1.—2

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

OBDBR OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Fbiday, 20th June, 1890. Ordered, " That a Public Petitions M to Z Committee, consisting of ten members, be appointed, to consider all petitions that may be referred to it by the Petitions Classification Committee, to classify and prepare abstracts of such petitions in such form and manner as shall appear to it best suited to convey to this House all requisite information respecting their contents, and to report the same from time to time to this House, and to have power to report its opinions and observations thereupon to this House ; also to have power to call for persons and papers : three to be a quorum. The Committee to consist of Mr. Anderson, Mr. Bruce, Mr. Buxton, Mr. Grimmond, Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Joyce, Mr. Taylor, Mr. T. Thompson, Mr. Ward, and the mover."—(Hon. Captain Rcssell.)

No. B.—Petition of Francis Boil, of Sydenham. The petitioner states that his wife has been confined in the Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum for five years. He alleges that she is now of sound mind, and prays for her release. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend that the prayer of the petitioner should be granted. 3rd July, 1890.

No. 18. —Petition of M. O'Neill, of Wellington. The petitioner states that she has been employed as a charwoman at the Government Buildings since September, 1871, and alleges that she sustained an injury to her knee while fulfilling her duties which now prevents her following any occupation whereby she might obtain a livelihood. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony. 3rd July, 1890.

No. 26. —Petition of Bichabd Young, of Auckland. The petitioner states that he was placed in the Whau Lunatic Asylum in October, 1884 ; that at the time of his incarceration he was possessed of property to the value of between £400 and £500 ; that his property was sold by order of the Public Trustee for £324 os. 10d.; that he was detained in the Asylum for 292 weeks, and charged at the rate of £1 per week—he alleges that 14s. is the usual charge ; that he was made to work in and about the Asylum during the last two years of his detention; that on his discharge only £4 7s. Bd. remained to his credit. Petitioner prays for relief. I am directed to report that, having fully considered this petition, the Committee recommend the amount charged for maintenance at the Asylum in this case should be reduced from £1 per week to 14s. . ' 4th July, 1890.

No. 39. —Petition of Alexandeb Marshall, of Oamaru. The petitioner alleges that he and his wife were induced to leave England in 1876 by a promise that they would each receive a grant of 20 acres of land in this colony. Such land has not been granted, and petitioner prays for an equivalent to the value of the land which was stated to be available. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. Ith July, 1890.

No. 46.—Petition of John Maktin and Others. The petitioners, members of the Manurewa and Papakura Eoad Boards, pray for a grant ol at least £500, to assist in putting the Great South Eoad in a safe state of repair. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, the petitioners have no claim against the colony. Ith July, 1890.

REPORTS OF PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE. (Mb. T. THOMPSON, CHAIRMAN.)

1890. NEW ZEALAND.