Mining News

West Mary Ann Mine

 22nd March 1880.

    An adjourned meeting of the shareholders was held at Webb’s Hotel, Liskeard, on Friday, to confirm the resolutions passed on the 26th February last, for the purpose of altering the constitution of the present company from the cost-book to the limited liability. Mr. H. Caunter, of Liskeard, the solicitor to the company, was instructed to prepare the necessary drafts, documents, and articles of association to be submitted to the committee of local shareholders appointed.

28th March 1880.

    At a meeting of West Mary Ann adventurers’ held at Webb’s Hotel, Liskeard, yesterday, it was reported that there was a loss on the six months’ working of £104.0s.1d., and a call of 2s.6d. per share was made. A resolution was passed that the mine be continued on the joint system, with limited liability, and with a capital of £12,500 in 5,000 shares of £2.10s each.*

 

                                                                                 In 1877

 Non-Fatal Accidents:

West Mary Ann: - November 5th, Liskeard. Owners, West Mary Ann Mining Co.: Charles Hooper, filler, aged 16. Time off work – 4 weeks. Two pieces of bed-plank were struck by a stone, became detached, and fell down the shaft, striking the filler and breaking his leg.

 

In 1879 the mine had the following workers employed:

Males over 16 working underground:                       9

Males between 8 & 13 years of age (surface)          1

Males aged 13 to 18 years of age (surface)              1         

Males over the aged of 18 working on surface:        2

                                                                                      13

 

In 1880 the mine had the following workers employed:

Males over 16 working underground:                      10        

Males over the aged of 18 working on surface:        3

                                                                                      13

 

In 1881 the mine had the following workers employed:

Males over 16 working underground:                      11

Males over the aged of 18 working on surface:        2

                                                                                     13

 

In 1882 the mine had the following workers employed:

Males over 16 working underground:                       9

Males over the aged of 18 working on surface:       4

                                                                                     10

 

In 1883 the mine had the following workers employed:

Persons working underground:                                 15

Persons working on surface:                                      5

                                                                                     20

 

In 1884 the mine had the following workers employed:

Persons working underground:                                 12

Persons 18 working on surface:                                 4

                                                                                     16

West Mary Ann – Newspaper Articles

West Mary Ann: - Some twelve months since operations were commenced in the West Mary Ann sett, which runs parallel with the Old Mary Ann, which was long and successfully worked, about £71 per share having been returned in dividends on each £8 expended. As the setts almost join, equally satisfactory results are anticipated from the new adventure, which is divided into 3,000 shares, upon which 3s.6d. has been paid. The mine is situated in the parish of Menheniot, most of the mines in which have proved highly remunerative. At the recent meeting the accounts showed a debit balance, the mine being at present in process of development only, of £24.13s.2d., to cover which, and provide for further prosecution of the mine, a call of 1s. per share was made. As the costs are under £30 per months this would provide for over three months’ working. Owing to the death of a shareholder, 215 shares were not included in the last call, but as these will be re-allotted at the full amount paid – 3s.6d. – if not at a small premium, only a temporary inconvenience will be felt.

Royal Cornwall Gazette: Saturday 18th December 1875.

West Mary Ann: - West Mary Ann has recently cut Wheal Mary Ann lode, and Mr. Nettle, we hope, will have the pleasure of netting out cheques to the shareholders as he did for so many years.

Royal Cornwall Gazette: Saturday 8th April 1876.

West Mary Ann: - Has made a call of 1s.6d. per share.

The Standard: Monday 20th March 1876.

West Mary Ann: - It is rumoured that West Mary Ann is to be re-worked.

Royal Cornwall Gazette: Saturday 21st October 1876.

West Mary Ann: - Has made a call of 1s.6d. per share.

The Standard: Monday 10th June 1878.

West Mary Ann: - I am very pleased to find that the shareholders in West Mary Ann Mine (situate about a mile and a half from Liskeard) are more than likely to be rewarded for their untiring operations there for two years now at considerable outlay without any corresponding remuneration. Attempts have been made to open up and fairly set to work this mine. From the first those who knew most of the affair were most sanguine as to its ultimate success; and under the able management of Mr. W.G. Nettle, formerly purser of Wheal Mary Ann Mine, the success so desirable has been well nigh achieved.

Royal Cornwall Gazette: Friday 13th September 1878.

West Mary Ann: - Shares listed at 10s. – 15s.

Royal Cornwall Gazette: Friday 4th April 1879. (Listed in numerous RCG until the end of May 1879)

West Mary Ann: - Shares listed at 7s.6d.

Belfast News: Saturday 10th December 1879.

West Mary Ann: - The shareholders of West Mary Ann still keep pegging away, and, I hear, they have rich stones of lead in their shaft. There is no set of shareholders anywhere that I know of who ought to be more handsomely rewarded than they. For years they have laboured indefatigably to develop this mine; and it is hoped that success, by and by, will attend their efforts.

Royal Cornwall Gazette: Friday 30th January 1880.

West Mary Ann: - Our Liskeard Correspondent writes: - A meeting of the Adventurers of West Mary Ann Mine has been held at Webb’s Hotel this (Thursday) afternoon, and resolutions in favour of throwing it into a limited liability company are understood to have been passed. This plucky little company deserve all the success that can possibly fall to the lot of mine adventurers

Royal Cornwall Gazette: Friday 27th February 1880.

West Mary Ann: - A call of 3s.6d. per share has been made in West Mary Ann, and the mine reconstituted on the limited liability principal.

The Standard: Tuesday 6th April 1880.

West Mary Ann: - A call of 3s. per share has been made in West Mary Ann.

The Standard: Monday 23rd August 1880.

West Mary Ann: - West Mary Ann has made a call of 3s.6d. per share.

The Standard: Monday 23rd January 1882.

West Mary Ann: - A meeting of the shareholders of West Mary Ann Mine was held on Friday at Webb’s Hotel, Liskeard, Mr. W.G. Nettle in the chair. The accounts were as follows: - Expenditure – five months’ costs, £473.14s.7d.; balance brought from last account, £442.1s.6d.; making a total of £895.17s.4d., and the receipts now left a balance of £427.17s.4d. against the adventurers. It was resolved that a call of 5s. per 1-2,170th share be made, payable forthwith. The agent’s report was as under: - Since our last general meeting we have extended the adit level east 10 fathoms. In the last 8 fathoms a very great improvement has taken place, the ground being much softer, and water is issuing freely from all parts of the end, but as we have had other work requiring prompt attention we, for the time, left this point, but instead resuming it as quickly as possible. Our main efforts have been directed to the erection of the engine-house, boiler-house, and stack, together with the removal of the engine from Wheal Mary Ann Mine, and fixing it, which I am pleased to say has in a great measure been completed; and, considering our progress in the commencement was impeded by the very unfavourable weather, we think it is a matter of satisfaction that we are so forward. We hope very shortly to have it at work, when the water will be drained to the bottom level, and thus enable us to sink our shaft as well as commence driving on the highly promising lode which is there to be found presenting every indication of amply repaying us for the outlay made.

Royal Cornwall Gazette: Friday 8th June 1883.