1.—4

2

No. 121. —Petition of James Hosie. Petitioner seeks a reward for the discovery of gold, alleged to have been made by him at Karangahake and Puru. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that they have no recommendation to make. 27th July, 1899.

No. 60. —Petition of Simon Fraser. Petitioner prays that a reward may be granted for the discovery by him of the Taieri Goldfields in 1863. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that they have no recommendation to make. 27th July, 1899.

Miners' Bights Pee Beduction Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the Miners' Bights Fee Beduction Bill, have the honour to report that having carefully considered the same they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments shown on a copy of the Bill attached hereto. The Committee further express the opinion that, in order to render the reduction of the fee for miners' rights equitable to the North Island, the Government should use every endeavour to acquire all the Native land on the goldfields. Ist August, 1899.

No. 81. —Petition of Boderick Mcßae. Petitioner paid £250 and became liable for £750 to satisfy claims for compensation in order to facilitate the proclamation of the Wangapeka Biver as a watercourse, into which tailings and mining debris might be deposited, such payments and such proclamation being for the public benefit. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having taken evidence and carefully weighed the facts set forth in the petition of Boderick Mcßae, are of opinion that he is equitably entitled to be reimbursed £500. They therefore recommend that petitioner be paid such sum in satisfaction of his ■claim. Ist August, 1899.

No. 230.—Petition of John Ewing, of St. Bathan's, a Mine-owner. Petitioner represents that he applied for a license to extend his water-race a distance of about six miles, partly through private land ; that his application was granted subject to the payment of compensation to the proprietors of the said private land. The Compensation Court, consisting of the Warden and two assessors, by majority, fixed the amount of compensation to be so paid, but when steps were taken to act upon such assessment it was found that the decision could not legally be given effect to, because it was necessary that the Compensation Court should have been unanimous—a condition, under the circumstances, almost impossible of achievement. Petitioner therefore finds himself debarred from the prosecution of his mining enterprise, and prays for relief. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having given consideration to the circumstances set forth in the petition of John Ewing, are of opinion that the law requires amendment. The Committee therefore recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government, for the initiation of such legislation as will meet the case of the petitioner, and obviate the occurrence of such cases in future. 15th August, 1899.

No. 278.—Petition of John Bead. Petitioner represents that through an erroneous decision given by Mr. Warden Kenny he was constrained to appeal to the Supreme Court, where judgment was given in his favour. He prays that the charges incurred, over and above the costs allowed by the Court, may be refunded to him. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that they have no recommendation to make. sth September, 1899.

No. 279. —Petition of Henry Walton Phillipps. Petitioner claims to be the introducer of the dredging system of gold-mining in New Zealand, and seeks a reward. Ths Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that they have no recommendation to make. sth September, 1899.