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1.—4.

No. 160.—Petition of the Uppeb Waipori Alluvial Gold-dredging Company (Limited). Petitioners pray that the company may be allowed to resume dredging operations on the Waipori Eiver, and compensation or other relief granted to them for loss incurred. I am directed to report that the question of proclaiming the Waipori and other rivers of that class a water course 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 real 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.

No. 309. —Petition of Francis O'Shannassey and 6 Others. Petitioners pray that a reward may be granted to Mr. Harry Bedford, as the discoverer of the goldfield at Shotover. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make thereon. 9th August, 1894.

No. 114.—Petition of Alexander McDonald, of Westport. Petitioner states that he performed services to the colony by prospecting for gold, and forming roads thereto, and by being employed as overseer in the Public Works Department. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 17th August, 1894.

No. 331.—Petition of Henry P. Hornibrook and Others, of Coromandel. Petitioners pray that the Government will afford facilities for opening up Kuaotunu No. 3 Block for settlement and gold-mining purposes. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 17th August, 1894.

Nos. 204, 247, and 361.—Petitions of J. G. Walsh and Others, Thomas Cooney and Others, and James Kelly. Petitioners pray that a reward may be granted to them as the first discoverers of payable gold quartz reefs near Reefton. I am directed to report that, as the evidence is not sufficient to prove who first discovered a payable quartz reef in the Inangahua district, the Committee has no recommendation to make thereon. 24th August, 1894.

No. 92. —Petition of Alexander Mackay, of Ohinemuri, Auckland. Petitioner prays for a reward as the discoverer of a payable goldfield in the Ohinemuri district in 1866. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make thereon. 31st August, 1894.

No. 126.—Petition of W. H. Taipari and Others. Petitioners pray that certain Native lands having been set apart as mining reserves, they ask that some monetary consideration be paid to them for losses caused thereby. I am directed to report that your Committee, after careful consideration of the documentary and other evidence at their disposal, have come to the conclusion that the petitioners have sustained loss through breach of the agreement under which the Natives consented to throw open this portion of the goldfield for gold-mining purposes, and recommend the Government to take steps to ascertain the extent of the loss and recoup the petitioners. 31st August, 1894.

No. 157.—Petition of Thomas Hall. Petitioner prays for a reward as being the first and original discoverer of the gold-mining fields in the Lake country. I am directed to report that the evidence shows that the petitioner was not the original discoverer of the goldfield, and the Committee therefore reports that the petitioner has no claim on the colony. 31st August, 1894.

No. 458.—Petition of Simon Fbaser. Petitioner prays that he may bo rewarded for being the discoverer of the Bast and West Taieri Goldfields in 1863. I am directed to report that this Committee having taken further evidence on the matter, are of opinion that Mr. Fraser was not the first discoverer of the Hindon Goldfield, and therefore have no recommendation to make. They also see no reason why Mr. Fraser should be exceptionally treated from other old miners who have helped to develop the goldfields of the colony. 31st August, 1894.