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Begulations cndek Mining Act. Youe Committee has the honour to report that this Committee strongly recommends the Govern" ment to add to Part 111. of the regulations under the Mining Act a clause compelling Wardens of goldfields to hear and deal with every application under section 60 of that Act within one month after the receipt of such application. 27th August, 1890.

No. 262. —Petition of John Cobbigan. The petitioner, who was a sub-contractor for a portion of the Kumara Sludge-channel deviation, prays for compensation for damage and injury sustained by him through the collapse of the No. 1 Sludge-channel. Your Committee finds that the petitioner has proved his claim, and recommends the Government to pay the same; and, if any portion of the £600 agreed to be paid to the trustees of the No. 3 Channel was to meet any of the damages set forth in the claim of the petitioner, the same should be deducted from the said sum of £600 and paid to the petitioner. 2nd September, 1890.

No. 231.—Petition of William Nicholson and David McGoxnon. The petitioners, who were the contractors for the construction of the Kumara Sludge-channel deviation, pray for compensation for damage and injury sustained by them through the collapse of the No. 1 Sludge-channel, and consequent flooding of their workings. Your Committee has the honour to report that in January last the Inspecting Engineer for Mines, Mr. Gordon, when at Kumara, shortly after the accident, promised to recommend that the sum of £300 be paid to the trustees for payment by the said trustees to the petitioners in liquidation of damages done to the petitioners' works by the collapse of the channel; that the Government has since agreed to pay the trustees the sum of £600. Your Committee finds that the petitioners have proved their claim, and recommends the Government to pay the same; and further recommends that, if any portion of the £600 agreed to be paid to the trustees was to meet any of the damages set forth in the claim of the petitioners, the same should be deducted from the said sum of £600 and be paid to the petitioners. 2nd September, 1890.

No. 180.—Petition of .1. 1). Colebbook and 200 Others, Miners and Residents of Coromandel and Hauraki Mining Districts. The petitioners pray that the land known as Whaugapoua be declared open for gold-mining. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the Government should take the necessary steps to have the land resumed under the Mining Act for mining purposes ; and, in the event of the Government being unable to resume these lands, they should endeavour to make some reasonable arrangements with the owners to open the lands for mining purposes. 2nd September, 1890.

No. 193. —Petition of John S. Spence and 11 Others. The petitioners pray that the Maruwheuua Biver be proclaimed a watercourse under section 154 of " The Mining Act, 1886." Your Committee, to whom was referred this petition, has the honour to report that it is of opinion that the prayer of the petitioners should be given effect to ; that the Government take immediate steps to have the Maruwhenua Biver declared a watercourse for the discharge of tailings and debris. 2nd September, 1890.

The Gold Duty Abolition and Mining Peopeety Bating Bill. Youb Committee, to whom was referred the Gold Duty Abolition and Mining Property Bating Bill, has the honour to report that they have considered the various provisions of the Bill, and that, subject to the alterations and amendments shown upon a copy of the Bill attached hereto, they are of opinion that the Bill should be allowed to proceed. 3rd September, 1890.

The Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill. Youe Committee, to whom was referred the Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill, have the honour to report that they have considered the various provisions of the Bill, and that, subject to the alterations and amendments shown upon a copy of the Bill attached hereto, they are of opinion that the Bill should be allowed to proceed. 3rd September, 1890. [Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,200 copies), £'!.]

By Authority : GrfiOKGUi Didsbubt, G-overnment Printer, Wellington.—lB9o.