REPORT OF GOLD FIELDS COMMITTEE.

7

H—No. 11.

Vide Appendix, Interim Report Nos. 3, 4, and 5

or monopolies, and to secure the payment of interest and the repayment of the principal advanced. The Committee adjourned until to-morrow.

Friday, 15th September, 1871. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present : Mr. Bradshaw, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Mervyn, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Tribe. Mr. Haughton in the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman laid before the Committee a Petition from 423 Gold Miners of Otago, praying for a remission of the duty on gold ; also, one from 227 Miners at Waitahuna to the same effect; and on the motion of Mr. Harrison it was resolved, That with reference to the petition from Gold Miners of Otago, and Miners at Waitahuna, the Committee do not think it would serve any practical purpose to make any recommendation on the subject, as the question of the reduction of the gold duty has been decided by the House. The Chairman read to the Committee a Petition from 247 Miners in the Dunstan District, praying that certain rights now in force in respect to the use of two sluice-heads of water for general purposes may not be interfered with. The Committee decided to take no action in this question until the proposed Gold Fields Bill, 1871, was before them. The Petition from Residents in the Nevis District, which had been laid before the Committee at a previous meeting was now considered; and on the motion of Mr. Macandrew it was proposed, That, in the opinion of the Committee, it is expedient that a portion of the loan for water supply on the gold fields should be applicable for purposes other than the supply of water, having for their object the permanency and development of the gold fields. Further, that the amount of is too small for gold field purposes, and that at least half a million should be devoted thereto. A discussion ensued; and the question having been put, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follows :— Ayes, 3. Noes, 3. Mr. Bradshaw, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Mervyn. Mr. Tribe. And the numbers being equal, the Chairman voted in exercise of the authority given to him by by Standing Order No. 194, giving his vote with the " Ayes." So it was resolved in the affirmative. The Chairman was requested to bring up Interim Reports embodying the resolutions Nos. 12, 13, and 14; and also to inform the Gold Fields Committee of the Legislative Council of such of the proceedings of this Committee as he may deem desirable. On the motion of Mr. Harrison, it was resolved, That a Sub-Committee, consisting of Messrs. Haughton, Curtis, and Harrison, be appointed to prepare draft regulations relating to the advance of loans to Water Race Companies, as recommended in resolution No. 12 ; such Sub-Committee to report on Thursday next. The Committee adjourned. Wednesday, 4th October, 1871. The Committee met pursuant to summons. Present: Mr. Bradshaw, Mr. O'Neill, Captain Kenny, Mr. Tribe. Mr. Mervyn, Mr. Haughton in the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Orders of reference Nos. 10 and 11 were read. The Chairman informed the Committee that Interim Reports Nos. 3, 4, and 5 had been presented to the House, and that action was now pending on Nos. 4 and 5; also, that in accord- ] ance with the request of the Committee he had communicated resolutions Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, to the Chairman of the Gold Fields Committee of the Legislative Council. It was ordered that the Interim Reports to the House be attached to the proceedings. The Chairman laid before the Committee certain documents he had received from the Government, comprising communications from the District Judge of Otago and the various Gold Field Wardens upon the subject of the amendment of existing Gold Fields Acts.