THE GORGE COAL-PIT.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 140, 16 July 1872, Page 5

THE GORGE COAL-PIT.

To the Editor of the Cromwell A roils.

Sir, —Having seen in your issue of Tuesday last an extract concerning the interest sold by M‘Gee and myself to Charles Binge in a coalmine at Kawarau Gorge, and the statements therein not being correct, you would greatly oblige by inserting the following in your next, so that the public may become aware of the true facts of the case. Such a report, if allowed to pass unchallenged by me, may cause the public to form erroneous opinions of the manner in which 1 disposed of my interest to Binge. In June, 1870, M'Gee and myself applied to the Waste Land Board fora lease for a coal-mine here, which was granted in July, 1870 ; but the survey not having been completed until March of the following year, it was impossible for us to execute the lease until after that date. In November, 1870, C. Binge bought M‘Gee’s interest in the coal-pit, well knowing at the time that the lease was not, and in fact could not be executed until after the survey was made, fie was informed at the time of his purchasing of the action we had taken in the matter, in proof of which he was shown an answer we had re ceived by telegraph from the Provincial Treasurer stating that the sum of £lO had been lodged by us on account of coal-lease at Kawarau Gorge. 1 received sometime in April, 1870, a letter from Mr Brough, Clyde, acting as solicitor fo - Binge, advising me either to buy his iuteiest, or seR my own, in the coal pit ; on receipt of which I s dd to Binge, who knew perfectly well that the lerse was still not signed. He also made enquiries at the Survey Office, Clyde, and found that nothing could be done in the matter of signing the lease, although in the ollice, unti the signature of M'Gee could be obtained, who during this time hj id left the district, and hence the delay in the case. So that the statement of Mr Smythies, agen for Binge, to the Waste Land Board, to t u; edect that Binge purchased from us believ-n; the lease to have be.en executed, is incorrect, an I cannot bo borne out by any statement he c n make to the contrary. 1 am, &c., J ins’ WiMGiirsox. Kawarau Gorge, July 0, 187-’.