LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — Claims staked years earlier

The Odds `n’ Sods article “An outstanding exploration team” (T.N.M., March 14/94) refers to prospecting carried out in northwestern British Columbia by Einar Kvale and Tom McQuillan, reportedly in the summer of 1946. The article suggests that their exploration led to the discovery and staking of the copper deposits which became the Granduc mine.

Both men were not only exceptional prospectors, but outstanding individuals. Out of respect for the memory of Wendell Dawson and Bill Fromholz, I wish to clarify the events in which all four were ultimately involved in the Granduc discovery.

The copper-bearing outcrops on the north side of Leduc Glacier are recorded as having been discovered and staked by Dawson and his partner in the summer of 1931 and recorded on Oct. 19 of that year. The claims subsequently lapsed during the Depression.

On Dec. 28, 1950, Dawson wrote to his friend Des Kidd (who was actively exploring in northwestern British Columbia), recalling his discovery and seeking his interest. Kidd forwarded Dawson’s letter to Karl Springer, an associate. Springer then wrote to Dawson expressing interest and proposing to “carry you for a 10% non-assessable interest in the claims.” Dawson replied on Jan. 22, 1951, that the proposal appeared fair and suggested a meeting. Dawson, a U.S. commanding officer in the Pacific during the Second World War, was recalled to active duty in February, 1951, and was unavailable for a proposed site examination.

Springer’s company, Helicopter Exploration, retained Kvale and McQuillan as prospectors and in July, 1951, they were flown into the Leduc area by helicopter. On Aug. 2, 1951, on a return visit to the area, they staked a number of claims on behalf of the company.

Dawson did not learn about the staking until June, 1952. His claimed entitlement to a 10% interest led to a dispute and an action against the company filed Nov. 23, 1953, in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Dawson lost the case and subsequent appeal but was successful in a Supreme Court of Canada decision in 1955.

I had the fortune of meeting Dawson while examining some of his claims north of Granduc in 1954. I was later to learn that, prior to his successful settlement, he had forwarded 5,000 shares of Granduc stock to the widow of his former partner.

D.A. Barr

West Vancouver, B.C.