1.—3.

1885. NEW ZEALAND.

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

SPECIAL ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Tuesday, the 14th Day of July, 1885. Ordered, " That the Goldfields and Mines Committee have power to report to the House generally their opinion upon all matters in connection witli goldfields legislation, special taxation, and the principles upon which State aid should be extended to mining enterprise."— (Mr. Pyke.)

No. 40.—Petition of 378 Inhabitants of the Inangahua Disteict. The petitioners pray that a reward may be granted to Joseph George Walsh and Joseph Potter for the discovery of certain reefs in the Inangahua District. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to which was submitted the petition for their consideration, have the honour to report that they cannot recommend any rewards for prospecting in goldfields except such as have been provided for by law, and consequently have no recommendation to make in this case. Ist July, 1885.

No. 102. —Petition of James Mills and 171 Others. The petitioners, residents of the Aroha Goldfields, pray that the Government will allow the owners of the new battery at Waiorongomai to construct the connecting tramway to the battery on the same terms as recently offered by the Minister of Mines to the Piako County Council. I have the honour to report that, the Piako County Council having delayed to make the tramway connection with the new Waiorongomai battery, the Committee, from the great importance of the work referred to, strongly urges on the Government the desirability of complying with the prayer of the petitioners, subject to sufficient provision for the proper expenditure of the money in the construction of the tramway referred to, and on condition that the battery-owners hand the tramway over to the county on being refunded the money spent by them on this work. 3rd July, 1885.

No. 47. —Petition of Simon Feasee. The petitioner claims to be the discoverer of the West Taieri Goldfields, and prays for a reward. The Committee have the honour to report that they have only to repeat the decision of the Committee in 1884—viz., That the petitioner has already received all the reward to which he was entitled, from the Provincial Council of Otago in 1865. 3rd July, 1885.

No. 126.—Petition of John L. Cueeie and Others. The petitioners, miners and settlers of Orepuki, pray that complaints may be heard at Orepuki, as it involves great inconvenience and loss in taking witnesses to Eiverton. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the favourable consideration of the Government. 10th July, 1885. I—l. 3.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OP THE). (MR. VINCENT PYKE, CHAIRMAN.)