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No. 166. —Petition of Hannah O'Connoe, of Lyttelton. Petitioner states that her late husband was employed in the Government Eailway Service as a wharf-porter; that since his death she has been left without the means to support her family of seven children. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that the petition be referred to the Government, with a recommendation that a sum of money equal to the pay of petitioner's late husband for the period from the 30th April, 1897, to the 2nd June, 1897, be placed on the supplementary estimates as a compassionate allowance. 24th November, 1897.

No. 194.—Petition of E. Webber and 820 Others, of Canterbury. Petitioners pray that the law may be so amended as to permit licenses to be granted to any persons proving themselves capable of curing cancer, tumour, and kindred diseases. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 24th November, 1897.

No. 200. —Petition of John McTaggaet and 107 Others, of Waimate. Petitioners pray that the Bill intituled " Eestraint of Incitements to Betting or Wagering " may be passed. I am directed to report that, as there is legislation now before the House dealing with the subject-matter of this petition, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 24th November, 1897.

No. 235.—Petition of J. Smith and 103 Others, of Otago. Petitioners pray, —(1) That the laws and regulations relating to the taking, selling, &c, of " Schoolfish " may be repealed; (2) that section 52 of "The Sea-fisheries Act, 1894," be amended; and (3) that a law be passed to prevent Sunday fishing. I am directed to report that, with the view of giving effect to the prayer of the petition, the Committee recommends that legislation be introduced to prevent sea-fishing on Sunday, and that the question of removing the restrictions imposed by " The Sea-fisheries Act, 1894," be referred to the Government. 25th November, 1897.

No. 232.—Petition of W. M. Stenhouse and Another, of Dunedin. Petitionebs pray that the present Dental Acts may be amended, &c. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 25th November, 1897.

No. 228.—Petition of Thomas Wigg and 71 Others, of Auckland. Petitionebs complain of the unfair competition of certain laundries owned and worked by Chinese, owing to the restriction of the hours of labour, &o. They pray for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 25th November, 1897.

No. 1, Sess. I.—Petition of C. W. Bobebt and 110 Others, of Palmerston North. Petitioners state that they have reason to complain of undue competition from Government departments and officials, who sell goods admitted duty-free when they have to pay duty on raw materials to manufacture similar goo: Is. They pray for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the raw material imported for facings, decorations, &c, for the military Forces of the colony be admitted duty-free to the public, so as to place those engaged in the manufacture of military costumes in the same position as the Defence Department. 25th November, 1897.

No. 255.—Petition of Jambs Eeid and 21 Others, of Athol, Southland. Pbtitionees pray that they may be granted a further sum of £200, to enable the Southland County Council to erect a bridge over the Eyre Creek. I am directed to report that, as the matter is a question of public-works administration, the Committee recommends it be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th November, 1897.

No. 4, Sess. 1., and No. 72, Sess, II. —Petitions of John Jambs Meiklb, of Wyndham. A previous report on the above petitions having been referred back to the Committee by the House for further consideration, I am directed to report that, after careful investigation into all the facts of the case, the Committee can see no reason to alter the previous decision arrived at, and reported to the House on the 16th November, 1897. 2nd December, 1897.