MIRANDA COAL AND MINERAL COMPANY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1867, 2 October 1874, Page 3

MIRANDA COAL AND MINERAL COMPANY.

A nombeb of mine and battery managers and others met Dr. Leo and Messrs 'Allan, O'Neill, and Geo. Friend at the Governor Bowen Hotel last evening, on their invitation, in reference to the Miranda Ooul and Mineral Company (Limited), of which they are promoters and directors. Mr Corner was called to the chair. !Je briefly opeued the proceedings, and called upon the directors of the company to afford any information on the subject for which the meeting was called.—After some preliminary discussion, Dr lee read the prospectus of the company, and the samples of the coal, iron ore, and fireclay were submitted for inspection.— In reply to a question by Mr Jackson as to the cost of tlio proposed tramway from tho pit to tho Miranda, Dr Lee said that they had various estimates. Somo advised that a wooden tramway should be laid, others that wooden rails lined with iron plates three-eighths of an inch thick should be used, and others that they should go in for tho more exponsivo and permanent plan of laying the iron railsI he cost would, ol coursc, depend upon the plan which was carried out. lie thought it was advisable that they should havo the iron-plated tramway, which would be constructed at a cost of £500 per mile, or about £5.000 in all. He thought it better that they should pro-! cure a traction engine, as tho gradients were suitable, and it would save a groat deal of expense._ In reply to another question, ke said that the Marumarua Kiver afforded good .deep water lor transit to Point llussolL.—Mr Hicks said there was one important matter of which mention had not been made, and that was, whether tho twelve miles of tramway was to go through Government or private laud, and if so, whether any urrangement had been made as to title.—X)r. Leo stated that the land through which the tramway would pass was Government ■property, confiscated land, and the Government would assist instead of retarding a project like this. If they decided on having a railway, tho Government would probably supply them with rails. -Mr liicks thought this should havo been stated in the prospectus.—Dr. Lee said they did not think it necessary. They had no private parties to deal with, only to go to tho Govorument. There was no use fighting with shadows, as thero would be no difficulty about it. It was all Government property.—ln reply to Mr Walker, Mr Friend stated that S,QQQ aluro woro retained for tho pro-.

porty and for the directors. Thoy ha-i purchased the property on a 60 years' lease for £1,000, 1,000 paid-up shares, and 6d per ton royalty on the coal, 4s on every 1,000 manufactured firebricks, Is per 1,000 on ordinary bricks, and Is per ton on iron ore. This might as well havo been mentioned in the prospectus, but their agents, Messrs Frater and Foughy, had _ instructions to give full information.—Mr Hicks suid that he sasv by tho prospectus that there were 20,000 shares. They now learnod that 5,000 paid-up shares were reserved. —Mr Wilson said that the test alluded to in the prospectus was not a satisfactory one.-In reply to a question, Mr Craig, who had spent some time prospecting the seam, said that there was no water in any of the shafts at present, and there was level enough for a tunnel at least 50 feet deep. The seam rose with the ground, and he calculated they couid get hundreds of thousands of tons out without lifting water. The seam dipped 1 foot in 5 feet. The river was a long distance off, aud there were no lakes nor swamps. All tho coal at present in sight were free from water. Tim coal in tho deepest of the shafts was of better quality than that in the others.—Mr Hicks asked whether they had gone into an estimate of the tramway, trucks, &c.—Mx Friend said that the contractor who made the Tokatea tramway guaranteed to make tho tramway at £500 a mile. Ho did not anticipate that they would have to call up more than 10s per share before they would bo ready to deliver coal in tho market. Mr Friend then explained the basis on which the allotment had been made to the directors. He estimated that whether the company floated or not their shares cost in lime and money 10s per share.— —Messrs Walker and Hicks did not think the capital adequate.—Some conversation onsued _ regarding tho tests made, and it was finally resolved that the directors be requestod to forward five or ten tons to some of the batteries as a test, aud in the event of it proving satisfactory the meeting pledged itself to assist in floating tho company.—Mr Friend, after somo demur as to the cost, consented to send five tons to be tested.—Mr Jackson asked with regard to the directors, whether thoy were permanent directors or merely provisional.-Mr Friend replied that they were permanent directors. After the company was floated they could appoint two directors at the Thames, There were tour life directors, two directors would be appointed from the lhames shareholders, and one from anywhere else. Alter some further conversation a vote of thanks was accorded to the directors tor the explanations thoy had given, and a voto of thanks to tho chairman terminated the proceedings.

THA.MES BOEOUGH COUNCIL. Ike usual weekly meeting of the members of the Borough Council was held at the Council Chambers last evening. I resent—lhe Mayor, Messrs Macnab, Kenshaw, Butt, Wilson, Anthony, Elirentned. lhe minutes of the previous meeting were read and agreed to. IHE COUNCIL AND THE iSuPEUINTEN-DENi-.—Amongst the letters which had been written was one to the, Superintendent asking for a plan of portion of the foreshore which had been acquired from tho natives.—ln answer to the Mayor, the Town Clerk stated that he had not received any answer to the letters he had written to the Superintendent. The Peoposed League of Boroughs. —Amongst the letters received were several trom town clerks of boroughs in reference to Lhe proposal to form a league of boroughs, so as to endeavour to obtain additional revenue. The answer from limaru was tu the effect that the Council ol that borough agreed with the proposa, and thought that Wellington should be tho head-quarters. Appeals against the Assessment.— Iwo or three letters wero road from parties stating that they wished to appeal against the assessment, -lhe Mayor thought they should look over any appeals against the assessment, and endeavour to settle them without an appeal to the .Resident Magistrate s Gourfc, as provided in the Act. Bella.smeet.-A letter was received from John McCabe, on account of the damage done tho Bella-street tramway bv drays crossing, and also complaining of He crossing at the Uird-in-Hand-Be-terred to Works Committee. The Union Bank Pbejiises.—A letter was read from Mr J. D. Grant, stating hat the Union Bank intended to erect a brick building and asphalte pavement, aud asking leave to endow the pavement for sa months.—Tho matter was referred to the | Mayor, with power.—.Vir Anthony said that the boarding was kept up at tho Bank of .New Zealand for weeks when it was not required, to the injury of the business near.

iiisroiiiop Foeeaun op Wobks —A report was read from the Foreman of Worn stating what had been done, and also stating that over 1,780 yards of metal for certain portions of streets specified. He also called attention to the damage done by the high tides to the road near the Wesley an Chapel. Thereporfcwas received. A diacusiion took placea-especting a culvert which it was proposed to put at the comer of Men-street and Grey, street Butt s corner).—Air Jihrenfried thought they should not spend so much money at one spot,—l hey had already put a culvert at this place, they had metalled the street, and built a bridge over the Hape. -'[he matter was referred to the Works Committee.—The Mayor said the Council were at tho mercy of people in the creeks for metal. He thought thoy should either rcconsider the'question of the quarry at Boundary Greek, or come other way of obtaining .a- -permanent supply.-Atter some conversation, the Works Lommitteo were directed to report upon tho stone required, and as to tiow it could be obtained.—Mr Jihrenfried said that something must be done uuto the footpath, from tho VVesloyaa Chapel to tho creek, which had been washed away by iiae hide tide. A permanent tootpath must bo made.—The Mayor thought they could not do much till they saw who was to have tho foreshore.— the subject was reterred to the Works Committee.

JinpoiiT of Works Committee.—Tho Works Committee reported that the only way to prevent the stream water from running over the Moanataiari road was by having the road raised .--The Mayor stated that the work would cost about £20. —MrAnthonysaid there was no necessity for the work being immediately douo, and it was agreed to defer it.—Tho committee recommended that u footpath be made in Pollen-street from Cockrano ■ street to Puhau.-sl.rcet, aud it was agreed to carry out the work.

Finn ]3iii6ADiiß.— V report was read from the committee appointed to confer with tho fire Brigades, which recommended that certain things should bo done to facilitate tho working of tlio brigades, Tho superinteadent o? tho

Shortland Fire Brigade requested leave to ring tlio Shortluncl fire bell ou Friday next for practice. It was stated that the bell would not be ready by that time.— The report was received.—Mr Ehrenfried moved that certain fire plugs should be raised, as wanted by the brigades. This was agreed to. Mr Ehrenfried moved that certain ladders and other requisites should be obfcaiaed.—Power was given to the committee to obtain these requisites. —It was agreed that the Engineer be instructed to get the fire plugs in Shortland cased.—Several accounts in connection with the fire brigades were passed.— Mr Macnab thought it would be as well if a (ire inspector were appointed at Shortland in connection with the brigade there.—lt was stated that the Shortland representatives had recommended Mr Curtis. The Mayor stated that Mr Bullen had got a branch .manufactured according to a Californian pattern, and Mr Macdonald had reported very favourably of it. He thought the Council ought to pass a vote of thanks to Mr Bullen, who had been at great trouble in the matter.—Tho vote was passed unanimously. .Report of Health Officer.—A report read from tho Health Officer staling that ho had served certain notices for the abatement of nuisances.

Finance Oojijiitises's Report.—A report was read from the Finance Committee recommending the payment of a number of accounts.

The Auhed-stbeec Tramway.—A draft 'agreement between the Borough Council and the Bright Smilo Gr.M.C. as to tho tramway proposed to be erected by the company in Alfred-street, which had been prepared by Mr Tyler, was read.— The draft was approved of. The Boundary Cheek Water Race. —The Town Clerk stated that he had objected to the grant of the water-race from Boundary Creek to the Imperial Crown battery. Fortnightly Meetings of Council. —Mr Ehrenfried moved that in future the meetings of Council should be held fortnightly instead of weekly.—Mr Renshaw seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

The Council's Expenditure Motion.—The notice of motion girai by Mr Butt as io the expenditure in salaries, etc., was the next business.—Mr Butt wished it to be adjourned till next meeting, .and this was seconded by Mr Benshaw.—Mr Ehrenfried said lie thought they ought to have the subject discussed at once. Ho moved to that effect.—MiAnthony seconded the amendment.—Mr Butt said that he had no desire to go into a cheese-paring policy, but his object in moving the motion was to examine whether they could not make any saving, The return having just been furnished, ho was not prepared to discuss the question,—The amendmonfc was carried by four to three.—Mr Butt began to speak on tlie statement, but said he had not the necessary information.—Mr Ehrenfried said that imputations had been made that the Council spent money uselessly, but it seemed that nothing of the sort could be shown. Ho would give Mr Butt all possible chance, and would move that this matter be adjourned.—Mr Butt said he had nover made imputations upon the Council, and in asking for the return ho was anxious rather to set the Council right than wrong.—The discussion was adjourned.

It was agreed to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, so that the tenders for the "Waio-Karaka ltoad should be accepted at the earliest possible moment.