L—3.

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2. The Committee do not see their way at present to make any such recommendation; at the same time they are of opinion that the holders of water-race property in the district affected might well consider whether it might not be wise to surrender all the rights they now possess under the Acts in force relating to gold fields—retaining their water-race property for all purposes other than mining—for such reasonable compensation as would offer an inducement to the Government to meet them in a liberal spirit. 3. The cancellation of the gold field would enable a large area of Crown land to be placed in the market for agricultural settlement, which at present is withheld from salo as being probably auriferous. 4. The Committee wish, however, distinctly to be understood they do not recommend any removal of the Maerewhenua Mining District from the gold field unless the fullest consent of the owners of mining property interested shall have been first voluntarily offered to the Government. 2nd December, 1879.

No. 138, Session II. —Petition of Eeuben Waite, of Inangahua Junction. The Gold Fields Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, in which the petitioner represents that he prospected the West Coast in 1860, was the means of opening up two large and prolific gold fields, and that he sustained heavy losses through damage done to his station at Addison's Flat by a great influx of diggers, has directed me to report that your Committee, having reported adversely to the claim of the petitioner in 1875, 1876, and 1877, and being in possession of no new facts thereon sees no reason to alter the decision arrived at. 9th December, 1879.

No. 54, Session II. —Petition of H. B. Sandle and other Eesidents of the Provincial District of Westland. The Gold Fields Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying that measures may be adopted for the construction of a tunnel for drainage purposes at Kelly's aud adjacent terraces, to enable them to work the ground, known to be highly auriferous, have directed me to report the following resolution thereon, viz.:— That this Committee recommend — 1. That Government cause a detailed survey and report to be made. 2. That after such survey and report, if the inhabitants in tho locality or the local body of tho district contribute one-half of the amount necessary to construct the work, the Government —as provided for by vote under " Mines " in the " Estimates for the Year ending 30th June, 1880," viz. " Subsidies towards the construction of tracks and minor works upon gold fields, upon equivalent subscriptions being contributed, £10,000 "—contribute, if the work is approved of, the other half of such amount, such contribution not to exceed £3,000. The construction of the work to be undertaken by the local body, subject to supervision by the Government Engineer. 11th December, 1879.

No. 310, Session ll.—Petition of Charles Moss and Others carrying ou gold-mining at Arthur's Point, under the style of " The Morning Star Mining Company." The Gold Fields Committee, to whom tho above petition was referred, praying that assistance and certain privileges be granted them to enable them to cany on their mining operations, have directed me to report that your Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for their favourable consideration. 11th December, 1879.

No. 317, Session ll.—Petition of Eobert Savage, Gold Miner, of Eeefton. The Gold Fields Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying that inquiry be made into the granting of a lease to the Keep-it-Dark Company, to work certain auriferous land at Crushington, alleging that he and another miner had made a prior application for the lease, have directed me to report — That the Committee, having taken the evidence of the petitioners and of the legal manager of the Keep-it-Dark Company, are not satisfied that the petitioners have not suffered injustice in the matter of their application for a mining lease ; but not having time to examine the District Surveyor, or his Honor Mr. District Judge Shaw, during the present session, regret that they have no recommendation to make. 11th December, 1879.

No. 375, Session II.—Petition of Daniel James Moore, Practical Geologist and Gold Explorer. The Gold Fields Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, praying for a reward for discovering certain gold fields, have directed me to report that your Committee have no recommendation to make thereon. 11th December, 1879. By Authority: Geohge Didseuky, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB79. Price 3d.]