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No. all. —Petition of William Gay and 21 Others, of Cambrian (and 4 similar Petitions, as per Schedule attached). Praying for compensation for losses sustained through the restriction on sale of gold in the opeir market during the war period. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. The Committee desires to point out that during recent years no other industry was so hard hit as gold-mining, the commodity being, in the interests of the Empire anil at the request of the Imperial Government, prohibited from export, with the result that a loss, based upon the world market price, of fully 20s. per ounce was sustained by gold-miners. Furthermore, the Committee desires to point out that soheelite-miiicrs were permitted by the Imperial authorities to export scheelite during the same period. 26th October, 1920. Schedule. No. 312, —T. C. Donnelly and 2(j others. No. 314. —James Smith and 1.1 others. No. 313. —John Parker and 131 others. No. 330. —C. Weaver and 37 others.

Paper 257 C (Amending Regulations under the Mining Act, 1908 —Amendment of Second Schedule, Regulation .'53); and Paper 258 C (Additional and Amended Regulations under the MiningAct, 1908). The Goldlields and Mines Committee has the honour to report that, having given careful consideration to the above regulations, referred to it by your honourable House, it has not any amendments to suggest. The Committee therefore recommends that the said regulations be approved. 26th October, 1920.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Goldflelds and Mines Committee, consisting of fourteen members, has during the session held nine meetings. Four Bills —namely, tire Mining Amendment Bill, the Coal-mines Amendment Bill, the Mining Amendment Bill (No. 2), and the Coalmines Amendment Bill (No. 2) —were considered by the Committee, evidence taken, and the Bills reported to the House. Six petitions and two parliamentary papers (Nos. 257 C and 258 C) were also reported on in three reports. 29th October, 1920.

Special Report (re Chairman). 1 have the honour to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee desires to place on record its high appreciation of the tact, courtesy, and ability displayed by the Chairman, Mr. T. W. Rhodes, in the conduct of lire business of the Committee throughout this session; and further desires that this resolution shall be recorded on the minutes of the Committee and be reported to the House. H. Poland, 30th October, 1920. Member of Committee.

Approximate Cost of Pap...—Preparation, not given ; printing (450 copies), £_ 108.

Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington. —1920.

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