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No. 76.—Petition of Jessie Hunt, of St. Walfrans, Dulwich Hill, Sydney, N.S.W. Petitioner represents that she is the widow of the late William Alexander Hunt, who, she alleges, discovered gold in payable quantities at Hunt's claim, Thames Goldfield, in October, 1867; that at that time the Government of New Zealand had offered a reward of £5,000 to be paid to the first discoverer of payable gold in the neighbourhood of the Eiver Thames. She seeks the reward to which her late husband is entitled. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that the late William Alexander Hunt petitioned Parliament on the subject of his claim in 1882, and again in 1884, in which year evidence was taken and a thorough investigation made, with the result that it was ascertained that the goldfield had been proclaimed before Hunt's so-called discovery was made. Therefore the Committee reported unfavourably. There is no reason why the judgment then arrived at should be disturbed. Your Committee have no recommendation to make. 23rd July, 1903.

No. 18.—Petition of Simon Eraser, Miner, of Maungatapere, Whangarei, Auckland. Petitioner represents that he discovered gold at the Taieri in 1863, and to the satisfaction of the Provincial Council of Otago established his claim to be regarded as the discoverer. Petitioner asserts that his claim to be the discoverer and to be entitled to the reward has never been denied or disputed. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that petitioner first claimed a reward from Parliament for the discovery of gold in 1879, and every year since 1883 his petition has come before the House of Eepresentatives. In 1879 the report was that the claim of Simon Fraser had been settled by the local Legislature of Otago long before the abolition of provincial government. In 1883 the report was that a small grant of land be given to petitioner, but nothing was done. Since 1883 the report has invariably been "No recommendation." Your Committee now repeat former reports. They have no recommendation to make. 23rd July, 1903.

No. 239. —Petition of Alexander Mackay, Miner, of Paeroa, Ohinemuri County. . . Petitioner seeks to obtain a reward for the discovery of gold, alleged to have been made by him, at Waihi, in the year 1866, at Karangahake in 1867, at Waitekauri in 1868, and for floating the original company on the Thames leading to the opening-up of the Ohinemuri district. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Alexander Mackay that they have no recommendation to make. 14th August, 1903.

No. 340. —Petition of James Hosie, Miner, Kuaotuna. Petitioner seeks to obtain a reward for the discovery of gold, alleged to have been made by him at Waihi, at Karangahake, and Puru. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of James Hosie that they have no recommendation to make. 14th August, 1903.

No. 407. — Petition of T. A. Dunlop and 8 Others constituting the Mayor and Councillors of the County of Thames. Petitioners pray that growing timber outside the areas as defined under section 13 of "The Mining Act, 1899," should be reserved for mining purposes and be controlled by the Warden for the time being. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, having given careful attention to the matter involved in the petition of the Mayor and Councillors of Thames County, have the honour to report that they recommend the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 14th August, 1903.

Nos. 95, 385, 383, 380, 381, 384, 382, and 379.—Petitions of J. Bailey and 367 Others, B. A. Graham and 103 Others, A. Steele and 5 Others (on behalf of the Amalgamated Miners' Union, numbering 730 members), Thomas Young and 246 Others, G. Newton and 208 Others, E. McMillan and 434 Others, E. Martin and 387 Others, and J. Jenkins and 367 Others. Petitioners represent that the hours of labour for men employed underground in mines are too long, and they seek to have legislation passed whereby their hours of work may be reduced. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the above petitions that they recommend that the prayer of the petitioners be given effect to. 21st August, 1903.

Coal-mines Act Amendment Bill (No. 2). The Goldfields and Mines Committee, to whom was referred the above-mentioned Bill, have the honour to report that, having taken evidence and carefully considered the provisions of the same, they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown in a copy of the Bill attached hereto. (Vide Appendix 1.-4 a.) 21st August, 1903.