MINING DISPUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1927, Page 3

MINING DISPUTE

CLAIAI FOR SILICA WORKINGS ASHBURTON. July 2. The involved mining dispute concerning the priority of claim for a mineral license or license to remove silica from the rich deposits of silica sand consisting of about TOO acres which were discovered at Alount Somers. Ashburton County, was again brought before (he Warden's Court at Ashburton yesterday, when Air C. R. Orr-Walker was Hi the Bench. An interesting feat,tire of the litigation i.s the implication of the Southern Cross Glass Company of New Zealand. Ltd., with its shareholders in all purls oi tlie Dominion, and

the fact that the company has its manufacturing works in an advanced stage of erection In Ashburton. William Damage Tate, of Christ-

clniren, managing director of the Southern Cross Glass Company of Xt w Zealand. Ltd. applied for a mineral license, and objections to this were lodged by the Barnwell Coal Co. Ltd., and Andrew Sutherland. Ilourmiller. Ashburton. The Southern Cross Glass Com-

pany Ltd. next made applicat inn to remove silica from the block of land referred to, and Andrew Sutherland

also applied for a lieen-e to remove silica from the same land, hut to this the Southern Cross Glass Company Ltd., ledge live objections. Donald William Ross, chairman of directors of flic liiii'iiveli Coal Company, Ltd., also applied for a mineral license to which. William Harris, a miner of AH. Somers, made four objections, Vciy lengthy evidence was given; at the conclusion of which the Warden said in' had no evidence of the bona lide-. of the Glass Company, to put before the .Minister for Mines.

Air Sargent submitted that there was no evidence to prove that the Glass Company was unlinaiieial.

The Warden said the Government could make it a (-audition in the lease if it were gran led, that the silica was to he worked within a given time. The Warden said he understood from All' Sargent that, the Glass Company had it- works in pr gress of erection and machinery on order. Air Surge 111 : That is so. Robert Y\ T . Wade, secretary of the Southern Crc-s Glass Company, of New Zealand. Ltd. said the company had put up a £!)st)t) works which were almost completed, in Ashburton. On. this £71101) had already been paid. The machine, which was c.-ving aborj' £‘H)(I0 was ready to he shipped from Canada. The glass works would commence iminufiietni'ing in about six months' time. I' udouhti ally the capital was available, 50.1.(11) contributing shares had been subscribed. Ten shillings had been paid up. The directors of tlie company were reasonably substantial men. The company had not.'

gone into the nuttier of giving a bond. It had several iliim-and pounds in. hand. The Warden said lie would make it a rcconiiuctide 1 ion to the Alinister for Mines that he take into consideration the question as to whether compensation should he paid to Sutherland and part v if in his wisdom he granted the lieen-e lt» the Southern ( rnss Glass Company. Mr Brn'.-ingi oll said a copy ol Ill’s submissions would he filed in the ( oiirt and another given to Ale-si's Sargent end W. J. Hunter (representing the Bumnel! C al Company), am! it would he for them to prepare a joint 11 ply Id which the speaker ami Air I. I’atterMiii should have a further onporlnn 11 y to reply. The Warden -aid ihe whole of the written legal argument would iviuirc lo be submitted t 1 ihe ( on! : w ithili It) dux s.

Mr Sargent thanked the Warden nil helm!f of tin counsel occupied in the ease, and all the parties eeiicernod. for the patience hv- had di-played in -on nor! ion with the hearing.