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No. 227.—Petition of the Canterbury Women's Christian Temperance Union. Petitioners pray for an amendment of the present divorce laws, that the age of consent be raised, and that women be allowed to sit as members of either branch of the Legislature, &c. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th August, 1895.

Nos. 206 and 207.—Petitions of the Auckland Women's Political League (No. 2) and the Napieb Women's Cheistian Tempeeance Union (No. 2). Petitioners pray that the divorce laws may be amended, and the age of consent raised, &c. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th August, 1895.

No. 205. Petition of Camilla yon Meyeen, of Wellington. Petitionee states that in May last she was walking down Cuba Street, and stopped to listen to a preacher who was addressing a number of people ; that she was rudely pushed in the back by a policeman, and ordered to clear out; that she was afterwards charged, and fined for obstructing the thoroughfare ; that petitioner considers she was very harshly dealt with. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government. 28th August, 1895.

No. 251. Petition of George Millee and 109 Others, of Waikaka. Petitioners pray that the Education Act may be amended so as to permit School Committees to sanction the daily reading of the Scripture Lesson-books of the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland in the public schools within school-hours. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1895.

No. 135. —Petition of Alexander Stewaet, of Auckland. Petitioner states that in the year 1874 he emigrated from Scotland to Dunedin, and applied for and was granted a scrip-certificate under "The Immigrants Land Act, 1873"; that he has never been allotted the land due to him under the said scrip-certificate. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth September, 1895.

No. 249.—Petition of J. W. McClaein and 72 Others, of Eaitihi. Petitioners state that the proper outlets for the Waimarino Block are the North Island Main Trunk Eailway and a road to Wanganui via Parapara, and not the Wanganui Eiver, as stated in the House. I am directed to report that, as the petition is a copy and not the original, the Committee cannot consider the same. sth September, 1895.

No. 99.—Petition of the Presbyterian Church op Otago and Southland, Dunedin. Petitioners state that the income from certain lands vested in the Presbyterian Church Board of Property is devoted to the erection and repairs of churches and manses for the use of the congregations of the Church ; that the total net income last year amounted to £3,934 ss. 6d.; that the landand income-tax assessment on the same was £663 16s. 5d.; that the said Church has a fund for the maintenance of the widows and orphans of its ministers, and also for the maintenance of its aged and infirm ministers ; that the said last-mentioned fund is also taxed to the amount of £42 12s lid.; that petitioners consider them to be in reality benefit and insurance funds. They pray for relief. I am directed to report that, with regard to the income devoted to the repairs of churches and manses, the Committee has no recommendation to make ; but, with regard to the income devoted to the maintenance of the widows and orphans of ministers, and the maintenance of its aged and infirm ministers, the Committee recommends that the income used for these purposes should be placed on the same footing as the funds of friendly and benefit societies. sth September, 1895.

No. 230.—Petition of George Shbat and 27 Others, of Dunsandel. Petitioned pray that "The Shops and Shop-assistants Act, 1894," may be so amended that firms selling harvesting machinery, or parts thereof, may be allowed to keep their shops open every afternoon in the week during the harvesting season for the sale only of such goods. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that a real and serious grievance is disclosed in this petition, and strongly recommends the Government to take such steps as may give the necessary relief. sth September, 1895.