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I am directed to report that the Committee, having fully gone into the petitioner's case, and having summoned before them the officials of the Stipendiary Magistrate's Court, and duly considered their evidence and the Court documents put in by them, are unanimously of opinion that the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 15th August, 1895.

No. 172.—Petition of A. Haetland, of West Oxford. Petitionee prays for compensation on account of her husband having died while working for the Eailway Department. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner has no legal claim, and the Eailway Department having already dealt liberally with her son on account of her husband's death, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1895.

No. 204.—Petition of John Leonard, of Eankeilor Street, South Dunedin. Petitionee prays for employment by Government. I am directed to report that, the petitioner having received all the compensation due to him, the Committee is of opinion that he has no further claim against the colony. 16th August, 1895.

No. 216.—Petition of E. Feist and Others, of Masterton. Petitioners pray that the income of the " Masterton Trust Lands Trustees" be not wrongfully applied. I am directed to report that, the Local Bills Committee having already reported upon the matter in question, and the said Bill being now before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1895.

No. 200.—Petition of H. E. Crofts, of Queen Street, Onehunga. Petitioneb prays for compensation for loss of office. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petitioner has no claim against the colony. 16th August, 1895.

No. 120,—Petition of Thomas Jones, of Palmerston North. Petitionee prays that his estate may be placed in. the hands of, and wound up by, the Public Trustee. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 20th August, 1895.

No. 43.—Petition of Thomas Claekson, of Palmerston North. Petitionee prays for relief on account of alleged excessive fines for breaches of the Stamp Act. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner is entitled to relief upon the following grounds—namely : That they are convinced the petitioner did not intentionally and wilfully break the law, inasmuch as they have taken evidence which proved that the practice for which the petitioner was fined is a common one in very many retail businesses (without intention to defraud the revenue); and, further, that the recent case of Lonargan and Co., of Christchurch, is exactly a similar case to the petitioner's, and in that action only one charge was laid against the defendants, although others were known of. The Committee therefore recommends that, in the petitioner's case, all the fines and costs, excepting upon one charge only, should be remitted. 20th August, 1896.

No. 224.—Petition of James Geovb and Others, Clyde Quay, Wellington. Petitionees pray for an inquiry into the conduct of the police towards Mrs. Yon Meyern. I am directed to report that, while sympathizing with Mrs. Yon Meyern, who is apparently a woman of excitable temperament, though of good repute, the Committee is of opinion that Constable Cassells in no way exceeded his duty, and has therefore no recommendation to make. 21st August, 1895.

No. 239.—Petition of P. Daeley and 15,399 Others. Petitioners pray for an amendment to " The Education Act, 1877," and for grants in aid of Catholic schools. I am directed to report that, as the prayer of the petition involves matters of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 22nd August, 1895.

No. 219.—Petition of James Geix, of Ngaruawahia. Petitioneb prays that a portion of the purchase-money paid for certain Government lands may be refunded. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. sth September, 1895.