I.—4b

1903. NEW ZEALAND.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE: REPORT ON THE PETITION OF ARTHUR D'OYLY BAYFEILD, TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF EVIDENCE AND APPENDIX. (Mr. JAMES COLVIN, Chairman.)

Brought up on Friday, the 6th November, 1903, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OP REFERENCE.

Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Pbiday, the 3rd Day of July, 1903. Ordered, " That Standing Order No. 211 be suspended, and that a Goldfields and Mines Committee, consisting of sixteen members, be appointed, to whom shall be referred all matters relating to mining and all Bills relating to mines ; with power to call for persons and papers ; five to be a quorum: the Committee to consist of Mr. J. Allen, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Colvin, Mr. W. Praser, Mr. Herdman, Mr. Herries, Mr. Kidd, Mr. R. McKenzie, Mr. Millar, Hon. Mr. Mills, Mr. Moss, Mr. Reid, Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, Mr. Smith, Mr. Witheford, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. McGowan.)

Thursday, the 22nd Day of October, 1903. Ordered, " That the petition of A. D. Bayfeild be referred direct to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."— (Mr. Colvin.)

EEPOET.

No. 828.—Petition of Arthub DOyly Bayfeild, Agent. Petitionee, on behalf of himself and other shareholders of the Westport-Cardiff Coal-mining Company, liquidated, represents that in May, 1900, in order to satisfy a debt of £4,470, of which £2,363 was for royalty in coal and £2,107 for deficiency on the working-expenses of the WestportNgakawau Eailway to Mokihinui, the Government seized the plant, material, and works of the Company, valued at £24,329 ; that the £2,107 ought not to have been charged against the company ; that, for the reason that the debt was created through the default of another company, it ought properly to have been extinguished at the time of the passing of " The Westport-Ngakawau Railway Act, 1897." Petitioner further represents that the plants, material, and property seized were valued by the Mining Inspectors of the Government at £7,516 ; that the whole of the property is now being worked by the Government in connection with the operations in progress at the State coal-mine at Seddonville, and that through the company the colony has been saved the cost thereof. No consideration has been allowed to the shareholders of the liquidated company for the value of the plant and material in excess of the alleged debt. Petitioner therefore prays for inquiry, consideration, and relief. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Arthur DOyly Bayfeild that they recommend that it be referred to the Government for consideration. I—l. 4e.