Ballagh v. Williams

DRAPEAU, J. pro tem.

— Four men became interested in a placer mine on the Mother Lode. In a placer mine gold is mixed in with sand and gravel, generally a deposit in the stream bed of a living or an ancient river. If there is gold enough in the gravel to pay the cost of extracting it, and something more for the miner, it is said to be a paying proposition. If there is enormous profit for the miner, it is said to be a bonanza. But, if there is no profit, or not enough profit to pay the cost of operation, then it is said to be borrasca. In this case, and with reference to this particular…