H.-No. 11.

12

REPORT OF GOLD FIELDS COMMITTEE

Tuesday, 31st October, 1871. The Committee met pursuant to summons. Present: Mr. Harrison, Mr. Macandrew, Captain Kenny, Mr. Mervyn, Mr. O'Neill, Mr. Tribe. Mr. Haughton in the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman brought up the following report of the Sub-Committee appointed 15th September, 1871, to consider and prepare draft regulations relative to the advance of loans for purposes of water supply upon the Gold Fields. " The Sub-Committee desire to report that they have prepared the annexed draft regulations, which they submit to the consideration of the Committee." The Committee proceeded to consider the proposed regulations, and, after discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Macandrew, That the regulations prepared by the Sub-Committee be adopted, and that the Chairman be requested forward them to the Minister for Public Works for the information of the Government. The question of the final report to be presented to the House was then discussed; various suggestions and recommendations were offered, and on the motion of Mr. Macandrew, it was resolved, That the Chairman be requested to prepare a draft report for submission to the Committee. The Committee adjourned until Thursday next. Thursday, 2nd November, 1871. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present : Mr. Bradshaw, Mr. Mervyn, Mr. Collins, Mr. O'Neill, Mr. Creighton, Mr. T. L. Shepherd, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Tribe. Captain Kenny, Mr. Haughton in the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. A resolution passed by the Committee on the 19th October was read and reconsidered. On the motion of Mr. Shepherd, it was proposed, That the resolution carried on the 19th October, recommending that the delegated powers under the Gold Fields Acts to the Superintendents by the Governor be withdrawn, be rescinded. And the Question having been put, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follows:— Ayes, 3. Noes, 7. Mr. Curtis, Mr. Bradshaw, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Collins, Mr. T. L. Shepherd. Mr. Creighton, Captain Kenny, Mr. Mervyn, Mr. O'Neill, Mr. Tribe. So it passed in the Negative. The Chairman read a draft Report which was approved by the Committee, and the Chairman, was requested to present the same to the House. The Committee then adjourned. C. E. Haughton, Chairman.

APPENDICES.

INTERIM EEPOET No. I. The Petition of certain Miners and Residents in the Kanieri Road Board District, County of Westland, praying that the House will make such amendments in the County of "Westland Act as will exempt mining claims and mining plant from assessment as rateable property, having been referred to your Committee, they desire to report as follows : —