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I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government, with a recommendation that the age of consent should be raised. 23rd July, 1889.

No. 136.—Petition of T. Wells and Others, of Waikato. The petitioners pray for the remission of a fine inflicted on certain persons for a breach of the Tobacco Act. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the excess of fine and costs, or expenses incurred in securing conviction, should be remitted, and that the Government be recommended to amend the law so that sellers of locally-grown un-Custoined tobacco be made equally liable to fine with the purchasers of same. 23rd July, 1889.

No. 189.—Petition of James McKee, Moderator, Presbytery of Timaru. The petitioner prays for the repeal of -the Contagious Diseases Act. I am directed to report that, as a Bill dealing with the subject-matter of this petition is now before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 23rd July, 1889.

No. 134. —Petition of John Penaligon, of Auckland. The petitioner prays that a pension may be granted to him on account of his twenty-four years' service in the Government Armoury and Stores Department. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no further claim against the colony. 7th August, 1889.

No. 197.—Petition of E. C. Sheaeman, of Wellington. The petitioner prays for further consideration on account of his long service in the Police Force of the colony. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the Government has dealt with petitioner in a liberal manner, and that he has no further claim against the colony. 7th August, 1889.

No. 192.—Petition of Aijchibald Bussell, of Temuka. The petitioner states that he has been in the railway service of the colony over twenty years; that in consequence of retrenchment by the Eailw Tay Commissioners he has been disrated and his section cut out. Petitioner alleges that this necessitated his leaving the service. He prays for compensation at the rate of one month's pay for each year of service. I am directed to report that, the petitioner having declined to accept tho employment offered to him by the department, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th August, 1889.

No. 91.—Petition of Daniel Stewaet and Others, of Helensville. The petitioners allege that the wharf which the Government propose to erect at Kaukapakapa is unnecessary. They pray that public money may not be spent on this work. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Bth August, 1889.

No. 199.—Petition of Henby Nunweek and Others, of Canterbury. The petitioners pray that effective measures may be taken by the Legislature to check the further spread of the codlin moth among the orchards of the colony. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. Bth August, 1889.

No. 36. —Petition of Geobge William Bebteand Titmuk, of Temuka (No. 1). The petitioner alleges that in the year 1880, in consequence of heing drawn into a squabble in a publichouse, he was sentenced to six months' imprisonment; that he was kept in gaol for four months' beyond his sentence ; that he caused a public inquiry to be made into the matter, and his charges were substantiated, but he has never been paid the expenses which he alleges was allowed him for travelling three hundred miles to attend the inquiry ; that in January, 1886, he was imprisoned for eighteen months for having no lawful visible means of support; that while serving this sentence he was asaulted and cruelly ill-treated in the gaol; that he was innocent of the charge for which he was condemned, and possessed property both in Tasmania and New Zealand. He prays for relief. I am directed to report {hat, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner is entitled to mileage from Queenstown to Dunedin re Dunedin Gaol Inquiry, say, £15; but with respect to the other allegations contained in the petition, as they are not supported by evidence, the Committee has no recommendation to make. Bth August, 1889.