I.—4a

1908. NEW ZEALAND.

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

Report brought up on the 2nd October, and Minutes of 'Evidence on the sth October, 1908, and orde red to be printed.

ORDERS OP REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Friday, the 3bd Day op July, 1908. Ordered, "That a Goldnelde and Mines Committee, consisting of ten 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 three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Dr. Chappie, Mr. Colvin, Mr W Fraser Mr Herri™ lS w' McKenzie, Mr. Macpherson, Mr. Poland, Mr. Seddon, Hon. Mr. Wub, and the mover MoGowln , Wednesday, the 16th Day of September, 1908. Coi°m d ) red ' the PStitiOn ° { A ' D ' Bayfeild be re£erred t0 the Goldfields aud Mines Committee."-(Mr.

PETITION. To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of Arthur DOyly Bayfeild, of Westport, for himself and other shareholders of the late Westport—Cardiff Coal Company, showeth, — Your petitioner desires to renew his petition of the 22nd October, 1903, praying for consideration for the shareholders of the above-named company (now liquidated), the result of which on being referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee was a recommendation from that Committee that it be referred to the Government for consideration. That, under date of the 12th February, 1904, the Hon. the Minister of Mines informed your petitioner that "the Government is of opinion that the shareholders of the late company have no claim against the colony." J That a previous petition, No. 560, was presented, signed by E. R. Hughes and others to Parliament in session in the year 1900, also praying for relief and consideration, and was referred by order of the House to the Railways Committee, the result of which was a recommendation from that Committee to the following effect: "That, as the company has lost its capital, and also the profits on working invested in the mine, the Committee recommends the prayer of the petitioners to the favourable consideration of the Government " ; and on this petition no favourable action was taken by the Government. .