GOLD FIELDS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1880 Session I, I-03

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GOLD FIELDS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF).

Presented to the Souse of Representatives, and ordered to he -printed.

(MR. J. B. FISHER, CHAIRMAN.) INDEX. BBTITIONS, WO. VAGF, WRTIMONS, BTC. SAOE A. H. Agricultural Leases, Resolution relative to ... ... 1 Henigaii, Patrick ~. ... ... ... 1 B. J. Braesey, George Nathaniel ... ... ~. 3 Janiieson, Samuel, and Ellis, Arthur ... ... 2 Jenkins, William, and Others ... ... .., 2 C. Camelatta, Stephen, and Party ... ... ... 1 M. Collins, Thomas, and Savage, Robert ... ... 2 Moore, D. J., and Others ... ... ... 2 Mining Companies Act 1872 Amendment Bill ... 2 E. Evans, Fred., and Others ... ... ... 1 I R. Ellis, Arthur, and Jamieson, Samuel ... ... 2 Rowe, Henry, and Others ... ... ... 1 Roberts, Charles F., and Others ... ... .. 2 G. Gibson, Thomas ... ... ... ... 2 S. Greenville, William Sowerby ... ... ... 3 Savage, Robert, and Collins, Thomas ... ... 2

No. 81.—Petition of Patrick Hemjigas. The Committee to whom was referred this petition, which prayed that a reward be granted to the petitioner as having been, in 1878, the first prospector and discoverer of the Cronanville rush, since, and now, employing over one hundred men, have directed me to report that they have no recommendation to make thereon. 29th June, 1880.

Ageictjltt/eatj Leases. I am directed to report that, at a meeting of the Committee held to-day, the "resolution, a copy of which as appended at foot hereof, was unanimously adopted. 2nd July, 1880.

On motion of Mr. Pyke, seconded by Mr. De Lautour,— Resolved, " That, in the opinion of the Gold Fields Committee, it is desirable that the Agricultural Leases Regulations should be amended, so that lands disposed of thereunder should be placed on the same footing as lands sold under the deferred-payment system, as regards the upset price, the mode of purchase, and the nature and extent of improvements to be made, and also the payment of compensation for improvements, but not as to compulsory residence; and, further, that, in every block offered for sale on the gold fields, one-half at least of such block, consisting of land of fair qualitv, interspersed throughout the block, should be disposed of under the agricultural-lease system, which, in the opinion of the Committee, is best calculated to foster and encourage settlement."

No. 18. —Petition of Feed. Evans and Others. The petitioners, goldrniners and others, resident in the Shotover District, state that a large quantity of gold exists in the terraces and alluvial deposits of the district, but that, owing to their inability to procure water for sluicing, they cannot work the ground, and they pray for assistance in obtaining the water-power required.

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I am directed to report that the Committee request that the Government will subsidize the petitioners for the purpose of obtaining the required water-power, pound for pound, to the extent of £3,000. Bth July, 1880.

No. 188. —Petition of Henet Eowe and Others. The Gold Fields Committee, to which has been referred the petition of Henry Eowe and others, of the Hauraki Gold-mining District, making serious charges against Mr. Harry Kenrick, -Resident Magistrate and Warden of the district, and praying for his removal, have the honor to report that they do not consider it necessary to make any report upon the merits of the petition. They, however, desire to express a very strong opinion that the Petitions Classification Committee should be requested to consider and report to the House whether petitions alleging the most serious charges against any public officer should be referred by them for consideration unless they are satisfied that evidence in support of such charges will be tendered. In this case no such evidence has been tendered, while the officer complained of has been exposed to the serious evil of publicity having been given to unsupported charges of maladministration, quite possibly originating from feelings of cowardly maliciousness. sth August, 1880.

No. 92. —Petition of Stephen Camelatta and Party. The petitioners, gold-miners at Orwell Creek, Ahaura, state that part of the ground included in their gold-mining leasehold has been surveyed as a township, and actually built on. They pray that the buildings of the township overlapping their lease may be removed, or that compensation be made to them for the portion so built upon. The Gold Fields Committee, to whom the petition has been referred, have the honor to report that they have no recommendation to make. sth August, 1880.

No. 178. —Petition of Thomas Gibson. The petitioner, a hotel-keeper in the Shotover District, avers that he has suffered wrong at the hands of the Warden of the district, inasmuch as the latter has assigned to two other men certain lands which the petitioner had occupied for some time, and on which he had spent money in fencing and improving, and he prays that a lease of the lands may be granted to him. The Gold Fields Committee, to whom the petition has been referred, have the honor to report that they have no recommendation to make. ' sth August, 1880.

No. 225.—Petition of D. J. Moore and Others. The petitioners, goldminers at Deep Creek, Wakarnarina, state that, owing to the existing road only extending halfway from Canvastown to Deep Creek, they are compelled to pay famine prices for everything —flour, for instance, being £23 per ton. They state that the construction of three miles of road will reduce these exorbitant prices, and will cost from £600 to £700. The Gold Melds Committee, to whom the petition was referred, have the honor to report that they recommend the petition to the consideration of the Government. ' 6th August, 1880.

No. 216.—Petition of Bobeet Savage and Thomas Collins. The Committee to whom was referred this petition, which stated that the petitioners had suffered wrong by the grant to the Keep-it-Dark Company, Crushington, of a gold-mining lease of lands, for which the petitioners had previously applied, have the honor to report that they are of opinion, from the evidence before them, that the grant to the .Keep-it-Dark Company of a special claim appears to have been recommended without sufficient publicity having been given to the application. They are further of opinion that the grant of a special claim to the Keep-it-Dark Company should be revoked, and the application of the petitioners duly heard by the "Warden after due notice of such having been given to the petitioners and the Keep-it-Dark Company. 10th August, 1880.

Mining Companies Act 1872 Amendment Biil. The Committee to whom was referred the Mining Companies Act 1872 Amendment Bill have the honor to report that they have carefully examined the said Bill, and recommend that it be passed without amendment. 10th August, 1880.

No. 265. —'Petition of Chaeies F. Eobebts and Others, of Maerewhenua. The Committee to whom was referred the petition of Charles F. Eoberts and others, praying that the Maerewhenua Eiver be declared a watercourse for the discharge of mining debris, &c, failing which, that a Commission be appointed to inquire into the whole subject, have directed me to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government, with a request that they will make inquiry into the matters alleged, with a view to giving effect to the prayer of the petitioners. 16th August, 1880.

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No. 276.—Petition of Aethtje Ellis and Samuel Jamieson, of Nelson Creek, County of Grey, Miners. The petitioners allege that they surrendered their rights to two head-races and one dam situate at Try-Again Terrace, Nelson Creek, on the promise of Mr. Warden Shaw that two heads of water from the Hochstetter Race would be granted them by the Government in perpetuity, free of charge, as compensation, which promise has not been fulfilled. They pray that inquiry be made, and, if necessary, that they may be allowed an opportunity of proving the truth of their allegations. lam directed to report as follows: The Committee have taken evidence herein, and, while not prepared to make any definite recommendation of relief upon the claim of the petitioners, consider that it deserves further consideration. They therefore report that an inquiry should be held in the locality, and that, if the petitioners substantiate their grievance, such relief should be afforded as between the parties concerned and the Government as may seem to be equitable. 17th August, 1880. " ___

No. 362.—Petition of William Jenkins and Others. The petitioners are miners, shareholders, and others interested in the newly-opened quartz-reef at Macetown, Arrowtown. They allege that they have succeeded in opening up what they believe to be a valuable field of mining enterprise, but that their labours cannot succeed unless an available cartroad is constructed between Arrowtown and Macetown, and pray for a vote of £6,000 for the construction of such a road. lam directed to report as follows: That the Committee recommend that the petition bo referred to the consideration of the Government. 2Sth August, 1880.

No. 3Gs.—Petition of William Sowekby Gheenville, of Karaka, Hauraki District, Battery Proprietor. The petitioner states that he has suffered wrong, owing to the ignorance of law of Mr. Harry Kenriek,, Eesident Magistrate and Warden of Hauraki Gold-Mining District, and instances two cases, in both of which lie says he is advised that Mr. Kenrick's decision is wrong at law and in equity. He prays full inquiry into his allegations, and redress of the wrong which, he alleges, he labours under. lam directed to report as follows : Tour Committee has no recommendation to make. It does not appear that the petitioner has exhausted his legal remedy. 28th August, 1880.

No. 367.—Petition of Geokge Nathaniel Bbassey, of the Borough of Thames, Provincial District of Auckland, Solicitor. The petitioner alleges charges against Mr. Harry Kenrick, Warden and Resident Magistrate of the Hauraki District, and Chairman of the Bench of Licensing Commissioners for the said district, whereby the petitioner's business as a practising solicitor has been seriously injured. He prays for inquiry into the allegations. lam directed to report as follows: Your Committee regret that a petition should be presented to your honorable House which consists solely in unspecified charges against a public officer which the petitioner does not attend to support. Tour Committee is of opinion that a complaint of the kind, coming from a solicitor practising in the Court of the officer complained against, should have been supported by the evidence of the petitioner. 28th August, 1880.

By Authority : G-eoeqe Didsbtoy, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBo. Price 3d.] *j

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