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No. 9.—Petition of Simon Fbaser, of Whangarei, Auckland. Petitioner states that lie discovered a payable goldfield in Otago. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 26th August, 1892.

Nos. 724 (1891), 353, and 264.—Petitions of William Meikle, Mercury Bay, Auckland, and Alexandee Peebles, Kuaotunu, Thames. Petitionees pray for reward for discovery of gold at Kuaotunu. lam directed to report that the above petitions are referred to the Government; but would point out that, from Mr. Northcroft's (Warden) report on the above, it would seem that neither A. Peebles nor W. Meikle were the first discoverers of gold at Kuaotunu. 31st August, 1892. No. 66.—Petition of H. Kohn, Queen Street, Auckland, and 296 Others. Petitionees pray for :—(1) Eepeal of section 15 of "The Gold Duties Abolition Act, 1890;" (2) repeal of section relating to transfer of shares, " Stamp Act, 1882;" and (3) subsidy to be devoted to prospecting. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st August, 1892. No. 100.—Petition of John Milvena, Farmer, Maerewhenua, Otago. Petitionee prays for compensation for land washed away. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st August, 1892. No. 687 (1891).—Petition of Chaeles Aug-ustus Smith, Greymouth. Petitioner states he discovered a goldfield. He prays for a reward. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st August, 1892. No. 244.—Petition of Antonio Beown. Petitionee prays to be allowed to make a claim for compensation for loss sustained by the sluicing of tailings and mining debris in the Arahura Biver, as though it were within the prescribed time. I am directed to report that the matter be referred to the Government, with the view of adjustment by the Public Trustee. Ist September, 1892. No. 151.—Heney Geaham, Storekeeper, Arrow, Lake County, and 254 Others. Petitionees, residents of Lake County, pray for a sum of money to construct a road. I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Ist September, 1892. No. 34.—Petition of the Geet County Council. Petitionees pray for the refund of £599 Bs. I am directed to report that, as it appears the County of Westland was charged with the proportion of compensation claims payable by the County, and that such charges were subsequently remitted, and the amount which had been recovered was refunded to the County, this Committee recommends that the Grey County be treated in the same way, and that the Government be requested to make provision for the refund of the sum of £599 Bs. to the County. Ist September, 1892. No. 354.—Petition of Kawhena Eangitu. Petitionee prays for reward for the discovery of a goldfield, I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Ist September, 1892. Petition of Patbick Hunt, Eeefton. Petitioner prays for reward for discovery of a gold-mine. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Ist September, 1892. Petition of James Eolleston, Hikurangi, near Whangarei. Petitionee states that he has lost both time and money in prospecting for coal on Block XVI., Section 2, Hikurangi, and was refused a lease under "The Coal-mines Act, 1886," by the then Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland (January, 1891). Petitioner prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that Mr. James Eolleston be granted a lease under " The Coal-mines Act, 1891," for the prescribed area, and if he declines to accept such lease the Committee have no further recommendation to make. 7th September, 1892.

No. 66. —Petition of H. Kohn, Queen Street, Auckland, and 296 Others. Petitionees pray for : —(1) Bepeal of section 15 of "The Gold Duties Abolition Act, 1890;" (2) repeal of section relating to transfer of shares, " Stamp Act, 1882; " and (3) subsidy to be devoted to prospecting. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st August, 1892.

No. 100. —Petition of John Milvena, Farmer, Maerewhenua, Otago. Petitionee prays for compensation for land washed away. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st August, 1892.

No. 687 (1891). —Petition of Chaeles Augustus Smith, Greymouth. Petitionee states he discovered a goldfield. He prays for a reward. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st August, 1892.

No. 244. —Petition of Antonio Bbown. Petitionee prays to be allowed to make a claim for compensation for loss sustained by the sluicing of tailings and mining debris in the Arahura Biver, as though it were within the prescribed time. I am directed to report that the matter be referred to the Government, with the view of adjustment by the Public Trustee. Ist September, 1892.

No. 151. —Heney Geaham, Storekeeper, Arrow, Lake County, and 254 Others. Petitionees, residents of Lake County, pray for a sum of money to construct a road. I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Ist September, 1892.

No. 34.—Petition of the Grey County Council. Petitionees pray for the refund of £599 Bs. I am directed to report that, as it appears the County of Westland was charged with the proportion of compensation claims payable by the County, and that such charges were subsequently remitted, and the amount which had been recovered was refunded to the County, this Committee recommends that the Grey County be treated in the same way, and that the Government be requested to make provision for the refund of the sum of £599 Bs. to the County. Ist September, 1892.

No. 354.—Petition of Kawhena Bangitu. Petitionee prays for reward for the discovery of a goldfield, I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Ist September, 1892.

Petition of Patbick Hunt, Beefton. Petitionee prays for reward for discovery of a gold-mine. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Ist September, 1892.

Petition of James Eolleston, Hikurangi, near Whangarei. Petitionee states that he has lost both time and money in prospecting for coal on Block XVI., Section 2, Hikurangi, and was refused a lease under "The Coal-mines Act, 1886," by the then Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland (January, 1891). Petitioner prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that Mr. James Eolleston be granted a lease under " The Coal-mines Act, 1891," for the prescribed area, and if he declines to accept such lease the Committee have no further recommendation to make. 7th September, 1892.

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