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No. 519, 1893.—Petition of John Lundon, re Proposed Annexation of Samoa (No. 3, Eeport No. 2). I am directed by the Committee to bring up the evidence taken on the above petition, and to move that the report and evidence be printed. 30th September, 1894.

No. 523, 1893.—Petition of John Lundon (No. 4). Petitioner alleges that, owing to the action of the Government in prosecuting him in connection with his purchase of the Kaitaia Block from the Natives for the Government, he has been put to great monetary loss and inconvenience. He prays for compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee, having taken evidence and examined the official records and other papers, find that the reasonable personal expenses of the petitioner to Mongonui were disallowed by the Court, but all other witnesses were paid. The Committee are of opinion that the petitioner is entitled to all reasonable personal expenses incurred by him in and about the petition re Kaitaia Block, and Court proceedings connected therewith. 28th September, 1894.

No. 611.—Petition of John Lundon (No. 1). Petitioner prays that be may be recompensed for services rendered in connection with the inauguration of the special-settlements scheme, North of Auckland. I am directed to report that this Committee can see no reason to depart from the decision arrived at by the Public Petitions Committee in 1891, and therefore recommend that the sum of £100 should be paid to the petitioner. 28th September, 1894.

No. 6.—Petition of C. 0. Kettle, District Judge, Wanganui (No. 1). Petitioner prays that the law may be amended in the direction of— (a) Eaising the tenure of District Judges from one " during the pleasure of the Governor " to a tenure " during ability and good behaviour"; (b) causing the salaries of all District Judges to be of the like amount; (c) placing the salaries of all District Judges on the permanent Civil List; and (d) making it impossible to reduce any such District Judge's salary during the tenure of office of the Judge receiving the same. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th September, 1894.

No. 7. —Petition of C. C. Kettle, District Judge, Wanganui (No. 2). Petitioner prays for inquiry and relief in connection with a certain case in which Mr. Jellicoe was fined for contempt of Court. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that it is derogatory to the Courts of justice that a fine for contempt of Court, inflicted in the year 1891, should not have been enforced, and that the rule nisi issued out of the Supreme Court on the 2nd December, 1891, in relation to the said fine, ought not to be now on the records of the said Court as an undisposedof rule of Court. The Committee find that Mr. Jellicoe left New Zealand this year for England, and that he will not return to the colony before December next, and they recommend that within two months after his return notice should be served upon him to proceed with the said rule nisi, and, if no action be taken by him in pursuance of such notice, that the Crown Solicitor be instructed to apply for the discharge of the said rule nisi, and that afterwards the fine be enforced. The Committee also find from the evidence that the petitioner has been promised by the Government that his costs incurred in relation to the said rule nisi should be paid, and they are therefore of opinion that payment thereof should be made. '28th September, 1894.

No. 473. —Petition of E. Hobbs and Others, of Auckland. Petitioners pray that the Shops and Shop-assistants Bill may be passed. I am directed to report that, as this Bill is now before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd October, 1894.

Nos. 605 and 606. — Petitions of L. Dean and Others, and J. ODea and Others, of Wellington. Petitioners pray for the exemption of improvements from taxation for local rating. I am directed to report that, as a Bill dealing with the subject-matter of this petition is now before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd October, 1894.

No. 332. —Petition of Jennie G. Best and Others, of Auckland. Petitioners pray that " The Contagious Diseases Act, 1869," may be repealed. I am directed, to report that, as a Bill dealing with the subject-matter of this petition is now before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd October, 1894.