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No. 108.—Petition of Geobge Mansfield and 4 Others. The petitioners are miners, and state that on the 18th December, 1889, they suffered imprisonment for twenty-two hours underground in a mine, which was flooded in consequence of an accident, attributable to negligence on the part of the Government officer in charge of the Kumara Sludgechannel. They pray for compensation. lam directed to report as follows: (1.) The Committee has taken considerable evidence, both general and technical, upon the allegations set forth in the said petition, and has carefully perused and considered the deeds, documents, agreements, reports, papers, writings, &c, appertaining to and connected with the several matters mentioned in the said petition, and the maintenance of the Kumara Sludge-channel and its No. 3 deviation construction. (2.) The Committee finds that on the 18th December, 1889, a public work, vested in Her Majesty the Queen, and known as the Kumara Sludge-channel, collapsed or caved in, and the waters of the said channel were dammed up and diverted, and inundated and flooded the drive in which the petitioners were at work, and cut off all means for their escape; and that the petitioners were partially submerged in water and were entombed in the said drive for twenty-two hours, and endured great sufferings, both mental and bodily. (3.) The Committee finds that, in addition to the bodily injuries suffered, the petitioners were prevented from proceeding with their work, and that the works upon which they were engaged were injured and made more costly to construct and finish, and that the petitioners lost certain tools and appliances used in and upon the said works. (4.) The Committee recommends that the sum of £100 be paid to each of the said petitioners in full satisfaction and compensation for the bodily injuries sustained. 22nd August, 1890.

The Coal-mines Act Amendment Bill. Youe Committee, to whom was referred the Coal-mines Act Amendment Bill, has the honour to report that they have considered the various provisions of the Bill, and that, subject to the alterations and amendments shown upon a copy of the Bill attached hereto, they are of opinion that the Bill should be allowed to proceed. 26th August, 1890.

No. 188.—Petition of Eobebt Kelly and 8 Others. The petitioners pray that the surface of their mining-claim may not be granted under the Homestead Section Act, or otherwise alienated. Your Committee, to whom was referred this petition, has the honour to report that, in the event of the petitioners being unable to make arrangements with the owner to mine on the land, the Government should resume those portions which are considered auriferous. 26th August, 1890. _

No. 237. —Petition of P. Stubt Beown, Chairman of the Whaugarei County Council. The petitioner prays for aid towards making road to Puhipuhi silverfields. Your Committee, to whom was referred this petition, have the honour to report that, takiu" into consideration the special circumstances of the case, they recommend the Government to make a special grant of. £500 for the road mentioned in the petition. 26th August, 1890.

No. 165. —Petition of James and Emily Bennett. The petitioners pray for compensation for delay by Government in issuing title. Your Committee, to whom was referred this petition, has the honour to report that, owing to the action of the Government in delaying for several years to issue the title to their land, petitioners were put to serious inconvenience and loss. The Committee recommends that the Warden should be asked to estimate the amount of recompense they are. entitled to. ■ 26th August, 1890.

No. 160.—Petition of James Campbell. The petitioner prays for compensation for delay by Government in issuing title to land. Your Committee, to whom was referred this petition, has the honour to report that, owing to the action of the Government in delaying for several years to issue the title to his land, the petitioner was put to serious inconvenience and loss. The Committee recommends that the Warden should be asked to estimate the amount of recompense he is entitled to. 26th August, 1890.

Gold Duty Abolition. Youe Committee has the honour to report that the Government be recommended to proceed this session with the Gold Duty Abolition Bill, together with any clauses of the Mining Bill that may be deemed to specially affect that measure. 27th August, 1890.

The Mining Act 1886 Amendment Bill. Youe Committee, to whom was referred the Mining Act 1886 Amendment Bill, has the honour toreport that they have considered the various provisions of the Bill, and that, subject to the alterations and amendments shown upon a copy of the Bill attached hereto, they are of opinion that the Bill should be allowed to proceed. ~!'■ 27th August, 1890.