GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). THE HON. W.J.M. LARNACH, C.M.G., CHAIRMAN.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1897 Session II, I-04

1

Suss. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). THE HON. W. J. M. LARNACH, C.M.G., CHAIRMAN.

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

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Friday, the 19th Day of November, 1897. Ordered, "That Standing O;der No. 211 bo suspended, and that a Goldfields and Minos Committee, consisting of seventeen members, be appointed, to which shall be referred all matters referring to mining, and all Bills relating to mines, with power to call for persons and papers; five to be a quorum: the Committee to consist of Mr. J. Allen, Mr. Carncross, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Mr. Guinness, Mr. Gil fodder, Mr. Herries, Hon. Mr. Larnaoh, Mr. Lang, Mr. Massey, Mr. M. J. S. Mackenzie, Mr, R. McKenzie, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Mills, Mr. O'Regan, Right Hon. Mr. Seddon, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Cadman.)

INDEX.

Nos. 101, 102, and 118.—Petitions of Hugh Cowan and Others, E. Bell and Others, and William Cox and Others. Petitioners pray that "The Mining Act, 1891," may be amended in order to relieve certain prospectors and others, who have taken up claims on behalf of gold-mining companies, of the liabilities they have incurred thereby, and of which liabilities they were wholly ignorant at the time the claims were taken up. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having given their best consideration to the questions involved in the prayer of these petitions, have the honour to report that they have no recommendation to make. 26th November, 1897.

No. 6. —Petition of Simon Feasee. Pbtitionbe prays that a reward may be granted to him for the discovery of new goldfields. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that, having investigated the claims of Simon Eraser, and dealt with them during many sessions, they have now no recommendation to make. 26th November, 1897.

:o. ;ions, 50. 'age. ro. iions, ;c. Page. 241 A. Addison's Flat Mining Committee (W. M. Williken, on behalf of) 176 G. Graham, John, and Others 2 8 H. 2 102 272 B. Bell, B., and Others Brosnan, J., and Others 1 3 156 Hyams, Henry .. L. Little, William, and Others 8 101 118 25G c. Cowan, Hugh, and Others Cox, William, and Others Curtis, Charles, and Others Cyanide Process Gold-extraction Bill 1 1 2 3 175 177 M. Maher, John McKenna, James, and Others Mining Bill Mining Companies Acts Amendment Bill .. 2 2 3 3 E. jBduoation Board of Nelson 2 181 7 s. Smith, Alfred, and Others Stains, John, and Others 3 3 184 P. 1 83 T. 2 Fraser, Simon Taminelli, Ruffino

L—4

2

No. 83.—Petition of Eupfino Taminelli. Petitioner prays that compensation may be allowed to him for damages caused to Section numbered 1041, in the Provincial District of Westland, through the proclamation of the Kanieri Eiver as a sludge-channel. Petitioner alleges that the compensation previously awarded to him for prospective damages did not cover the particular section for which compensation is now prayed. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of Buffino Taminelli that, as in their judgment compliance with the prayer of the petition would involve disrespect for the law, they have no recommendation to make. 26th November, 1897.

No. 175. —Petition of John Maher. Petitioner prays for compensation for damages likely to be caused to his property, situate at Back Creek, if the Hokitika Biver and its tributaries are proclaimed sludge-channels. Through the absence from the colony of the petitioner at the time of the notification in the Gazette of the intention to proclaim the Hokitika Eiver and its tributaries as sludge-channels the petitioner was unable to forward his application for compensation to the Mining Department within the legal period. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of John Maher that, as in their judgment the granting of the prayer of the petition would involve disrespect for the law, they have no recommendation to make. 26th November, 1897.

No. 234. —Petition of Nelson Education Board. The Nelson Education Board prays that compensation may be granted for damages, amounting to £508, caused to an acre of land at Capleston upon which a schoolroom, cottage, out-buildings, and fences were erected, the said damages having been caused by sludge with mining debris being poured into Boatman's Creek so that it overflowed the said acre of land, rendering the property untenantable and altogether unfit for school purposes. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of the Nelson Education Board that, as in their judgment the granting of the prayer of the petition would involve disrespect for the law, they have no recommendation to make. 26th November, 1897.

No. 177. —Petition of James McKenna and Others, Settlers, Farmers, and Miners. Petitioners pray that the Koiterangi district, comprising the country from the Eimu Goldfields to Whitcombe's Pass, being highly auriferous, may be forthwith proclaimed a mining reserve. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of James McKenna and others that they recommend that it be referred to the Government. 30th November, 1897.

No. 241. —Petition of W. M. Willikin, on behalf of the Addison's Mat Mining Committee. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that, as the petition of W. M. Willikin is clearly in contravention of Standing Orders, they have no recommendation to make. 30th November, 1897.

No. 256. —Petition of Charles Curtis and Others. Petitioners pray that Blocks Nos. I. and 11., in the Provincial District of Nelson, being auriferous, may be reserved for gold-mining purposes. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having given their best consideration to the question involved in the prayer of this petition, have the honour to report that they recommend that the petition be referred to the Government, with a hope that satisfactory arrangements will be made at an early date to meet the wishes of the petitioners. 30th November, 1897.

No. 176.—Petition of John Graham and Others, Settlers and Farmers. Petitioners pray that the districts of Kokatahi and Koiterangi, in the Provincial District of Westland, being auriferous, may bo set apart as a mining reservation. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of John Graham and others that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government. 30th November, 1897.

No. B.—Petition of Henry Hyams. Petitioner prays for compensation for damages likely to be caused to his property if the proclamation of the Hauhau and Hokitika Eivers as sludge-channels is proceeded with. The notice in the Gazette of the intention to proclaim the said rivers escaped his attention, and thereby he was unable to forward his claim to the Mining Department within the period fixed by law. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of Henry Hyams that, as in their judgment compliance with the prayer of the petition would involve disregard for the law, they have no recommendation to make, 30th November, 1897.

3

1.—4

No. 7. —Petition of John Stains and Others, Property-holders, Miners, and Residents, Westland. Petitionebs pray that the question of the insufficiency of notice of objection to the proclamation of the Hauhau and Hokitika Rivers as sludge-channels may be waived; or that no further action be taken in connection with such proposed, proclamation; or that compensation for prospective damages may be granted to them. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that, as in their judgment compliance with the prayer of this petition would involve disregard for the law, they have no recommendation to make. 3rd December, 1897.

No. 272. —Petition of J. Brosnan and Others, Miners, Tuapeka. Petitionebs pray that their district may be exempted from the operation of the Eight Hours Bill now before your honourable House. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having bestowed careful consideration upon the petition of J. Brosnan and others, have the honour to recommend that the petition be referred to the Government, and that it be read by the Clerk. (Note. —This petition was printed, vide J.-l.) 7th December, 1897.

No. 156.—Petition of William Little and Others. Petitionees pray that the Waikaka Stream may be declared a river within the meaning of the Act, into which water from mines can be legally discharged. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of William Little and others that they recommend that it be referred to the Government. 14th December, 1897.

No. 181.—Petition of Alfred Smith and Others. Petitionebs pray that a sum of money may be granted for having developed a method for working river- and creek-beds for precious metals not otherwise capable of being worked profitably. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of Alfred Smith and others that they recommend that it be referred to the Government. 14th December, 1897.

The Mining Companies Acts Amendment Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to which was referred the Mining Companies Acts Amendment Bill, have the honour to report that, having carefully considered the same, it is recommended that the Bill be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown on a copy of the Bill attached hereto. 14th December, 1897.

The Cyanide Process Gold-extbaction Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to which was referred the Cyanide Process Gold-extraction Bill, have the honour to report that, having duly considered the same, it is recommended that the Bill be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown on a copy of the Bill attached hereto. 14th December, 1897.

The Mining Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, have the honour to report that, owing to the limited time now at its disposal, the Committee recommend that further consideration of the Bill be postponed until next session. 14th December, 1897. Approximate Oost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (1,250 copies), £2 Bs. 9d.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB97. Price 3d.]