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1893. NEW ZEALAND.

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

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 28th Day of June, 1893. Ordered, " That a Goldfields and Mines Committee, consisting of thirteen members be appointed, to which shall be referred all matters relating to mining, and all Bills relating to mines ; three to be a quorum. The Committee to consist of Mr. Allen, Mr. Carncross, Mr. Duncan, Hon. Mr. Fergus, Colonel Fraser, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. M. J. S. Mackenzie, Mr. C. H. Mills, Mr. O'Conor, Hon. Sir R. Stout, Mr. Valentine, and the Mover."—(Hon. Mr. Seddon.)

Tuesday 15th Day of August, 1893. Ordered, " That tlis name of Mr. McGowan be added to the Goldfields and Minos Committee." —(Hon. Mr. Seddon.)

No. Sβ.—Petition of the Jutland Flat Gold-mining Company (Limited). Petitioners are holders of a special claim situated on the Waipori Eiver, in the Tuapeka East District, Otago, comprising 240 acres or thereabouts. They have purchased an extensive plant of dredging machinery for working the river for gold. "The Mining Act, 1886," Regulation 242, requires that a company owning £3,000 worth of machinery should employ eighteen men. The petitioners' plant cost over £5,000, and not more than eight or ten men working day and night can be profitably employed. They therefore pray that the Act, or the regulations framed thereunder, may be so amended as to meet the special circumstances of their case. I am directed to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee is of opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, as the ground will not permit of a larger number of men being employed than are now engaged, and if the present company is compelled to abandon the claim it is most likely to remain unworked. 12th July, 1893.

No. 86.—Petition of Patrick Hunt. Petitioner claims to be the discoverer of the Inangahua Goldfield and prays that he may be granted a reward therefor. I am directed to report that the petitioner, no doubt, did much in prospecting the mines in the Beefton District and in opening up the field. He is now in straitened circumstances, and the Committee think that some gratuity might be granted him in recognition of his services. The Committee therefore recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 27th July, 1893.

No. 145. —Petition of Millo Schenkel. Petitioner prays for assistance to enable him to prospect the Heaphy Eiver for gold and other minerals. I am directed to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 19th July, 1893.

No. 134. —Petition of Simon Fbasek. Petitioner claims to be the discoverer of the Hindon Goldfield, Otago, and prays that he may be granted a reward therefor. I am directed to report that the petitioner, if not the first discoverer of the Hindon goldfield, was no doubt the main developer of the field, and the Committee think that a small quantity of land might be given to him to keep him in his declining years. The Committee therefore refers the petition to the Government for favourable consideration. 27th July, 1893.

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