GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). Mr. R.H.J. REEVES, CHAIRMAN.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1892 Session I, I-04

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1892. NEW ZEALAND.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). Mr. R.H. J. REEVES, CHAIRMAN.

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the Souse of Representatives. Tuesday, the sth Day of July, 1892. Ordered, " That a Goldfields and Mines Committee, consisting of ten members, be appointed, to which shall be referred all matters relating to mining, and all Bills relating to mines; three to form a quorum. The Committee to consist of Mr. Duncan, Hon. Mr. Fergus, Mr. Guinness, Mr. C. H. Mills, Mr. O'Conor, Mr. R, H. J. Reeves, Mr. Valentine, Mr. M. J. S. Mackenzie, Colonel Fraser, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Seddon.) Ordered, "That the Mining Act 1891 Amendment Bill be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee.— (Hon. Mr. Seddon.)

Thobsday, the 7th Day of July, 1892. Ordered, " That the names of Mr. Allen, Mr. Carncross, and Mr. Mackintosh be added to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."—(Hon. Mr. Seddon.) Thubsday, the 28th Day of July, 1892. Ordered, " That Order of the Day No. 20, for the Committee on the Mining Act 1891 Amendment Bill, be discharged, and the Bill referred again to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."—(Hon. Mr. Seddon.) Wednesday, the 17th Day of August, 1892. Ordered, " That the Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee." —(Hon. Mr. Seddon.)

Thubsday, the 28th Day of July, 1892. Ordered, " That Order of the Day No. 20, for the Committee on the Mining Act 1891 Amendment Bill, be discharged, and the Bill referred again to the Goldflelds and Mines Committee."—(Hon. Mr. Seddon.)

Wednesday, the 17th Day of August, 1892. Ordered, " That the Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee." —(Hon. Mr. Seddon.)

The Mining Act Amendment Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have duly considered the same, and they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments which are shown upon a copy of the Bill attached hereto. 22nd July, 1892.

The Mining Act Amendment Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have duly considered the same, and they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments which are shown upon a copy of the Bill attached hereto. 17th August, 1892. No. 43.—Petition of J. H. Withefoed, Auckland. Petitioneb prays for refund of deposit of £100, lodged by him as guarantee in good faith, in his endeavours to obtain capital to work the Tokatea Mines, forfeited owing to illness. I am directed to report that this Committee recommends that the sum of £100 be refunded to the petitioner, on the grounds alleged in the petition. 18th August, 1892. Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have duly considered the same, and they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments which are shown upon a copy of the Bill attached hereto. 25th August, 1892.

No. 43. —Petition of J. H. Withefoed, Auckland. Petitionee prays for refund of deposit of £100, lodged by him as guarantee in good faith, in his endeavours to obtain capital to work the Tokatea Mines, forfeited owing to illness. I am directed to report that this Committee recommends that the sum of £100 be refunded to the petitioner, on the grounds alleged in the petition. 18th August, 1892.

Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have duly considered the same, and they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments which are shown upon a copy of the Bill attached hereto. 25th August, 1892.

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No. 9.—Petition of Simon Fbaser, of Whangarei, Auckland. Petitioner states that lie discovered a payable goldfield in Otago. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 26th August, 1892.

Nos. 724 (1891), 353, and 264.—Petitions of William Meikle, Mercury Bay, Auckland, and Alexandee Peebles, Kuaotunu, Thames. Petitionees pray for reward for discovery of gold at Kuaotunu. lam directed to report that the above petitions are referred to the Government; but would point out that, from Mr. Northcroft's (Warden) report on the above, it would seem that neither A. Peebles nor W. Meikle were the first discoverers of gold at Kuaotunu. 31st August, 1892. No. 66.—Petition of H. Kohn, Queen Street, Auckland, and 296 Others. Petitionees pray for :—(1) Eepeal of section 15 of "The Gold Duties Abolition Act, 1890;" (2) repeal of section relating to transfer of shares, " Stamp Act, 1882;" and (3) subsidy to be devoted to prospecting. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st August, 1892. No. 100.—Petition of John Milvena, Farmer, Maerewhenua, Otago. Petitionee prays for compensation for land washed away. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st August, 1892. No. 687 (1891).—Petition of Chaeles Aug-ustus Smith, Greymouth. Petitioner states he discovered a goldfield. He prays for a reward. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st August, 1892. No. 244.—Petition of Antonio Beown. Petitionee prays to be allowed to make a claim for compensation for loss sustained by the sluicing of tailings and mining debris in the Arahura Biver, as though it were within the prescribed time. I am directed to report that the matter be referred to the Government, with the view of adjustment by the Public Trustee. Ist September, 1892. No. 151.—Heney Geaham, Storekeeper, Arrow, Lake County, and 254 Others. Petitionees, residents of Lake County, pray for a sum of money to construct a road. I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Ist September, 1892. No. 34.—Petition of the Geet County Council. Petitionees pray for the refund of £599 Bs. I am directed to report that, as it appears the County of Westland was charged with the proportion of compensation claims payable by the County, and that such charges were subsequently remitted, and the amount which had been recovered was refunded to the County, this Committee recommends that the Grey County be treated in the same way, and that the Government be requested to make provision for the refund of the sum of £599 Bs. to the County. Ist September, 1892. No. 354.—Petition of Kawhena Eangitu. Petitionee prays for reward for the discovery of a goldfield, I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Ist September, 1892. Petition of Patbick Hunt, Eeefton. Petitioner prays for reward for discovery of a gold-mine. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Ist September, 1892. Petition of James Eolleston, Hikurangi, near Whangarei. Petitionee states that he has lost both time and money in prospecting for coal on Block XVI., Section 2, Hikurangi, and was refused a lease under "The Coal-mines Act, 1886," by the then Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland (January, 1891). Petitioner prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that Mr. James Eolleston be granted a lease under " The Coal-mines Act, 1891," for the prescribed area, and if he declines to accept such lease the Committee have no further recommendation to make. 7th September, 1892.

No. 66. —Petition of H. Kohn, Queen Street, Auckland, and 296 Others. Petitionees pray for : —(1) Bepeal of section 15 of "The Gold Duties Abolition Act, 1890;" (2) repeal of section relating to transfer of shares, " Stamp Act, 1882; " and (3) subsidy to be devoted to prospecting. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st August, 1892.

No. 100. —Petition of John Milvena, Farmer, Maerewhenua, Otago. Petitionee prays for compensation for land washed away. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st August, 1892.

No. 687 (1891). —Petition of Chaeles Augustus Smith, Greymouth. Petitionee states he discovered a goldfield. He prays for a reward. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st August, 1892.

No. 244. —Petition of Antonio Bbown. Petitionee prays to be allowed to make a claim for compensation for loss sustained by the sluicing of tailings and mining debris in the Arahura Biver, as though it were within the prescribed time. I am directed to report that the matter be referred to the Government, with the view of adjustment by the Public Trustee. Ist September, 1892.

No. 151. —Heney Geaham, Storekeeper, Arrow, Lake County, and 254 Others. Petitionees, residents of Lake County, pray for a sum of money to construct a road. I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Ist September, 1892.

No. 34.—Petition of the Grey County Council. Petitionees pray for the refund of £599 Bs. I am directed to report that, as it appears the County of Westland was charged with the proportion of compensation claims payable by the County, and that such charges were subsequently remitted, and the amount which had been recovered was refunded to the County, this Committee recommends that the Grey County be treated in the same way, and that the Government be requested to make provision for the refund of the sum of £599 Bs. to the County. Ist September, 1892.

No. 354.—Petition of Kawhena Bangitu. Petitionee prays for reward for the discovery of a goldfield, I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Ist September, 1892.

Petition of Patbick Hunt, Beefton. Petitionee prays for reward for discovery of a gold-mine. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Ist September, 1892.

Petition of James Eolleston, Hikurangi, near Whangarei. Petitionee states that he has lost both time and money in prospecting for coal on Block XVI., Section 2, Hikurangi, and was refused a lease under "The Coal-mines Act, 1886," by the then Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland (January, 1891). Petitioner prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that Mr. James Eolleston be granted a lease under " The Coal-mines Act, 1891," for the prescribed area, and if he declines to accept such lease the Committee have no further recommendation to make. 7th September, 1892.

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No. 527.—Petition of Messrs. Indee and Guffie, Naseby. Petitioners pray that the Receiver of Gold Eevenue may be directed to accept from them the amount of rent payable under a licensed holding, in full satisfaction of all claims against them. lam directed to report that the Committee recommend, in consequence of the evident misunderstanding between the Receiver of Gold Revenue and the lease-owners, as to the requirements under section 183 of "The Mining Act, 1886," that the Government should accept and continue to accept from the lessees the reduced rental under "The Mining Act, 1886," in full satisfaction of their obligation to the Crown. 3rd October, 1892.

No. 674.—Petition of the Jutland Flat (Waipori) Gold-mining Company, Waipori, Otago. Petitioners state that they have been served with a writ claiming damages for fouling the Waipori River by dredging operations. They pray that some amendment may be made in the law to prevent the stoppage of their mining operations, and they also pray for consideration. lam directed to report that the petition be referred to the Government for their favourable consideration. sth October, 1892. No. 720.—Petition of the Kumara Miners' Association. Petitioners state that the Government charge excessively for water on the Kumara Goldfield, and they pray that a substantial reduction may be made in the price to be charged. lam directed to report that the petition be referred to the Government for their favourable consideration. 6th October, 1892. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation (not given); printing (1,160 copies), £117s. 6d. By Authority: George Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lß92. Price 3d.]

No. 720. —Petition of the Kumaea Minces' Association. Petitionees state that the Government charge excessively for water on the Kumara Goldfield, and they pray that a substantial reduction may be made in the price to be charged. lam directed to report that the petition be referred to the Government for their favourable consideration. 6th October, 1892. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation (nob given); printing (1,160 copies), £117s. 6d.

By Authority: Geobge Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lß92.

Price 3d.~\

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