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Session 11. 1923. NEW ZEALAND

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. T. W. RHODES, Chairman.)

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from, the Journals of the House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 4th Day oe July, 1923. Ordered, " That Standing Order No. 219 be suspended, and that a Goldfields and Mines Committee be appointed, consisting of twelve members, 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 Mr. Edie, Mr. J. McC. Dickson, Mr. Field, Mr. Girling, Mr. Holland, Mr. Horn, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Macmillan, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Poland, Mr. T. W. Rhodes, and the mover." —(Hon. Mr. Anderson.)

RE POETS. No. 2.—Petition of Louisa Murphy, of Auckland. Praying for a compassionate allowance in lieu of a pension under the Miner's Phthisis Act. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government"for favourable consideration, with a suggestion that a compassionate allowance equal to the widows', miner's-phthisis pension should be paid to her. 20th August, 1923.

. i No. 33, Petition of J. Kennedy and 27 Others, No. 65, Petition of G. N. McGruer and 60 Others, and No. 82, Petition of Louis B. Smith and 54 Others, of Auckland; also No. 136, Petition of F. E. Graham and 20 Others, of Christchurch. Praying for amending gold-mining legislation, and also that the additional price realized by the sale of gold during the war be refunded to them. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petitions should be referred to the Government for investigation. 20th August, 1923.