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No. 298. —Petition of G. Naismith and 12 Others, of Half-moon Bay. Petitioners pray that charitable aid may be made a charge upon the Consolidated Fund, 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. 20th December, 1897.

No. 302. —Petition of J. B. Caeey, of Hawera. Petitionee prays for redress on account of certain conduct of the police. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 20th December, 1897.

No. 202.—Petition of W. H. Dacombe, of Christchurch. Petitionee prays for compensation for maltreatment in the Christchurch Hospital. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government to ascertain the truthfulness or otherwise of the statements made; and, if the same prove to be true, the Committee recommends the Government to ask the Hospital authorities to find some suitable employment for the petitioner, failing which, as the case is a necessitous one, that the Government should provide the same. 20th December, 1897.

No. 268. —Petition of J. Foreestee and 174 Others, of Eweburn, Otago. Petitionees pray that those engaged in agricultural pursuits may be equally considered, in the matter of water rights, with those engaged in mining. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 20th December, 1897.

No. 308. —Petition of E. S. Abeaham and 4 Others, of Palmerston North. Petitionees pray that they (as a Licensing Committee) may be reimbursed the costs in a certain licensing case. I am directed to report that the Committee finds that the Auditor-General will not allow the local body to pay the costs, as the statute makes no provision therefor; that the Stipendiary Magistrate, being a statutory officer, was compelled to support the judgment of the Licensing Committee on appeal, which was dismissed, and costs given against the appellant; but through the indigence of the appellant the costs cannot be recovered. The Committee is of the opinion that the Government should place such a sum upon the supplementary estimates as will relieve such Stipendiary Magistrate and the Committee from any personal liability for the payment of such costs. 20th December, 1897.

No. 292.—Petition of W. H. Jones, of 23, Lichfield Street, Christchurch Petitionee prays for compensation for injuries received on the railway. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 20th December, 1897.

Nos. 289 and 291. —Petitions of C. W. Hursthouse and 69 Others, of Te Kuiti; and C. J. Johnson and 35 Others, of Otorohanga. Petitionees pray that licensed houses may be granted in the King-country. I am directed to report that, as these petitions involve a matter of public policy, the Committee is of the opinion that they should be referred to the Government for consideration . 20th December, 1897.

No. 311.—Petition of H. Corbett and 28 Others, of Cricklewood. Petitionees pray that a stock-bridge may be erected over the Tengawai Eiver. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the Government to subsidise the work in question upon the pound-for-pound basis. 20th December, 1897.

Special. We, the members of the Public Petitions A to L Committee, are again desirous of expressing oar appreciation of the able, efficient, and satisfactory manner in which our Chairman, John Joyce, Esq., M.H.E., has discharged his duties during this session of 1897. As our findings have generally been unanimous, we are desirous that this resolution should be recorded upon the minutes of this meeting. Signed upon behalf of the Committee, 20th December, 1897. W. Crowthee. Approximate Cost of Paper,— Preparation, not given; printing (1,2.50 copies), £>\ 9s. 3d.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB97. Price 6d.]

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