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No. 1174.—Petition of John Flynn, of Hawera. Petitioner prays for some compensation in recognition of the services rendered by him as a Volunteer during the Maori war. I am directed to report that this Committee is of opinion that the petitioner should be adequately compensated for past services rendered by him to this colony as a Volunteer during troublous times, and for a severe gunshot-wound in the hip, received at the battle of Te Ngutu-o-te-manu, while serving with the colonial forces under Colonel McDonnell. 9th October, 1901.

No. 381.—Petition of H. Edwards and 325 Others, of Nelson. Petitioners pray that the House will, out of the general revenue of the colony, pay to the depositors of the Nelson Savings-bank the amount of deficiency in the repayment of deposits on the liquidation of the bank. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Public Accounts Committee. 18th October, 1901.

No. 593.—Petition of W. A. Pascoe and 8 Others, of Christchurch. Petitioners pray that a compassionate allowance be granted to Alice Maud Lanauze, widow of Bobert Joseph Lanauze, late of His Majesty's Customs. I am directed to report that this Committee, upon hearing the further evidence in regard to this case which has been adduced in support of the present petition, recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 18th October, 1901.

No. 919.—Petition of A. L. Dihars, of Paeroa. Petitioner prays for compensation for secret services rendered to the British forces during the Maori war. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make. 18th October, 1901.

No. 953.—Petition of William Chapman and Others, of Motueka. Petitioners pray for a grant of £100 for the erection of protective works on the Motueka Eiver. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 18th October, 1901.

No. 1077.—Petition of H. Carse and 15 Others, of Mauku West. Petitioners pray that the colonial scale of teachers' salaries be not adopted. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee. 18th October, 1901.

Nos. 1099 and 1177.—Petitions of J. J. Lewis and B. Martin, of Dunedin. Petitioners pray that the practice of smoking by youths be suppressed by legislation. I am directed to report that, as a Bill dealing with the subject-matter of this petition is now before the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 18th October, 1901.

No. 529. —Petition of John Bell, of Auckland. Petitioner prays for an inquiry into the circumstances under which an order was made against him under the Destitute Persons Act, and into certain other matters. I am directed to report that,'in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 31st October, 1901.

No. 1204.—Petition of A. Mackay, of Auckland. Petitioner prays that he be granted custody of his children, who were, on his own application, committed to St. Mary's Industrial School, Ponsonby, in 1891. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st October, 1901.

No. 1095.—Petition of W. H. Bennett, of Wellington. Petitioner prays that a compassionate allowance be granted to the daughters of the late E. H. Bradford, Government Armourer. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st October, 1901. : :_

No. 527. —Petition of Joseph Healey and Others, of Karangahake. Petitioners pray that they be paid the sum of £71 25., being the balance due on a contract for blasting rock entered into by them with the Eoads Department. I am directed to report that the contract between the petitioner and the department having been a verbal contract, and a dispute having arisen between the contractors and the engineer in charge of the works, this Committee recommends the Government to inquire into the matter, with a view to settling the said dispute. 4th November, 1901.