GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). Mr. JAMES McGOWAN, CHAIRMAN.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1895 Session I, I-04

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1895. NEW ZEALAND.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). Mr. JAMES McGOWAN, CHAIRMAN.

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

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Tuesday, the 25th Day of June, 1895. Ordered, " That Standing Order No. 211 be suspended, and that a Goldfields and Mines Committee, consisting of fifteen members, be appointed ; to which shall be referred all matters relating to mining, and all Bills relating to mines; five to be a quorum; the Committee to consist of Mr. Allen, Mr. Carncross, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Guinness, Mr. W. Kelly, Hon. Mr. Larnach, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. R. McKenzie, Mr. Mills, Mr. O'Regan, Han. Mr. Seddon and the Mover."—(Hon. Mr. Cadman.)

No. 30. —Petition of Simon Eraser, of Mangatapu, Settler. Petitioner claims a reward of £500 for the discovery of the West Taieri or Hindon Goldfield. I am directed to report that the Committee see no reason to depart from the decision arrived at in 1894, to the effect that " Mr. Fraser was not the first discoverer of the Hindon Goldfield, and that there are no grounds upon which he should be exceptionally treated from other old miners who have helped to develop the goldfields of the colony." The Committee, therefore, have no recommendation to make. 12th July, 1895.

No. 96.—Petition of Samuel Alexander, of the Thames, Miner. The petitioner claims consideration for the discovery of the Thames Goldfield. I have the honour to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 19th July, 1895.

No. 300. —Petition of William Guffie and Robeet Sheppaed Franks Indee, of Mount Buster, Naseby. Petitionees pray that the sum of £54, being the amount paid by them in excess on account of licensed holding, may be refunded. I have the honour to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee have reported upon the subject-matter of this petition in 1892, and also in 1893, and are strongly of opinion that the Government should at once give effect to their recommendation, now twice made, and feel surprised that their former recommendations have not been given effect to. 19th July, 1895.

" The Coal-mines Act Amendment Bill, 1895." The Committee have the honour to report that they have carefully considered "The Coal-mines Act Amendment Bill, 1895," and recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, together with the amendments as shown on the attached copy of the Bill. 31st July, 1895.

No. 2.—Petition of William Guffie and Eobekt Sheppard Franks Indeb (No. 2). The Committee have the honour to report that they have rescinded their resolution, reported to your honourable House on the 23rd of July last, in reference to the petition of Messrs. Guffie and Inder. The Committee recommend that this report be referred to the Government. Bth August, 1895.

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No. 63.—Petition of Thomas Oakbs, of Wellington, Settler. The petitioner prays that a reward may be granted to him for the discovery of gold by his father near the Waiau Eiver, Coromandel. The Committee have the honour to report that, application having been made to them by petitioner for permission to withdraw this petition, they recommend that permission be granted as sought. 16th August, 1895.

No. 64.—Petition of Thomas Oakes, of Wellington, Settler. Petitioner prays that a reward may be granted to him for having been, in conjunction with his brothers, the first to discover the existence of gold in that part of the Thames District known as Kaweeranga. The Committee have the honour to report that application having been made to them by petitioner to withdraw this petition, they recommend that permission be granted as sought. 16th August, 1895. No. 65.—Petition of Thomas Oakes, of Wellington, Settler. Petitioner prays that a reward may be granted to him for having, in conjunction with his brothers, now deceased, been the first to discover the existence of gold in payable quantities, and of coal, on the west coast of the Middle Island. The Committee, having given careful consideration to the matters embodied in the petition of Thomas Oakes, have the honour to recommend that the petition be referred to the Government with a view to evidence being obtained from former officials and the records of the late Provincial ■Government of Canterbury as to the correctness or otherwise of the statements contained therein. 16th August, 1895. No. 213.—Petition of James Hesson, of Bald Hill Flat, Vincent County, Miner. Petitioner prays that there may be issued to him an Occupation License for 100 acres of a Mining Reserve, upon which he has erected a homestead, outhouses, and fences, planted hundreds of trees, expended large sums of money, and where he and his family have resided for twenty years. The Committee have the honour to report that, having heard and carefully considered the subject-matter of the petition of James Hesson, they are strongly and unanimously of opinion that his case is one of peculiar hardship; that in their judgment no reason exists against the application being immediately granted ; and that if the law does not provide for this being done, legislation should be passed during the present session to deal with this and similar cases. 16th August, 1895. No. .—Petition of Michael Mareinee, of Karangahake, Miner. Petitioner prays that a reward may be granted to him as the discoverer of gold at Waitekauri and Waihi. I have the honour to report that the Committee, having considered the petition of Michael Marriner, see no reason for departing from the decision arrived at in 1894 in reference to his claim, and therefore have no recommendation to make. 22nd August, 1895. No. 173.—Petitions foe Eewards for Discovery op Goldfields. The Committee, having had under consideration the frequency with which petitions are addressed to your honourable House, year after year, by claimants for rewards for the alleged discovery of goldfields, have instructed me to report that they have agreed to the following resolution, namely:— " That, in the opinion of this Committee, no application for rewards for gold discoveries said to have been made more than five years before the presentation of any petition referring to, or claiming under, the same be considered now, nor in the future by the Goldfields Committee." sth September, 189-5. No. 316.—Petition of Alexander Mackay, of Auckland. Petitioner prays that a reward may be granted to him as the first discoverer of gold in the year 1866 in Karangahake, Owharoa, Waihi, and Waitekauri. The Committee, having given careful consideration to the matters embodied in the petition of Alexander Mackay, have the honour to report that they have no recommendation to make. 19th September, 1895. No. 301.—Petition of the Executive of the Kumaea Miners' Association. Petitioners pray that the dams, water-rights, and head-races, of Okuku Water-race, Kumara, owned by Mr. James Holmes, may be purchased by the Government in order to assist in the development of the mining interests of the district. The Committee, having carefully considered the questions involved in the petition of the executive of the Kumara Miners' Association, have the honour to report that, in their judgment, it is desirable further inquiries be made by the Mining Department, so as to verify the statements which have been submitted as to the income at present derived from, and also in regard to the prospects of the future profitable employment of, Holme's water-race ; and if such statements are substantiated, the Committee recommend that the water-race, and the freehold section held in connection therewith, be purchased by the Government. 9th October, 1895.

No. 65.—Petition of Thomas Oakes, of Wellington, Settler. Petitionek prays that a reward may be granted to him for having, in conjunction with his brothers, now deceased, been the first to discover the existence of gold in payable quantities, and of coal, on the west coast of the Middle Island. The Committee, having given careful consideration to the matters embodied in the petition of Thomas Oakes, have the honour to recommend that the petition be referred to the Government with a view to evidence being obtained from former officials and the records of the late Provincial •Government of Canterbury as to the correctness or otherwise of the statements contained therein. 16th August, 1895.

No. 213. —Petition of James Hesson, of Bald Hill Flat, Vincent County, Miner. Petitioneb prays that there may be issued to him an Occupation License for 100 acres of a Mining Reserve, upon which he has erected a homestead, outhouses, and fences, planted hundreds of trees, expended large sums of money, and where he and his family have resided for twenty years. The Committee have the honour to report that, having heard and carefully considered the subject-matter of the petition of James Hesson, they are strongly and unanimously of opinion that his case is one of peculiar hardship; that in their judgment no reason exists against the application being immediately granted ; and that if the law does not provide for this being done, legislation should be passed during the present session to deal with this and similar cases. 16th August, 1895.

No. . —Petition of Michael Maeeinee, of Karangahake, Miner. Petitionee prays that a reward may be granted to him as the discoverer of gold at Waitekauri and Waihi. I have the honour to report that the Committee, having considered the petition of Michael Marriner, see no reason for departing from the decision arrived at in 1894 in reference to his claim, and therefore have no recommendation to make. 22nd August, 1895.

No. 173. —Petitions foe Rewaeds foe Discovery of Goldfields. The Committee, having had under consideration the frequency with which petitions are addressed to your honourable House, year after year, by claimants for rewards for the alleged discovery of goldfields, have instructed me to report that they have agreed to the following resolution, namely:— " That, in the opinion of this Committee, no application for rewards for gold discoveries said to have been made more than five years before the presentation of any petition referring to, or claiming under, the same be considered now, nor in the future by the Goldfields Committee." sth September, 1895.

No. 316. —Petition of Alexandeb Mackay, of Auckland. Petitionee prays that a reward may be granted to him as the first discoverer of gold in the year 1866 in Karangahake, Owharoa, Waihi, and Waitekauri. The Committee, having given careful consideration to the matters embodied in the petition of Alexander Mackay, have the honour to report that they have no recommendation to make. 19th September, 1895.

No. 301. —Petition of the Executive of the Kumaea Minces' Association. Petitionees pray that the dams, water-rights, and head-races, of Okuku Water-race, Kumara, owned by Mr. James Holmes, may be purchased by the Government in order to assist in the development of the mining interests of the district. The Committee, having carefully considered the questions involved in the petition of the executive of the Kumara Miners' Association, have the honour to report that, in their judgment, it is desirable further inquiries be made by the Mining Department, so as to verify the statements which have been submitted as to the income at present derived from, and also in regard to the prospects of the future profitable employment of, Holme's water-race ; and if such statements are substantiated, the Committee recommend that the water-race, and the freehold section held in connection therewith, be purchased by the Government. 9th October, 1895.

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No. 242.—Petition of Collins and Others, Miners. Petitioners pray that Bradshaw's Creek, on the south side of the Buller River, near Westport, may be declared a sludge-channel, in order to the rendering of greater facilities for the carrying on of mining operations in their district. The Committee have the honour to report that they recommend the questions involved in the granting of the prayer of the petition of Collins and others be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th October, 1895.

The Mining Act Amendment Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above-mentioned Bill, have the honour to report that, having duly considered the same, they recommend that it be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown on a copy of the Bill attached hereto. 15th October, 1895.

Questions Eeperred by the House to the Committee. The Committee, having had under consideration the series of twelve questions referred by your honourable House to them for answer, have the honour to report that, in view of the near approach of the close of the session, they recommend that the questions be referred to the Government in order that a copy may be sent to every Mining Union or Association in the colony with a request for expressions of opinion. 15th October, 1895.

Proposals relative to the Mining Industry referred back to the Committee for reconsideration. The Committee, having again had under consideration the series of twelve questions referred by your honourable House to them for answer, have the honour to recommend that the questions be referred to the Government with the view to the appointment of a Commission to visit the various goldfields of the colony, and report upon—(l) The most desirable localities for conserving water for mining and irrigation purposes; (2) the approximate cost of such necessary works; (3) the proclamation of rivers and disposition of tailings ; (4) the questions referred to the Committee by the House on the motion of the Hon. A. J. Cadman. 18th October, 1895.

No. 301. —Petition op the Executive of the Kumara Minces , Association (No. 2). The Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the petition of the executive of the Kumara Miners' Association, together with the report of the Mining Department thereon, be printed. 25th October, 1895. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,350 copies), £1 18s.

By Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9s. Price 3d.'}

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