A MINING VENTURE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 222, 12 September 1908, Page 6

A MINING VENTURE

IN NEW PLYMOUTH'S NEIGHBORHOOD. THE INITIAL STAGES. The preparatory arrangements in connection with a proposal to launch further capital in the development of'the kaolin and other deposits recently unearthed in the SmaUL road district are in hand. At the School Commissioners 1 meeting yesterday, -Mrs. L. li. Dudley, described as a mining engineer, appeared ill the correspondence as the proposed transferee of section 150, Una- district, on the Smart road, from A. W. Locke. The application for the transfer came through Messrs. Jlulone, Anderson, and Johnstone, who stated that it was ilrs. Hadley's intention to prospect and work the property tor coal, clay, and other minerals, but it was not anticipated that this would interfere with farming operations on the land. In a subsequent letter application was made, in the event of tile consent to the transfer being given, for the right to "mine and win all clays, kaolins, gauister, lignite, coal, and other minerals and substances which may be in, upon, or under tho land, and for the right to erect and use tramways and other erections and contrivances on the land necessary or convenient for working the minerals." The following royalties were offered:— Clays, Id per toil; kaolins, 2d per ton; gauister, 2d; marketable lignite, 2d; marketable coal, 3d; all minerals l'/id per cent, on net profits received; all minerals and Muxes used in the manufacture of pottery, china., porcelain, and all other commerical manufactures, 2d per ton.

Air. P. A. i-ladley, holding the power of attorney for his wife, and Mr. A. 11. Johnstone, interviewed the Board. In answer to Mr. Simpson, who asked why the application was in Mrs. Hadleys name, ho stated that the business was hers, she having inherited iit. He assured the Board that the intention was to farm the property extensively ill conjunction with th e applicant's adjoining freehold, and that a farm manager was now in charge of the agricultural operations. There would be no objection raised tu the insertion ol any reasonably stringent clauses in the lease having regard to cultivation and eradication of weeds, etc. Th e chairman said this property had given the Commissioners a good deal of trouble for years past, owing to the growth of weeds. The present tenant, however, wits reported by the ranger to be doing excellent work, and the Board would be sQrry to accept a tenant who might by neglect allow the place to get back into its former state. Tho deputation having retired, it was decided tiliat the chairman and Mr, Simpson be a committee to enquire into the fitness or otherwise of the royalties offored, and to reporLon the whole matter to the next meeting of the Board.