File 1 - Alexander Hill

52pp

File of letters and telegrams from Alexander Hill to M M O'Shaughnessy concerning the early stages of the Balaklala Mines project. His letters concern their dealings and tactics in trying to negotiate a share of the Balaklala property. Details on location, surveys, portions of the mines intended for copper and sulphide mining, and the patents needed are all discussed. The file includes third party correspondence with MacCutchen (the owners' attorneys), Keller (consulting metallurgist of the Mountain Copper Company), Mr's Weill and Malm, the Balaklala Mining Company, Mr Herbert P Winslow who was a partner of Alexander Hill and M M O'Shaughnessy's in acquiring the land, and R G Hart (Senior President and Manager of the Texas Consolidated Gold Mining Co.).

Of particular note include a handwritten memo by O'Shaughnessy that summarises negotiations between himself and Alex Hill with the owners. A letter from Edward J McCutchen to O'Shaughnessy outlines the terms of a sale of the Balaklala group of mines to Mr Hill from Mr Malm, with calculations attached on scrap paper (5 Mar 1897). Subsequent letters from Hill to O'Shaughnessy refer to concurrent negotiations with 'Eureka people', and work at Windy Camp which O'Shaughnessy will undertake.

A carbon copy letter from [Mr Malm] to M M O'Shaughnessy of 2 Jun 1897 expresses irritation at Alexander Hill's withdrawal of interest from the Balaklala property. By 29 Jul 1897, Hill, having relocated to London, writes to O'Shaughnessy and weighs up the Balaklala prospect against Iron Mountain. He comments unfavourably on the business tactics of Simons and various other parties involved.

The material is accessible to all bone fide researchers, and subject to the conditions of access governing the consultation of archival material at the James Hardiman Library.
Open

P135/1/2/2/1/3; P135/1/2/2/1/6

Catalog

02/03/2017
17/07/2025