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(2.) And also that the Thames Gold Field had already been proclaimed before Mr. Hunt's alleged discovery was made. The Committee are therefore unable to recommend that any reward be paid to the petitioner. 16th October, 1884.

No. 255, Sess. ll.—Petition of George Erickson and Others. The petitioners pray that the lands occupied by them as business sites in the Orwell Creek Township may be sold to them. The Gold Fields and Mines Committee have the honour to report the Committee are of opinion that the section of land outside the mining lease which is partially within the Orwell Creek Township should be sold to the occupants. With regards to those sections which are within the boundaries which are within the lease, the Committee are of opinion that the Government should (if the terms of the lease have not been complied with) cancel the said lease and enter thereupon, and thereafter the sections should be sold to the occupants : Provided (1) that if the lease cannot be cancelled, then in that case the Government be advised to come to some arrangements with the lessees, so as to enable those persons occupying business sections to acquire the freehold of said sections; (2) that if, after inquiry, the Government find it inadvisable to sell the lands at Orwell Creek, then in that case the Government be advised to make provision to have the sections leased on the same terms as are provided for leasing the lands in the Township of Eoss under clause 9 of Appendix L of " The Land Act, 1877." 16th October, 1884.

No. 187, Sess. ll.—Petition of Eichard Henry Wessels. The Committee have the honour to report the claim of the petitioner for a further reward for the alleged discovery by him of a gold field at Seventeen-Mile Beach, on the west coast of the Middle Island, having been duly considered, and evidence taken thereupon, the Committee are of opinion that this case, having been dealt with by the Government, and a settlement of the petitioner's claim accepted by himself and his authorized agent in 1881, which settlement was regarded by the Gold Fields Committee, when referred to them in 1882, as final, should not be reopened. 16th October, 1884.

No. 436, Sess. ll.—Petition of J. P. Prescott and 134 Others. The petitioners, miners of Coromandel, pray for assistance from Government to develop the district by boring operations or otherwise. The Committee recommend the purchase of boring machines by the Government as prayed for in the petition. 22nd October, 1884.

No. 451, Sess. ll.—Petition of Smith, Byrne, and Party. The petitioners state they hold a prospecting claim at Mount Arthur, Collingwood. They complain that a lease has been granted to another party (Arkell and party) over a portion of the ground occupied by petitioners. They pray for relief. The Committee find that the petitioners' case was inquired into by the Gold Fields Committee in 1881, which reported thereon as follows : "After careful consideration of the matter the Committee are of opinion that the petitioners have established their claim, and recommend that the Government should take the necessary steps to uphold the petitioners' claim." Under the circumstances the Committee do not consider it necessary or desirable to reopen the case, and urge upon the Government the necessity of taking definite action in the matter. 22nd October, 1884.

No. 499, Sess. ll.—Petition of John McLean and 75 Others. Petitioners state they are put to much annoyance and expense through a block of land of about ninety acres being held by the Matakanui stationowner. Having no outlet for tailings, they pray the Government to repurchase this piece of land, which would give employment to many miners for years. The Gold Fields and Mines Committee have the honour to report as follows : Whilst fully recognizing the desirability of obtaining the said pre-emptive section as an outlet for the discharge of tailings, the Committee are of opinion that the terms demanded are extravagant and such as they cannot advise the Government to accept. The Committee, however, recommend the Government during the recess to enter into negotiations for this land with the view of obtaining the section by exchange or purchase on more reasonable terms. 31st October, 1884.

No. 293, Sess. ll.—Petition of Patrick K. Donnelly, Thames. Petitionee, a miner at the Thames, alleges he bought the Crown Princess Mine, but afterwards it was found the Warden had no right to authorize the sale. He says-he has lost £12 10s., the sum paid for the mine, and £300 he has .spent upon it, besides his own time. The Committee .have the honour to report that the statements of the Warden and the petitioner are so much at variance that the Committee are unable to make any recommendation. 31st October, 1884.

Authority; Geoege Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB4.