MINING PRIVILEGES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20625, 5 August 1941, Page 6

MINING PRIVILEGES

SUIT FOR FORFEITURE STEEL FIRM’S DEFENCE (Per Press Association.) NELSON, this day. The action of the Crown against the Golden Bay Proprietary, Limited, Onekaka Iron and Steel Company, and Pacific Steel, Limited, for the forfeiture of mining privileges ai Onekaka in connection with the iron industry, has already occupied six days in the Warden's Court. The Crown is seeking forfeiture on the grounds that the terms of the licenses were not adhered to during the statutory six months prior to the passing of the Iron and Steel Industry Act, 1937. The hearing has now been adjourned to August 22 at Wellington, where counsels’ addresses will be given, but rights have been reserved for the calling of additional evidence. Mr. Sim, K.C., counsel for Pacific Steel, opened his case yesterday. Mr. Sim asked the warden either to impose a fine or dismiss the case. He said that Pacific Steel had prepared the way at great expense for the establishment of the industry. The Crown was now building an organisation for Onekaka development on Pacific Steel’s work and, in addition, wanted to take the assets on which to apply that work. Pacific Steel would later seek compensation.