1.—4,

4

they may be recouped for the losses they have been subjected to, and that the Mining Act may beamended so that the tail-race may not be used by those who have paid no portion of the cost of its construction or its maintenance. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of the Waimumu Gold-dredging Company and others that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the . Government for favourable consideration. 13th October, 1905.

No. 131.—Petition of William McConnochie and 229 Others. Petitioners pray that further assistance than is at present provided may be extended to the mining industry by the offer of rewards for the discovery of new goldfields. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of William. McConnochie and others that, as the policy of offering rewards for the discover}" of new goldfields has been dealt with in the Mining Act Amendment Bill now before your honourable House, they have no recommendation to make. 18th October, 1905.

Nos. 443 and 493.—Petitions of William Sutherland and Others and G. H. Gilhat and Others.. Petitioners pray that steps may be taken by the Government to prevent the South Molyneux, Inch-Clutha, Matau, and Kaitangata districts from being flooded through the silting-up of the , river by mining debris, the ratepayers having taxed themselves to the utmost to save their properties from destruction. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petitions of William Sutherland and others and G. H. Gilray and others that they recommend that a competent Engineer be sent by the Government to report on the position at Inch-Clutha arising through the siltmg-up' of the river-bed; and they further recommend that a sum of .£3OO be placed upon the supplementary estimates to execute the most urgent portion of the work required. 18th October, 1905.

Nos. 400 and 399. —Petitions of John Wallace and Others and L. Cross and Others, of Orepuki,. in the County of Wallace. Petitioners pray that a subsidy of £1,250 maj- be granted towards the construction of a water-race which would open up a large extent of auriferous land. The race, if constructed, would be 400 ft. or thereabouts higher than any similar work in or about Orepuki. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petitions of John Wallace and others and L. Cross and others that they recommend that the said petitions be referred' to the Government for consideration. 18th October, 1905.

No. 574.—Petition of Robert Haevie. Petitioner represents that he took up under the Mining Act 5 acres of land as a mining-claim,, and that he worked the ground for some sixteen months, and then discovered that, through the , failure of the Warden's office and other of the local authorities to afford reliable information, onehalf of his claim was freehold property. He seeks compensation. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of Robert Harvie that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 19th October, 1905.

Nos. 189 and 190.—Petitions of James Jobe and R. J. Ross and Others. Petitioner James Jobe prays that steps may be taken to authorise and empower the Board of Examiners under "The Mining Act, 1891," to issue to him a certificate as a first-class minemanager; and petitioners R. J. Ross and others pray that no certificates as mine-managers may be granted to any one who has not passed the Board of Examiners as provided by " The Mining Act, 1891." The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petitions of James Jobe and R. J. Ross and others that they recommend that the said petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 19th October, 1905.

No. 58.—Petition of R. T. Janskn. Petitioner prays that the Government may be authorised to grant to him some financial assistance in prospecting the Success Special Quartz Claim, situated in the Borough of Te Aroha. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of R. T. Jansen that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 19th October, 1905.