previous managers devoted their time in rooting out the best tin, we, the
undersigned, workmen (we are not miners) under the former manager, beg to
contradict that statement, if you will kindly allow us space in your
valuable paper.  Instead of rooting out the best tin, Mr Mulligan, for six
weeks after his arrival on the claim, was working in a far worse face than
that with which Mr Sheppard is so disgusted, and with better results,
though under greater difficulties, as at that time there was a scarcity of
water, which involved more labour and loss of time in cleaning out the
dam.  He then commenced washing at the lower end of the workings with
better results, which kept improving slowly until we stopped for want of
tools.  We were then getting more tin per day than had been got since the
claim started washing, so instead of rooting out the best tin, as Mr
Sheppard stated in his report, we left it behind; moreover this was
pointed out to him on arrival at the claim.

He then says it is a waste of public time and money to employ the men who
are here as miners.  Surely that is more applicable to himself then the
men working here.  The former manager could obtain good results and
reflect credit on his men under greater difficulties than those with which
Mr Sheppard has had to contend.  For those reasons, coupled with the
poverty of the claim, he is compelled to resign.  Had he said that he
could not obtain men he would have been near the mark, for he has been
shorthanded since he came, until within this last week very few caring to
work under him.  It speaks but little for a man's integrity when he seeks
to hide his own deficiencies by passing such unmerited reflections as Mr
Sheppard does on the former managers of Spring Gully and working men of
Greenbushes.

Thanking you for your valuable space, which enables us to do Mr Mulligan
justice,
We are, &c.,
William T. Selborne,
Edward A. Yates, Junr.,
John Rowland,
James Rowland,
Michael Smith,
Michael Shanahan.