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again restored to the position of Crown laud, and therefore rendered subject to mining; that two applications for dredging claims have already been lodged, and petitioner has been put to great trouble and expense. He prays for relief. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report to your honourable House that they recommend that the petition of Andrew .Roger Harvey be referred to the Government for immediate and favourable consideration. 6th October, 1910. Mining Act Amendment Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that, having duly considered the provisions set forth, in the Mining Act Amendment Bill referred to them by your honourable House, they recommend that the said Bill be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown on a copy of the Bill hereto attached. 6th October, 1910.

• Half-holiday fob Miners in Gold and Coal Mines Hill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having taken evidence and bestowed careful consideration upon the provisions of the Half-holiday for Miners in Gold and Coal Mines Bill, referred to them by your honourable House, have the honour to report that they recommend that the said Bill be not allowed to proceed. 20th October, 1910.

No. 627.—Petition of John Patterson Mum, Miner, Ross. Petitioner represents that mining privileges in Westland held by him for more than thirty-six years were, in October, 1909, declared by Mr. Warden Acheson to be forfeited by reason of nonuser, lie being at the time suffering from serious illness. Being now in very poor circumstances, he prays for inquiry and relief. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of John Patterson Muir that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government for inquiry. 3rd November, 1910.

'The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report to your honourable House that at a meeting of the Committee held on Thursday, the 10th day of November last, the following resolution was unanimously agreed to, namely, — "That this Committee place upon record its high appreciation of the able and impartial manner in which the Chairman (Mr. H. Poland) has presided over its deliberations, and extends to him its hearty thanks for the courtesy and consideration with which he has conducted the business of the Committee." 22nd November, 1910.

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