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KEPORTS. No. 55.—Petition of ALEXANDER Mackay, of Paeroa, Ohincmuri County. Praying tor a reward for the discovery of gold in the Ohinemuri district. I am directed to report that the Committee lias no recommendation to make on this petition. 13th August, 1914.

No. 127. —Petition of Louis Woodcock, of Kuaotunu. Praying for a reward for the discovery of gold at Kuaotunu, within the llauraki Goldfields. 1 am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 13th August, 1914.

No. 125.—Petition of Margret Jury, of Thames, Auckland. Praying for compensation for the death of her husband from phthisis, which is not provided for by the Miners' Relief Fund. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 13th August, 1914.

No. 343.—Petition of James Kelly, of Nelson. Praying for compensation for the discovery of gold in Nelson and on the west coast of New Zealand. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for immediate and favourable consideration. 3rd September, 1914.

No. 327.—Petition of J. S. Fawcett and 15 Others, of Earascleugh, Otago. Praying that the powers conferred on His Excellency the Governor under section I 15 of the Mines Act, 1908, may be exercised by him. I am directed to report that, as a remedy is already provided by law, the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 3rd September, 1914.

No. 342.—Petition of Louis Gabriel and 107 Others, of Reefton. Praying for a reward for the discovery of gold on the west coast of New Zealand. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 3rd September, 1914.

No. 303.—Petition of John \V. Thorp, of Paeroa. Praying for compensation-for orchard destroyed by silt from mining batteries. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 3rd September, 1914.

No. 274, Petition of the Oninemuri Mines and Batteries Employees' Union; No. 275, Petition of the Mayor, Councillors, and Employees' <>k the Borough of Waihi ; No. 276, Petition of the Waihi Chamber ok Commerce; No. 315, Petition of Nisbet Mcßobie and 224 Others; No. 355, Petition of the Ohinemuri County Council. Praying that the mining laws be amended so as to encourage prospecting in the Waihi district. I have the honour to report that in the opinion of the Committee these petitions should be referred to the Government with a view of having the mining laws so amended this session as to make the conditions regarding rent and labour less stringent in exceptional cases. 10th September, 1914.

No. 56.—Petition of Andrew Harvey and 60 Others, of Gore. Praying that all dredges may be fitted with an apparatus, now in use on some, to return surface soil to the top of the tailings. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist October, 1914,