WESTLAND MINING COMPANY.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1253, 5 August 1872, Page 4

WESTLAND MINING COMPANY.

The following report of the meeting of this Company, held on Thursday evening; T&fc, is the only one to hand, and was pilblishod in tho West Coast Times on; " Saturday last. On the face of, it, it is too: 'lftneh one-sided to be reliable as a correct, report, but we publish it for what it ib A very largely attended meeting of the (hareholders in the Westland Quartz, Mining Company, Murray Creek, more familiarly known as Rhody Ryan's, was held on Thnreday evening, at the Empire Hotel, for the purpose of hearing the reportrof the directors respecting the past working of the mine, and as to the state of the Company's affairs. Mr Button, as Chairman of the Directory, -wai in the cbair. and explained that the only information he could give the meeting beyond what was generally known to* the shareholders, was a report from Mr M. Levy, who had lately gone to the Company's claim for the purpose of superintending the late crushmg. . . The letter, or report, was then read by the Chairman, and contained only the writer's opinion of how. things bad been managed, but did not venture any statement as to the future prospects of the Company, Mr Levy stated in his report that as nearly as he could estimate some 70 or 80 • tons had been crushed. He would not say that it was quartz, because he had noticed that the stuff consisted quite as much of slate casing and sandstone as quartz. The result was a cake of gold a little over 40oz. He characterised the management of M'Lean as showing utter incapacity ; that he had paid men to "play 1 at mining f that the state of the workings were disgraceful; and that -the reporti' forwarded by M'Lean from time io time, with referenco to the quantity of stone ready for the mill, were all false. He went on to say that these matters could not but be apparent to anyone. ;other than, a simpleton, and expressed his astonishment how M'Lean cou?d have so far neglected' his duty as to permit such a waste of money. A report from the lately appointed mining manager, Mt Hilliary, was then read. It stated, in not very clear mining phrases, that the mine had been muddled about in such a manner that it was hard to form ah opinion how to put it in anything like working ordar v Mr Hilliary stated that there were very good indications of a payable ; reef, and indeed some good goldbearing veins visible, and concluded by stating his opinion as to the future working of the mine. The Chairman allowed Mr M'Lean to make a statement in defence of his conduct, which, though very long and|wearisome> was no more than a further exhibition of his nnfitness for the post he held. of blame from himself to the directors, . and instanced one or two of their acts which enlightened the meeting as to'how :-■* mining company may be economically managed. He concluded by tendering •his resignation, and stating that he had not draw n his salary since he was appointed,' and that he would not do so. A shareholder asked Mr M'Lean who Were his partners in supplying a machine to the Company, though he appeared in the agreement as sole conductor. Messrs Button, Tait, Fowler, Holmes,' and Williams were .mentioned. „. ; A resolution was then tabled that the first four«gentlemea being directors was against the rules of the Company, and that, therefore, their seats on the Board be declared vacant. ■ '■ This caused a good deal of discussion, dtfring' which theoonduct of the directors was severely commented upon. These gentlemen, one after another (with the ex* ception of Mr. Fowler) resigned, stating that ttiey acted for the best, aud being large shareholders had the most to lose A proposition was mode that certain of the shareholders should be appointed to. examine into the books and accounts, also to report upon the notion of the directors ; bnt the gentlemen named all , declined. to act, stating that they were convinced of the good intentions of the directors, but found fault with their remissness in allowing Mr M'Lean such uncontrolled power. -After, it had been explained by the Chairman that they, with one exception, had been eleoted by the first shareholders and that it was not thought that their connection with Mr M'Lean in the machine contract, was a bar to them holding seats. An amendment to adjourn till Wednesday next was carried by a very large majority, resulting from a poll demanded by the movers of the first resolution. The meeting then terminated. 1