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GOLD FIELDS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF).

Presented to the Souse of Representatives, and ordered to he -printed.

(MR. J. B. FISHER, CHAIRMAN.) INDEX. BBTITIONS, WO. VAGF, WRTIMONS, BTC. SAOE A. H. Agricultural Leases, Resolution relative to ... ... 1 Henigaii, Patrick ~. ... ... ... 1 B. J. Braesey, George Nathaniel ... ... ~. 3 Janiieson, Samuel, and Ellis, Arthur ... ... 2 Jenkins, William, and Others ... ... .., 2 C. Camelatta, Stephen, and Party ... ... ... 1 M. Collins, Thomas, and Savage, Robert ... ... 2 Moore, D. J., and Others ... ... ... 2 Mining Companies Act 1872 Amendment Bill ... 2 E. Evans, Fred., and Others ... ... ... 1 I R. Ellis, Arthur, and Jamieson, Samuel ... ... 2 Rowe, Henry, and Others ... ... ... 1 Roberts, Charles F., and Others ... ... .. 2 G. Gibson, Thomas ... ... ... ... 2 S. Greenville, William Sowerby ... ... ... 3 Savage, Robert, and Collins, Thomas ... ... 2

No. 81.—Petition of Patrick Hemjigas. The Committee to whom was referred this petition, which prayed that a reward be granted to the petitioner as having been, in 1878, the first prospector and discoverer of the Cronanville rush, since, and now, employing over one hundred men, have directed me to report that they have no recommendation to make thereon. 29th June, 1880.

Ageictjltt/eatj Leases. I am directed to report that, at a meeting of the Committee held to-day, the "resolution, a copy of which as appended at foot hereof, was unanimously adopted. 2nd July, 1880.

On motion of Mr. Pyke, seconded by Mr. De Lautour,— Resolved, " That, in the opinion of the Gold Fields Committee, it is desirable that the Agricultural Leases Regulations should be amended, so that lands disposed of thereunder should be placed on the same footing as lands sold under the deferred-payment system, as regards the upset price, the mode of purchase, and the nature and extent of improvements to be made, and also the payment of compensation for improvements, but not as to compulsory residence; and, further, that, in every block offered for sale on the gold fields, one-half at least of such block, consisting of land of fair qualitv, interspersed throughout the block, should be disposed of under the agricultural-lease system, which, in the opinion of the Committee, is best calculated to foster and encourage settlement."

No. 18. —Petition of Feed. Evans and Others. The petitioners, goldrniners and others, resident in the Shotover District, state that a large quantity of gold exists in the terraces and alluvial deposits of the district, but that, owing to their inability to procure water for sluicing, they cannot work the ground, and they pray for assistance in obtaining the water-power required.

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