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No. 99.—Petition of 8. C. Jolly, of New Brighton, Christchurch. Petitioner prays for compensation as the inventor of the conversion-of-loans scheme. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd December, 1897.

No. 4.—Petition of J. A. Hausmann and 118 Others, of Woodend, Kaiapoi. Petitioners pray that the rights of fishing and shooting at a certain lagoon may be made public. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the presentor of the petition may be allowed to withdraw the same. • : ; 3rd December, 1897. , ,■.- ' ■ '

No. 23.—Petition of Owen Cane, of Westport. Petitioner prays for a compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd December, 1897. .

No. s.—Petition of W. F. Craig, of Dunedin, Express-proprietor. Petitionee prays for a compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd December, 1897. ■

No. 62.—Petition of M. Cosgeave, of Wellington. Petitionee prays for further compensation for loss of office. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, v, . 3rd December, 1897.

No. 14.—Petition of E. Johns, of Pongaroa. Petitionee prays for redress as against the Wairarapa North County Council. I am directed to report, that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd December, 1897. ■■■

No. 51. —Petition of Emma Field, of Marine Parade, Ponsonby, Auckland. Petitionee prays that the previous report of the Committee may be given effect to. I am directed to report that the Committee has gone through the petitioner's case, and finds that the late Mr. Field had a contract to print the Auckland electoral roll and the supplementary rolls for the year 1893. But in consequence of the passing of " The Electoral Act, 1893," shortly before the general election in the same year, and in view of all the surrounding events which then happened in Auckland, the Committee is of the opinion that inequity the petitioner is entitled to the payment of £93 145., and recommends the Government to place that sum upon the supplementary estimates to meet such payment. 7th December, 1897. '_

Nos. 168 and 169 (similar). — Petitions of J. P. Kallangher, Jun., and 136 Others, of Seadown, and John Sim and 151 Others. Petitioners pray that the proposed gun-tax may not become law. I am directed to report that, as the prayer of these petitions involves a matter of public policy the Committee is of the opinion that the petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th December, 1897.

Nos. 17, 29, 68, 70, 83, 97, 98, 124, 163, 164, 165, 182, 198, and 218 (all similar).—Petitions of E. W. D. Matthews and 89 Others, C. J. Haepee and 226 Others, J. Hislop and 36 Others, A. L. Belleely and 80 Others, G. Clack and 156 Others, J. O'Neill and 40 Others, A. Wilson and 34 Others, G. Smaill and 297 Others, J. Haeeison and 453 Others, G McEae and 37 Others, T. M. Lane and 53 Others, G. Howe and 191 Others, W. Chadwin and 349 Others, and G. Eoss and 56 Others. Petitionees pray that charitable aid may be made a charge upon the Consolidated Fund. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government; but, as the prayer of the petitions involves a matter of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th December, 1897.

No. 60.—Petition of Catheeine Baenes, of 41, Aro Street, Wellington. Petitionee prays for redress as against an action of the police. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 9th December, 1897.

No. 111.—Petition of Thomas J. George, of Hawera. Petitionee prays for an inquiry into the conduct of the master of the Hawera School. I am directed to report that the Committee, having the assurance of the. Chairman of the Wanganui Education Board that the said Board intends dealing exhaustively with the subjectmatter of the petition, has no recommendation to make. 9th December, 1897.