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REPORTS. No. 10. —Petition of Sarah Murphy, of Auckland. Praying, as the widow of a miner's-phthisis pensioner, for a compassionate allowance in lieu of a widow's pension, which because of a technicality she is debarred from enjoying under the Miner's Phthisis Act, 1915. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th July, 1926.

No. 54. — Petition of Mary Ann Berryman, of Auckland. Praying for a compassionate allowance in lieu of a widow's pension, which because of a technicality she is debarred from enjoying under the Miner's Phthisis Act, 1915. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th July, 1926.

No. 69.—Petition of Lily Willis, of Waiuta. Praying, as the widow of a miner's-phthisis pensioner, for a compassionate allowance in lieu of a widow's pension under the Miner's Phthisis Act, 1915, which because of a technicality she is debarred from enjoying. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th July, 1926.

Mining Bill. I am directed to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee, to which was referred the abovementioned Bill, has heard evidence on and carefully considered the provisions of the Bill, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with amendments as shown on copy of Bill attached hereto. Minutes of evidence taken attached hereto. 11th August, 1926.

No. 259/25. —Petition of John T. Johnson, of Waipori. Praying for an amendment of the Dunedin City Corporation Empowering Act, 1924, in respect of certain mining privileges. I am directed to report that at a meeting of the Goldfields and Mines Committee held on Tuesday, the 10th August, 1926, the following resolution was agreed to, namely : That the Committee, having heard evidence on the subject-matter of the petition of John T. Johnson, of Waipori, is of the opinion that a sub-committee, consisting of Mr. T. W. Rhodes, M.P. (Chairman), Mr. W. E. Parry, M.P., Mr. J. Horn, M.P., and Mr. J. Bitchener, M.P., should visit the locality with a view to ascertaining further evidence on the matters in issue ; and that in the meantime deliberation on the petition should be deferred by the Committee. 11th August, 1926.

Pabliamentaey Papers Nos. 59, 60, 61, 62, and 78.—Amended Regulations undeb the Mining Act, 1908. I have the honour to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee, to which was referred the abovementioned parliamentary papers, has carefully considered and approved of the same. 3rd September, 1926.

No. 276.—Petition of William Robert Leathee, of Huntly. Praying that he, as the original prospector in the Parish of Pepepe, Raglan County, be granted priority of the mining rights of Lake Waahi, situate in the parish aforesaid. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 6th September, 1926.

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