2

1.—4

No. 174. —Petition of Henry Walton Phillips, of Westport. Petitionee, seeks to obtain a reward for that he, in conjunction with Benjamin Knights, now deceased, was the first to commence gold-mining with dredges, which he alleges he did at the Molyneux River, Otago, in 1864. The Goldflelds and Mines Committee have the honour to report, on the petition of Henry Walton Phillips, that they have no recommendation to make. Ist August, 1901.

No. 304.—Petition of John Falconeb and Others, of Gore. Petitioneks complain that, under the provisions of " The Mining Act, 1898," they are liable, without any right of appeal, to be deprived of the use of water flowing through their freehold properties, the said water being necessary for their stock. They seek redress. The Goldflelds and Mines Committee, having duly considered the statements set forth in the petition of John Falconer and others, have the honour to report that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government, with an expression of opinion that, in view of the decision of His Honour Mr. Justice Williams that there is no appeal from the judgment of the Commissioner of Crown Lands with respect to mining privileges, the law should, be altered to permit of such appeals being made. Ist August, 1901.

Privilege : Publication or Evidence. The Goldflelds and Mines Committee have the honour to report that they have come to the following resolution : — " Resolved, That the Chairman be directed to call the attention of the House to the publication, on Friday, the 23rd day of August, 1901, in the Dunedin Star, of evidence given before this Committee, this Committee not yet having reported on such evidence." 26th August, 1901.

No. 173. —Petition of William Davidson and Others. Petitioners pray that the rents of small residence areas held on lease be reduced to 6d. per acre ; that the compulsory residence clauses be struck out of the leases; that settlers be allowed to sublet their holdings, and that they may be permitted to borrow under the Advances to Settlers Act. The Goldflelds and Mines Committee, having duly considered the prayer of the petition of William Davidson and others, have the honour to report that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government. — October, 1901.

No. 579. —Petition of James Brown, of Garibaldi, Maniototo County. Petitioner prays for the proclamation of a reserve for mining purposes along the banks of the Gimmerburn and Wedderburn Creeks to the junction of the Taieri River. The Goldflelds and Mines Committee have the honour to report, on the petition of James Brown, that they have no recommendation to make. 11th October, 1901.

No. 1173. —Petition of A. Tapper and 2 Others, of Dunedin, on behalf of the Blackwater River Gold-dredging Company. Petitioners pray that the Blackwater River may be declared a sludge-channel under the Mining Act. The Goldflelds and Mines Committee have the honour to report, on the petition of A. Tapper and others, that, in view of the fact that the Government have already taken action in the matter, they have no recommendation to make. 11th October, 1901.

No. 785. —Petition of George Clarkson, of Ponsonby. Petitioner seeks to obtain a reward for the discovery of the Thames Goldflelds, alleged to have been made by him. The Goldflelds and Mines Committee have the honour to report, on this petition, that they have no recommendation to make. 11th October, 1901.

Coal-mines Act Amendment Bill. The Goldflelds and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above-mentioned Bill, have the honour to report that, having duly considered the same, they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown on a copy of the Bill hereto attached. 22nd October, 1901.

No. 862.—Petition of Richard Larkin and 4 Others, of Nelson's Creek, Grey. Petitioners complain that, in consequence of miners using water from the Nelson Creek Waterrace, the property of the Government, their water-race—running from Fireman's Gully to Lower Try-again Terrace, in the County of Grey —has been, and is now being, continually filled up with sludge-tailings and debris. They estimate the damage their property has sustained at £500, and seek relief.