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REPORTS.

No. 67. Petition of Dennis Healy, formerly of Granity Creek, Buller County, but now of Wellington. Petitioned represents that under section 230 of "The Mining Act, 1891," he held 12 acres of land in the Ngakawau Survey District under an occupation license; that he cleared, fenced, cultivated, and grassed the same; and that whilst the said license was still valid and in foree — notwithstanding his objections —the Warden granted the said land as a mining claim, no compensation for his improvements being allowed. Petitioner prays for inquiry and redress. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having given careful consideration to the various matters set forth in the petition of Denis Healy, have the honour to report that they recommend that the t-aid petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th July, 1904.

Mining Companies Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above-mentioned Bill, have the honour to report that, having carefully considered the bearing and probable operation of the provisions of the same, they now recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown on a copy of the Bill attached hereto. 30th August, 1904.

No. 94. —Petition of Simon Fbaseb, Miner, of Maungatapere, Whangarei, Auckland. Petitioner represents that he discovered gold at the Taieri in 1863, and, to the satisfaction of the Provincial Council of Otago, established his claim to be regarded as the first discoverer. Petitioner asserts that his claim to be the discoverer and to be entitled to the reward has never !een denied or disputed. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that petitioner first claimed a reward from Parliament for the discovery of gold in 1879, and every year since 1883 his petition has come before the House of Representatives. In the year 1879 the report was that the claim of Simon Fraser had been settled by the local Legislature of Otago long before the abolition of provincial government. In 1883 the report was that a small grant of land be given to petitioner, but nothing was done. Since the year 1883 the report has invariably been that of "No recommendation." Your Committee now repeat former reports: Upon the petition of Simon Fraser they have no recommendation to make. 9th September, 1904.

No. 346. —Petition of Alexander Mackay, Miner, of Paeroa, Ohinemuri County. Petitioner seeks to obtain a reward for the discovery of gold alleged to have been made by him at Waihi in the year 1866, at Karangahake in 1867, at Waitekauri in 1868, and for floating the original company on the Thames leading to the opening-up of the Ohinemuri district. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Alexander Mackay that the} 7 have no recommendation to make. 9th September, 1904.

No. 468. —Petition of James Hosie, Miner, Kuaotunu. Petitioner seeks to obtain a reward for the discovery of gold, alleged to have been made by him at Waihi, Karangahake, and at Puru. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of James Hosie that they have no recommendation to make. 9th September, 1904.

No. 98.—Petition of Robert Sohofield, Miner, of Brunnerton. Petitioner prays for a reward for the discovery of the Blackball Coalfield, which he alleges was made by him. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Robert Shofield that they have no recommendation to make. 30th September, 1904.

No. 633.—Petition of Timothy Moriartt, of Stillwater. Petitioner prays that he may be granted the renewal of a lease that expired by effluxion of time, the land, it is alleged, being part of the Grey Coal Reserve, and the refusal to grant a renewal being based upon, as the petitioner believes, sundry insufficient reasons. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of Timothy \foriartv that, in their opinion, the petitioner was entitled either to compensation from anyincoming tenant for the then existing buildings or other improvements of a permanent character or, in equity, he was entitled to a renewal of his lease ; that delay in issuing a renewed lease took place not through any fault of the tenant, which delay deprived him of any legal remedy he might have possessed to protect himself against any damage arising from dredging; that under the circumstances set forth the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration 30th September, 1904.