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Mmmi; Amendment Bill. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to repoi't to your honourable House that, having given careful consideration to the provisions of the Mining Amendment Bill, referred to them, they recommend that the said Bill be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown on a copy of the Bill hereto attached. 22nd September, 1908.

No. 'Mti. —Petitions of EJ. Andrews and 1,643 Others (as per Schedule attached). PETITIONERS pray that legislation be passed during the current session such as will enable the Government to deal with certain applications for water-rights necessary for harnessing the Toaroha River, Westland, in connection with which it is proposed to develop power for working the Rimu Terraces. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the petitions of H. Andrews and others be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. [Bth September, 1908. Schedule. No. 376.—Andrews, H.. and 88*bthers. No. 407.—Mabin, E. 15.. arid 88 others. .. 403.— Campbell, F., and 22 others. .. 378.— Meharry, A., jiin., and 99 others. ~ 432.—Chambers, ({., and r>l others. .. 475. — Miohell, H. L., and 12 others. .. 377.—Christie, A., and 88 others. .. 476.—Mulvihill, E., and 65 others. ~ 4(57.— Coutts and 9 others. .. 416.—McArtney, H., and 82 others. ~ 466.—Cushman and 55 others. .. 434.—McCarthy. F., and 53 others. ~ 468.—Davidson and 22 others. .. 474. —Mclntosn, <!. C, and 6 others. .. P., and 41 others. .. r>s2.—Parkinson. W. R., and 14 others. „ 409.—Frost, J., and 21 others. .. 553.—Roper, J. W., and 14 others. ~ 404.—Griffin, P. M., and 32 others. .. 477 Stewart, •!.. and 101 others. .. 470.—Holley, W.. and 15 others. .. 417.—Steer. .1.. and 78 others. .. 471.—Honey, S. 8., and 11 others. ~ 408.—Taylor. ('. X.. and 58 others. .. 415.—Hyams. H.. and Bfi others. .. 409.—Taylor. .J., and 42 others. .. 405.—Jones, W. D.. and 83 others. .. 421.— Teiohelman, E., and 88 others. ~ 472.—Karnback, E., and 33 others. ~ 465.—White, W. H.. and Hi others. .. 473.—Keller. W.. and 7 others. .. 435. Wicks, E. A., and 49 others. .. 406.— Linklater, H.. and 27 others. .. 379. — Wickes Limited and 80 others. No. !)!). Petition of A. J. Farmer and Another. Petitioners represent that they acquired from one Malcolm Fleming the lease of a coal-mining property at Greymouth in connection with which the said Malcolm Fleming had paid into the hands of the Public Trustee a sum of £500 as security for the fulfilment of the conditions of the lease ; that the petitioners had paid to the said Malcolm Fleming £500 in consideration of the £500 paid by him to the Public Trustee ; that by the company brought into existence by them a considerable amount of work was done, and a huge sum expended in seeking to develop the mine, the company, being ultimately wound up: that they had seen that all the liabilities in connection with the companj were paid. They pray thai tin , £50(1 deposited with the Public Trustee be repaid to them. 'The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the petition of A. J. Farmer and another lie referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 22nd September, 1908. Indexing op Mining Acts. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report to your honourable House that, in order that the transaction of the business of your Committee may in future years be greatly facilitated, they respectfully recommend that indices be supplied to the Mining Acts. Your Committee recommend that this report lie referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 22nd September, 1908. No. 573.—Petition of Alexander Mackat. Petitioner seeks to obtain a reward for the discovery of gold alleged to have been made by him at Waihi, Karangahape, Waitekauri, and Owharba. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Alexander Mackay that they have no recommendation to make. 2nd October, 1908. No. 572. — Petition of Josiah Hudson and il Others. Petitioner* represent that coal has been found in six different places on the Kaipara Flats; that this coal has been tested by the Government Analyst, who reported that it contained about 96 per cent, of pure carbon. They therefore pray that a sum of money may be allocated in order to thoroughly test the coalfield, and that a competent geologist be sent to examine and report upon the outcrops.

No. 99. Petition of A. J, Farmer and Another. Petitioners represent thai they acquired from one Malcolm Fleming the lease of a coal-mining property at Greymouth in connection with which the said Malcolm Fleming had paid into the hands of the Public Trustee a sum of £500 as security for the fulfilment of the conditions of the lease ; that the petitioners had paid to the said Malcolm Fleming £500 in consideration of the £500 paid by him to the Public Trustee; that by the company brought into existence by them a considerable amount of work was done, and a large sum expended in seeking to develop the mine, the company. being ultimately wound up: that they had seen that all the liabilities in connection with the cornpan; were paid. They pray that the £500 deposited with the Public Trustee be repaid to them. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the petition of A. J. Farmer and another be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. , -22 11.1 September, 1908.

Indexing of Mining Acts. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report to your honourable House that, in order that the transaction of the business of your Committee may in future years be greatly facilitated, they respectfully recommend that indices be supplied to the Mining Acts. Your Committee recommend that this report be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 22nd September, 1908.

No. 573.—Petition of Alexander Mackay. Petitioner seeks to obtain a reward for the discovery of gold alleged to have been made by him at Waihi, Karangahape, Waitekauri, and Owharoa. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Alexander Mackav that they have no recommendation to make. 2nd October, 1908.

No. 572.—Petition of Josiah Hudson and 47 Others. Petitioners represent that coal has been found in six different places on the Kaipara Flats; that this coal has been tested by the Government Analyst, who reported that it contained about 96 per cent, of pure carbon. They therefore pray that a sum of money may be allocated in order to thoroughly test the coalfield, and that a competent geologist be sent to examine and report upon the outcrops.