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No. 151, Sess. ll.—Petition of William Milliken and Others. The petitioners pray for the abolition of duty on gold. I am directed to report that this petition be referred for the favourable consideration of the House and Government. 19th September, 1884.

The Mining Companies Act 1872 Amendment Bill, 1884. The Gold Fields Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that, after careful consideration, the Committee recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed with the amendments as shown upon the copy of the Bill hereto attached. 23rd September, 1884.

No. 120, Sess. ll.—Petition of William Docherty. It appears that the petitioner has for many years been engaged in prospecting for metalliferous lodes on the west coast of the Middle Island at his own charge and expense, and his labours are highly esteemed by scientific and practical men as being of considerable public value. The petitioner now asks for some assistance to enable him to open up tracks to the lodes discovered by him, so as to reduce the cost of conveying mining materials and provisions. The Committee, after hearing the evidence, and having given full consideration to the case, recommend that such assistance should be granted. 25th September, 1884.

No. 224, Sess. ll.—Petition of Simon Fraser. The Gold Fields and Mines Committee, to whom the petition was referred, have the honour to report that the Committee are of opinion that petitioner received all the reward to which he is entitled from the Provincial Council of Otago in 1865. 30th September, 1884.

No. 253, Sess. ll. —Petition of J. W. Wright and Others. The petitioners pray to be relieved of the charge of £1 per annum for miners' rights, while working in companies' mines, who already contribute. The Gold Fields and Mines Committee, to whom this petition was referred, have the honour to report that the sum of £1 per annum charged on the working-men engaged or employed in mining operations on the Thames Gold Field appears to be unjust and impolitic. The Committee recommend that " The Gold Mining Districts Act, 1873," be amended, with a view of abolition of such charges. 30th September, 1884.

No. 254, Sess. ll.—Petition of William Fox. The Gold Fields and Mines Committee, to whom this petition was referred, have the honour to report that, in consideration of the many and valuable public services rendered by the petitioner in the discovery of rich gold fields during the last twenty-two years, the Committee recommend that some suitable employment be found for him in the Government service. 30th September, 1884.

No. 292, Sess. ll.—Petition of E. S. McFarlane and Another. The Gold Fields and Mines Committee, to whom this petition was referred, have the honour to report that they recommend the petition be forwarded for the information and consideration of Government. 30th September, 1884.

No. 188, Sess. ll.—Petition of Patrick Hunt. The Gold Fields and Mines Committee, to whom the petition was referred, have the honour to report that, in connection with this and similar cases, the Committee desire to direct the attention of the Government to the necessity of making some provision for giving suitable employment to those pioneer gold-miners who through early exposure are worn out and are in needy circumstances. 30th September, 1884.

No. 32, Sess. I.—Petition of Elijah Eollerson and Others, Eesidents of Block XXVIL, Thames Gold Fields. The Gold Fields and Mines Committee, to whom this petition was referred, have the honour qo report that the Committee find they are unable to take all the evidence they would wish without entailing considerable expense in bringing necessary witnesses from the Thames, and that the petition be referred to. the Government, with the recommendation that the Warden be instructed to take evidence and inquire into the merits of the case, and report thereon to the Government. The Committee, would also urge upon the Government the advisability of obtaining the freehold of the land. Ist October, 1884.