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The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having carefully considered the matters set forth in the petition of Dennis Healy, have the honour to report that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist October, 1903.

No. 701.—Petition of David Kerr and 12" Others, Farmers and Settlers in Gimmerburn District, Maniototo, Otago. Petitioners complain of a water-channel having been cut, whereby silt, tailings, and debris from some old mining workings are brought down upon their farms to their material injury. They represent that the proper course was for the said tailings to have been carried down the natural channel, which was the Gimmerburn Greek. They pray for relief. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of David Kerr and others that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government for consideration. Bth October, 1903.

No. 861.—Petition of Timothy Moeiakty. Petitionee prays that he may be granted the renewal of a lease which expired by effluxion of time, the land, it is alleged, being part of the Grey Coal Eeserve, and the refusal of the lease being based upon sundry, as the petitioner believes, insufficient reasons. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of Timothy Moriarty that they have no recommendation to make. 3rd November, 1903.

Nos. 813, 814, 815, 816, 835, 836, 837, 838, 839, 840, 841, 842, 845, 846, 847, 848, 849, and 850.—Petitions of J. E. Hunt and 65 Others, W. Mooee and 62 Others, B. Beomwich and 61 Others, A. Cassrels and 55 Others, W. Comeb and Another, W. J. Hall and 41 Others, F. J. Adamson and 24 Others, John Nicholls and 7 Others, J. Tbtley and 5 Others, T. Cummings and 33 Others, G. Ceibb and 36 Others, A. A. Bowlee and 49 Others, George Sargent and 63 Others, D. J. Martin and 10 Others, J. Corbett and 20 Others, John Elliot and 3 Others, J. Read and 52 Others, and J. Lamb and 53 Others. Petitionees pray that steps be taken to put a stop to the silting-up of the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers now taking place through the inflow of debris from mining claims at Ohinemuri, and from the tunnel and cuttings of the Paeroa and Waihi Railway. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the above petitions that they recommend that they be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd November, 1903.

No. 828. —Petition of Aethue dOyly Baypeild, Agent. Petitioner, on behalf of himself and other shareholders of the Westport Cardiff Coal-mining Company (liquidated), represents that in May, 1900, in order to satisfy a debt of £4,470, of which £2,363 was for royalty on coal and £2,107 for deficiency on the working-expenses of the WestportNgakawau Railway to Mokihinui, the Government seized the plant, material, and works of the company, valued at £24,309 ; that the £2,107 ought not to have been charged against the company ; that, for the reason that the debt was created through the default of another company, it ought properly to have been extinguished at the time of the passing of " The Westport-Ngakawau Railway Act, 1897." Petitioner further represents that the plants, material, and property seized were valued by the Mining Inspectors of the Government at £7,516, and that the whole of the property is now being worked by the "Government in connection with the operations in progr.ess at the State Coal-mine at Seddonville, and that through the company the colony has been saved the cost thereof. No consideration has been allowed to the shareholders of the liquidated company for the value of the plant and material in excess of the alleged debt. Petitioner therefore prays for inquiry, consideration, and relief. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Arthur dOyly Bayfeild that they recommend that it be referred to the Government for consideration. (Viae Appendix 1.-4e.) 6th November, 1903. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,2:30 copies, £'A 4s.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o3, Price 6d.] 2—l. 4.