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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Argall, William Henry

Argall, William Henry, General Mining Manager and Consulting Engineer, was born on the 8th of August 1855, at St. Austell, Cornwall, England He was educated mainly at the Church of England School at Breage, Cornwall, finishing at the Helston Grammar School. Captain Argall's first acquaintance with mining was in the year 1870, at the Great Wheal Vor United Mines, Cornwall. Whilst there, he attended the mining school, and studied mining, mineralogy, chemistry, and geology. In 1873 he went to South Wales, under engagement with Messrs Brogden and Sons, to acquire a knowledge of coal mining and the manufacture of iron. A year later found him at Linares Silver Lead Mines, in the south of Spain, being engaged by Messrs. John Taylor and Sons, London. While in that part of the world he gained a good experience of mining and smelting, staying in the country for seven years, when he was appointed assistant manager of some tin and copper mines in Cornwall; this position he held for some two years. In 1883 he was engaged by the Frontino and Bolivia Gold Mining Company, Ltd., London, to proceed to their mines (at that time nine in number) in the United States of Colombia, northern part of South America. With this company, he held the post of mining inspector for their several mines. On his return to England, Captain Argall was again sent to Spain on business connected with mining, and, after a stay of four months, was despatched to Mexico, as superintendent of a large silver mine. He first arrived in New Zealand in the beginning of January, 1888. His experience in the Colony has been very varied, and he has an intimate knowledge of the Coromandel Peninsula generally, and also of parts of the South Island. At one time Captain Argall was general manager and consulting engineer to the following companies:—Kapanga Gold Mining Company. Ltd., Blagroves' Freehold Gold Mining Company, Ltd., Kathleen Crown, Ltd., Preece's Point Proprietary (Hauraki), Ltd., Tararu Creek Gold Mining Company, Ltd., The Hauraki Golden Age Mines, Ltd., Komata Queen. Ltd. He is a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, London, and vice-president of the New Zealand Institute of Mining Engineers. His connection with the famous Hauraki Mine, Coromandel, is well known, as under his management the rich ore was first discovered. During his career Captain Argall has inpected mines in various parts of Europe, and in his travels throughout the world has had many opportunities of examining several countries. His experience in mining has been varied, embracing tin, copper, iron, lead, manganese, antimony, silver, and gold. Captain Argall was initiated into the mysteries of Freemasoury in Spain in 1878. the ceremony being conducted throughout in the Spanish language. He married Miss Emilie Allen Edmonds, of Penzance. Cornwall, who died in 1887. leaving him an only daughter.