GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). MR. SEDDON, CHAIRMAN.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1887 Session II, I-04

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Sess. 11.—1887. NEW ZEALAND.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). MR. SEDDON, CHAIRMAN.

Presented to the Rouse of Representatives, Sess. 11., 1887, and ordered to be printed.

Eepoet on the Gold Duty Eeduction Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have considered the same, and recommend that it be passed, with the amendments shown in the annexed copy of the Bill. 15th November, 1887.

Nos. 25, 26, 45, 46, Sess. lE—Petitions of William Tillman and Others, John Wesnee and Others, D. McGeegoe and Others, and W. McMastees and Others. The petitioners pray for a reduction of the gold duty. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, the export duty of 2s. per ounce upon gold is excessive, and its bearing upon the gold-mining industry detrimental, especially when it must be borne in mind that the average earnings of those employed in mining only averages some £80 per man per annum. This Committee therefore recommends—(l.) That relief be given the petitioners by a reduction being made in the export duty upon gold. (2.) That the Government be respectfully requested to take up the Bill now before the House dealing with this subject; or, if not expedient for it so to do, that it will give special facilities for the Bill being dealt with. The Committee, moreover, are of opinion that, inasmuch as the miners' rights fees in the North Island generally go to the Native owners of the land on which the mining is carried on, it is inexpedient to permit the reduction to apply in the North Island, unless by and with the consent of the local bodies financially interested. 30th November, 1887.

Eepoet on the Mining Act Amendment Bill (No. 2). The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have considered the same, and recommend that it be passed, with the amendments shown in the annexed copy of the Bill. 14th December, 1887. ___

No. 275, Sess. ll.—Petition of John Hutton and 105 Others. The petitioners pray for assistance in obtaining a water-supply on the Maraewhenua Goldfields. r -~, I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the favourable consideration of the Government. Also that the Government make inquiries as to the advisability of declaring the Maraewhenua Eiver a river into which tailings and mining debris may be deposited. mai 17th December, 1887.

No. 57, Sess. ll.—Petition of Samuel Alexandee. The petitioner claims a reward for being one of the first to draw attention to quartz-mining on the Thames Goldfield, and introducing quartz-crushing machinery thereon. I am directed to report that, this petition having been, several years ago, twice dealt with by the Provincial Government of Auckland, your Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th December, 1887.

No. 115, Sess. ll.—Petition of Eobebt Alexandee and 60 Others. The petitioners pray for assistance towards cutting tracks through the dense bush in order to develop the Wakamarina Goldfield. I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th December, 1887.

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Nos. 291 and 442, Sess. ll.—Petitions of Thomas Bennetts Hicks and 186 Others, and James McGowan and 7 Others. The petitioners pray for amendments in the Mining Act. I am directed to report that these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th December, 1887.

No. 212, Sess. ll.—Petition of James Wilkie and 119 Others. The petitioners pray that a Warden's and Eesident Magistrate's Court may be held at Owen'sEeef. I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th December, 1887.

No. 70, Sess. ll.—Petition of Inia Tuhueu and 5 Others, of Arahura. The petitioners pray that gold-miners may not be permitted to make use of the Arahura Eiver for deposit of tailings. I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th December, 1887.

Nos. 404 and 481, Sess. ll.—Petitions of Chables A. Poet and 50 Others, and Joseph Buttee and 67 Others. The petitioners pray for a reduction of the gold duty. I am directed to report that, the subject-matter of this petition being now before Parliament, your Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th December, 1887. .

No. 4, Sess. II. —Petition of Simon Feasee. The petitioner claims payment of £1,470, due to him by the Provincial Government of Otago since 1864, for the discovery of the West Taieri Goldfield. I am directed to report that, this petition being a money claim against the Provincial Government of Otago, your Committee is of opinion that it should be dealt with by the Public Petitions Committee. 17th December, 1887.

No. 440, Sess. ll.—Petition of C. Small and 44 Others. The petitioners pray that the gold duty be not reduced. I am directed to report that, the subject-matter of this petition being now before Parliament, your Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th December, 1887. --

No. 356, Sess. lE—Petition of N. P. Hjoeeing and 384 Others. The petitioners pray that the water-supply works to the Naseby Goldfields may be completed. I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 20th December, 1887.

No. 503, Sess. lE—Petition of G. S. Clack and 247 Others. The petitioners pray for amendments in the Mining Act. I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 20th December, 1887.

Inteeim Eepoet on the Oedee of Eefeeence, dated 23rd November, 1887, "That the Goldfields and Mines Committee be authorised to inquire into and report on the working of the schools of mines now established in various parts of the colony; also to report generally on the best means whereby the gold- and silver-mining industry of the colony may be fostered and encouraged." Youe Committee have the honour to report that they have taken evidence on the several matters above referred to. That, in consequence of the evidence not being completed, and the shortness of the time at the disposal of the Committee to consider such an important question, they are not in a position to make a full report this session, but recommend that a similar order of reference be asked for next session, when the matter can be more fully dealt with and further evidence procured, and an exhaustive and complete report can be made. That, pending such report, the Committee consider it inimical to the mining industry for the Government to seriously interfere with the present arrangements relative to the schools of mines now established. That during the recess the Committee recommend the Government to obtain from America and elsewhere full information as to the best and most effective methods of dealing with the refractory ores. (For evidence, &c, vide 1.-4 a.) 20th December, 1887. [Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,275 copies), £1 4s.]

Authority: Geobge Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB7.

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