"THE STORY OF THE GREEN HARP MINE."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10121, 2 May 1896, Page 1 (Supplement)

"THE STORY OF THE GREEN HARP MINE."

Mr. P. J. Kelly, writing on the above subjecb, says On perusing "The Story of the Green Harp Mine" by "A. A.," in your issue of the 18th ultimo, I feel compelled to take exception to that portion dealing with the property after its abandonment until its reconstruction as the Union Beach Company, the circumstances, as narrated, leading to the conclusion that the revival was wholly attributable to a discovery made by the late Mr. Goorge Black and the writer, "A.A.;" bub the statements I am convinced are entirely at variance with the facts.

The formation of the Union Beach Company, comprising, the Coromandel, Green Harp, and Venus'claims, and the discovery leading thereto, occurred in this wayl arrived in Coromandel after the Green Harp episode, being interested in a tribute in the Golden Pa, and while we were awaiting machinery to clear the shaft of water I made the acquaintance of Mr. George Hannay, who came down occasionally, as I discovered, with the view ot keeping an eye upon the several properties then abandoned. In the coarse of a conversation I had with him one day he gave mo to understand that he was desirous of having the ground known as the Green Harp prospected to satisfy himself and those whom he represented more fully as to its value, and suggested that a level if pub in close to the old shaft or winze worked by the Green Harp people from the road would be advisable. I coincided with his views, and undertook the task, In a few days he sent me a mate in the person of a Mr. Mellaopp, nnd we continued to work together.. When the drive had been extended some* 1 ' fourteen feet or thereabouts I noticed a change of country taking place, and discovered stone in tho floor of the drive, which, upon examination, proved to be excellent specimens. These I sent by Mellsopp to Hannay, who came rather earlier than usual next morning; and after we had driven some little distance further we came upon a block or run of stono from which about 801b >of speoimens were taken and placed in the Bank of New Zealand (Mr. Busley, now Registrar in the Supreme Court, Auckland, being then manager). This parcel when treated yielded 2060z gold. I may mention that the Beach was at this time deserted with tho exception of the Pa tributers and the late Mr. Harry Blackmore, who was associated with Messrs. Jas. McGregor, Bremner, and Hasletb, sinking paddocks on tho foreshore fronting the Golden Pa. Mr. Hannay immediately wired his people in Auckland who were interested in the claims already reforred to, and in a day or bo Captain Daldy, Mr. J. P. DuMoulin, and Mr. Wardrop camo down, and were reinforced by Mr. Woollams, Mr. Charles Ring, and other residents, and steps were immediately .. taken to amalgamate the properties, and from was afterwards known as the Union Boaoh. The directors wished mo bo remain in , a subordinate capacity with Mr. Hannay, which for reasons I ■ declined, preferring to resume, work in the Pa tribute. , Mr. Hannay, having other properties to look after, was relieved by the late Mr. Reeves, at one time manager of the Kapanga, but owing to ill-health he had to retire,- and then, and nob until then; did Mr. Black take charge. Bub then the surface workings wero valueless, having been carefully prospected by Mr. Hannay, and the work of sinking the shaft, which had been commenced and abandoned by the Green Harp people, proceeded. In course of time Mr. Hannay again relieved Mr. Black. ■..■I know not who " A.A. J ' is, bub he must be labouring under some delugion, as l can remember no tramway which could possibly cover any reef or body of stone. u However,' one thing is certain, that neither :to Mr. Black, ;" A.A,,"nor , their nocturnal exploration is the credit of the discovery leading to that revival due. i: ~ " ,