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No. 273 (1897).—Petition of Samuel Me Williams, of Auckland. Petitioner states that while in the service of the Prisons Department as warder he sustained an injury to one of his legs, which permanently incapacitated him from performing his duties, and consequently he was discharged from the service. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, under the special circumstances of the ease, the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th July, 1898.

No. 31. —Petition of James Wheatley and 215 Others, of Westport. Petitioners pray that the protection of seals at the Steeples, Cape Eoulwind, may be removed for a period of three years, I am directed to report that the Committee does not approve of granting the prayer of the petition, and, further, expresses a hope that the department will continue to vigilantly protect the seals. 29 th July, 1898.

No. 357 (1897). —Petition of John Williamson, of Grey mouth. Petitioner states that while serving in the Waikato Militia, in the year 1865, the whare in which he lived was burnt by the Maoris, together with the whole of his furniture, &c. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th July, 1898.

No. 56.—Petition of John Wilcock and 59 Others, of the West Coast, North Island. Petitioners pray that certain amendments may be made in " The Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1896." I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Government. 29th July, 1898.

No. 54.—Petition of W. Riddle, of Taueru. Petitioner alleges that in the year 1888 he was wrongfully convicted for having in his possession the worm and head of a still, and was fined £75. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no grounds for claiming a remission of the fine. 29th July, 1898.

No. 92.—Petition of Timoti Ropotini and 46 Others, of Wairewa. Petitioners pray that they may be exempted from paying rates to the Akaroa County Council. I am directed to report that, from the evidence placed before the Committee, it does not appear that the petitioners have been exceptionally treated in the matter of local taxation, therefore the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th July, 1898. _j •

No. 9. —Petition of Francis Macbeth, of Hokianga. Petitioner prays that he may be granted a compassionate allowance on account of military services rendered to the colony. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner has already been granted 51 acres of land for hia services, in the opinion of the Committee he has no further claim upon the colony. 29th July, 1898.

No. 278 (1897).—Petition of Mabia Smith, of Auckland. Petitioner prays for an investigation into certain alleged grievances against the Police Department. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner appeared before the Police Commission and had her alleged grievances inquired into, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th July, 1898.

No. 142 (1897).—Petition of Coleman Phillips, of Featherston. Petitionbe states that at the last general election he was a candidate for a seat in the House of Representatives as member for the electorate of Wairarapa; that through the action of the Returning Officer (Mr. Adam Armstrong) in fixing the 25th November, 1896, instead of the 27th November, as the latest day for receiving nominations, his own nomination, presented on the 26th November, was returned as being too late ; that the action of the Returning Officer was not in accordance with "The Electoral Act Amendment Act, 1896" ; and that he has suffered great personal inconvenience and loss thereby. He prays that for the future greater care may be exercised in selecting Returning Officers, and for other relief. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the evidence goes to show that during the last general election the conduct of Mr. Adam Armstrong, Returning Officer for the electorate of Wairarapa was irregular and improper; that the Committee thinks it is expedient that in