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That, in order that such opportunity may be given, a clause should be introduced into " The Mines Act 1877 Amendment Act, 1879," giving power to the Governor from time to time to revoke proclamations made under clause 66 of the said Act, 19th November, 1879.

No. 137, Session ll.—Petition of Samuel Deaffin, Miner, and Others, of Brighton, Buller County. The Gold Fields Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying that an investigation be made relative to the water supply for mining purposes, have directed me to recommend that the petition be referred to the Government. 19th November, 1879.

No. 127, Session I.—Petition of J. C. Baylea and Others, of Waikerikeri Valley. The Gold Fields Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying that Government resume possession of certain land in the Waikerikeri Valley for gold-mining purposes, have directed me to report the following resolution thereon, viz.: — That it appears desirable that the freehold of Mr. Feraud should be resumed, if it can be obtained at a reasonable price, inasmuch as the only available course for the outlet of tailings is through this property ; aud the large sums expended by the Provincial Government of Otago for the repurchase of auriferous land in the Waikerikeri Valley, now being profitably wrought, will have been expended uselessly, unless such outlet is secured for public use. 25th November, 1879.

No. 257, Session ll.—Petition of George Moore and Others, of Waimangaroa. The Gold Fields Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying that inquiry be made as to the exemption by Proclamation of certain land from occupation for mining purposes, has directed me to report the following resolution thereon, viz.: —■ That the Proclamations exempting land from occupation for mining purposes at Waimangaroa, Nelson South-West Gold Fields, and published in the New Zealand Gazette of 20th June and 27th December, 1878, should never have been made, and the Committee recommends that they be cancelled forthwith. 25th November, 1879.

" The Kumara Education Eeserve Act, 1879." The Gold Fields Committee, to whom was referred the Bill intituled "The Kumara Education Eeserve Act, 1879," have directed me to report, — That they have gone through the Bill, and recommend that it be passed with the amendments shown in the copy accompanying this report. 25th November, 1879. No. 284, Session II. —Petition of Samuel Alexander, of the Thames. The Gold Fields Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, representing that he was the first to introduce means for crushing auriferous lodes at the Thames, and praying for relief for losses sustained, have directed me to report, — That they have considered the petition, hut have not called evidence thereon, considering that, if the facts as to the alleged grievances therein contained were assumed to be true, no recommendation for relief could be made to the House. 28th November, 1879.

No. 320, Session ll.—Petition of George White, of Westport. The Gold Fields Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying that inquiry be made into certain expenditure incurred, and losses sustained by him, in connection with the track along the bank of the Buller Eiver to Eeefton and Lyell, has directed me to report, — That your Committee has no recommendation to make thereon. 2nd December, 1879.

No. 109, Session ll.—Petition of Charles F. Eobehts and Others, of Maerewhenua. The Gold Fields Committee, to whom was referred the petition of Charles F. Eoberts and others at Maerewhenua, praying that the Maerewhenua Eiver be declared a watercourse for the discharge of mining debris, &c, failing which, that a Commission be appointed to inquire into the whole subject, have directed me to report, —• 1. That the Committee, having carefully considered the petition, the action of your Committee in previous years, and the various recommendations which have from time to time been reported to the House, are of opinion that no further recommendation which they could make would be likely to afford a satisfactory or final solution to the difficulty as between the miners and riparian proprietors resident in the Maerewhenua District, unless it were deemed advisable to recommend that the Maerewhenua District be taken out of the gold field.