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Sess. 11.-1891. NEW ZEALAND.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). Mr. GUINNESS, CHAIRMAN.

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

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Friday, the 12th Day op June, 1891. Ordered, " That a Goldfields and Mines Committee, consisting of ten members, bo formed, to which shall be referred all matters relating to mining, and all Bills relating to mines ; three to be a quorum. The Committee to consist of Mr. Duncan, Hon. Mr. Fergus, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. 0. H. Mills, Mr. O'Conor, Mr. R. H. J. Reeves, Mr. R. Thompson, Mr. Valentine, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Seddon.)

Tuesday, the 14th Day of July, 1891. Ordered, " That the Coal-mines Bill and the Mining Bill be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."— (Hon. Mr. Seddon.)

Fbiday, the 17th Day of July, 1891. Ordered, "That the petitions of Michael Hennessy and others and Edward Loughnan be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."—(Mr. T. Thompson.)

Wednesday, the 22nd Day op July, 1891. Ordered, "That Standing Order No. 178 be suspended, and that the names of Mr. M. J. S. Mackenzie and Colonel Fraser be added to the Goldflelds and Mines Committee " —(Hon. Mr. Seddon.)

No. 21.—Petition of Jambs Suisted and 50 Others. Petitionebs, who are lessees on the Colliery Eeserve, Westporfc, pray that new leases be granted to them upon certain conditions. Your Committee have the honour to report that the present leases of the Colliery Eeserve be renewed for a term of twenty-one years at a rental to be fixed by valuation, without valuing improvements, and that such renewed leases contain a clause for perpetual renewal and similar reassessment of rent every twenty-one years; this recommendation not to apply to any portion of the Colliery Eeserve that may be required for public purposes. 30th June, ] 891.

No. 76. —Petition of D. Dubieg and Others. Pbtitionebs hold land under the agricultural lease system, and pray that relief similar to the Selectors' Lands Eevaluation Act may be afforded them. I am directed to report the following resolution of the Committee : Resolved, That the prayer of the petitioners be recommended for the favourable consideration of the Government. 15th July, 1891.

No. 61—Petition of Edwabd Aethue and Another, of Cromwell, Otago. Petitionebs are holders of water-rights on the Clutha Eiver, and were subjected to a lawsuit in connection therewith. I am directed to report that the Committee are unanimous, and recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th July, 1891.