CINNABAR MINING CLAIM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21553, 26 July 1933, Page 12

CINNABAR MINING CLAIM

FORFEITURE SOUGHT , AREA IN NORTH AUCKLAND [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WHANGAREI. Tuesday In the Warden's Court to-day, William Samuel James Unitt, of Whangarei, labourer, claimed that a mining privilege held by Christopher Thomas Mitchell, of Puhipuhi, bo forfeited, and that plaintiff be declared the first applicant. The claim was in respect of 20 acres comprising the Whenuaroa mining claim at Puhipuhi, which was granted in 1915 for a period of 42 years. Plaintiff claimed that defendant had not for at least 12 months continuously prosecuted mining operations as required by law, and also had not kept employed the required number of workmen. In evidence plaintiff said that Mitchell had not worked the property continuously. Plaintiff considered lie was in a better position to work the claim and could commence with six men immediately, or form a company. Evidence was given by John C. Cummings, of Kamo, to the effect that in tho past three months the claim had not been worked fully. Defendant gavo evidence that 110 had worked the mine continuously sineo March, 'mining cinnabar and silica. Thomas James Peter Mitchell and Thomas Victor Mitchell gavo similar evidence. Mr. G. N. Morris, S.M., said it was very unsatisfactory to t ask him to settle the case when not. one of tho witnesses knew how much work had been done. From the evidence of sales it did not appear that work had been continuous. Tho case was adjourned until August S.