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No. 115.—Petition of John Bell, of Queen Street, Auckland. Petitioner prays for an inquiry re the decision in a certain case of a Stipendiary Magistrate. I am directed to report that the documentary evidence of many respectable residents of Auckland shows that the petitioner (who is well known to them) was for many years considered by them to be a sober man of good character; but, as that evidence was not produced before the Magistrate when he made the order under the Married Woman's Protection Act, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th November, 1897.

No. 10.—Petition of A. Koch, of Tinakori Eoad, Wellington. Petitionee prays for a compassionate allowance on account of the death of his son while in the service of the colony. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th November, 1897.

No. 210.—Petition of Jane Caldwell, of Napier. Petitionee prays for compensation on account of her daughter's loss of health while employed by the Government. I am directed to report that, in consequence of the allegations made in the petition, the Committee is of the opinion that the Government should make further inquiries regarding the same. 19th November, 1897.

No. 219.—Petition of the Venerable B. T. Dudley, Archdeacon of Auckland. Petitioner prays that the Divorce Bill as now before the House may not pass. I am directed to report that, as the Bill in question is now before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 19th November, 1897.

No. 211.—Petition of C. E. Bayliss and 583 Others, of Wellington. Petitionees pray that the Wellington City Empowering Bill may not pass. I am directed to report that, the Bill in question having already passed the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 19th November, 1897. _-_

No. 40.—Petition of W. O. Duthie and 50 Others, of Quarry Hills, Waikawa. Petitionees pray for a reduction of their rents paid for lands held under the Crown. I am directed to report that, as the prayer of the petition involves a matter of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 24th November, 1897.

No. 167.—Petition of J. G. Jones and 10 Others, of Taheke, Auckland. Petitionees pray that the Government may resume control over the Punakitere Settlement. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make 24th November, 1897.

No. 127.—Petition of John Haeley and 33 Others, of the Upper Manuherikia District. Petitionees pray that a sum of money may be placed upon the estimates for a bridge over the Manuherikia Eiver. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make 24th November, 1897.

No. 15.—Petition of Heebeet Liddell, of Waipawa, Hawke's Bay. Petitionee prays for the reissue of a remission certificate. I am directed to report that the remission certificate was issued in January, 1892, two years after the decease of William Liddell, the person named therein. That probate was granted to the petitioner of the estate of the said William Liddell in July, 1890. That, upon the issue of the said remission certificate by the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Napier, the petitioner produced probate and obtained the certificate. That the petitioner sold the certificate, but the purchaser failed to surrender the same within the statutory limitation. The Committee therefore recommends the Government to place the sum of £30 upon the supplementary estimates for payment to the petitioner. 24th November, 1897.

No. 119. —Petition of Manpeed Kew, of Pokeno, Auckland. Petitionee prays for redress as against the Auckland Charitable Aid Board. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this is a matter between the Auckland Charitable Aid Board and the petitioner, and it has therefore no recommendation to make. 25th November, 1897.