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No. 29-1. —Petition of Thomas Johnson and Another. Petitioners represent that their late son, William Johnson, Buffered from pneumoconiosis, ceased to work in September, 1909, and died in September, 1911. He had contributed £1 per week to the support of his parents, who are aged sixty-three and fifty-nine respectively, and have been residents of the Dominion since 1865. Application for financial assistance has been made to the Waihi Gold-mining Company, but the general manager had given assurance that his company could not ilo anything in the matter. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Thomas Johnson and another that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and that the amount of such consideration be £50. 18th October, 1911.

No. 272.—Petition of S. E. Fraser and 135 Others. Petitioners pray that your honourable House will bestow favourable consideration on the case of the widow of the late James McEenna, a miner, of Waikino, who died mi the 10th July last from miners' disease. They also pray that the provisions of the Mining Act in regard to the Goldminers' Relief Fund be so amended as to render them retrospective in peration. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of S. E. Fraser and others that your honourable House has already considered iii!' case of the widow of the late James McKenna, and made a recommendation thereon; and as the matter of the amendment of the Mining Act, so far as the Gold-miners' Relief fund is concerned, has been already dealt with by the Committee, they have no recommendation to make. '20th October, 1911.

No. 251.—Petition of Geokge Grubb, of Waikino. Petitioner represents that for a period of twelve years he worked as a miner in the Waihi Company's mine, where he contracted pneumoconiosis, from which he has suffered for two years; that the compassionate allowance of which lie was in receipt from the Waihi Company was stopped in consequence of the establishment of the Gold-miners' Relief Fund, and that as a consequence he, with a wife and three children, is now left without resources or the means to provide medical aid. He prays for relief. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of George Grubb that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and that the amount of such consideration be £50. 20th October, 1911.

No. 275.—Petition of Peter Dixon. of Lower Hutt. Petitioner represents that about twenty-five years ago he discovered the quartz reef which was first known as the Golden Crown Mine, and subsequently as the Crown and New Zealand Crown Mine; that shortly afterwards, by a piece of trickery, he was deprived of his interest in the said reef, and that he has never received any remuneration or reward for his discovery. He seeks now to obtain a reward. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of Peter Dixon that they have no recommendation to make. 20th October, 1911. ■'

No. 286. —Petition of Alexander Mackat. Petitioner seeks to obtain a reward for the discovery of gold, which he alleges was made by him at Ohinemuri, Karangahake, and other places. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Alexander Mackay that they have no recommendation to make. 20th October, 1911.

No. 246. —Petition of Emma Walsh and Another. Petitioners represent that they are legatees of the late Robert Bellamy, of Reef ton; that their father, the late Robert Bellamy, left a property of over 6 acres in the Township of Ross, the present capital value of which property is £239; that in 1895 the property was taken by Government under the Public Works Act as a public tailings-site and sludge-channel; that their deceased

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