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No. 216. —Petition of Peteb Nobbuby, Thames. Petitioneb represents that a license to mine for gold was granted to him for the Guiding Star Claim, at the rate of 10s. per acre, on the 22nd of September, 1896; that "The Mining Act Amendment Act, 1896," by which mining rents were reduced to ss. per acre, came into operation on the 17th October following; and that through the said Act not being retrospective in order to cover his case he thereby suffered an injustice. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having considered the circumstances set forth in the case of Peter Norbury, are of opinion that petitioner is equitably entitled to relief, and they have the honour to report that the Government be recommended to place the sum of £21 on the supplementary estimates in order that such relief may be afforded. 22nd September, 1898.

No. 296. —Petition of Samuel Megget Maokley, Farmer and Dairyman, Grey Eiver. Petitioneb prays that compensation may be granted to him for damage likely to be caused to his property through dredging operations on the Grey Eiver above and opposite his farm. At the time the Proclamation was issued he did not send in a claim, because it was not anticipated that there would be any mining operations so high up the river as it was now proposed to dredge. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having considered the circumstances set forth in the petition of Samuel Megget Mackley, have the honour to report that it be referred to the favourable consideration of the Government, with a view to the introduction of the legislation necessary to meet this and all similar cases. 22nd September, 1898.

The Mining Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that, having bestowed the most careful consideration on the Bill to consolidate and amend the law relating to mines and mining referred to them by your honourable House, they recommend that the said Bill be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown on a copy of the same attached. 20th October, 1898.

No. 127. —Petition of Henby Piebce Hobnibkooke, of Goromandel. Petitioneb prays that relief may be granted from the payment of judgments obtained against him by the Eeceiver of Goldfields Eevenue for rents due by the Queen of Beauty and Port Charles Special Claims, he having unwittingly become liable for such rents as a matter of convenience for others. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having duly considered the matter of the petition of Henry Pierce Hornibrook, have the honour to report that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 25th October, 1898.

No. 263. —Petition of Feedebick Ehbenfbied Baume, of Auckland. Petitioneb prays that relief may be granted him from the payment of judgments obtained by the Eeceiver of Goldfields Eevenue for rents due by the Mount Margaret, the Carbine, the Opito, and the Opito Surplus Special Claims, in which he never had nor has any interest, his position having be.en merely that of trustee, as a matter of convenience for others. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having duly considered the matter of the petition of Frederick Ehrenfried Baume, have the honour to report that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 25th October, 1898.

No. 118. —Petition of J. Habgbeaves and 47 Others, Miners, at Eocky Eiver, Collingwood. Petitioneks pray that a track, at present so narrow as to be almost impassable, may be widened and extended, so as to enable managers of mines in the locality to get their plant transhipped to Eocky Eiver. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having considered the petition of J. Hargreaves and others, have the honour to report that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 25th October, 1898.

No. 261. —Petition of E. P. J. O'Neill and 74 Others, Lessees of Licensed Holdings and Special Claims, Mangahua. Petitionebs pray that certain amendments and alterations in the mining-laws of the colony maybe effected, particularly so that no personal liability shall attach to individual licensees in respect of rent accruing on land held for gold-mining purposes. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that, as there is now a Bill before your honourable House dealing with the matters embodied in the petition of E. P. J. O'Neill and others, they have no recommendation to make. 25th October, 1898.