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No. 3.—Petition of Ann Carswell. Petitioner claims to be the first child born of British parents in New Zealand, and prays that, as she has no land in the colony, she be granted a suitable section as a homestead in the land of her nativity. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th July, 1896.

No. 81. —Petition of John Colvin. Petitioner states that his title to certain land wrongly vested in the Corporation of the City of Dunedin was successfully proven ; that in endeavouring to establish his rights he incurred expenses amounting to nearly £100. He prays for relief. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th July, 1896.

No. 33. —Petition of Joseph Muir and Others. Petitioners pray that a road may be constructed connecting the Takahue Settlement with Kaitara and the Victoria Valley, Province of Auckland. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 14th July, 1896.

No. 34.—Petition of Frank Montague and Others. Petitioners pray for a sum of money to open a road in the Hukerenui district, Auckland. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 14th July, 1896.

No. 93.—Petition of Michael Mullooly. Petitioner states that, owing to the action of the Government Land Purchase Agent gazetting Uawa No. 1 Block under "The Native Land Purchase Act, 1878," he became a loser to the extent of £1,400. He prays for redress. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 14th July, 1896.

No. 47.—Petition of Edward Rowley and Others. Petitioners pray for a grant of £300 to construct a road from their holdings to the Main North Road. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 16th July, 1896.

No. 97. —Petition of George Schmidt and Another. Petitioners pray for a reduction in the valuation of their holdings on account of loss sustained through the sale by the Crown Lands Department of the foreshore reserve to deep water at Tapu Point, Russell Survey District. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 16th July, 1896.

No. 114.—Petition of John Elliott (No. 2). Petitioner states that through irregularity of application his sons' lease of 1,500 acres of land, with the right to purchase at 7s. 6d. per acre, was cancelled. That, on behalf of his son Ambrose Elliott, he had expended £632 on survey, clearing, and sowing. On the land being again offered for sale he, being the only applicant, secured again the said land, but the capital value had been increased to 10s. per acre. He submits that he should not be called on in consequence of an error of judgment to pay an additional 2s. 6d. per acre and lose the £75 paid for survey. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of the opinion that the petitioner has suffered sufficiently for the act of carelessness which he appears to have committed, and that the original applicant should be placed in the position which he would have occupied had no forfeiture taken place. 29th July, 1896.