"NO CONFIDENCE IN FEDERAL COURT"

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22517, 27 September 1938, Page 13

"NO CONFIDENCE IN FEDERAL COURT"

STATEMENT BY AUSTRALIAN MINERS' SECRETARY MELBOURNE, September 24. A frank statement by the miners' general secretary (Mr W. Orr) declared that the miners were not prepared Co have their claims dealt with by the Federal Court, in which they had no confidence. Mr Orr said that the Court idea was a subterfuge to enable the Federal Government and the mineowners to sidestep their obligations to the miners.

MINING EMPEROR COMPANY SUCCESS OF NEW TREATMENT PLANT I The success which has attended operations of Emperor Gold Mines, Ltd. (Fiji), since the large treatment plant was brought into commission at the beginning of the year, has prompted shareholders to consider-the possibility of a declaration of the company's first dividend, states the "Argus," Melbourne. Since the plant came into operation to the close of the last production period on September 7, the company treated 118,003 tons of ore for a yield of 34,788 fine oz. of gold, an average grade of approximately 6dwt a ton. Total value was about £304,395. A total of 1,760,000 shares is issued, as well as 140,000 shares under option to the vendors at par until October 13. It is considered probable that distribution* of a dividend at an earlier date has been prevented by the fact that the company has had to meet a considerable amount of capital expenditure out of profits earned. The change-over to the large plant was marked by a fall in the average grade of the ore treated. This was caused by the inclusion in the millings of a large quantity of oxidised ore from the open cut which, under largescale methods, the company is able to treat profitably. The development of the goldmimng industry in Fiji by the Emperor and Loloma companies has led to the growth of a large settlement on the field with about 2000 inhabitants. Its importance was recently recognised by the Fijian authorities, who have gazetted it as a town with the name of Vatu-koula. GLENROY GOLD

DIRECTORS' CONFIDENCE

IN CLAIM

FIRST WASH-UP ABOUT

NOVEMBER 14

Mr H. L. Wiggins presided over a small attendance at the annual meeting of shareholders in Glenroy Gold, Ltd. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report, referred to the completion of the tunnel tailrace to the Glenroy river, and said that the tunnellers had advised that where they rose to the surface they passed through 15 feet of wash showing very good prospects. The new manager anticipated that it would take three weeks to do the preliminary work in the way of boxing in the new tunnel and alterations to the pipe line, and that sluicing would be commenced at the termination of that period. It was hoped that the first wash-up would take place on or about November 14. Mr J. W. Adams said that the prospects for the future were never better than now. With the completion of the tunnel <tail-race the claim could be worked at far less expense than before. As far as the claim had been worked up to date, the wash had proved to be worth approximately 9d a cubic yard, and in spite of the financial position of the company he had every confidence that the next few months would see the re-establishment of the claim on a payable basis. It was pointed out that while the preliminary expenses would be smnll, wages would have to be met until the proceeds of the first wash-up were received. An appeal was made to shareholders to subscribe for a sufficient additional number of debentures to enable this to be done, and it was stated that the directors and secretary had already subscribed for a total of 285, thus showing their entire confidence in the future of the claim. Mr J. W. Adams, the retiring director, was re-elected, and the retiring auditors, Messrs Lyttle and Lyttle, were also re-elected. A resolution was carried authorising the allotment to the directors and secretary of the remaining debentures, thus satisfying practically the whole of the debts due to them by the company.

MURCHISON MATAKI JUNCTION The Murchison Mataki Junction return for the week ended September 22 was 116 ounces of smelted gold for 132 hours and 22,000 yards dredged. BLACKBALL CREEK The Blackball Creek dredge return is 50 ounces lOdwt for 120 hours and 16,000 yards. MATAKI The Mataki return for the week ended September 25 was 30 ounces for 126 hours' work and 8100 yards. DANGEROUS CORNER AT SUMNER * EFFORTS OF COUNCIL TO IMPROVE POSITION The Sumner Borough Council set out recently to make an improvement to one of the most dangerous corners on the main highway to Lyttelton, but its initial effort has received a setback. The corner Is at the intersection of Nayland street and Wakefield avenue, where the present post office stands. The post office will be vacated shortly, when the new building is opened. Tha council recently wrote to the department at Wellington asking that provision be made for rounding off the corner. At the meeting of the council last evening the council received the department's answer, which said that endeavours would be made to sell the building, and no doubt the council would make representations to the new owner. Cr. E. T. Chitty said that the council should press its representations to obtain the necessary alterations. The Mayor (Mr J. E. Tait) said that it should be pointed out to the department that this reservation should be made when the property was sold. The question should also be referred to the Minister for Transport (the Hon. R Semple) to obtain his support. It would be a tragedy if the corner was •not rounded off, he said. " It was decided to make fresh representations.