. . .

No. 114.—Petition of the Wellington and Manawatu Eailway Company. The company prays that it may be relieved by law from the payment of property-tax upon that part of its capital which has been expended in the construction of its railway-line, and the necessary buildings connected therewith, and upon the value of the rolling-stock used thereon; or that it may be empowered to deduct the property-tax paid by it in respect of the amount of its liability to its debenture-holders from any moneys from time to time payable to them by your petitioning company ; that the law may be altered so as to prevent your petitioning company's railway-line from being assessed to local rating as part of a complete work, or otherwise with relations to the purpose to which it is put. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioning company is a contracting party with the Crown ; and for a work which in its nature is primarily beneficial to the public ; that the capital of the shareholders should be assessed at the market value of the shares ; that, as to the capital borrowed on debentures, the company should be restored to its position as at the date of the contract, so that it may be empowered to deduct property-tax paid by it in respect of the amount of its liability to its debenture-holders from any moneys from time to time payable to them by the petitioning company; that, as to the subject of local rating, the Committee is of opinion that this question should receive the consideration of the Government. 19th July, 1889.

No. 22. —Petition of J. C. Soall, of Auckland. The petitioner prays for a further inquiry into his system of musketry instruction, &c, and that relief may be granted to him. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 19th July, 1889.

No. 216.—Petition of George F. Vozey, of Auckland. The petitioner prays that the jurisdiction of Eesident Magistrates may be extended. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 23rd July, 1889. ■■

No. 223. —Petition of W. Bedell Stanford and Others, of Christchurch (No. 1). Be the Industrial Schools Act. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the Industrial Schools Act should be so amended as to allow girls to be detained in the schools up to the age of seventeen years. 23rd July, 1889.

No. 224.—Petition of W. Bedell Stanfokd and Others, of Cliristclmrch (No. 2). The petitioners allege that the number of indecent assaults on females of tender age is alarmingly on the increase. They pray that the age of protection may be raised from thirteen to sixteen years.