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1886. NEW ZEALAND.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (COLONEL FRASER, CHAIRMAN.)

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

The Coal-mines Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have considered the same, and recommend that it be passed with the amendments shown in the annexed copy of the Bill. 11th June, 1886. '

The Gold Bxpobt Duty Abolition Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have considered the same, and recommend that it be passed with the amendments shown in the annexed copy of the Bill. 15th June, 1886.

The Mining Companies Bile. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have considered the same, and recommend that it be passed with the amendments shown in the annexed copy of the Bill. 15th June, 1886. .

No. 6.—Petition of Simon Feaseb. The petitioner states that, after many explorations, during which he suffered many trials and privations, he was the first to discover the West Taieri Goldfield ; but that the reward promised to discoverers of new goldfields has not been paid to him. The petitioner prays for relief. I am directed to report that this petitioner's case has already been considered by the Committee in 1884, and the Committee are satisfied that he has no further claim on the State. 17th June, 1886.

No. 41. —Petition of Inia Tuhubu and Others. The petitioners pray that the House will consider their first discovery of gold at Kawatere Goldfields in 1859. I am directed to report that the Committee, having passed a resolution limiting the period for claiming rewards for discoveries of gold to twelve months from the date of such discoveries, cannot entertain the petition. 22nd June, 1886.

No. 56. —Petition of Samuel Aeexandeb. The petitioner states that, after much trouble and expense, he was the first to prove that the Thames was a quartz and not an alluvial goldfield. He prays for relief for losses sustained, and also by way of reward. I am directed to report that the Committee, having passed a resolution limiting the period for claiming rewards for discoveries of gold to twelve months from the date of such discoveries, cannot entertain the petition. 22nd June, 1886.

The Mining Bile. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have considered the same, and recommend that it be passed with the amendments shown in the annexed copy of the Bill. 14th July, 1886.