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No. 348. —Petition of Joseph Speight and Others. Petitioners state that they have acquired, under perpetual lease, about 20,000 acres of the Whakatane and Eangitaiki swamp-lands ; that they are spending large sums of money on drainageworks ; that the adjoining Government lands will be greatly benefited by said drainage-works. They pray that pecuniary assistance may be granted to them, and also that the capital value of the land may be reduced from £1 to 10s. per acre. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. • 15th September, 1892.

No. 451.—Petition of Eobert Proctor and Others, of Hokianga. Petitioners pray for certain amendments in the Impounding and Fencing Acts. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the Fencing and Impounding Acts be so amended as to to meet such cases as those mentioned by petitioners, and therefore refer the petition to the Government for consideration. 16th September, 1892.

No. 483.—Petitions of the Mayor, Councillors and Bubgbsses of the Borough of Onslow. Petitioners state that a certain road in the Borough of Onslow was severed by a deep cutting made in connection with the Wellington-Manawatu Eailway ; that they petitioned Parliament last session praying that an over-bridge might be erected to connect the two roadways; that the Public Petitions Committee recommended that the Onslow Borough Council should be subsidised to the extent of £150 towards the erection of the said over-bridge; that the Hon. the Minister for Public Works has consented to contribute said amount on the Council contributing a like sum; that the raising of said sum by the Council is a matter of great difficulty, and that £150 would be sufficient -to construct a bridge over said cutting. They pray that the sum of £150 may be paid to them. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the Government should contribute a sum of money not exceeding £150 provided the petitioners will contribute an equal sum, or labour to its value, for the erection of said over-bridge. 16th September, 1892.

No. 558.—Petition of Mello Scheukel, of Lyttelton. Petitioner prays for consideration on account of services alleged to have been rendered to the colony. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony. 16th September, 1892.

Nos. 481 and 482.—Petitions of Taotaoboa Boad Boaed and Waikato County Council. Petitioners complain of the injustice of "The Land and Income Assessment Act, 1891," and pray for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government. 16th September, 1892.

No. 510.—Petition of Mary Matilda Plummer, of Auckland. Petitioner prays for an inquiry into the circumstances connected with the shooting of her late husband, Frederick Plummer, and for relief. I am directed to report that the allegations contained in the petition are of so serious a nature that the Committee considers it desirable that the Government should take steps to ascertain the truth or otherwise of such allegations, and therefore recommend that a public inquiry be held as to the manner in which Frederick Plummer met his death. 16th September, 1892.

No. 480.—Petition of James Woods, of Wellington. Petitioner alleges that he has rendered services to the colony by prospecting and exploring backcountry. He prays that permanent employment may be found for him. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony. 16th"September, 1892.

No. 455.—Petition of Walter J. Meek, of Dunedin. Petitioner prays against any alteration in the rate of Customs duty now levied on imported writing-ink. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of theTJommittee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th September, 1892. 2—l. 2.