GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). COLONEL FRASER, CHAIRMAN.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1893 Session I, I-04

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1893. NEW ZEALAND.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). COLONEL FRASER, CHAIRMAN.

Presented to the House of Bepresentatives, and ordered to be printed.

INDEX.

No. Petitions, &c. Page. No. Petitions, &c. Page. I. 169 A. Appleton, Arthur, and Another .. 3 260 Inder, Frank, &o. B. Bonar, Hon. J. A., and 61 Others.. Byrne, Thomas F., and Others J. 341 298 3 2, 3 283 36 Johnstone, Bobert Jutland Plat Gold-mining Company (Limited) 2 1 c. Carpenter, S. B., and Others K. Kumara Miners' Association 299 2, 3 544 D. L. 426 496 Donnelly, John Dunn, William, and Others 3 3 84 169 Law, David Lopas, George 2 s F. 261 M. Maniototo County Council Mining Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) Mitchell, James.. 8 S 2 134 Fraser, Simon .. 400 G. R. 32 260 567 Gibson, T. W. .. Guflie, William, and Others Guffie, William, and Others 2 2 4 446 Ross, Adam s. H. 145 260 Schenkel, Millo .. Sheppard, Robert, and Others 1 2 176 80 111 86 Hall, Thomas Hayes, M. and P., and Others Howe, H., and Others Hunt, Patrick .. 4 2 2 1 w. Walker, Roger, and Others 463 * Of 1891

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1893. NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to he printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 28th Day of June, 1893. Ordered, " That a Goldfields and Mines Committee, consisting of thirteen members be appointed, to which shall be referred all matters relating to mining, and all Bills relating to mines ; three to be a quorum. The Committee to consist of Mr. Allen, Mr. Carncross, Mr. Duncan, Hon. Mr. Fergus, Colonel Fraser, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. M. J. S. Mackenzie, Mr. C. H. Mills, Mr. O'Conor, Hon. Sir R. Stout, Mr. Valentine, and the Mover."—(Hon. Mr. Seddon.)

Tuesday 15th Day of August, 1893. Ordered, " That tlis name of Mr. McGowan be added to the Goldfields and Minos Committee." —(Hon. Mr. Seddon.)

No. Sβ.—Petition of the Jutland Flat Gold-mining Company (Limited). Petitioners are holders of a special claim situated on the Waipori Eiver, in the Tuapeka East District, Otago, comprising 240 acres or thereabouts. They have purchased an extensive plant of dredging machinery for working the river for gold. "The Mining Act, 1886," Regulation 242, requires that a company owning £3,000 worth of machinery should employ eighteen men. The petitioners' plant cost over £5,000, and not more than eight or ten men working day and night can be profitably employed. They therefore pray that the Act, or the regulations framed thereunder, may be so amended as to meet the special circumstances of their case. I am directed to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee is of opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, as the ground will not permit of a larger number of men being employed than are now engaged, and if the present company is compelled to abandon the claim it is most likely to remain unworked. 12th July, 1893.

No. 86.—Petition of Patrick Hunt. Petitioner claims to be the discoverer of the Inangahua Goldfield and prays that he may be granted a reward therefor. I am directed to report that the petitioner, no doubt, did much in prospecting the mines in the Beefton District and in opening up the field. He is now in straitened circumstances, and the Committee think that some gratuity might be granted him in recognition of his services. The Committee therefore recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 27th July, 1893.

No. 145. —Petition of Millo Schenkel. Petitioner prays for assistance to enable him to prospect the Heaphy Eiver for gold and other minerals. I am directed to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 19th July, 1893.

No. 134. —Petition of Simon Fbasek. Petitioner claims to be the discoverer of the Hindon Goldfield, Otago, and prays that he may be granted a reward therefor. I am directed to report that the petitioner, if not the first discoverer of the Hindon goldfield, was no doubt the main developer of the field, and the Committee think that a small quantity of land might be given to him to keep him in his declining years. The Committee therefore refers the petition to the Government for favourable consideration. 27th July, 1893.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). COLONEL ERASER, CHAIRMAN.

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No. 32.—Petition of T. W. Gibson. Petitioner prays for a reward for the alleged discovery of a goldfield in Otago in 1864. I am directed to report that the Committee- consider that the petitioner has no claim, as they are of opinion that his case is one of those in which rewards for the discovery of goldfields does not apply. 27th July, 1893.

No. 283. —Petition of Eobeet Johnstone, of Blackstone Hill, Otago. Petitioner prays that he may be allowed to repurchase a water-race, which he states was purchased by the Government very much under its real value owing to his (petitioner's) bankruptcy. I am directed to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee recommends the Government to restore the water-race to the petitioner, upon a refund being made of the purchasemoney. 10th August, 1893.

No. 111.—Petition of H. Howe and Others, of Livingstone, Otago. Petitioners pray for the refund of money, amounting to £77 7s. 6d., costs charged against petitioners in an action brought for fouling a stream by mining tailings and debris at Maerewhenua, Otago. I am directed to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee is of opinion that the petitioners have no claim in law against the colony ; but still, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, the Committee recommend some consideration should be shown to them. 10th August, 1893.

No. 84.—Petition of David Law, of Port Chalmers. Petitioner states that in the year 1881 he advanced £50 to one John Mackley upon the security of a mortgage upon land held by the latter at Duntroon, Otago ; that the land eventually became petitioner's property ; that the Eiver Maerewhenua flows close to the land ; that, tailings and debris from mines being ailowed to flow into this river, it overflows on to his land and injures him; that, having made a claim for compensation, he found that he was barred from obtaining such by not having applied within six months from the date of the Proclamation making the Maerewhenua a watercourse into which tailings might be discharged. He therefore prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee recommend that the Government do not take advantage of the neglect of the petitioner to file his claim for compensation in the time required by law, but they should allow his claim to be heard on its merits. 16th August, 1893.

No. 80.—Petition of M. and P. Hayes and Others. Petitioners pray for a reward for discovering the goldfields at Bound Hill and Longwood, Southland. I am directed to report that, after due consideration, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 23rd August, 1893.

No. 260. —Petition of William Guffie, Bobert Sheppaed, and Frank Indee, of Naseby, Otago. Petitioners state they that are holders of a mining lease under "The Mines Act, 1877," situated at Mount Buster, near Naseby. They pray that the Eeceiver of Gold Eevenue may receive from them a rent payable under a licensed holding, and that the sum of £54, being the amount in excess of what will be payable under licensed holding, may be refunded to them. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioners, having suffered by the error of a Government officer, are equitably entitled to relief, and that the question of the extent of such relief may be remitted to the consideration of the Government. 30th August, 1893.

No. 400.—Petition of James Mitchell, of Naseby, Otago. Petitioner purchased certain mining property, rights, quartz at grass, and plant at Nenthorn, near Naseby, from a company in liquidation. Six of the holdings were never transferred to petitioner, but he has been compelled to pay rent on the same ; he has never worked the holdings, and the supposed quartz turned out to be mullock, and that in consequence petitioner altogether estimates his loss at £500. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee have no recommendation to make ia reference to this petition. 30th August, 1893.

Nos. 298, 299. —Petitions of Thomas 3?. Bybne and Others, and the Kumara Minces' Association. Petitioners pray for a reduction in the price of water charged by the Government for the waterrace on Kumara Goldfield. I am directed to report that, after due consideration, the Committee is of opinion that, as the matter of fixing the price of water is a question of policy which should be decided by the Government, this Committee has no recommendation to make. sth September, 1893.

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No 169.—Petition of Geobge Lopas and Abthub Appleton. Petitionebs pray for redress for alleged injustice received at the hands of Warden Macfarlane at IOSS I am directed to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee is of opinion that the allegations contained in this petition should be referred to the Government for inquiry in regard to the administration of justice. 7th September, 1893.

No 341.—Petition of Hon. J. A. Bonab, M.L.C., and 61- Others. Petitionebs pray that a reward may be given to Daniel Galloway and James Cameron, for the dig. the Goldfields and Mines Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th September, 1893. .

No. 426.—Petition of John Donnelly. Petitioneb prays that he may be granted a reward for the discovery of gold at Donnelly's Creek, ° f °P™ that this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th September, 1893. ■

No. 446. —Petition of Adam Ross. Petitioneb prays that he may be granted a reward for the discovery of gold near Eoss, in 1871. I amdheS to report that, after due consideration, the Committee has no recommendation to make. • ■ 15th September, 1893. _

Eepobt on the Mining Act Amendment (No. 2) Bill. TVr Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to Sort that theyCβ duly considered ihe same, and they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments thereon which are shown upon a copy of the Bill attached hereto. 2nd September, 1893.

N o 496.—Petition of William Dunn and Others. Petitionebs pray that inquiry be made into the terms upon which the Grey Valley Coal-mines are XTi2t^ should not be ch arg ed, and recommends the same to the favourable consideration of the Government. 26th September, 1893.

No 261.—Petition of the Maniototo County Council. Petitions pray for relief,'in consideration of payment for resumption of certain sections of auriferous land Gommit tee finds the statement of the Mines Department to e fl£t tKthe County requested the resumption of portion of the freehold, is not borne out by t£ facts! anlecommS S the Government refund to the County the £100 claimed by them. 26th September, 1893.

Nos 298 299 -Petitions of Thomas E. Byenb and Others, and the Kumaea Minces' Association, Aos. AW, ajj. eferred feack tQ the Committee for reconsideration (Mr. Guinness). Petitions pray for a reduction in the price of water charged by the Government for the waterraC Tam dirSeTto Sport "that, after further consideration, and taking considerable evidence thereon is of opinion that, as the reduction of the price of water is a question of policy affecting no Ton ythe petitioners but other miners in the colony, the Committee recommends that the tetftions and evidence should be referred to the Government for consideration, and that the Government should Invite the miners to furnish the department with the returns from each of the cIS supplied Sth water, so that the question maybe equitably considered (2.) That, where free wX is lanted to miners/the names of those who obtain such should be exhibited in the Warden s Office, with the amount supplied, and the dates when so supplied. 27th September, 1893.

No. 544.—Petition of S. B. Caepenteb and Others. Petitioners pray that the Waipori Biver may come under the Mining Act, so as to secure them in tVip exercise of their mining business. . ~ . , I am directed to report that, as legislation is now in progress to give the petitioners the desired relief! this Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th September, 1893.

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No. 463.—Petition of Boger Walker and Others. Petitioners pray for relief in the matter of interest and sinking-fund on the Four-mile Waterrace Loan, Charleston, Buller. I am directed to report that, after due consideration, this Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th September, 1893.

No. 176 (1891).—Petition of Thomas Hall. Petitioner prays for a reward for the discovery of gold at Macetown and Skippers. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th September, 1893.

No. 567. —Petition of William Guffie and Others. Petitioners pray for a reduction in the price of water charged by the Government from the Waterrace at Naseby. I am directed to report that, as the reduction of the price of water is a question of policy, affecting not only the petitioners but other miners in the colony, this Committee is of opinion that, the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th September, 1893. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not giyen; printing (1,250 copies), £3 4s.

By Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB93. Price 6d.J