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1894. NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to the House of Bepresentatives, and ordered to be^ printed.

ORDERS OP REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Tuesday, the 3rd Day of July, 1894. Ordered, " That Standing Order No. 178 be suspended, and that a Goldfields and Mines Committee, consisting of thirteen members, be appointed, to which shall be referred all matters relating to mining, a,nd all Bills relating to mines: three to be a quorum. The Committee to consist of Mr. Allen, Mr. Carncross, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. Mills, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. R. McKenzie, Mr. O'Regan, Hon. Mr. Seddon, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Oadman.)

Wednesday, the 29th Day of August, 1894. Ordered, " That the name of the Hon. Mr. Larnach be added to the Goldfields and Mines Committee." —(Hon. Mr. Seddon.)

No. 571. —Petition of Lewis Haeeis and Others, of Hindon District. Petitionees pray for a subsidy of £150 to enable them to complete the construction of a tail-race. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 27th July, 1894.

No. 13.—Petition of John Ellis, of Collingwood. Petitionee prays for a reward for the discovery of the Midoura Coalfields. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 27th July, 1894.

No. 39.—Petition of Loeenza Eesta. Petitionee prays for a reward as the discoverer of the Macetown quartz reefs. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make thereon. 27th July, 1894.

No. 10.—Petition of the Jutland Flat Waipobi Gold-mining Company (Limited). Petitionees pray for compensation and other relief through an action brought against them for dredging in the Waipori River. I am directed to report that, as to the question of costs, the Committee recommends the Government to pay the sum of £298 2s. Id. to the plaintiffs. That the larger question of proclaiming the Waipori and other rivers of that class a watercourse for mining purposes is a policy question, and the Committee is of opinion it should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. That this Committee does not recognise that the company has any claim upon the colony for having been stopped from mining operations, but, as regards the claim for rent, the Committee is of opinion that, during the time the operations have ceased, rent should be remitted, and refers it to the favourable consideration of the Government. 3rd August, 1894.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). Me. JAMES McGOWAN, CHAIRMAN.