I.—4a

REPORT.

On the Petition of W. S. Meldeum and Others (the Huntly Syndicate). The petitioners represent that the Commissioner of Crown Lands and the Land Board of the Auckland District have refused to grant to them the full area to which they believe they are justly entitled under the Coal-mines Act as the original prospectors for coal, and they pray that your honourable House may take such steps as may be necessary to insure that the land they claim for mining purposes shall be granted to them. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having given careful consideration to the various matters embodied in the petition of W. S. Meldrum and Others, have the honour to report that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the favourable consideration of the Government with a view to some compensation being granted. Jambs Colvin, Chairman. Parliament Buildings, Wellington, 6th October, 1904.