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Mining Act Amendment Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having taken evidence and given careful consideration to the provisions of the Mining Act Amendment Bill, have now the honour to report that, as in thenjudgment the rate of wages and the hours of labour in mines are questions that can better be dealt with in the Arbitration Court than by direct legislation, they recommend that the Bill be not allowed to proceed. (Vide Appendix 1.-4 a.) 21st August, 1903.

Dunedin City and Suburban Tramways and Water-power Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the Dunedin City and Suburban Tramways and Water-power Bill, having taken evidence and carefully considered the provisions of the said Bill, have now the honour to report that they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown on a copy of the same attached hereto. (Vide Appendix 1.-40.) 28th August, 1903.

No. 269. —Petition of W. S. C. Nicholl and Another, Miners. Petitioners seek to obtain a reward for the discovery of gold alleged to have been made by them at Martha reef, Waihi District. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report, on the petition of W. S. C. Nicholl and another, that they have no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1903.

No. 151.—Petition of Edward Bain. Petitioner seeks to be allowed to acquire the freehold of certain sections of land in the Ohinemur Survey District, which sections he claims to hold under lease. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Edward Bain that they have no recommendation to make. 4th September, 1903.

No. 153. —Petition of John Joseph Dickson, Miner, of Karangahake, in Ohinemuri. Petitioner represents that in the month of December, 1901, whilst working with a party of miners in the Talisman Mine at Karangahake, he was struck in the eye with a portion of stone and thereby lost the use of it; that he was put to great expense through bringing an action against the company, which action he lost on the ground that he had been a contractor at the mine at the time when the accident occurred, and in consequence of his losses in person and pocket he is now without means. He seeks to be afforded the opportunity of earning his livelihood by obtaining a suitable employment in the Government service. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of J. J. Dickson, that they recommend that it be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. . 4th September, 1903.

No. 160. —Petition of Timothy Pattinson. Petitionee affirms that after the first notice of intention to proclaim the Grey River as a sludgechannel he agreed with the Government to accept £138 10s. as compensation for prospective damage to his land ; that upon the first notice of intention to proclaim being abandoned, he thought no more of the matter, and a second notice of intention to proclaim was issued, of which no intimation ever reached him. The Grey Eiver has been proclaimed, and he claims thai, in equity he is fairly entitled to compensation. He prays that such compensation may be given to him accordingly. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having given careful attention to the various matters set forth in the petition of Timothy Pattinson, have now the honour to report that, under the special circumstances, they recommend that the petitioner be not barred from compensation on account of not making a second claim under the second notice of proclamation, and that the Government should consider his claim on the basis of the altered conditions of the second proclamation under "The Mining Act, 1898." The Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 4th September, 1903.

No. 265. —Petition of A. Clifton and Others, Miners, of the County of Westland. Petitioners pray that, in order to the working of a large area of auriferous ground which has, they allege, been proved payable at Eimu and its vicinity, the Humphrey's Hydraulic Sluicing Company's water-race be acquired by the Government. As an alternative, petitioners pray that the Government subsidise and otherwise assist private enterprise in the work of bringing water for mining purposes on to the alluvial ground at Eimu. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having taken evidence and given due consideration to the prayer expressed in the petition of A. Clifton and others, have now the honour to report that they recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. (Vide Appendix 1.-4b.) 4th September, 1903.