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No. 67. —Petition of Boyd Bennie. Praying for a compassionate allowance in respect of injuries sustained while in the employ of the Mines Department as Inspector of Mines. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a suggestion that a gratuity of £52 per annum be paid the petitioner. 28th August, 1924. —

No. 65a, Petition of G. Thomson and 632 Others; and No. 81, Petition of C. D. McConnell and 18 Others. Praying for consideration re the proposed bonus for the production by the New Zealand Coal and Oil Company (Limited) of shale-oil, and that every facility be granted the said company in the matter of railway freights. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee these petitions (two) should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a suggestion that, in lieu of limiting the payment of the subsidy (at the rate of 3d. per gallon) to £2,000 in any one year, a subsidy not exceeding £3,000 be paid for the first three years ; provided, however, that the total bonus over the period of eight years shall not exceed the sum of £12,500. 18th September, 1924.

No. 348. —Petition of Elizabeth Bertha Cameron. Praying, as the widow of a miner's phthisis pensioner, for a compassionate allowance, the equivalent of a widow's miner's phthisis pension, and subject to the same conditions, which, because of a technicality, she is debarred from enjoying under the Miner's Phthisis Act, 1915. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th October, 1924.

No. 375. —Petition of Frederick Hamer and 4 Others. Praying for remuneration in respect of services rendered by repairing the water-race of the Muddy Terrace Sluicing Company (Limited) on behalf of the Mines Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 28th October, 1924.

No. 376.—Petition of New Brighton Coal Company (Limited). Praying that the Government take the necessary steps to have the Ohai Railway Board's Moretown Branch line kept open for the transport of coal. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. The Committee recommends that the Minister of Mines visit the locality, and confer with the parties interested with a view to bringing about an amicable and satisfactory settlement. 3rd November, 1924.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee desires to place on record its sincere appreciation of the ability and urbanity with which the Chairman, Mr. T. W. Rhodes, M.P., has presided over the business of the Committee and so made for the harmonious progress of their deliberations during the session ; and it further desires that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Committee and be reported to the House. J. McC. Dickson, 4th November, 1924. Member of the Committee.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee desires to place on record its cordial appreciation of the efficient, diligent, and courteous manner in which the Clerk of the Committee, Mr. G. C. C. Black, has during the session carried out his duties. 4th November, 1924.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee, consisting of fifteen members, has during the session held ten meetings, with an average attendance at each meeting of ten members. Three Bills were referred to the Committee, all of which were reported upon to the House. Eight petitions were referred to the Committee, seven of which were reported upon to the House. 4th November, 1924.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (475 copies), £2 15b

By Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—lo24.

Price. 3d.]

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