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No. 41. — Petition of John Lawson, Official Assignee, Auckland. Petitioner prays for the payment of certain survey fees re a bankrupt's estate. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th December, 1897. •

No. 275. —Petition of William Keys and 33 Others, of Onewhero. Petitionees pray that a bridge may be constructed over the Waikato Eiver at Tuakau. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th December, 1897.

No. 288.—Petition of H. Goueley and 578 Others, of Dunedin. Petitionees pray for the remission of the sentences passed upon certain bookmakers. I am directed to report that, as a part of the subject-matter of this petition is still sub judice, there being an appeal to the Supreme Court, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th December, 1897.

No. 248.—Petition of D. Banks, of Ashley. Petitionee prays for compensation for loss sustained on sheep bought, and afterwards proved to have been stolen. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th December, 1897.

No. 201.—Petition of E. Lane and 49 Others, of Nukuroa. Petitionees pray for redress as against an action of the Deputy Official Assignee at Timaru. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th December, 1897.

No. 266. —Petition of A. Erwin and Another, of Summer Street, Ponsonby. Petitionees pray for a grant of land under the Immigration Act. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th December, 1897.

No. 290. —Petition of J. W. Abbott and 1,999 Others, of Victoria Street, Wellington. Petitioners pray for the remission of the sentences passed upon certain bookmakers. I am directed to report that, as a part of the subject-matter of this petition is still sub judice, there being an appeal to the Supreme Court, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th December, 1897.

No. 281.—Petition of M. Hutt and 49 Others, of Waimate. Petitionees pray that the Bill now before the House to suppress gambling may be passed. I am directed to report that, as the said Bill involves a matter of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th December, 1897.

No. 304.—Petition of E. A. Jackson and 19 Others, of Mamaku. Petitionees pray for a reduction of rents on lands held under the Government. I am directed to report that, as the prayer of the petition involves a matter of public policy, the Committeee has no recommendation to make. 16th December, 1897.

No. 106.—Petition of J. E. Lowey and 40 Others, of Tuapapa, Glen Murray. Petitioners pray for a sum of money to place a punt upon the Waikato Eiver at Churchill. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the Government to subsidise the work in question upon the pound-for-pound basis. . 16th December, 1897.

No. 297.—Petition of J. B. Peiestly and 42 Others, of Hunua. Petitionees pray that the recommendation made by the Committee last year may be given effect to. I am directed to report that the Committee is of the opinion that the former report referred to should be again referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and repeat the same— viz. : " The Committee recommend that, if the Hunua Eoad Board obtain the necessary lands required for the deviation of the said road, the Government should place upon the estimates the sum of £1,500 for the construction of the same." 16th December, 1897.

Nos. 199 and 296. —Petitions of J. Turnbull and 21 Others, of Invercacgill (Nos. 1 and 2). Petitionees pray that certain proposed fishing regulations may not become law. I am directed to report that, as the Bill in question is now before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 20th December, 1897.