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No. 192.—Petition of S. B. Webb and Others, of Lyttelton. Petitioners pray that a compassionate allowance may be given to one Peter Brown, late a shunter on the New Zealand Bailways, but at present m very bad health and unable to work. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th August, 1893. • -

No. 292.—Petition of F. Nightingale and Others, of Nelson. Petitioners pray that the franchise may be extended to women. I am directed to report that, as a Bill is now before the House dealing with this question, the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th August, 1893.

No. 305. —Petition of F. W. Warner and Others, of Canterbury. Petitioners pray that the Direct Veto Bill may not be allowed to pass into law. I am directed to report that, as a Bill is now before the House dealing with this question, the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th August, 1893.

No. 280.—Petition of A. Weight, Chairman, Oxford Boad Board. Petitionee prays that a portion of the royalty derived from the timber now being cut in the Oxford Bush may be paid to the Oxford Boad Board, on the ground that the Board is responsible for keeping the roads in repair over which the heavy cartage of the said timber is now taking place. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th August, 1893.

No. 217.—Petition of M. O'Connor, of Wellington. Petitioner prays that he may be awarded the Victoria Cross, for bravery displayed in the defence of the Turu Turu Mokai Bedoubt, in the year 1868, as recommended by his commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petition. 11th August, 1893.

No. 168.-—Petition of B. Turnbuel, of Greymouth. Petitioner, who was Inspector of Public Works for a period of about thirteen years, was dispensed with in September, 1891, without compensation. He claims to be treated as a Civil servant, as he had to contribute towards the payment of defalcations made by Civil servants. He prays for compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion the petitioner has no claim for compensation, but recommend that he should furnish a statement as asked for by the Public Works Department in their letter of 7th December last, relative to the contributions he was called upon to pay towards making good defalcations under the Civil Service Guarantee Act, which the Public Works Department state they will take steps to have refunded to the petitioner. 11th August, 1893.

No. 309.—Petition of J. Shepherd and Others, of Southland. Petitioners pray that a sentence of twelve years, passed on one Daniel Boper at the Supreme Court, Invercargill, in February last, may be reduced, as they consider the sentence excessive. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petition, but would point out that the proper course is for the prisoner to petition His Excellency the Governor in accordance with the prison regulations. 11th August, 1893.

No. 259.—Trustees, Executors, and Agency Company (Limited), of Victoria (per F. Wilding, Solicitor, Christchurch). Petitioner, who is executor of the will of the late W. B. Scott, who died in Fiji on the 27th May, 1891, prays that the stamp duty on a sum of £6,962 17s. lOd. may be refunded, as at the time when Messrs. Harper and Co., of Christchurch (the then attorneys), prepared and passed the necessary accounts under " The Deceased Persons' Estates Duties Act, 1881," the said firm were hopelessly insolvent, and had misappropriated the said sum of £6,962 17s. lOd. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 11th August, 1893.

Nos. 335 and 345.—-Petitions of Jane A. Whellon and Others, of Newtown, and W. C. Oldham and Others, of Tuakau. Petitionees pray that the Direct Veto Bill may be passed. I am directed to report that, as a Bill is now before the House dealing with this question, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1893.