7

1.—4

(17.) Excepting the Ross Day Dawn and No Town No. 2, the companies are practically in liquidation, and practically no calls will be required. (18.) Besides this, Cook and Gray had the use of moneys obtained from charges to these companies, for Mr. Cook did not always pay his application-money when due, and he did not pay his allotment-money till about nine months after it was due, and in the meantime Cook and Gray drew large fees from the companies, as follows ; — Before paying allotment or calls, £ £ s. d. Mr. Cook, Ross Day Dawn, paid in 70, and Cook and Gray drew out 247 10 0 Wicklow, „ 50 „ „ 239 15 0 Lees Ferry, „ 50 „ „ 239 15 0 Ngahere, „ 50 „ „ 216 18 9 No Town No. 2, „ 50 „ „ 232 0 0 Tucker Flat, „ 65 „ „ 227 5 0 Golden Grey, „ 50 „ „ 220 15 0 Total „ £385 „ „ £1,623 18 9 (19.) Messrs. Cook and Gray had to pay for the services of the secretary and certain sums for other brokers, which are not included in the above table. (20.) Mr. Cook did not stand to lose much if these companies failed, but he had the chance of winning much if they were a success; and in the latter case he was by the flotations to receive fully paid-up shares worth £6,390, while he would be responsible for contributing shares worth £7,500. (21.) The Committee recommend that the law be altered on the lines above indicated, and that the law be so amended that all mining companies should be registered under the Mining Companies Acts. (22.) The question of titles having been extensively dealt with in the evidence, the Committee find that in the case of companies in which the vendors' shares have been allotted the titles are held by the company, but in the other companies the titles are held by the vendors, though the company's money has been spent on them. [For evidence, &c, vide 1.-4 a.]

Mining 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 in a copy of the Bill attached hereto. 24th October, 1901.

Nos. 648 and 647. — Petitions of A. J. S. Headland and Others, of Oamaru; and John Paterson and Others, of Dunedin. Petitioners pray that the Mining Act may be amended, with a view to the prevention of gross abuses in the flotation and management of mining companies. The Goldflelds and Mines Committee have the honour to report, on these petitions, that, having gone exhaustively into the subject to which they refer in connection with the petition of Herbert E. Easton, they have no recommendation to make. 30th October, 1901.

No. 303.—Petition of James Beattie, of Gore. Petitioner complains of having been inequitably deprived of the use of certain streams flowing through his land held under Crown grant, and of having thereby been subjected to a loss which he estimates at £305. The Goldflelds and Mines Committee have the honour to report that, in their judgment, it was unfortunate no provision was made in the law under which appeal could be made from the decision of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and this year they have already reported to your honourable House to that effect. There can be no doubt that the petitioner has suffered hardship and loss, for which he should be compensated, and to that end the Committee recommend that his petition be referred to the Government. 4th November, 1901.

No. 1203.—Petition of Alexander Mackay, of Paeroa. (No. 2.) Petitioner seeks to obtain a reward for the discovery, which he alleges was made by him, of goldfields at Ohinemuri, Karangahake, and other places. The Goldflelds and Mines Committee have the honour to report, on the petition of Alexander Mackay, that they have no recommendation to make. 4th November, 1901.

No. 1241.—Petition of Richard Hamilton and Others, of Woodstock and Rimu. Petitioners pray that the Mining Act may be amended in regard to that provision which legalises the holding of 5 acres by one man, and the old law granting 1 acre be reverted to. The Goldflelds and Mines Committee have the honour to report, on the petition of Richard Hamilton and others, that they have no recommendation to make. 4th November, 1901.