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No. 45.—Petition of John Duppin, of New Plymouth. Petitionee prays for compensation for dismissal from the Police Force. I am directed to report that, having regard to the petitioner's long service to the colony without a mark against his name, the Committee considers that he has, in consequence of one lapse from duty, been treated with undue severity. Therefore the Committee recommends that his case should receive reconsideration from the Police Department. 4th November, 1897.

No. 63.—Petition of Mary E. Deane, of Masterton. Petitionee prays that a certain legacy may be paid to her by the Public Trustee. ( . I am directed to report that the Committee has gone fully into the circumstances of the case, and obtained a report from the Public Trustee, stating that every effort has been made to discover the next-of-kin in the estate, but without result. Bearing in mind the fact that the circumstances set forth in the petition are fully borne out by statutory declarations made by those present at the time of the deceased's death, the Committee recommends that, as the amount to the credit of the estate has been paid into the Consolidated Fund, the sum of £89 9s. 7d. should be placed upon the supplementary estimates, and be divided equally between the claimants. 4th November, 1897. '

No. 178. —Petition of Alexandee Hendeeson, of Wellington. Petitionee prays that he may have a fair and impartial inquiry before a judicial tribunal into the charges made against him. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the prayer of the petitioner should be granted. And the Committee is strongly of the opinion that he should be enabled to have the charges made against him investigated before some judicial tribunal, as it has been shown that the former investigation was incomplete. 4th November, 1897.

No. 65. —Petition of Charlotte Knight, of New Brighton, Christchurch. Petitioner prays for redress as against the New Brighton Tramway Company. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th November, 1897.

No. 133.—Petition of A. Davis and 243 Others, of Taupo. Petitionees pray that the Government may take over the " Terraces Hotel" and grounds at Taupo as a Government sanatorium. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the site referred to in the petition is well suited for a Government sanatorium, and would recommend the prayer of the petition to the favourable consideration of the Government. 12th November, 1897.

No. 116. —Petition of E. L. Clarke, of Auckland. Petitionee prays for redress as against a decision of the Supreme Court. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 12th November, 1897.

No. 57.—Petition of Jessie Kelly, of Wycliffe Terrace, Port Chalmers. Petitionee prays for a compassionate allowance on account of her late husband's service to the colony. I am directed to report that, as no fresh evidence has been tendered, the Committee is of the opinion that the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 12th November, 1897.

No. 75. —Petition of Major Chaeles Beown, of New Plymouth. Petitionee prays for an inquiry and relief. I am directed to report that the Committee is of the opinion that, considering the petitioner's long and meritorious public service to the colony, the subject-matter of his petition should be referred to the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court for inquiry by him, or such other Judge as he (the Chief Judge) may recommend to the Government to make such inquiry. - 12th November, 1897.

No. 11.—Petition of Captain S. A. Leech, of Westport. Petitionee prays that the recommendation made last year by the Committee may be given effect to. • I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this case differs from others of a similar character (such as Pilot Burgess, of Auckland), inasmuch as Captain Leech had a certain amount of General Government service. The Committee therefore recommends the petition to the consideration of the Government. 16th November, 1897.