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No. 365.—Petition of Mary Ann Stitt, of Westport. Petitioner prays that reasonable compensation be allowed to her for very serious damage likely to be caused to her property through the proclamation of Bradshaw's Creek as a sludge-channel. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having carefully considered the facts embodied in this petition, are of opinion that Mrs. Stitt is equitably entitled to the compensation she seeks; they therefore have the honour to report that the Government be recommended to pay to petitioner such compensation as the circumstances of her case demands. 2nd October, 1896.

No. 520.—Petition of James McGregob, Miner and Mining Prospector, Coromandel. Petitionee alleges that in September, 1890, he was engaged in searching for gold on a part of the Kuaotunu No. 3 Block, and that in October following he found gold at a depth of 20ft. from the surface; that because of the Kauri Timber Company claiming to hold a lease of the block he was unable to obtain a prospecting license ; that by the Proclamation of the 9th July, 1896, the Kuaotunu No. 3 Block was declared free to be dealt with as Crown lands ; that he was unaware of such Proclamation for some time afterwards; that though he had worked upon and discovered payable gold on this block in 1890, and had been persistent in agitating for its being thrown open, the Warden had recommended the application of Mr. H. R. Cook for a special claim. Petitioner prays for a restoration of his rights. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that they recommend the petition of James McGregor to the favourable consideration of the Government. 2nd October, 1896.

No. 364. —Petition of E. W. Weeks and 155 Others, Miners, in the District of Takaka, Provincial District of Nelson. Petitionees pray that the Rivers Anatoki and Takaka may be proclaimed sludge-channels. The Committee, having ascertained that action is being taken to meet the views of petitioners, have the honour to report upon this petition that they have no recommendation to make. 2nd October, 1896.

No. 497.—Petition of Henry Soweeby, of Denniston, Carpenter. Petitioner states that although he has certificates for eight or nine years' mining service, supplemented by a certificate from England for eighteen months' mining service, and has been in the employment continuously of the Westport Coal Company since 1888, yet he has been refused a first-class certificate by the Board of Examiners, notwithstanding the fact that he had, in 1892, passed their examination with the highest number of marks ever recorded in New Zealand. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the petition and certificates of Henry Sowerby be referred to the Board of Examiners for further consideration. 6th October, 1896.

No. 529. —Petition of James Holmes, of Kumara, Mine-owner. Petitioner complains that the Government has violated the agreement entered into with him under which he was entitled to have been consulted before the price for water was reduced from £2 to £1 10s. per head, whereby the value of his property was depreciated about 25 per cent.; also, that a section of land (40 acres) purchased by him to provide a tailings-site, at a cost of £600, was now baing used by the miners using the Government water. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having carefully considered the facts recited in the petition of James Holmes, have the honour to report that in their opinion inquiries should be instituted as to whether the section of land purchased by petitioner is required by miners using Government water, and, if such should prove to be the case, they recommend that it be purchased by the Government. sth October, 1892.

No. 507. —Petition of the Waihi and 42 other Gold-mining Companies, Auckland. Petitioners pray that the scope of the definition of the words " mining purposes" be enlarged to meet the exigencies of recent mining operations; also, that gold-mining companies be exempted from the payment of an annual license-fee so long as they do not actually enter upon any business outside that of mining. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, in view of the fact that the questions involved in the prayer of the Waihi and other gold-mining companies have quite recently been under the consideration of your honourable House, have the honour to report upon this petition that they have no recommendation to make. sth October, 1892.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,250 copies), £2 Hβ.

Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB96.

Price 3d.]