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No. 415, Sess. ll.—Petition of the Chairman and Members of the Havelock Town Board. Petitioners state there is no first-class land fit for settlement open for selection in the Provincial District of Marlborough, &c. Petitioners pray that regulations be made so that settlers may take tip land. I am directen to report that this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 3rd September, 1891.

No. 304, Sess. ll.—Petition of James McCormick. Petitioner states that he took up ten acres of land at Te Aroha under perpetual lease, which was subsequently brought under the Village Settlement Act. The land is swamp. He has expended £30 on said land which cannot yet be utilised. He prays for relief to the extent of £30, or a grant of land in lieu thereof. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government. 3rd September, 1891.

No. 462, Sess. ll.—Petition of the South Eakaia Ecad Board. Petitioners pray that the amount of £759 Is. 6d., which they allege to be due to the Eoad Board on account of the thirds of the sum paid for certain lands in the South Eakaia district may be paid over to them. I am directed to report that, as the lands referred to were disposed of on the terms and conditions prescribed by Order in Council of the 6th April, 1880, and as the Government has already admitted the claim by making payment of a portion of this money under special vote, the Committee is of opinion that payment of the remaider of the liability on account of one-third of the proceeds of the land ought to be made to the Eoad Board, and recommend that the Government make provision accordingly. 3rd September, 1891.

No. 413, Sess. ll.—Petition of G. K. Wakelin and 222 Others. Petitioners state there is no first-class land fit for settlement open for selection in the Provincial District of Marlborough, &c. Petitioners pray that regulations be so made that settlers may take up land. I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 3rd September, 1891.

No. 251, Sess. II. —Petition of Stephen Earl. Petitioner states that in the year 1865 he purchased a scrip from one James Whitney, representing land granted for military services, being Sections 177 and 197, Okohu. The land was duly selected by Whitney, and conveyed by him to petitioner ; that, owing to Whitney not having received a proper certificate of service, petitioner is unable to obtain a Crown grant for the land. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 11th September, 1891.

No. 471. Sess. ll.—Petition of Eussell Bates. Petitioner states that he took up land at Kai Iwi on the verbal promise from the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Auckland, that the upset price would be ss. per acre ; that he made considerable improvements on the strength of the promise; that when the section was advertised for selection the price was raised to 7s. 6d. per acre ; that he was therefore compelled to apply for the land on the terms advertised or lose it, and the money spent on improvements. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 11th September, 1891.

No. 414, Sess. ll.—Petition of the Pelortjs Eoad Board. Petitioners ask that certain lands in the Marlborough Provincial District may be removed from the operations of the Forests Conservation Act. Petitioners pray that regulations be made so that settlers may take up land under deferred payment or perpetual lease. I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 11th September, 1891.

No. 498, Sess. ll.—Petition of Samuel E. Taylor. Petitioner states that he is unable to obtain a title to a piece of land situated at Lepperton, Town Belt, Taranaki district, although he has made repeated applications for the same. He also com--2—l. 5.