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No. 257.—Petition of Florence O'Leary, of Wellington. Petitioneb prays that he may be reinstated in the Police Department, or that he be paid the usual compensation, &c. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 23rd September, 1898.

No. 295.—Petition of George Thomson, of Okarito. Petitioner prays that he may be granted a compassionate allowance on account of injuries received while in discharge of his duties as Harbourmaster at Okarito. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim upon the colony. 27th September, 1898.

No. 168. —Petition of Thomas Eobinson Woolfield (No. 2), of Papatoetoe. Petitioner prays for the remission of a fine of £2, and costs £1 Bs., inflicted for trespassing on the railway-line at Papatoetoe. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 27th September, 1898.

No. 212.—Petition of Jambs Crichton Young, of Wellington. Petitioner prays that, in addition to the compensation allowed him on retiring from the Government Life Insurance Department, he may be granted four months' pay, amounting to £80. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 27th September, 1898.

No. 262. —Petition of Samuel Southebby, of Auckland. Petitioner prays that he may be granted an inquiry into his alleged grievances against the Public Trust Office. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petition should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. 28th September, 1898.

No. 320. —Petition of John Eountbee, of Auckland. Petitioner states that he is a partner of Thomas Bell, of Sunday Island; that in the year 1888 140 settlers arrived on the said island; that to save the said settlers from starvation the said Thomas Bell had to share the produce of his land with them ; and that, in addition, the settlers killed and consumed the greater part of his flock of sheep. Petitioner prays that Thomas Bell may be compensated for the loss he has sustained thereby. I am directed to report the Committee recommends that a sum of money be placed on the supplementary estimates to compensate Mr. Bell for the loss he has sustained through supplying the settlers with food when they were in a destitute condition, and when food could not otherwise be procured. 7th October, 1898.

No. 294.—Petition of Thomas Eobinson, of Dairy Flat. Petitioner prays for relief on account of military services rendered to the colony. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner's claim has been considered and reported upon by the Commissioner appointed under " The Naval and Military Claims Settlement and Extinguishment Act, 1896," the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th October, 1898.

Nos. 282 and 183. —Petitions of John Scott, of Sydenham, and Hugh McLaughlin, of Little Grey Junction. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Eailways Committee. 7th October, 1898.

No. 209 (1897). —Petition of Mrs. Catherine Cardiff Pfaff, of Kumara. Petitioner states that in November, 1890, her son, Charles Joseph Pfaff, while an inmate of the Kumara Hospital, was unskilfully treated by the then medical officer of the said hospital. She prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th October, 1898.

No. 331. —Petition of Nobman MoLeod and 9 Others, of Northern Wairoa. Petitioners pray that they may be granted a totalisator license for the 26th and 27th December next. I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petition, but refer it to the Government for consideration. 21st October, 1898. 2—l. 2.