PIONEER PASSES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 59, Issue 4288, 7 June 1950, Page 8

PIONEER PASSES

MR A. E. ARGALL

EARLY DAYS IN MINING

. THE BOOM IN COROMANDEL

Recently there passed away at his residence, Berresford street, Bayswater, Auckland, Mr Allen Edward Argali whose long life was closely ■ associated with the gold mining operations of Coromandel in days long past

The late Mr Argali was born in Cornwall Where he gained his first experience in mining and being of a roving deposition he was attracted <to the diamond rush at Johannesburg, South Africa. After spending some time in the African diamond and gold fields, Mr Argali came to New Zealand joining his brother, Captain Argali, who was superintendent for a group of British investors interested in mines at Coromandel. The particular mines were the Royal Oak, Tokatea, Kupanga and the Hauraki mines. Ab that time tributors were seeking gold in the Hauraki mine and one party, Messrs Ross and Colthurst, were striking a specimen lead which continually changed its course. As a result the mining inspector condemned the outfit as dangerous. A fresh -shaft had to be sunk or a start made from a level from either the seaward aide-of the spur or the Coromandel township. As a number of tributers were working from there, the tunne* going through the other tributers’ -sections. Then| arose the question compensation so Captain Argali and his brother arbitrated successfully and the tunnel was put through in Messrs Legg and party’s section. In the construction of the tunnel a rich reef was struck, this starting the mining boom in Coromandel an brought about the starting of mines at Thames, Karangahake and waihi. In fact the whole of the Coromandel range was pegged out several times over. ' -

A group of British- investors acquired » between «>« and Kupanga and Mr A. E. Argan /known as Bert) was appointed manaeer. At the conclusion of the mining boom he moved on, going to England and thence on to the Nubian deserwhere he opened up a mine which ha not been worked; for nearly 3000 years. In this he was employed by a London firm, Messrs Taylor and Sons. After a period there Mr Argali crossed to India spending several years on the Dahwah fields. In 1920 Mr Argali was to be found once more in Coromandel where he farmed a property at Te Kumu at the entrance to Coromandel harbour using the land for sheep farming. The late Mr Argali married the • eldest of another Cornish mine manager Mr Noah Clymo, who managed a good gold producer in Driving Creek. Eventually deceased took up bis residence at Bayswater, Auckland. During the past few years Mr Argall’s health was not of the best. Mis death brought to an end at the ripe old age of 90 years an adventurous life always on the hunt for big mining propositions. The late Mr Argali leaves a daugh- . ter, Audrey, and a sister-in-law, Miss Alice Clymo, to mourn their loss, it z will be remembered by old residents of Coromandel that the late Mrs Argali’s mother kept for jnany years one of the leading drapery businesses in Coromandel in a large two storied bonding facing Tiki road. Later the building was occupied by the late Mr t. W- Rhodes to print the Coromandel County News. .