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Ist April; that they acted on this information and took out a license ; that this information was misleading, and that they had to take out another licence in three weeks time, when the annual commencement really did date from ; that they thus suffered a loss of £40. They pray for relief. I am directed to report that, this being purely a matter between the petitioners and the local authorities, the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petition. 17±h July, 1891.

No. 9, Sess. I, and No. 136, Sess. ll.—Petitions of John F. Boyd and Heney Gell, of Auckland. Pbtitionees pray for grants of land for military services. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Naval and Military Claims Committee. 17th July, 1891.

No. 141.—Petition of Alexander Foedyce, of Dunedin. Pe-titionbe, a carter, states that he has been charged and convicted, on the unsupported evidence of the police, of obstructing the police in the execution of their duty, in Eattray Street, Dunedin, during the late strike ; that the charge was false. He prays that inquiry may be made, and if his statements are found to be true, that the conviction recorded against him may be quashed. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th July, 1891.

No. 181.—Petition of James Laney, of Waikato. Petitionee prays for consideration on account of having received a blow on the head from a Maori in 1873. I am directed to report that the Committee sympathize with petitioner, yet, as the injury was not received while performing any Government service, they consider it is a case for the local Charitable Aid Board, and therefore the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 17th July, 1891.

Nos. 196 and 197. —Petitions of C. C. Fleming and Others, and Heney King and Others, of Auckland. Petitionees pray that a trial may be at once given to Vaile's railway stage system. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, it is desirable that Mr. S. Vaile's scheme of railway management should be fairly tested, and they therefore recommend that a trial of same be made on the Auckland Section of the New Zealand railways. 17th July, 1891.

No. 9.—Petition of James G. Fox, of Wellington. Petitionee, late Chief Clerk and Accountant in the Police Department, states that he entered the Otago Armed Constabulary in August, 1862, that in the October following he was appointed clerk in the office of the Commissioner of that body, and was subsequently promoted to other positions in that office, which he held until transferred to the service of the General Government in 1869 ; that on the 11th March last he received notice of his retirement; that the Audit Department has reported that on the sth October, 1892, he would be entitled to retire on a pension ; that his compulsory retirement now not only deprives him of his pension, but of compensation in respect of the seven years spent in the Otago Provincial service; that his salary was reduced in 1888 by £25, and the compensation now awarded has been calculated on this reduced salary, although the pension would have been calculated on the higher salary. Petitioner prays that he may be allowed to complete the fifteen months' service which would entitle him to a pension, or that a pension be granted to him in proportion to his length of service, or for other relief. I am directed to report that, having fully considered this case, in which petitioner was represented by counsel, the Committee is of opinion that, he should receive such amount of compensation as he is entitled to under the Civil Service Eegulations, but cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner as regards a pension. 22nd July, 1891.

No. 128. —Petition of John Leonaed, of Dunedin. Petitionee states that in February, 1880, he met with an accident while in the service of the Eailway Department, which has resulted in a permanent injury. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that some light employment should be found for petitioner, and strongly recommends his case to the favourable consideration of the Government. 22nd July, 1891.

No. 117.—Petition of W. J. Keys and W. C. Haevie, of Hill End, Otago. Petitioners allege that their flax-mill was burnt down owing to negligence on the part of a rabbiter in the employ of the Stock Department. They pray for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioners sustained loss by the carelessness of a man in the employ of the Stock Department, and they therefore recommend the petition to the Government for favourable consideration. 23rd July, 1891.