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No. 56.—Petition of Samuel Alexandee, of the Thames, Miner. Petitionee prays that some consideration be extended to him on account of the services he rendered the colony in 1867 by directing attention to the fact that the Thames was a quartzmining rather than an alluvial goldfield, and in developing the quartz-mining industry on that field. The Committee, having carefully considered the facts embodied in the petition of Samuel Alexander, recommend that the Government pay to petitioner a small compassionate allowance in recognition of the services he has rendered in the development of the Thames Goldfield. 10th July, 1896.

No. 110.—Petition of Simon Feasee, of Mangatapu, Whangarei, Settler. Petitioned prays that a reward may be granted to him for the discovery of new goldfields. The Committee, having had under consideration the matters involved in the petition of Simon Fraser, have the honour to report that, having dealt with the claims of petitioner during last session, they have now no recommendation to make. 16th July, 1896.

No. 106.—Petition of the Westpobt-Cardiff Coal Company, and William Heney Haegeeaves,. Chairman of the Board of Directors of the said Company. Petitionees pray that the deficiency clauses of "The Westport-Ngakawau Eailway Extension Act, 1890," may be repealed, and that they may be relieved from liability for payment of accrued rates thereunder. The Committee, having had the petition of the Westport-Cardiff Company under consideration, have the honour to recommend that it be referred to the Eailways Committee. 17th July, 1896.

' No. 54.—Petition of the City of Gisbobne Gold-mining Company. Petitionees claim the right to be allowed to mine on the lands held by the Kauri Timber Company, and pray for the substantial assistance of the Crown in seeking to enforce that right. The Committee, having given their best consideration to the matters involved in the petition of the City of Gisborne Gold-mining Company, have the honour to report that they have no recommendation to make. 21st July, 1896.

The Coal-mines Act Amendment Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above-mentioned Bill, have the honour to report that they are of opinion the proposed amendment of the Coal-mines Act will not be serviceable to all classes of coal-mines, and therefore they recommend that the said Bill be not allowed to proceed. The Committee further recommend that the question of the classification of bituminous and brown coal mines be referred to the Minister, with a view to the introduction of legislation applicable to these two classes of mines separately. 23rd July, 1896.

No. 123.—Petition of James Collins and 120 Others, Miners, of Charleston and Brighton. Petitionees pray that the Main Totara Eiver, the Branch Totara Eiver, the Nile Eiver, and the Pour-mile Eiver may be proclaimed sludge-channels, in order that the gold-mining industry may be fostered and encouraged in their districts. The Committee, having considered the matters involved in the petition of James Collins and others, have the honour to recommend that the Government issue the usual Gazette notices in regard to the proclamation of the Eivers Main Totara, Branch Totara, Nile, and Four-mile, as referred to in the prayer of your petitioners. 30th July, 1896.

No. 96.—Petition of Isaac Chapman, of Larrikin's, Westland, Storekeeper and Gardener. Petitioner prays that compensation may be granted to him for damage done to his property through the deviation of a road. The Committee, having bestowed careful attention upon the subject embraced in the petition of Isaac Chapman, have the honour to report that in their judgment the matter which forms the subject of petitioner's complaint lies between the petitioner and the Westland County Council. The Committee, therefore, have no recommendation to make. 30th July, 1896.

No. 205.—Petition of S. L. Moffitt and 43 Others, Miners, Eesidents, and Settlers, of Karamea. Petitionebs pray that for the encouragement of the mining industry in their district the Mangapeka Eiver may be proclaimed a sludge-channel. The Committee have the honour to report that, as the Government appear now to have the matter of the proclamation of the Mangapeka Eiver as a sludge-channel in hand, they have no recommendation to make. 30th July, 1896.