GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. SCOTT, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1917 Session I, I-04

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1917. NEW ZEALAND.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. SCOTT, Chairman.)

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

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from, the Journals of the House of Representatives. Friday, the 20th Day on- July, 1917. Ordered, " That a Goldfields and Mines Committee he appointed, consisting of thirteen members, to whom shall be referred all matters relating to mining and all Bills relating to mines ; with power to call for persons and papers; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Bollard, Mr. Colvin, Hon. Mr. Fraser, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Lee, Mr. Poland, Mr. Reed, Mr. T. W. Rhodes, Mr.. Scott, Mr. Soddon, Mr. Walker, Mr. Webb, and the mover." — (Hon. Mr. Mac Donald.)

REPORTS. No. 459, Petition of L. Hopkins and 16 Others; No. 460, Petition of J. S. Swan and 6 Others; No. 461, Petition of A. K. England and 7 Others; and No. 469, Petition of W. A. Fbanz and 40 Others. Prating for an increase in price paid to New Zealand producers of scheelite, or that the embargo on shipping be lifted to enable them to ship to Allied countries. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee these petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 19th October, 1917.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that at the meeting of the Goldfields and Mines Committee held on Thursday, the 25th October, the following resolution was unanimously agreed to : " That the Chairman (R. Scott, Esq.) be tendered the thanks of the Committee for the courteous, impartial, and prompt manner in which he conducted the business of the Committee during the session; and that this resolution be recorded in the minutes, and be reported to the House." 27th October, 1917.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee held seven meetings during the session, and has carefully considered several suggested amendments to the Mines Act and the Coal-mines Act, and has recommended to the Minister of Mines the advisability of bringing them into operation under the Amended Regulations of tho Mining Act, 1908. The Committee also dealt with four petitions, the report on which has already been presented to the House. 27th October, 1917.

Approximate ('ost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (660 copies), 17s. fid.

Authority : Marcus F. Masks, Government Printer, Wellington.- 1917.

Price 3d.~\