3

1.—4

been relieved of further responsibility in the matter. The Committee are also of opinion that, considering the advantages derivable from the Exhibition, it is to be regretted that the local bodies, mine-owners, and residents in the several mining districts did not take greater interest in the proceedings of the Commissioners, and render thorn more effectual assistance. 7. That the restriction as to payment of Customs dues on auriferous exports was illiberal and had a most detrimental effect, and it is well, though somewhat late, that the restriction has boon removed. 8. The Committee, having communicated, through the Chairman, with local bodies and persons interested in mining in different parts of the colony, and having received from them valuable information and very liberal offers of assistance in procuring exhibits of all kinds required, are of opinion that the several offers made should at once be accepted. 9. Your Committee further recommend that the Government procure from each of tho Auckland, Thames, Otago, Nelson, Eecfton, and Westland Districts large quantities of auriferous and argentiferous ores, auriferous cement and sand, and other valuable minerals, and arrange for the cost of transit thereof from the mines to the Melbourne Exhibition : tho exhibits to be under the control of the contributors as to sale or reimportation. 10. That your Committee further recommend that the New Zealand Handbook, in which the colony's mineral resources and mines are elaborately described, should be completed without delay and circulated at the Exhibition, and that the Handbook of New Zealand Mines compiled by the late Minister of Mines, tho Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, together with other handbooks which may be compiled in reference to tho mines and mineral resources of particular localities, be also circulated at the Exhibition. 11. That maps showing the areas which are held under lease or license in the several mining districts, and which are now obtainable, be procured and forwarded to the Exhibition, together with photographs, &c, of mines, water-races, hydraulic and dredging apparatus. 12. That your Committee recommend the Government to send to Melbourne, on behalf of tho colony, an expert or experts in practical mining, possessing a knowledge of mining machinery and appliances, and the treatment, scientific and practical, of refractory auriferous and argentiferous ores, such expert or experts to note carefully and report on the mining machinery and appliances, and the several improved processes used in extracting the precious metals from the said ores. 18. That your Committee recommend that arrangement be made with exhibitors, where possible, that the mineral exhibits which remain over from the Melbourne Exhibition at the close thereof be forwarded, at the expense of the colony, to the Paris Exhibition. 14. Your Committee, in order to give effect to the opinions in this report expressed, recommend the Government to provide the sum of £500 to defray the cost of procuring and forwarding additional exhibits to the Melbourne Exhibition, and a further sum of £500 to defray the cost of procuring and forwarding mineral exhibits to tho Exhibition to be held at Paris next year. 15. That this report be referred to the Government for their favourable consideration. (For evidence, vide 1.-4 a.) 17th August, 1888.

Interim Eeport No. 3 on Okder of Eefeeence of the sth June, relating to the Mining Industry of the Colony. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the consideration generally of the best means whereby the gold- and silver-mining industry of the colony may be fostered and encouraged, have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the attached copy of a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Goldfields and Mines Committee should be forwarded for the favourable consideration of the Government: "Auckland, 18th August, 1888.—Seymour Thorne George, Commission and Mining Agent, Auckland, to E. Seddon, Esq., M.H.E., Chairman Goldfields Committee.—Dear Sir, —The following letter of mine appeared in this morning's Herald : ' The Melbourne Exhibition : a Suggestion.—To the Editor.—Sir, —As it has been determined to send parcels of our ores from the different mining districts to the Melbourne Exhibition, might I suggest, as a good method of drawing attention to our exhibits and mineral wealth, some of our ores being of a complex character, that an assayer be engaged to be constantly employed in makingassays in public in the Exhibition of the various parcels of ore on exhibition, and thus be able to explain and practically demonstrate to the visitors the character and value of the different classes. —I am, &c, S. Thorne George.' If you approve of the suggestion would you kindly bring the subject before your Committee, with a view of getting the Government to adopt it. It seems to me useless to exhibit a class of complex ores, which, to the ordinary visitor, would simply be a heap of stone, without adopting some means of attracting attention. And I think it would be a novelty to the general public to see the small button of bullion produced from stone, and to the investor a means of ascertaining the value of the various ores. The Government have a number of competent assayers in their employment; the cost, therefore, of sending one over with the necessary apparatus would be small, if my suggestion is adopted. I think the assayer should be constantly making assays from the various heaps as he might be requested by visitors, and, of course, free.—Yours faithfully, S. Thorne George." 24th August, 1888.

Interim Eepoet No. 4 on Order of Eeference of the sth June, relating to the Mining Industry of the Colony. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the consideration generally of the best means whereby the gold- and silver-mining industry of the colony may be fostered and encouraged, have the honour to report that, the Government having delayed procuring the necessary information of the processes in vogue in Europe and America for dealing with refractory ores, smelting, &c,