“It was just the way he acted after his return.” He hesitated. “I could pick the signs.”
“But he didn’t tell you.”
“I’m afraid we had a quarrel instead.”
“Do you think he told anyone else?”
“Not as far as I know. He embargoed all his research.”
“Ah – what a pity! And now the huia has blocked all possibility of development.” He mused. “So Tane would have been disappointed that his discovery might never be used.”
David wondered whether he should query this opinion, but after a pause he continued: “Geologists learn to live with other people’s decisions.”
Sir Charles looked at him searchingly. “So you yourself don’t get too involved with political decisions – even where your own research is concerned?”
It was a slightly uncomfortable question, but Sir Charles quickly went on. “Have another coffee. How are you getting on with your search anyhow?”
David described the visit to Waitehaia, and how he had lost the scent. “I’ve got the idea that he’s a fugitive.”
“But he’s done nothing wrong – drugs or anything like that, has he?”
“I think he’s a fugitive from himself – like Cain.”
“I know the story well. You mean Tane is so disappointed about not being able to use his discovery that he can’t face life anymore?”
Again the words jarred. Obviously, Sir Charles did not know what really motivated Tane. He hesitated. Should he put him right? No, it would take too long. “It’s something like that.”
“I suppose you’re afraid he may harm himself?”
“Exactly,” he said gratefully.
Sir Charles put his fingers together again and half closed his eyes as if he were pondering a legal issue. “David, while speaking with you, I had a thought about Tane. If I recall, he did his doctorate at the Australian School of Mines at the Australian National University at Canberra.”
David nodded. “It was on the mineral resources of the Grey Range north of Broken Hill near the Sturt Desert.”
“What do you think was the distinctive thing about that research?”
“It was the historical and spiritual relationship of the landowners, the Aboriginal tribes, to mineral exploration, discovery and development. He lived among them for a while to gather his material. I believe the research was not popular in some quarters because it was thought it might encourage the Aboriginals to claim millions from the mining companies in compensation.”
“I thought that was his background, and I can understand the caution with which it might be received. As you may realise, I have extensive overseas university and mining contacts. I can’t promise anything, but would you mind very much if I did some detective work on your behalf?”
“I would really appreciate it.”
Sir Charles made some notes on a little pad. “I wonder if you could help me a little now. I understand you have been doing some research. I have some very substantial overseas clients who could be interested in your work. What do you think are the most likely areas – discounting of course the area of which I am an advocate?”
David was amazed. “How did you find out about my work?”
Sir Charles beamed. “My work on the Council is very hands-on. I make a point of knowing about all the research which is going on – that is…” the dimple appeared again “…all the important research.”
Eagerly he hastened to answer the question he had always wanted to be asked. “Coromandel, Paparoas and Tasman Mountains. These are Forest Parks, but there are certain clauses in the Crown Minerals Act, Forest Parks legislation and District Plans. In my paper I have suggested how these clauses may be used to obtain mineral licences. The most important is the public interest aspect.”
“Even though the environmental groups now have access to legal aid?”
“The benefit to the economy of the country can be proved to be more in the public interest than the locking up of large areas of the country for the exclusive use of certain minority environmental groups. We can of course protect the valuable tourist revenue by inserting minimum environmental impact clauses.”
“I see I’ll definitely have to watch out for my huia sanctuary.”
David laughed.
“I have a client who’s leaving for the United States tomorrow. If you can manage it, I would very much like you to meet him before he goes. Can you come here at four o’clock today? Of course, I don’t want to interfere with your search.”
“Not at all. I need a break from it.”
CHAPTER 12
“I am very happy, Dr Corbishley, with your approach.”
The gentle, scholarly man with the soft New England accent did not conform to the usual public conception of the director of one of the world’s largest mining companies.
David leaned back in the leather chair balancing his cup of coffee. “I thought you might be interested,” he remarked.
“It’s always a challenge going through your legal procedures,” said the American. “But we have a good reputation for social responsibility. The relevant Park authority would be provided with active recreation facilities, and trails and historic features developed for the tourist trade. The local community would be offered a wide range of welfare and employment opportunities. We would ensure that all our processes are ‘minimum environmental impact’. There are new methods of below-surface extraction and large helicopters are now used for access and transport, and we are able to transport the product for processing elsewhere. We would develop our contacts with the indigenous people and insist on a full process of consultation with them, which may include prayers and blessings at the different processes of exploration, extraction, processing and export.”
Sir Charles beamed across his desk. “So do you think, David, that the likeliest areas for Dr Magnusson are the Coromandel and the Tasman Mountains?”
“These areas have always been extremely mineral rich, but the environmental lobby has succeeded in preventing further development. However, I would envisage that with a combined economic benefit, employment and tourism thrust, we would appeal to the business and farming interests in the area as well as to the Ministry of Forestry. Moreover, if the product is processed in the economically disadvantaged towns of the area such as Waihi and Thames, this would also be seen as in the national interest.”
Dr Magnusson, however, was not smiling. “Our company has had reports of trouble with some of your iwi. Road attacks, I believe.”
“Don’t concern yourself,” replied Sir Charles, “I have already discussed your development with the Deputy Prime Minister and some key ministers. There is a plan being drawn up with the police for urgent action against the small group of troublemakers who I believe will shortly be apprehended.”
The director was smiling again. “I would like to retain you, Dr Corbishley, as our New Zealand consultant. Would you be so good as to provide my fellow directors with a presentation setting out the mineral potential of this area and the procedures to be followed in attaining resource consent? Money is of course no object. Just let Sir Charles check it, and then send it off as soon as you can, and I’ll get things under way.” He looked at his watch. “Charles, have I got a plane to catch?”
“Your chauffeur is waiting at reception.”
“Charmed to meet you, Dr Corbishley.”
David looked ruefully at the Queen’s Counsel. “Nice man and I’d like to help him, but I had committed the rest of my vacation to searching for Tane.”
“Of course you had. And very proper too.”
“I don’t know whether I can find the time to do both.”
The great man smiled. “I think you may. Since this morning I have spoken to a friend of mine on the Council at the Australian National University. He contacted Professor Carson in the National School of Mines who supervised Tane’s doctorate and knew him well.”