WARDEN'S COURT.

Inangahua Times, Volume III, Issue 94, 26 March 1877, Page 2

WARDEN'S COURT.

Saturday, Mabch 24, 1877, [Before Mr Warden Shaw.] AMPLICATION. John Harris applied for the cancellation of the miuing lease of the Victoria Company, Murray Creek, upon the ground that the Company had failed to comply with the conditions of the lease. Mr Pitt and Mr Staite appeared for the Campany. Tbe applicant was not represented by counsel . The following evidence wss taken s— John Harris : I know the ground comprised in the Victoria Company's lease ; I have known it for the last four years. Cross-examined ; I was not aware until Mr M'Lean told me that the Company was in liquidation. This is my second application. The first application was dismissed because I had no miner's right. I have since taken out a miner's right. I am taking up the ground on my own account. If I succeed I will get up a party to go in with me. I believe I can get gold in the ground. lam not a shareholder in the old Company. None of the old shareholders are going in with roe. I j am certain I never spoke to anyone about going in with me. I am not certain that I know a single director in the company. I know that the mine was let on tribute, and also that they gave it up about five and a-half months ago. William M'Lean : lam manager of the Victoria Company; and have been for a considerable time past. The Company have expended about £4600 and odd upon the ground. The mine is one of the oldest in the field. I have spent £560 in the undertaking myself. The mine was let on tribute for two years on the 6th August. The tributors' first crushing did not tarn out very well and they knocked off. An application to wind up tbe Company has been pending since October last. Arrangements are pending to pay off the debts of the Co.npaDy. The liabilities have beeu reduced to £86. No order has

been taken out yet in reference to thewinding up. Hate received no notice from any persons. stating that the trifcofort> had relinquished. Was aware that toe tribotors bad knocked off about a fortnight after they threw the tribute np, We hare paid the Government £1«0 in rent, which is paid up til! March next, This was the whole of the evidence. Mr Pitt briefly addressed 'the Court, contending that no sufficient reason had been shown why the Company's right lathe ground should be declared forfeited. The Company was one of the very oldest in the field, and up to the time when the mine bad been let on tribute active mining operations bad been carried onunceasingly on tbe leasehold. A very large sum of money bad been expended in, prospecting and developing tbe mine, and it was tbe intention of the Company to» recommence work immediately that it was free from litigation. Tbe Warden said that be would take <he first opportunity of torwarding tb* evidence to the proper authorities. The Court then adk»nrn«*_