1.—4

"As the result of a conference at the Town Hall, Dunedin, on Tuesday, 16th November, 1926, between members of the House of Representatives and members of the Dunedin City Council with Mr. J. T. Johnson, the representatives of the City Council agreed to recommend Council to pay Mr. Johnson the sum of five hundred pounds (£500), hand him over the mining plant now on his claim, together with the pipes marked J. T. J. by him and now lying on Gare's working, on the condition that all mining operations by him in the Waipori watershed are to forthwith cease, and that the amalgamated claim now held by him on the Waipori Flat be surrendered ; also that the existing lease of rights and plant from the Council be surrendered. We agree also to pay £100 for the mountain camp, and a further £15 for the son's hut. The essential part of this offer from the point of view of the City Council is that all mining by Mr. Johnson, either directly or indirectly, is to be absolutely stopped for all time." It is to be regretted, however, that Mr. Johnson, after signing the above agreement, subsequently repudiated the amicable settlement arrived at. On the 24th November, 1926, he wrote to the Town Clerk that he would be lodging a further petition with the House of Representatives for a public inquiry into the whole of the, Waipori transaction, especially in so far as it affects himself and his concerns. As a result of the visit to the Waipori Goldfield the members of the parliamentary party are now in a very much better position to deal with any petitions that may be made by Mr. Johnson or other parties respecting mining privileges than would have been the case without the first-hand knowledge derived from such an inspection. Members of the parliamentary party desire to place on record their appreciation of the very valuable assistance rendered by Mr. A. H. Kimbell, Under-Secretary for Mines, and also to thank the Dunedin City Council and its zealous officials for the many courtesies extended during the said visit. Whereas the members of the parliamentary party aforesaid, after exhaustive inquiry iilto the subject-matter of the petition of John T. Johnson, were successful in bringing about an amicable settlement between the Dunedin City Corporation and the petitioner respecting certain mining privileges at Waipori, which Mr. Johnson subsequently repudiated, the Goldfields and Mines Committee has therefore no recommendation to make in regard to his petition. And whereas, as a result of the intervention of the said parliaments ry party, the matters in issue between Charles Alexander Macdonald and Archibald Allan Macdonald of the one part and the Dunedin City Corporation of the other part have been settled to the satisfaction of the said parties, the Goldfields and Mines Committee has therefore no recommendation to make in regard to the petition of C. A. Macdonald and another. 29th November, 1927.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that at a meeting of the Goldfields and Mines Committee held on Monday, the 28th November, 1927, the following resolution was unanimously agreed to, namely : The Goldfields and Mines Committee desires to place on record its cordial appreciation of the able manner in which Mr. George C. Black, Clerk of the Committee for the past four years, has during this session performed his duties ; and the Committee further desires that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Committee, and also that it be reported to the House. 29th November, 1927.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that at a meeting of the Goldfields and Mines Committee held on Monday, the 28th November, 1927, the following resolution was unanimously agreed to, namely : That the members of the Goldfields and Mines Committee desire to record their personal appreciation of the ability and urbanity displayed during the session by Mr. T. W. Rhodes, M.P., as Chairman, in the conduct of the business of the Committee, and in facilitating the harmonious progress of their deliberations ; and, further, that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Committee, and also that it be reported to the House. J. Horn, 29th November, 1927. Member of the Committee.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee, consisting of ten members, lias during the session held nine meetings, with an average attendance at each meeting of six members. The Dunedin City Corporation Empowering Amendment Bill, the Mining Amendment Bill, the Coal-mines Amendment Bill, and Parliamentary Paper No. 2, " Regulations under the Mining Act, 1926," were referred to the Committee, and the same were carefully considered and reported upon to the House. Nine petitions were also referred to the Committee, all of which were finally dealt with and reported upon to the House. 29th November, 1927. T. W. Rhodes, Chairman.

Approximate Cost of Paper Preparation, not given ; printing (475 copies), i' 4 128 .fid.

JBy Authority: W A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 927.

Price 3d.]

4