1.—3.

Shss. 11,-1884. NEW ZEALAND.

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

Mines Act 1877 Amendment Bill. Th6 Gold Fields Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report thai, after careful consideration, they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments as shown upon the copy of the Bill hereto attached. 10th September, 1884.

No. 100, Sess. I.—Petition of W. C. Ord and 512 Others. The Gold Fields and Mines Committee, to whom this petition was referred, have the honour to report that the charge of £1 per annum imposed on the working-men engaged or employed in mining operations on the Thames Gold Field appears to be unjust and impolitic, and the Committee recommend that " The Gold-Mining Districts Act, 1873," be amended, with a view to the abolition of such charge. 12th September, 1884.

No. 118, Sess. ll.—Petition of William McNeight and 35 Others. The petitioners ask that a sum of money may be placed on the Estimates for continuing the Ophir Drainage Channel. The Gold Fields and Mines Committee, to whom this petition was referred, have the honour to report that the continuance of the channel mentioned appears to be a desirable and necessary work, and the Committee recommend the prayer of the petitioners to the favourable consideration of the Government. 12th September, 1884.

Gold Duties Abolition Bill, 1884. The Gold Fields Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that' after careful consideration, they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with amendments) as shown upon the copy of the Bill hereto attached. 16th September, 1884.

Drainage of Mines Bill, 1884. The Gold Fields Committee have instructed me to report the above Bill, with amendments, as shown upon the copy of the Bill hereto attached; and, further, that the Government be requested to take charge of the same. 16th September, 1884.

No. 113, Sess. IL—Petition of John O'Brien and Others. The petitioners pray for a refund of expenses incurred in prospecting at Nelson Creek, and law expenses through certain action of the Warden. I am directed to report that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a view of granting relief to the petitioners. 19th September, 1884.

Ho. 17, Sess. IL—Petition of Ambrose Creber and Others. The petitioners pray for the abolition of duty on gold. * I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for their favourable consideration. 19th September, 1884.

(MR. VINCENT PYKE, CHAIRMAN.)

GOLD FIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OP THE).