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REPORTS.

No. 880.—Petition of Jambs Kelly, of Nelson. Petitioner prays tlutt a reward may be granted to him as the first discoverer of a payable goldfield in the Reefton district. The Goldfields anil Mines Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the petition of James Kelly be referred to the immediate ami favourable consideration of the Government. 30th July, 1908.

No. 1(4. —Petition of George Low. Petitioner represents that lie has been put to an expense of £100, and has also lost much time in contesting at law his right to a mining claim at Waipori, and this through no fault of his own. He prays that an amount equal to his expenditure out of pocket may be granted to him. The Goldfields and .Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of George Low that thev have no recommendation to make. 3rd September, 1908.

No. 179.—Petition of R. B. Thomson. Petitioner represents that he prospected for copper, and found copper-ore on Section 1, Block 6, Kaeo Survey District; on making application at Whangarei for a mineral license he found himself opposed by a Mr. Donald McLeod, but, a decision being given in his favour, his application was granted; legal proceedings ensued, and again, on appeal, Mi-. Justice Edwards decided in his favour : notwithstanding this, petitioner found himself forced to come to terms with McLeod, and so arranged to pay him £100 and forego the Supreme Court expenditure amounting to over £100: then the Minister would not sign the lease unless £100 was lodged with the Public Trustee as a guarantee that £. r )00 was expended mi the property for the purpose of developing it. Petitioner prays that an allowance of £100 be paid to him in consideration of the amount paid to McLeod, and also the £120, the costs of the law proceedings in the Supreme Court. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of R. B. Thomson that they have no recommendation to make. 3rd September, 1908.

No. 31.—Petition of Timothy Moriarty. Petitioner seeks to obtain compensation for loss sustained by him through the alleged sale of his land by the Government to the Greymouth Harbour Board. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Timothy Moriarty that they have no recommendation to make. • ird September, 1908.

No. 221.—Petition of James Hosie. Petitioner seeks to obtain a reward for the discovery of gold which he alleges was made by him at Waihi, Karangahake, and Puru. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of James Hosie that thev have no recommendation to make. 3rd September, 1908.

Hours of Underground Workers Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the Hours of Underground Workers Bill, have the honour to report to your honourable House that, having duly considered the provisions of the said Bill, they recommend that it be not proceeded with. I."it11 September, 1908.'

'Coal-mines Amendment Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having bestowed careful consideration upon the provisions of the Coal-mines Amendment Bill, referred to them by your honourable House, have the honour to report that they recommend that the said Bill be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown on a copy of the Bill hereto attached. 15th September, 190S.