1928. NEW ZEALAND.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. A. M. SAMUEL, Chairman.)

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

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 18th Day of July, 1928. Ordered, " That a Select- Committee be appointed, consisting of ten 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. Bitchener, Mr. Harris, Mr. H. E. Holland, Mr. Horn, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Parry, Mr. Samuel, Mr. Seddon, Mr. Waite, and the mover."—(Right Hon. Mr. Coates.) Tuesday, the 31st Day of July, 1928. Ordered, " That all petitions dealt with during the session of 1927 be again referred to the same Committees to which they were referred during the said session." —(Bight Hon. Mr. Coates.)

REPORTS. No. 31.—Petition of Hannah Wilson and 15 Others. Praying that the Kaitangata Relief Fund be made available for the widows and children of the miners who lost their lives in the Kaitangata disaster on the 21st February, 1879. 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 strong recommendation that the law be amended to empower the Hon. the Minister of Mines to grant assistance to necessitous dependants of the miners who lost their lives in the Kaitangata disaster. 24th August. 1928.

No. 164.—Petition of Sarah Ann McDonald, of Thames. Praying that she be granted a compassionate allowance equal to the Miners' widow's pension. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration. 24th August, 1928.

No. 274. —Petition of J. Burton, of Blackball. Praying that he be granted a coal-prospecting license over a certain area, which license has been recommended by the Warden to the Minister of Mines for the necessary approval. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 4th October, 1928.