GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. T.W. RHODES, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1921 Session I-II, I-04

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Session 11. 1921. NEW ZEALAND.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. T.W. RHODES, Chairman.)

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

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 28th Day of September, 1921. Ordered, " That Standing Order No. 219 be suspended, and that a Goldfields and Mines Committee be appointed, consisting of twelve members, to whom shall be referred all matters relating to mining and all Bills relating to mines ; with power to call for persons and papers ; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Bollard, Mr. J. McC. Dickson, Mr. Edie, Mr. A. Hamilton, Mr. Holland. Mr. Horn, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Poland, Mr. Reed, Mr. T. W. Rhodes, Mr. Seddon, and the mover." —(Hon. Mr. Anderson.) Tuesday, the 11th Day' of October, 1921. Ordered, " That all petitions not finally dealt with during the session of 1920 and the short session of 1921 be again referred to the same Committees as they were referred to during the said session."—(Right Hon. Mr. Massey.)

EBPOETS. No. 358/20. —Petition of John Wilson, of Lauder, Otago. Praying that irrigation-right holders in Central Otago be exempted from the operation of clause 4 of the Mining Amendment Bill. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 24th November, 1921.

Paper 137 c : Additional and Amended Regulations under the Mining Act, 1908. The Goldfields and Mines Committee has the honour to report that, having given careful consideration to the above regulations, referred to it by your honourable House, it has not any amendments to suggest. The Committee therefore recommends that the said regulations be approved. " 24th November, 1921.

No. 334/20. —Petition of Timothy Moriarty, of Stillwater. Praying for compensation for damage to his land caused by mine-dredging. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th December, 1921.

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No. 195. —Petition of John O'Fee, of Kaitangata, and 7 Others. Praying for inquiry into the position of coalfields that are practically shut up by the action of the Taratu Railway and Coal Company. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a view that, in the event of any further license being granted by the Bruce County Council to the Taratu Railway and Coal Company, steps shall be taken to ensure" that reasonable loading and transport facilities are given to petitioners and others in the same position. The Public Works' and Mines Departments to decide, if called upon by either party, as to the reasonableness or otherwise of the facilities proposed. 21st December, 1921.

No. 246. —Petition of Robert Mclntosh, of Reefton. Praying for a Commission of Inquiry regarding his treatment by the Mines Department; and that he be reinstated as an Inspector of Mines, and be granted a mine-manager's certificate, and for monetary compensation. . I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. At the same time the Committee desires to express its opinion that petitioner did not exceed his duty in his report to the Warden at Naseby in May, 1910. 12th December, 1921.

No. 105.—Petition of Richard Ross, of Thames, and 26 Others. Praying for compensation for losses sustained through the restriction on the sale of gold in the open market during the war period. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. The Committee desires to point out that during recent years no other industry was so hard hit as gold-mining, the commodity being, in the interests of the Empire and at the request of the Imperial Government, prohibited from export, with the result that a loss, based upon the world market price, of approximately £1 per ounce was sustained by petitioners. 31st January, 1922.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Goldfields and. Mines Committee, consisting of twelve members, has held eight meetings during the session. The average attendance of members at each meeting was nine ; and five petitions and one parliamentary paper (No. 137 c) were reported on. Bth February, 1922, T. W. Rhodes, Chairman.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee desires to record its high sense of the ability, courtesy, and attention shown by the Chairman, Mr. T. W. Rhodes, in his management of the business of the" Committee during this session. It further desires that this resolution shall be recorded on the minutes of the Committee and be reported to the House. H. Poland, Bth February, 1922. Member of the Committee.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (450 copies), £2 ss.

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