¥.—lSa, 10,

The Joint Committee on Waste Lands, to whom was remitted the Eeport of the Gold Eields Committee on the Petitions of certain Settlers in the Districts of Tuapeka, Blacks, and Lower Manuherikia, within the Province of Otago, have the honor to report that they have agreed to the following Besolution :— " That this Committee are of opinion that the only satisfactory remedy that can be devised for the evils complained of by the residents of the various Gold Eields in the Province of Otago, is the adoption of the principle of free selection in the disposal of waste lands."

MINUTES OP PEOCEEDINGS.

Tuesday, 30th August, 1870. The Committee met at 11 o'clock, a.m. Present : Legislative Council. House of Representatives. Hon. Dr. Buchanan, Mr. Bradshaw, Hon. Mr. Campbell, Mr. Bunny, Hon. Mr. Domett, Mr. Curtis, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Mr. Driver, Hon. Colonel Bussell, Mr. Mervyn, Hon. Mr. Seymour. Mr. Webster. Minutes 'of previous meeting read and confirmed. The Committee then proceeded to take into consideration the Report of the Gold Fields Committee on the Petitions of Settlers resident in the various Gold Eields of Otago. Moved by Mr. Bradshaw, That whereas public lands outside of the Gold Eields in the Province of Otago are sold by public auction at an upset price of 20s. and 10s. per acre without any restrictions and conditions as to occupation and improvement, this Committee recommend the prayer of the Petitioners to the favourable consideration of the General Assembly. The question being put, the Committee divided — Ayes, 2. Noes, 5. Mr. Bradshaw, Hon. Dr. Buchanan, Mr. Mervyn. Hon. Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. Seymour, Hon. Mr. Campbell, Mr. Driver. So it passed in the negative. Mr. Driver moved, That this Committee is of opinion that the only satisfactory remedy that can bo devised for the evils complained of by the residents of the various Gold Eields in the Province of Otago is the adoption of the principle of free selection in the disposal of waste lands. The question being put, the Committee divided— Ayes, 4. Noes, 3. Hon. Mr. Campbell, Hon. Dr. Buchanan, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Mr. Bradshaw, Hon. Mr. Seymour, Mr. Mervyn. Mr. Driver. It was therefore carried in the affirmative. Mr. Mervyn moved, That in the opinion of this Committee it is desirable to facilitate the settlement of the Gold Eields, by throwing open on a system of deferred payments the various agricultural blocks in the Gold Fields which may be set apart from time to time by the Provincial Government, and that the sum paid should be 3s. per annum, extending over a period of ten years. The question being put, the Committee divided— Ayes, 1. Noes, 4s. Mr. Mervyn. Hon. Dr. Buchanan, Hon. Mr. Campbell, Hon. Mr. Seymour, Mr. Driver. So it passed in the negative. Resolved, That a report embodying Mr. Driver's resolution be submitted to the House. The Committee then adjourned.

REPORT OF THE WASTE LANDS COMMITTEE ON THE PETITION OF SETTLERS ON THE GOLD FIELDS OF OTAGO.