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Registration No. 33-________________
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 1995.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
_________________________________________
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
_________________________________________
FIRSTMISS GOLD, INC.
(Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
NEVADA 64-0748908
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer ID Number)
5190 NEIL ROAD, SUITE 310
RENO, NEVADA 89502
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
</TABLE>
FIRSTMISS GOLD AMENDED AND RESTATED
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
(Full Title of the Plan)
JAMES L. MCARTHUR, SECRETARY
FIRSTMISS GOLD INC.
P. O. BOX 1249
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39215-1249
(601) 948-7550
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Amount Proposed Proposed Maxi- Amount of
Securities to to be Maximum Offering mum Aggregate Registration
be Registered Registered Price Per Share(1) Offering Price Fee
================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock 1,000 Issuable upon Not Applicable Not Applicable
par value $.01 shares(2) conversion
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1994-A Series 1,000 Issuable upon Not Applicable Not Applicable
Convertible shares(2) conversion
Preferred Stock
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1994-A Series $ 9,531.25 100% of face $ 9,531.25 $3.29*
Convertible amount
Subordinated
Debentures
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</TABLE>
(1) Estimated solely for calculation of the registration fee pursuant to
Rule 457(i).
(2) Subject to anti-dilution increases permitted by Rule 416.
*Minimum fee of $100 has been wire transferred.
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PART II
INFORMATION REQUESTED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed with the Commission by FirstMiss
Gold Inc. (the "Company") are incorporated herein by reference: (1) the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1994;
(2) the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended December 31,
1994; (3) the description of the Common Stock of the Company contained in Item
1 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on January 22,
1988, as amended by Item 5 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated
as of June 13, 1990, by the description of supermajority voting requirements
contained in the Company's definitive proxy statement dated September 24, 1990,
for its annual meeting of stockholders held on November 1, 1990; (4) Item 5 of
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated as of November 6, 1991; and by
any other reports and proxy statements which update the Form 8-A, including
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q describing various series of the Company's
Preferred Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan and described in Item 4
below. All documents filed hereafter by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prior to the
termination of the offering hereunder shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing of such documents.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
See Item 3 for description of Common Stock (including any provision of
the Company's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws having an effect on
a change of control of the Company).
NOTE: Each series of debentures and Preferred Stock, other than the 1994-A
series of debentures and the 1994-A series of Preferred Stock, has
been registered under a previously filed Registration Statement
relating to the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended. All
existing series of debentures and all existing series of Preferred
Stock created for issuance under the Plan must be described in the
Prospectus used in connection with this Registration Statement, so the
following composite description of all such series is also being used
in this Registration Statement instead of preparing a separate
description covering only the series of debentures and Preferred Stock
being registered hereby.
Debentures
The Company has created eleven series of debentures for
issuance pursuant to debenture options under the Company's Long-Term Incentive
Plan (the "Plan"), which have been designated as the Company's 1988-A Series
Convertible Subordinated Debentures (the "1988-A Series Debentures"), the
1989-A Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures (the "1989-A Series
Debentures"), the 1989-B Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures (the
"1989-B Series Debentures"), the 1990-A Series
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Convertible Subordinated Debentures (the "1990-A Series Debentures"), the
1990-B Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures (the "1990-B Series
Debentures"), the 1990-C Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures (the
"1990-C Series Debentures"), the 1991-A Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures (the "1991-A Series Debentures"), the 1991-B Series Convertible
Subordinated Debentures (the "1991-B Series Debentures"), the 1992-A Series
Convertible Subordinated Debentures (the "1992-A Series Debentures"), the
1993-A Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures (the "1993-A Series
Debentures") and the 1994-A Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures (the
"1994-A Series Debentures"). These eleven debenture series will sometimes be
referred to collectively as the "Debentures" and, except as otherwise
indicated, are subject to the same terms and conditions. The Company has
authorized the issuance, pursuant to the exercise of debenture options, of an
aggregate principal amount of $416,500 of 1988-A Series Debentures, $167,700 of
1989-A Series Debentures, $40,750 of 1989-B Series Debentures, $186,812.50 of
1990-A Series Debentures, $140,250 of 1990-B Series Debentures, $27,187.50 of
1990-C Series Debentures, $164,500 of 1991-A Series Debentures, $16,250 of
1991-B Series Debentures, $29,062.50 of 1992-A Series Debentures, $31,875 of
1993-A Series Debentures and $9,531.25 of 1994-A Series Debentures. The only
Debenture outstanding as of December 31, 1994, was a 1991-A Series Debenture in
the amount of $11,750. The 1988-A Series Debentures, the 1989-A Series
Debentures, the 1989-B Series Debentures, the 1990-A Series Debentures, the
1990-B Series Debentures, the 1990-C Series Debentures, the 1991-A Series
Debentures, the 1991-B Series Debentures, the 1992-A Series Debentures, the
1993-A Series Debentures, and the 1994-A Series Debentures are governed by
Indentures dated as of July 13, 1988, August 9, 1989, November 2, 1989, August
8, 1990, November 1, 1990, November 2, 1990, August 14, 1991, November 7, 1991,
November 5, 1992, November 4, 1993, and November 3, 1994, respectively, as
amended by Supplemental Indentures dated November 6, 1991, (the "Indentures"),
all between the Company and Deposit Guaranty National Bank, as Trustee (the
"Trustee"), One Deposit Guaranty Plaza, Jackson, Mississippi 39201.
The 1988-A Series Debentures will mature on July 12, 1998; the
1989-A Series Debentures will mature on August 8, 1999; the 1989-B Series
Debentures will mature on November 1, 1999; the 1990-A Series Debentures will
mature on August 7, 2000; the 1990-B Series Debentures will mature on October
31, 2000; the 1990-C Series Debentures will mature on November 1, 2000; the
1991-A Series Debentures will mature on August 13, 2001; the 1991-B Series
Debentures will mature on November 6, 2001; the 1992-A Series Debentures will
mature on November 4, 2002; the 1993-A Series Debentures will mature November
3, 2003, and the 1994-A Series Debentures will mature on November 2, 2004. In
certain circumstances described below, the Debentures may be redeemed prior to
their due date. The 1988-A, 1989-A, 1989-B, 1990-A, 1990-B, 1990-C, 1991-A,
1991-B, 1992-A, 1993-A and 1994-A Series Debentures will be subordinated
generally to the Company's other indebtedness, except that they will rank
equally with each other and any other series of debentures created for issuance
under the Plan. Interest on the Debentures will be payable semiannually on
January 1 and July 1 of each year.
The Debentures will bear interest at a floating rate of 1%
less than the rate publicly announced as its prime rate by Deposit Guaranty
National Bank in Jackson, Mississippi, but not more than the maximum legal rate
permitted under the law.
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Amendments to the Plan approved by the stockholders in
November, 1991 changed the six-month holding period before a debenture can be
converted into Preferred Stock so that such holding period now begins on the
date a debenture option is granted, rather than on the date a debenture is
purchased upon exercise of a debenture option. The Plan was further amended by
the Board of Directors to provide that administrative responsibilities relating
to the Plan be handled by a committee composed of outside directors.
Furthermore, the Company has entered into Supplemental Indentures with Deposit
Guaranty National Bank to reflect the change in the debenture holding period
and to require that Preferred Stock issuable upon conversion of a debenture
will not be transferable except in certain situations. These amendments and
resulting Supplemental Indentures reflect the new rules, effective May 1, 1991,
promulgated by the SEC under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Amendments to the Plan approved by the stockholders in
November, 1992 provided that for all Plan purposes "fair market value" be
calculated using the average of the highest and lowest price of the Company's
Common Stock the day an option is granted, or if no such sale is made that day,
then on the latest preceding day. The amendment is retroactive to November,
1989. The Plan contains a more complete definition of "fair market value."
Subject to the conditions described herein, at any time more
than six months after the date of grant of the applicable Debenture Option and
prior to the redemption or payment thereof, the 1988-A Series Debentures will
be convertible at the Conversion Price of $8.50 per share into fully paid and
non-assessable shares of 1988-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock; the 1989-A
Series Debentures will be convertible at the Conversion Price of $9.75 per
share into fully paid and non-assessable shares of 1989-A Series Convertible
Preferred Stock; the 1989-B Series Debentures will be convertible at the
Conversion Price of $10.1875 per share into fully paid and non-assessable
shares of 1989-B Series Convertible Preferred Stock; the 1990-A Series
Debentures will be convertible at the Conversion Price of $7.625 per share into
fully paid and non-assessable shares of 1990-A Series Convertible Preferred
Stock; the 1990-B Series Debentures will be convertible at the Conversion Price
of $5.50 per share into fully paid and non-assessable shares of 1990-B Series
Convertible Preferred Stock; the 1990-C Series Debentures will be convertible
at the Conversion Price of $5.4375 per share into fully paid and non-assessable
shares of 1990-C Series Convertible Preferred Stock; the 1991-A Series
Debentures will be convertible at the Conversion Price of $2.9375 per share
into fully paid and non-assessable shares of 1991-A Series Convertible
Preferred Stock; the 1991-B Series Debentures will be convertible at the
Conversion Price of $3.250 per share into fully paid and non-assessable shares
of 1991-B Series Convertible Preferred Stock; the 1992-A Series Debentures will
be convertible at the Conversion Price of $5.8125 per share into fully paid and
non-assessable shares of 1992-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock; the 1993-A
Series Debentures will be convertible at the Conversion Price of $6.375 per
share into fully paid and non-assessable shares of 1993-A Series Convertible
Preferred Stock and the 1994-A Series Debentures will be convertible at the
Conversion Price of $9.53125 per share into fully paid and non-assessable
shares of 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock. Each share of the
above-described Preferred Stock will be convertible immediately into one share
of Common Stock, subject to adjustment in certain events. See "Preferred
Stock." In light of the adjustments provided for the conversion ratio of the
1988-A, 1989-A, 1989-B, 1990-A, 1990-B, 1990-C, 1991-A, 1991-B, 1992-A, 1993-A
and 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock, no adjustment in the Conversion
Price for the 1988-A, 1989-A, 1989-B, 1990-A, 1990-B, 1990-C, 1991-A, 1991-B,
1992-A, 1993-A and 1994-A Series Debentures will be made.
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<PAGE> 5
A participant generally may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge
or otherwise hypothecate a Debenture except by will or intestate succession.
With the Company's consent, however, participants may pledge Debentures as
security for loans which will provide all or a part of the financing necessary
to purchase the Debentures. If a participant makes a permitted pledge of a
Debenture, the conversion privilege will not be exercisable during such time as
the Debenture is pledged. Upon notice from the participant and the lender to
which the Debenture was pledged that the Debenture has been released from the
pledge, the conversion privilege will again be exercisable. If a participant
sells, assigns, transfers, pledges or otherwise hypothecates a Debenture in a
manner not permitted under the Indenture or if a party forecloses on a
permitted pledge, the conversion right will permanently cease to exist. Should
the conversion right of a Debenture so terminate, the Company has the option,
but not the obligation, to prepay the Debenture.
Debentures may be converted in whole or in part but no partial
conversion will be permitted if, following conversion, the remaining principal
amount of the Debenture would be less than $1,000. Shares of 1988-A, 1989-A,
1989-B, 1990-A, 1990-B, 1990-C, 1991-A, 1991-B, 1992-A, 1993-A and 1994-A
Series Stock will be issued upon conversion of Debentures in whole shares only.
If more than one Debenture is surrendered for conversion at one time by the
same holder, the number of whole shares issuable upon conversion will be
computed upon the basis of the aggregate principal amount of such Debentures
(or portions thereof specified for conversion) so surrendered. Any fractional
interest in a share otherwise deliverable upon conversion will be settled by
payment in the form of a check or cash equal to the product obtained by
multiplying the applicable Conversion Price per share times such fractional
interest.
The Company may redeem all or any part of the 1988-A, 1989-A,
1990-A, 1990-B or 1991-A Series Debentures on any January 1 or July 1 upon
mailing a notice of redemption not less than 12 nor more than 18 months prior
to the date fixed for such redemption to the holders of the Debentures to be
redeemed at their last registered addresses. Each Debenture is redeemable for
its principal amount together with accrued interest to the date fixed for
redemption. Except as provided below, if only a part of a series of Debentures
is to be redeemed, the Company will specify the amount to be redeemed using a
method the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee may provide for the
selection for redemption of portions of the principal amount of a series of
Debentures. If a holder of a Debenture is not employed by an Eligible
Employer, the Company may designate for redemption any Debentures owned by such
person, regardless of whether the Company redeems any other 1988-A, 1989-A,
1990-A, 1990-B or 1991-A Series Debentures at the same time. If the Company
calls for redemption the 1988-A, 1989-A, 1990-A, 1990-B or 1991-A Series
Debentures issued pursuant to the Plan, the Company may also redeem all of the
1989-B, 1990-C, 1991-B, 1992-A, 1993-A or 1994-A Series Debentures held by
Outside Directors on any January 1 or July 1 upon mailing a notice for such
redemption to the holders of such Debentures at their last registered address.
Purchasers may convert their Debentures at any time prior to the close of
business on the redemption date, subject to the limitations on conversion
privileges described above. A holder may redeem a Debenture at its principal
amount plus accrued interest on any January 1 or July 1 more than one year
after issuance of the Debenture.
In the event that the Company enters into certain merger
transactions, becomes a party to a consolidation, or transfers all or
substantially all of its assets to another company, a supplemental indenture
will be executed to provide that the holder of each Debenture then outstanding
may convert
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<PAGE> 6
such Debenture into the kind and amount of shares of stock, cash or property
receivable upon the merger, consolidation, or transfer by a holder of the
number of shares of the applicable series of the Company's Convertible
Preferred Stock issuable upon conversion of such Debenture if such shares of
Preferred Stock had been outstanding immediately prior to such merger,
consolidation or transfer.
Each Indenture may be amended to modify the rights of holders
of the Debentures or otherwise modify the terms of such Indenture with the
consent of the Company, the Trustee and the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in
aggregate principal amount of the respective series of Debentures covered
thereby, except that the maturity date, the rate and time of payment for
interest, the conversion rights and certain other specified terms may not be
modified without the consent of all affected holders of the series of
Debentures involved.
Each Indenture defines an "Event of Default" as: (a) any
default in the payment of interest which continues for 30 days after the due
date; (b) any default in the payment of principal when due on the Debentures
covered thereby; (c) failure by the Company to observe or perform any of its
other covenants and agreements with respect to the Debentures covered thereby
or in such Indenture which continues for 60 days after specific written notice
of such failure has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company
and the Trustee by holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Debentures covered thereby; (d) certain events of default that cause other
indebtedness of the Company to be accelerated and which are not cured or
otherwise remedied within specified times; and (e) certain events of bankruptcy
of the Company. Upon the happening and during the continuance of an Event of
Default, each Indenture allows the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures covered thereby to declare the
principal and accrued interest on all Debentures covered thereby to be due and
payable immediately. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the outstanding Debentures of the series so affected will have the right to
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy
available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
Trustee, but the Trustee, subject to its obligation to exercise such of the
rights and powers vested in it by such Indenture and to use the same degree of
care and skill in their exercise or use as a prudent man would exercise or use
under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs, may decline to
follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith determines that the
proceedings so directed would involve it in a personal liability or be in
conflict with any law or provision of such Indenture. The Company is required
by each Indenture to deliver annually to the Trustee a certificate from
appropriate officers certifying that, to the best of their knowledge, the
Company has satisfied all of its obligations under such Indenture during the
preceding fiscal year.
In the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, and
any receivership, liquidation, reorganization, or other similar proceedings in
connection therewith, relative to the Company or to its creditors, as such, or
to its property, and in the event of any proceedings for voluntary liquidation,
dissolution, or other winding up of the Company, whether or not involving
insolvency or bankruptcy, or in the event that any Debenture is declared due
and payable before its expressed maturity for any reason, then the holders of
Senior Indebtedness then outstanding shall be entitled to receive payment in
full of all such Senior Indebtedness (as defined below) before the holders of
the Debentures are entitled to receive any payment on account of principal or
interest upon the Debentures.
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No payment of principal or interest will be made on the
Debentures during any period that any Senior Indebtedness has matured and has
not been paid in full, refunded or replaced by new indebtedness. The term
"Senior Indebtedness" shall mean all indebtedness for borrowed money (except
the Debentures) (whether or not secured), heretofore or hereafter incurred by
the Company (or heretofore or hereafter incurred by another person, including
but not limited to a Subsidiary, and the repayment of which is guaranteed by
the Company or which the Company is contingently obligated to repay, purchase,
or otherwise acquire), unless the terms of the instrument evidencing such
indebtedness specifically provide that such indebtedness is not superior in
right of payment to the Debentures, and any deferrals, renewals or extensions
of any such indebtedness; provided, however, that the term "indebtedness for
borrowed money" shall not include indebtedness representing money borrowed by
the Company from a Subsidiary; and provided, further, that the term "Senior
Indebtedness" includes but is not limited to indebtedness incurred under that
certain Credit Agreement dated as of December 30, 1987 by and among FMG Inc.,
the Company and Westpac Banking Corporation. At June 30, 1994, the Company had
outstanding $29,339,000 of indebtedness which would constitute Senior
Indebtedness.
By reason of such subordination, in the event of the Company's
insolvency, certain general creditors of the Company may recover more ratably
than holders of the Debentures.
Preferred Stock
The Company is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock in one or more series (the "Preferred Stock"), and the Board is
authorized to determine the form, class, series and amounts in which the
Preferred Stock shall be issued; the price or prices (not less than par) at
which such stock shall be sold; the dividend rights, conversion rates,
conversion prices, par value, voting privileges, redemption prices, maturity
dates, and any other terms and conditions relative to the issuance of the
Preferred Stock. Pursuant to this authority, the Board has established the
1988-A, 1989-A, 1989-B, 1990-A, 1990-B, 1990-C, 1991-A, 1991-B, 1992-A, 1993-A
and 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series Stock") and has
authorized the issuance of up to 49,000 shares of the 1988-A Series Stock,
17,200 shares of the 1989-A Series Stock, 4,000 shares of the 1989-B Series
Stock, 24,500 shares of the 1990-A Series Stock, 25,500 shares of the 1990-B
Series Stock, 5,000 shares of the 1990-C Series Stock, 56,000 shares of the
1991-A Series Stock, 5,000 shares of the 1991-B Series Stock, 5,000 shares of
the 1992-A Series Stock, 5,000 shares of the 1993-A and 1,000 shares of the
1994-A Series Stock.
The 1988-A Series Stock, the 1989-A Series Stock, the 1989-B
Series Stock, the 1990-A Series Stock, the 1990-B Series Stock, the 1990-C
Series Stock, the 1991-A Series Stock, the 1991-B Series Stock, the 1992-A
Series Stock, the 1993-A Series Stock and 1994-A Series Stock each has a par
value of $.01 per share and is not entitled to receive any dividends. Each
share of 1988-A Series Stock, 1989-A Series Stock, 1989-B Series Stock, 1990-A
Series Stock, 1990-B Series Stock, 1990-C Series Stock, 1991-A Series Stock,
1991-B Series Stock, 1992-A Series Stock, 1993-A Series Stock and 1994-A Series
Stock will be convertible immediately into one share of the Company's Common
Stock, subject to adjustment in certain events including the issuance of stock
dividends on the Company's Common Stock, distribution of property other than
cash or Common Stock, and any subdivision, combination, recapitalization,
merger, consolidation, exchange of shares or the like, which results in any
change in the Common Stock subsequent to the grant of a debenture option.
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The Company will not issue fractional shares of Common Stock
upon conversion of 1988-A Series Stock, 1989-A Series Stock, 1989-B Series
Stock, 1990-A Series Stock, 1990-B Series Stock, 1990-C Series Stock, 1991-A
Series Stock, 1991-B Series Stock, 1992-A Series Stock, 1993-A Series Stock and
1994-A Series Stock. In lieu of such fractions, the Company will pay to the
holder of 1988-A Series Stock, 1989-A Series Stock, 1989-B Series Stock, 1990-A
Series Stock, 1990-B Series Stock, 1990-C Series Stock, 1991-A Series Stock,
1991-B Series Stock, 1992-A Series Stock, 1993-A Series Stock or 1994-A Series
Stock requesting conversion an amount in cash equal to the market value of such
fraction at the time of such conversion, as determined by the Board.
Any or all of the 1988-A Series Stock, 1989-A Series Stock,
1989-B Series Stock, 1990-A Series Stock, 1990-B Series Stock, 1990-C Series
Stock, 1991-A Series Stock, 1991-B Series Stock, 1992-A Series Stock, 1993-A
Series Stock or 1994-A Series Stock outstanding at any time may be redeemed at
the option of the Company in whole or in part at any time upon not less than 20
nor more than 60 days notice to the record holders at their last address as
shown in the stock transfer records of the Company. The conversion right with
respect to any shares called for redemption will be lost unless exercised no
later than the day fixed for redemption. The redemption price per share will
be $8.50 for the 1988-A Series Stock, $9.75 for the 1989-A Series Stock,
$10.1875 for the 1989-B Series Stock, $7.625 for the 1990-A Series Stock, $5.50
for the 1990-B Series Stock, $5.4375 for the 1990-C Series Stock, $2.9375 for
the 1991-A Series Stock, $3.250 for the 1991-B Series Stock, $5.8125 for the
1992-A Series Stock, $6.375 for the 1993-A Series Stock and $9.53125 for the
1994-A Series Stock. No redemption could be made if the Company's financial
condition is such that such redemption would be unlawful under Nevada law.
Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution
of the Company, the holders of the 1988-A Series Stock will be entitled to a
liquidation preference of $8.50 per share; the holders of the 1989-A Series
Stock will be entitled to a liquidation preference of $9.75 per share; the
holders of the 1989-B Series Stock will be entitled to a liquidation preference
of $10.1875 per share; the holders of the 1990-A Series Stock will be entitled
to a liquidation preference of $7.625 per share; the holders of the 1990-B
Series Stock will be entitled to a liquidation preference of $5.50 per share;
the holders of the 1990-C Series Stock will be entitled to a liquidation
preference of $5.4375 per share; the holders of the 1991-A Series Stock will be
entitled to a liquidation preference of $2.9375 per share; the holders of the
1991-B Series Stock will be entitled to a liquidation preference of $3.250 per
share; the holders of the 1992-A Series Stock will be entitled to a liquidation
preference of $5.8125 per share; the holders of the 1993-A Series Stock will be
entitled to a liquidation preference of $6.375 per share and the holders of the
1994-A Series Stock will be entitled to a liquidation preference of $9.53125
per share before any distribution of assets may be made to the holders of
Common Stock or other shares junior to the 1988-A Series Stock, the 1989-A
Series Stock, the 1989-B Series Stock, the 1990-A Series Stock, the 1990-B
Series Stock, the 1990-C Series Stock, the 1991-A Series Stock, the 1991-B
Series Stock, the 1992-A Series Stock, the 1993-A Series Stock and the 1994-A
Series Stock. After the holders of such stock have received such amount, they
may not participate in any remaining assets and surplus funds of the Company.
If the amounts which holders of such stock and any other series of Preferred
Stock ranking equally as to distribution of assets are entitled to receive in
any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution are not paid in full,
the shares of 1988-A Series Stock, 1989-A Series Stock, 1989-B Series Stock,
1990-A Series Stock, 1990-B Series Stock, 1990-C Series Stock, 1991-A Series
Stock, 1991-B Series Stock, 1992-A Series Stock, 1993-A Series Stock, and
1994-A Series Stock and such other series will share ratably in any
distribution of assets in accordance with
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<PAGE> 9
the amounts which would be payable on such distribution if all amounts to which
the holders of each such series are entitled are paid in full.
Additional series of Preferred Stock may be created and shares
thereof may be issued by the Company without any approval or action by the
holders of the 1988-A Series Stock, 1989-A Series Stock, 1989-B Series Stock,
1990-A Series Stock, 1990-B Series Stock, 1990-C Series Stock, the 1991-A
Series Stock, the 1991-B Series Stock, the 1992-A Series Stock, the 1993-A
Series Stock or the 1994-A Series Stock being necessary, and such additional
series of stock may rank equally with the 1988-A Series Stock, 1989-A Series
Stock, 1989-B Series Stock, 1990-A Series Stock, 1990-B Series Stock, 1990-C
Series Stock, 1991-A Series Stock, 1991-B Series Stock, 1992-A Series Stock,
1993-A Series Stock and the 1994-A Series Stock as to distribution of the
Company's assets in the event of liquidation or dissolution.
The holders of shares of 1988-A Series Stock, 1989-A Series
Stock, 1989-B Series Stock, 1990-A Series Stock, 1990-B Series Stock, 1990-C
Series Stock, 1991-A Series Stock, 1991-B Series Stock, 1992-A Series Stock,
1993-A Series Stock and 1994-A Series Stock will not be entitled to vote except
in certain circumstances as provided by law. Holders of such stock do not have
preemptive rights.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Legal matters, other than those relating to tax consequences,
in connection with the securities covered by this Prospectus have been passed
upon by J. Steve Chustz, General Counsel of the Company. Mr. Chustz also
serves as General Counsel of the Company's parent corporation, First
Mississippi Corporation ("First Mississippi") and as General Counsel of various
subsidiaries of First Mississippi. As of January 30, 1995, Mr. Chustz owned no
shares of the Company's Common Stock, and is not a participant under the Plan.
As of January 30, 1995, Mr. Chustz beneficially owned 1,227 shares of First
Mississippi Common Stock and 23,500 shares of Common Stock of First Mississippi
Corporation through the right to exercise Non-qualified Stock Options.
The consolidated financial statements and financial statement
schedules of the Company and subsidiary as of June 30, 1994 and 1993 and for
each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 1994, which are
incorporated herein by reference, have been incorporated herein in reliance
upon the reports, also incorporated herein by reference, of KPMG Peat Marwick
LLP, independent certified public accountants, and upon the authority of said
firm as experts in accounting and auditing. To the extent that KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP audits and reports on financial statements of the Company and
subsidiary issued at future dates, and consents to the use of their reports
thereon, such financial statements also will be incorporated herein by
reference in reliance upon their reports and said authority.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
As permitted by Section 78.751 of the Nevada General
Corporation Law, the Company's Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles") and
bylaws (the "Bylaws") provide for the indemnification of officers, directors,
employees and agents of the Company. The Articles and Bylaws specify the
standards of conduct required to be met to qualify for indemnity and establish
procedures for
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<PAGE> 10
determining whether these standards are met. The standards require that the
person seeking to be indemnified must have (a) been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of the action or proceeding or (b) acted in good faith and
in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests
of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, such
person must have had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful;
provided, however, that if the action, suit or proceeding is by or on behalf of
the Company, no indemnification may be made for any matters as to which such
person has been finally adjudged to be liable to the Company or for amounts
paid in settlement to the Company unless and only to the extent that a court of
competent jurisdiction determines that, in view of all of the circumstances of
the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses as the court deems proper. Whether these standards are met will be
determined by the stockholders or the Board by majority vote of a quorum
consisting of directors not party to the act, suit or proceeding or by
independent legal counsel selected by the Board. The Articles and Bylaws also
provide that the Company must pay an indemnitee's expenses as they are incurred
upon an undertaking by such person to repay such amounts if it is ultimately
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that such person is not
entitled to indemnity.
The Company maintains officers and directors liability
insurance against certain claims arising out of such persons' services to the
Company. The Company has entered into Indemnification Agreements with certain
of its officers and directors. These Indemnification Agreements provide for
indemnification of such officers or directors in the circumstances and subject
to the conditions set forth in the Company's Articles and Bylaws. The effect
of the Indemnification Agreements is to add to the indemnification rights
granted by the Articles and Bylaws as currently in effect a contractual right
to such indemnification which right cannot be terminated or altered by
amendment of the Articles or Bylaws.
In addition, certain officers, directors and employees of
First Mississippi, the Company's parent corporation, are entitled to indemnity
by First Mississippi under a resolution adopted by First Mississippi
stockholders at their Annual Meeting on November 7, 1985. The 1985 resolution
applies to persons serving at the request of First Mississippi in any capacity
with any other enterprise.
The 1985 First Mississippi resolution, which replaced a
similar resolution adopted in 1970, generally clarifies and broadens the
circumstances under which indemnity is provided by First Mississippi, and
extends indemnification beyond directors and officers, to employees. It
specifies standards of conduct required to be met to qualify for indemnity and
establishes procedures for determining whether these standards are met. These
standards require that the person to be indemnified either: (a) be wholly
successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any action or proceeding against
such person or (b) otherwise establish that such person acted in good faith and
in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the
best interests of First Mississippi, and in the case of any criminal action or
proceeding, has no reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful.
Whether these standards are met will be determined by those directors or
stockholders not involved in the matter at issue or by special legal counsel
selected by the directors. In the case of any action or suit by or in the
right of First Mississippi, any person finally adjudged liable for gross
negligence or willful misconduct in performing duties for First Mississippi
will not be entitled to indemnification unless a court determines that
indemnification is proper under the circumstances. Advancement of expenses
will be allowed upon receipt of an undertaking to repay should it ultimately be
determined that an individual is not entitled to indemnity.
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<PAGE> 11
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
4.1 Articles IV, XIII and XIV of the Company's Articles of Incorporation
were included in Exhibit 3(a) of the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1991, and are incorporated
herein by reference.
4.2. Company Resolutions authorizing the Company's 1994-A Series
Convertible Preferred Stock, effective November 3, 1994.
4.3 Articles II and V of the Company's Bylaws, as amended, were included
in Exhibit 3(b) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1990, and are incorporated herein by
reference.
4.4 Indenture, dated as of November 3, 1994, between the Company and
Deposit Guaranty National Bank, as Trustee, relating to the Company's
1994-A Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures, including the Form
of such Debentures.
4.6 Rights Agreement, dated as of June 13, 1990, between FirstMiss Gold
Inc. and Ameritrust Company National Association, including Form of
Rights Certificate (Exhibit A), Form of Summary of Rights (Exhibit B)
and the Board Resolutions adopted on June 13, 1990 authorizing the
Rights Agreement and the Rights (Exhibit C), was filed as Exhibit 1 to
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 13, 1990, and is
incorporated herein by reference.
5.1 Opinion of J. Steve Chustz as to legality of securities being
registered.
24.1 Consent of J. Steve Chustz is contained within the opinion of counsel
filed as Exhibit 5.1.
24.2 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales
are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
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<PAGE> 12
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or
events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the
most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with
respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do
not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3
and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to
the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for
purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each
filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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<PAGE> 13
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized in the City of Reno, State of Nevada, on the 10th day of
February, 1995.
FIRSTMISS GOLD INC.
BY: /s/ G. W. Thompson
-------------------------------
G. W. Thompson
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ G. W. Thompson President, Chief Executive February 10, 1995
- ------------------------- Executive Officer & Director
G. W. Thompson
/s/ Roger D. Palmer Assistant Controller February 10, 1995
- ------------------------- (Principal Financial Officer
Roger D. Palmer & Principal Accounting Officer
/s/ J. Kelley Williams Director and Chairman of February 10, 1995
- ------------------------- Board of Directors
J. Kelley Williams
/s/ Cecil Alvarez Director February 10, 1995
- -------------------------
Cecil Alvarez
/s/ Robert C. Horton Director February 10, 1995
- -------------------------
Robert C. Horton
/s/ Peter Ingersoll Director February 10, 1995
- -------------------------
Peter Ingersoll
/s/ Charles P. Moreton Director February 10, 1995
- -------------------------
Charles P. Moreton
/s/ Paul W. Murrill Director February 10, 1995
- -------------------------
Paul W. Murrill
/s/ R. Michael Summerford Director February 10, 1995
- -------------------------
R. Michael Summerford
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 14
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBITS
4.1 Articles IV, XIII and XIV of the Company's Articles of Incorporation
were included in Exhibit 3(a) of the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1991, and are incorporated
herein by reference.
4.2. Company Resolutions authorizing the Company's 1994-A Series
Convertible Preferred Stock, effective November 3, 1994.
4.3 Articles II and V of the Company's Bylaws, as amended, were included
in Exhibit 3(b) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1990, and are incorporated herein by
reference.
4.4 Indenture, dated as of November 3, 1994, between the Company and
Deposit Guaranty National Bank, as Trustee, relating to the Company's
1994-A Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures, including the Form
of such Debentures.
4.6 Rights Agreement, dated as of June 13, 1990, between FirstMiss Gold
Inc. and Ameritrust Company National Association, including Form of
Rights Certificate (Exhibit A), Form of Summary of Rights (Exhibit B)
and the Board Resolutions adopted on June 13, 1990 authorizing the
Rights Agreement and the Rights (Exhibit C), was filed as Exhibit 1 to
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 13, 1990, and is
incorporated herein by reference.
5.1 Opinion of J. Steve Chustz as to legality of securities being
registered.
24.1 Consent of J. Steve Chustz is contained within the opinion of counsel
filed as Exhibit 5.1.
24.2 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.2
Statement of Resolution
WHEREAS, the Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of this
Corporation authorize the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred
stock issuable from time to time in one or more series; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of this Corporation is authorized to
determine the form, series and amounts in which such preferred stock shall be
issued; the price or prices at which such stock shall be sold; the dividend,
preferences, conversion rates, conversion prices, voting privileges, redemption
prices, and other terms and conditions relative to the issuance of such
preferred stock; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors desires to establish a series of
preferred stock known as the "1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock" to be
available for issuance solely upon conversion of the Corporation's 1994-A
Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures related to those certain debenture
options automatically granted November 3, 1994, with the terms and provisions
of such Debenture Options and the 1994-A Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures to be issued in accordance with the Long-Term Incentive Plan, and
further desires to determine and fix the rights, preferences and other terms
and conditions relating to such series and the number of shares constituting
such series;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors hereby
establishes a series of preferred stock of the Corporation to be designated
1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock, which shall be available for
issuance solely upon conversion of the Corporation's 1994-A Series Convertible
Subordinated Debentures which, in turn, will be available for issuance in
accordance with and upon exercise of certain options, all of which shall be
granted on the same date pursuant to the Corporation's 1987 Long-Term Incentive
Plan entitling the holders thereof to purchase such series of debentures (such
date being referred to as the "Original Grant Date");
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred
Stock shall consist of 1,000 shares;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the rights, preferences and other terms
and conditions of the 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock shall be as
follows:
1. PAR VALUE. The par value for the 1994-A Series Convertible
Preferred Stock shall be $.01 per share.
2. DIVIDENDS. The holders of record of 1994-A Series Convertible
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive no dividends.
3. REDEMPTION. The 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock may
be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Corporation by vote of
its Board of Directors, at any time or from time to time, at a redemption price
per share equal to the "Purchase Price," as defined below, and such price is
hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption Price." The Purchase Price per share
shall be the market value, as determined by the Board of
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<PAGE> 2
Directors, of one share of the Corporation's Common Stock on the Original Grant
Date.
In case of the redemption of only a part of the outstanding 1994-A
Series Convertible Preferred Stock, this Corporation shall designate by lot the
shares to be redeemed or shall effect such redemption pro rata.
Not more than 60 days, but at least 10 days prior to the date fixed
for redemption, a written notice shall be mailed to each holder of record of
1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock whose shares are to be redeemed, by
certified mail with postage prepaid, addressed to each such holder at his
address as shown on the records of the Corporation (a) notifying each holder of
the election of the Corporation to redeem such shares, (b) stating the date
fixed for redemption thereof, (c) setting for the Redemption Price, and (d)
stating the place at which each such holder may obtain payment of the
Redemption Price upon surrender of his share certificates.
On or after the date fixed in such notice of redemption, each holder
of 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall present and
surrender his certificate or certificates representing such stock to this
Corporation at a place designated in such notice and thereupon the Redemption
Price of such shares shall be paid to or on the order of the person whose name
appears on such certificate or certificates as the owner thereof and each
surrendered certificate shall be canceled. In case less than all of the shares
represented by any such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be
issued representing the unredeemed shares. From and after the date fixed in any
such notice as the date of redemption, unless default is made in the payment of
the Redemption Price, all rights of the holders thereof as shareholders of the
Corporation, except the right to receive the Redemption Price, shall cease and
terminate, and such shares shall not thereafter be transferred on the books of
the Corporation, and such stock shall not be deemed to be outstanding for any
purpose whatsoever.
The Corporation may at its option at any time after such notice of
redemption has been given, deposit a sum sufficient to redeem, on the date
fixed for redemption, the shares of 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock
called for redemption and not yet redeemed with a bank or trust company in
Mississippi or Nevada, as a trust fund for the benefit of the respective
holders of the shares designated for redemption, and such deposit, from and
after the date fixed for redemption, shall constitute full payment of the
Redemption Price of the shares to the holders thereof and shall be conclusive
evidence that no default shall be made in the payment of the Redemption as to
such shares.
Shares of the 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock redeemed by
the Corporation shall not thereafter be disposed of as shares of such Series,
but upon acceptance by the Secretary of State of Nevada for filing of a
statement of cancellation relating to the redeemed shares, such shares shall
become authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock which may be
designated as shares of any other series.
2
<PAGE> 3
4. LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE. In the event of any voluntary or
involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, the
holders of shares of 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding
shall be entitled to receive, or to have deposited in trust for them as
provided in Section 3 hereof, out of assets of the Corporation, before any
distribution of any assets shall be made to the holders of Common Stock or
other shares junior to the 1994-A Series convertible Preferred Stock as to
distribution of assets, an amount which shall be equal to the Purchase Price,
as defined above, for such shares. After the holders of 1994-A Series
Convertible Preferred Stock shall have received such amount, they shall not
participate in any remaining assets and surplus funds of the Corporation.
If the amounts which each of the holders of the shares of the 1994-A
Series Convertible Preferred Stock, and any other series of Preferred Stock of
the Corporation ranking equally as to distribution of assets with the shares of
1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock, are entitled to receive in such
events are not paid, or deposited in trust, in full, the shares of the 1994-A
Series Convertible Preferred Stock and of such other series shall share ratably
in any distribution of assets in accordance with the amounts which would be
payable on such distribution if all amounts to which the holders of the 1994-A
Series Convertible Preferred Stock and of each such series are entitled were
paid, or deposited in trust, in full.
Neither the merger of the Corporation with or into any other
Corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets shall be
deemed a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation within the
meaning of this Section.
5. CONVERSION RIGHTS. The holders of shares of 1994-A Series
Convertible Preferred Stock shall have conversion rights as follows:
(a) The shares of 1994-A Series Preferred Stock shall be convertible,
at the option of the respective holders thereto, at the office of the
Corporation into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock of the
Corporation, as follows:
(i) The number of shares of Common Stock into which a share of
1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock is to be converted shall be
determined by multiplying one share times the "Conversion Multiplier," as
described below. On the "Original Grant Date," as defined above, the Conversion
Multiplier shall be one, and unless and until the Conversion Multiplier is
adjusted as provided below, each share of 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred
Stock shall be convertible into one share of Common Stock.
(ii) If the Corporation shall at any time after the Original Grant
Date effect a subdivision of the outstanding Common Stock, the Conversion
Multiplier then in effect immediately before such subdivision shall be
proportionately increased, and conversely, if the Corporation shall at any
3
<PAGE> 4
time after the Original Grant Date combine the outstanding shares of Common
Stock, the Conversion Multiplier then in effect immediately before such
combination shall be proportionately decreased. Any adjustment hereunder shall
become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or
combination becomes effective.
(iii) If the Corporation shall at any time after the Original Grant
Date make or issue, without payment of consideration, a distribution payable in
additional shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Multiplier then in effect
shall be increased as of the close of business on the record date for the
determination of holders entitled thereto or the date on which the stock
transfer books of the Corporation are closed with respect thereto, or, if no
such record date has been fixed and the stock transfer books are not so closed,
the date of such making or issuance, by multiplying the Conversion Multiplier
then in effect by a fraction:
(A) the numerator of which shall be the total number of shares of
Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to such date, plus the
number of shares of Common Stock issuable in payment of such distribution; and
(B) the denominator of which shall be the total number of shares of
Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to such date;
Provided, however, that if such record date shall have been fixed or if the
stock transfer books are so closed and such dividend is not fully paid or if
such distribution is not fully made on the date therefor, the Conversion
Multiplier shall be recomputed accordingly as of the close of business on such
date of alteration.
(iv) If the Corporation shall at any time after the Original Grant
Date make or issue, without payment of consideration, a distribution payable to
holders of Common Stock in securities or other assets of the Corporation (other
than cash or shares of Common Stock), provisions shall be made so that the
holders of the 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock shall receive upon the
conversion thereof in addition to the number of shares of Common Stock
receivable thereupon, the amount of securities or other assets of the
Corporation that they would have received had their 1994-A Series convertible
Preferred Stock been converted into Common Stock on the date of such event and
had they thereafter, during the period from the date of such event to and
including the conversion date, retained such securities or other assets
receivable by them as aforesaid during such period, giving application to all
adjustments called for during such period under this Section 5 with respect to
the rights of the holders of the 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock.
(v) In case of any capital reorganization or any reclassification
of the capital stock of the Corporation or in case of the consolidation or
merger of the Corporation with or into another corporation or the conveyance of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation to another
corporation, each share of 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock shall
thereafter be convertible into the number of shares of stock or
4
<PAGE> 5
other securities or property to which a holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock of the Corporation deliverable upon conversion of such share of
1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock would have been entitled upon such
reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or conveyance; and, in
any such case, appropriate adjustment (as determined in good faith by the Board
of Directors) shall be made in the application of the provisions herein set
forth with respect to the rights and interests thereafter of the holders of the
shares of 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock, to the end that the
provisions set forth herein shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as
reasonably may be, in relation to any shares of stock or other property
thereafter deliverable upon the conversion of the shares of 1994-A Series
Convertible Preferred Stock.
(vi) In each case of an adjustment of the Conversion Multiplier or
the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities issuable upon
conversion of the 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock, the Corporation
shall compute such adjustment in accordance herewith and prepare a certificate
showing such adjustment, and shall, upon request, provide a copy of such
certificate to each registered holder of the 1994-A Series Preferred Stock. The
certificate shall set forth such adjustment, showing in detail the facts upon
which such adjustment is based, including a statement of (A) the Conversion
Multiplier at the time in effect for the 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred
Stock, and (b) the number, type and amount, if any, of other property that at
the time would be received upon conversion of the 1994-A Series Convertible
Preferred Stock.
(b) Before any holder of 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to convert the same into shares of Common Stock, he shall
surrender the certificate or certificates therefor, duly endorsed, at the
office of the Corporation and shall give written notice to the Corporation that
he elects to convert the same and shall state in writing therein the name or
names in which he wishes the certificate or certificates for shares of Common
Stock to be issued. If the holder fails to specify the name in which
certificates are to be issued, they shall be issued in his name. The
Corporation, as soon as practicable thereafter, shall issue and deliver at such
office to such holder of 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock, or to his
nominee or nominees, certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock
to which he shall be entitled as aforesaid, together with cash in lieu of any
fraction of a share as hereinafter provided. Such conversion shall be deemed to
have been made as of the date of such surrender of the shares of 1994-A Series
Convertible Preferred Stock to be converted (or, in the event of a proposed
redemption and if the Corporation so allows, on the date of receipt of
satisfactory notice of conversion if certificates of 1994-A Series Convertible
Preferred Stock so converted are thereafter delivered to the Corporation within
30 days), and the person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Common
Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the
record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on said date.
(c) In Case:
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<PAGE> 6
(i) the Corporation shall take a record of the holders of shares
of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend, or
any other distribution, other than ordinary cash dividends; or
(ii) the Corporation shall take a record of the holders of shares
of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to subscribe for or
purchase any shares of stock of any class or to receive any other rights; or
(iii) of any capital reorganization of the Corporation,
reclassification of the capital stock of the Corporation (other than a
subdivision or combination of its outstanding shares of Common Stock),
consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another corporation, or
conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation into
another corporation; or
(iv) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
winding up of the Corporation, then the Corporation shall cause to be mailed to
the holders of record of 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock or any
security convertible into 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock at their
last addresses as they shall appear on the records of the Corporation, at least
20 days (or 10 days in any case specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above) prior
to the applicable record date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (1) the
date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend or
distribution of rights, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of
which the holders of Common Stock of record would be entitled to such dividend
or distribution of rights, or (2) the date on which such capital
reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, dissolution,
liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, and the date as of
which it is expected that the holders of Common Stock of record shall be
entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities or other
assets deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation,
merger, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding up.
(d) The Corporation will at all times reserve and keep available out
of its authorized Common Stock and/or share of its Common Stock then owned or
held by or for the account of the Corporation, solely for the purpose of
delivery upon conversion of 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock, such
number of shares of Common Stock as shall then be deliverable upon the
conversion of all outstanding or potentially issuable 1994-A Series Convertible
Preferred Stock. All shares of Common Stock which shall be so deliverable shall
be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable.
(e) If any shares of Common Stock required to be reserved for purposes
of conversion of 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock require registration
with or approval of any governmental authority under any Federal or state law,
or listing upon any national securities exchange, before such shares may be
issued upon conversion, the Corporation will in good faith and as expeditiously
as possible endeavor to cause such shares to be fully registered, approved or
listed, as the case may be.
6
<PAGE> 7
(f) The Corporation will pay any and all issue and other taxes that
may be payable in respect of any issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on
conversion of shares of 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant
hereto. The Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which
may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of
shares of Common Stock in a name other than that in which the shares of 1994-A
Series Convertible Preferred Stock so converted were registered, and no such
issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such
issue has paid to the Corporation the amount of any such tax, or has
established, to the satisfaction of the Corporation, that such tax has been
paid.
(g) No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon the
conversion of shares of 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock. If any
fractional interest in a share of Common Stock would, except for the provisions
of this Subsection, be deliverable upon the conversion of any shares of 1994-A
Series Convertible Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall, in lieu of
delivering the fractional share therefor, adjust such fractional interest by
payment to the holder of such surrendered shares of 1994-A Series Convertible
Preferred Stock of an amount in cash equal (computed to the nearest cent) to
the current market value of such fractional interest, as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
6. VOTING RIGHTS. Except as provided by law or as provided above,
the holders of 1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be entitled
to notice of stockholders' meetings or to vote upon the election of Directors
or upon any other matter.
7
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.4
FIRSTMISS GOLD INC.
DEPOSIT GUARANTY NATIONAL BANK
Trustee
_______________
INDENTURE
DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 3, 1994
_______________
1994-A SERIES CONVERTIBLE
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PARTIES ....................................................... 1
RECITALS ...................................................... 1
Purpose of Indenture ................................. 1
Form of Debenture .................................... 1
Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication ...... 7
Form of Conversion Notice ............................ 8
Compliance with Legal Requirements ................... 8
Consideration for Indenture .......................... 9
ARTICLE ONE
Definitions
Section 1.01 Definitions ..................................... 9
Authorized Newspaper .................. 9
Board of Directors .................... 9
Board Resolution ...................... 9
Common Stock .......................... 10
Company ............................... 10
Conversion Date ....................... 10
Corporation ........................... 10
Debenture or Debentures; Outstanding .. 10
Debentureholder ....................... 11
Due Date .............................. 11
Event of Default ...................... 11
Indenture ............................. 11
Interest Payment Date ................. 11
Interest Rate ......................... 11
Issuance Date ......................... 11
Officers' Certificate ................. 11
Opinion of Counsel .................... 12
Prime Interest Rate ................... 12
Principal Office of the Trustee ....... 12
Record Date ........................... 12
Responsible Officer ................... 12
Senior Indebtedness ................... 13
1994-A Series Stock ................... 13
Subsidiary or Subsidiaries ............ 13
Trustee ............................... 13
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 ........... 14
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ARTICLE TWO
Issue, Description, Execution, Registration and
Exchange of Debentures
Section 2.01. Designation, Amount and Issue
of Debentures .............................. 14
Section 2.02. Form of Debentures ......................... 15
Section 2.03. Denomination and Date of Debentures ........ 15
Section 2.04. Execution of Debentures .................... 16
Section 2.05. Registration, Registration of Transfer
and Exchange of Debentures ................. 16
Section 2.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen
Debentures ................................. 17
Section 2.07. Temporary Debentures ....................... 18
Section 2.08. Cancellation of Debentures ................. 19
Section 2.09. Benefits of Indenture Provisions ........... 19
Section 2.10. Maintenance of Office or
Agency by Trustee .......................... 19
Section 2.11. Condition to Issuance of Debentures ........ 19
ARTICLE THREE
Prepayment and Redemption of Debentures
Section 3.01. Mandatory and Optional Prepayment
of Debentures .............................. 20
Section 3.02. Redemption of Debentures ................... 20
Section 3.03. Deposit of Monies for Redemption
of Prepayment .............................. 22
Section 3.04. Limitation on Prepayment ................... 22
Section 3.05. Holder's Right to Elect Redemption ......... 22
ARTICLE FOUR
Subordination of Debentures
Section 4.01. Agreement that Debentures be Subordinate ... 22
Section 4.02. Subordination to Senior Indebtedness ....... 23
Section 4.03. Payment to Holders of Senior Indebtedness
of Certain Amounts Received by
Debentureholders ........................... 24
Section 4.04. Notice to Trustee of Specified Events;
Reliance on Certificate of Liquidating
Agent ...................................... 25
Section 4.05. Subrogation ................................ 26
Section 4.06. Obligation to Pay Not Impaired ............. 26
Section 4.07. Reliance by Senior Indebtedness on
Subordination Provisions ................... 27
Section 4.08. Certain Payments and Credits Permitted ..... 27
Section 4.09. Subordination Not to be Prejudiced by
Certain Acts ............................... 27
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Section 4.10. Trustee Authorized to Effectuate
Subordination .............................. 28
Section 4.11. Trustee's Rights Regarding Senior
Indebtedness Held by It, Etc. .............. 28
Section 4.12. Trustee and Paying Agents Not Chargeable
with Knowledge Until Notice ................ 28
Section 4.13 1988-A, 1989-A, 1989-B, 1990-A, 1990-B,
1990-C, 1991-A, 1991-B, 1992-A Series, and
1993-A Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures.................................. 28
ARTICLE FIVE
Conversion of Debentures
Section 5.01. Conversion Privilege; Conversion Price ..... 29
Section 5.02. Conversion Period; Limitation on Exercise .. 29
Section 5.03. Manner of Exercising Conversion Privilege .. 31
Section 5.04. Fractional Shares .......................... 32
Section 5.05. Notice of Certain Corporate Action ......... 32
Section 5.06. Company to Reserve Stock ................... 33
Section 5.07. Taxes on Conversions ....................... 33
Section 5.08. Covenant as to Stock ....................... 33
Section 5.09. Provision in Case of Consolidation,
Merger or Sale ............................. 34
Section 5.10. Trustee's Disclaimer of Responsibility
for Certain Matters ........................ 34
Section 5.11. Covenant as to Conversion Rights ........... 34
ARTICLE SIX
Particular Covenants of the Company
Section 6.01. Payment of Principal and Interest .......... 35
Section 6.02. Offices for Notices, Payments and
Conversions ................................ 35
Section 6.03. Paying Agents .............................. 35
Section 6.04. Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office
of Trustee ................................. 36
Section 6.05. Further Instruments and Acts ............... 36
Section 6.06. Payment of Taxes; Maintenance of Corporate
Existence; Maintenance of Properties;
Property Insurance ......................... 36
Section 6.07. Annual Review Certificate .................. 38
Section 6.08. No Lien Created ............................ 38
ARTICLE SEVEN
Debentureholders' Lists and Reports by the Company
and the Trustee
Section 7.01. Debentureholders' Lists .................... 38
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Section 7.02 Preservation and Disclosure of Lists ....... 39
Section 7.03. Reports by the Company ..................... 41
Section 7.04. Reports by the Trustee ..................... 42
ARTICLE EIGHT
Remedies of the Trustee and Debentureholders
on Event of Default
Section 8.01. Events of Default .......................... 44
Section 8.02. Payment of Debentures on Default;
Suit Therefor .............................. 46
Section 8.03. Application of Monies Collected by
Trustee .................................... 48
Section 8.04. Proceedings by Debentureholders ............ 49
Section 8.05. Proceedings by Trustee ..................... 50
Section 8.06. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing ......... 50
Section 8.07. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of
Defaults by Majority of Debentureholders ... 50
Section 8.08. Notice of Defaults ......................... 51
Section 8.09. Undertaking to Pay Costs ................... 51
Section 8.10. Enforcement of Conversion Rights ........... 52
Section 8.11. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws .... 52
ARTICLE NINE
Concerning the Trustee
Section 9.01. Duties and Liabilities of Trustee .......... 52
Section 9.02. Reliance on Documents and Counsel .......... 53
Section 9.03. No Responsibility for Recitals or
Certain Other Matters ...................... 55
Section 9.04. Trustee, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent or
Registrar May Own Debentures ............... 55
Section 9.05. Monies to be Held in Trust ................. 55
Section 9.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee ....... 55
Section 9.07. Officers' Certificate as Evidence .......... 56
Section 9.08. Conflicting Interest of the Trustee ........ 56
Section 9.09. Eligibility of Trustee ..................... 63
Section 9.10. Resignation or Removal of Trustee;
Appointment of Successor Trustee ........... 64
Section 9.11. Acceptance by Successor Trustee ............ 65
Section 9.12. Succession by Merger and Certain
Other Events ............................... 66
Section 9.13. Limitation on Rights of Trustee as
a Creditor ................................. 66
Section 9.14. Records of Trustee ......................... 71
ARTICLE TEN
Concerning the Debentureholders
</TABLE>
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Section 10.01. Action by Debentureholders ................. 71
Section 10.02. Proof of Execution by
Debentureholders; Evidence of Holdings ..... 72
Section 10.03. Who Deemed Absolute Owners ................. 72
Section 10.04. Company-owned Debentures Disregarded ....... 73
Section 10.05. Revocation of Consents; Future
Holders Bound .............................. 73
Section 10.06. Transfer of Debentures ..................... 74
ARTICLE ELEVEN
Debentureholders' Meetings
Section 11.01. Purposes of Meetings ....................... 74
Section 11.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee ................ 75
Section 11.03. Call of Meetings by Company or
Debentureholders ........................... 75
Section 11.04. Qualifications for Voting .................. 75
Section 11.05. Regulations ................................ 75
Section 11.06. Voting ..................................... 76
Section 11.07. No Delay of Rights by Meeting .............. 77
ARTICLE TWELVE
Supplemental Indentures
Section 12.01. Supplemental Indentures without
Consent of Debentureholders ................ 77
Section 12.02. Supplemental Indentures with
Consent of Debentureholders ................ 79
Section 12.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act;
Effect of Supplemental Indentures .......... 79
Section 12.04. Notation on Debentures ..................... 80
Section 12.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental
Indenture to be Furnished Trustee .......... 80
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
Consolidation, Merger and Sale by the Company
Section 13.01. Consolidation, Merger or Sale of
Assets Permitted ........................... 80
Section 13.02. Succession by Successor Corporation ........ 81
Section 13.03. Evidence to be Furnished Trustee ........... 81
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Unclaimed Monies
Section 14.01. Discharge of Indenture ..................... 81
Section 14.02. Deposited Monies to be Held in
Trust by Trustee ........................... 82
</TABLE>
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Section 14.03. Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held .......... 82
Section 14.04. Unclaimed Monies ........................... 82
ARTICLE FIFTEEN
Immunity of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers
and Directors
Section 15.01. Indenture and Debentures Solely
Corporate Obligations ...................... 83
ARTICLE SIXTEEN
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 16.01. Provisions Binding on Company's
Successors ................................. 83
Section 16.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation ..... 84
Section 16.03. Notices .................................... 84
Section 16.04. Subscription ............................... 84
Section 16.05. Governing Law .............................. 84
Section 16.06. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions
Precedent .................................. 84
Section 16.07. Legal Holidays ............................. 85
Section 16.08. Trust Indenture Act to Control ............. 85
Section 16.09. Table of Contents and Headings ............. 85
Section 16.10. Method of Publication or Other Notice
When Indenture Provision for Publication
or Notice Cannot be Followed ............... 85
Section 16.11. Invalidity of Some Provisions Shall
Not Affect Others .......................... 86
Section 16.12. Execution in Counterparts .................. 86
</TABLE>
_____________________
Exhibit A. Form of Consent to Pledge (See Section 10.06)
vi
<PAGE> 8
THIS INDENTURE ("Indenture"), is dated as of November 3, 1994,
between FIRSTMISS GOLD INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under
the laws of the State of Nevada (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the
"Company"), and DEPOSIT GUARANTY NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association
organized under the laws of the United States (hereinafter sometimes referred
to as the "Trustee").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has
duly authorized the issue of its 1994-A Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Debentures"), in the
aggregate principal amount of $9,531.25 and, to provide the terms and
conditions upon which the Debentures are to be authenticated, issued and
delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, the text of the Debentures is to be substantially in
the following form:
[Face of Debentures]
THIS DEBENTURE MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, OR OTHERWISE
HYPOTHECATED EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER SECTION 10.06. OF THE INDENTURE
REFERRED TO HEREIN. ANY ATTEMPTED SALE, ASSIGNMENT, TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER
HYPOTHECATION OF THIS DEBENTURE NOT MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH SECTION 10.06.
AND ANY FORECLOSURE ON A PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION NOT MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SUCH SECTION 10.06., WILL RESULT IN TERMINATION OF THE CONVERSION RIGHT OF THIS
DEBENTURE. SUCH CONVERSION RIGHT MAY NOT BE EXERCISED AT ANY TIME THAT THIS
DEBENTURE IS PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE SERVES AS COLLATERAL FOR ANY LOAN.
No._____________________________ $_____________________________
Issuance Date: _________________ Due Date: November 2, 2004
Conversion Price: $9.53125 per
share
1
<PAGE> 9
FIRSTMISS GOLD INC.
1994-A SERIES CONVERTIBLE
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE
FIRSTMISS GOLD INC., a corporation duly organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Nevada (herein referred to as the "Company,"
which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to
on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
, the principal sum of Dollars at the office or agency of the Company in
Jackson, Mississippi, on the Due Date referred to above, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be
legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest
on said principal sum at a floating interest rate per annum (determined from
time to time as provided in the Indenture) equal to 1% below the Prime Interest
Rate (as defined in and pursuant to the Indenture) or the maximum legal rate
under applicable law, if less, at either of said office or agency, from the
Issuance Date referred to above, or from the most recent interest payment date
to which interest has been paid or duly provided for; and such interest shall
be payable (i) semi-annually on January 1 and July 1 of each year (each such
date being referred to herein as an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing on the
first Interest Payment Date following the date of original issuance, and (ii)
on the Due Date referred to above, until payment of said principal sum has been
made or duly provided for; and provided further, however, that payment of
interest payable on any Interest Payment Date may be made by check mailed to
the address of the person entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the
register maintained by the Debenture registrar or to such other address as is
designated by such holder in writing as provided below.
The interest installment so payable on any Interest Payment
Date will, subject to certain exceptions provided in the Indenture referred to
on the reverse hereto, be paid to the person in whose name this Debenture (or
any Debenture or Debentures evidencing the same debt) is registered at the
close of business on the Record Date for such interest installment, at his
address appearing on the Debenture register or such other address as is
designated by such holder in writing received by the Company and the Debenture
registrar prior to such Record Date, which Record Date shall be the day
(whether or not a business day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
The provisions of this Debenture are continued on the reverse
hereof, and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same
effect as though fully set forth at this time.
2
<PAGE> 10
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, FIRSTMISS GOLD INC. has caused this
Debenture to be executed in its corporate name by the manual or facsimile
signature of its Chairman of the Board, President or one of its Vice Presidents
and impressed or imprinted with its corporate seal or facsimile thereof,
attested by the manual or facsimile signature of its Secretary or one of its
Assistant Secretaries.
FIRSTMISS GOLD INC.
Attest: ____________________ By: ______________________
Secretary Chairman of the Board,
President or Vice President
[Corporate Seal]
3
<PAGE> 11
[Reverse Side of Debenture]
FIRSTMISS GOLD INC.
1994-A SERIES CONVERTIBLE
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE
This Debenture is one of a duly authorized issue of Debentures
of the Company, designated as its 1994-A Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures (herein referred to as the "Debentures"), limited to the aggregate
principal amount of $9,531.25 all issued and to be issued under and pursuant to
an Indenture dated as of November 3, 1994 (herein referred to as the
"Indenture"), duly executed and delivered by the Company to Deposit Guaranty
National Bank (herein referred to as the "Trustee," which term includes any
Successor Trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures
supplemental hereto reference is hereby made for a description of the
respective rights thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the
Debentures.
The indebtedness evidenced by the Debentures is, to the extent
provided in the Indenture, subordinate and junior to the prior payment in full
of the principal of and interest on all Senior Indebtedness, as defined in the
Indenture, and this Debenture is issued subject to the provisions of the
Indenture with respect thereto. Each holder of this Debenture, by accepting
the same, agrees to be bound by such provisions of the Indenture and authorizes
and directs the Trustee to take such action on his behalf as may be necessary
or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination of this Debenture
as provided in the Indenture and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for
any and all such purposes. Each holder of this Debenture, by accepting the
same, agrees that each holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether created or
acquired before or after the issuance of the Debentures, shall be deemed
conclusively to have relied on such provisions in acquiring and continuing to
hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, at the option of
the holder hereof, this Debenture or any portion hereof may, at any time more
than six months after the date of the award of the debenture option pursuant to
which the Debenture was purchased and at or before the close of business on the
Due Date referred to on the face hereof, be converted at the principal amount
hereof, or of such portion hereof, into fully paid and nonassessable shares of
the Company's Series 1994-A Convertible Preferred Stock (the "1994-A Series
Stock") at the Conversion Price per share set forth on the face hereof upon
surrender of this Debenture to the Company at its office or agency in Jackson,
Mississippi, accompanied by written notice of election to convert and, if so
required by the Company, instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company, duly executed by the registered holder or by his duly authorized
attorney. Fractional shares of 1994-A Series Stock
4
<PAGE> 12
will not be issued upon any conversion, but an amount equal to the value of
such fractional interest at the conversion price per share, will be paid in
cash to the registered holder. Accrued interest on this Debenture through the
day immediately preceding the date of conversion will be paid as provided in
the Indenture.
The Debentures may not be prepaid by the Company prior to the
Due Date except as provided in Sections 3.01, 3.02, and 3.04 of the Indenture
or at the election of the holder as provided in Section 3.05 of the Indenture.
The Debentures are issuable as registered Debentures without
coupons in denominations approved by the Company, such approval to be evidenced
by the execution thereof. In the manner and subject to the limitations
provided in the Indenture, Debentures are exchangeable, without charge except
for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith, for
other Debentures of any other authorized denomination or denominations of an
equal aggregate principal amount at the office or agency of the Company
referred to on the face hereof.
The Company, the Trustee, any paying agent, any conversion
agent and any Debenture registrar may deem and treat the registered holder
hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this Debenture shall be
overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon
by anyone other than the Company or any Debenture registrar), for the purpose
of receiving payment of or on account of the principal hereof, and interest
hereon, for the conversion hereof and for all other purposes, and neither the
Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent, conversion agent or Debenture
registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture,
shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof may be declared,
and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with
the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture. The
Indenture provides that in certain events such declaration and its consequences
may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures then outstanding.
It is also provided in the Indenture that, prior to any
declaration accelerating the maturity of the Debentures as the result of an
Event of Default, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Debentures at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of
the Debentures waive any past default under the Indenture and its consequences
except a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any of the
Debentures. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Debenture (unless
revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such
holder and upon all future
5
<PAGE> 13
holders and owners of this Debenture and any Debentures which may be issued in
exchange or substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation
thereof is made upon this Debenture or such other Debentures.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and
the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than 66-2/3% in
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding, evidenced
as in the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the
rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such
supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Debentures,
or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce
the principal amount thereof, or modify the provisions of the Indenture with
respect to the subordination of the Debentures, or impair the right to convert
the Debentures into 1994-A Series Stock on the terms set forth in the
Indenture, or change any place of payment where or the coin or currency in
which any payment may be made, without the consent of the holder of each
Debenture so affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debentures,
the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental
indenture, without the consent of the holders of all Debentures then
outstanding.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this
Debenture or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the
Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and
interest on this Debenture at the time and place and at the rate and in the
currency herein prescribed.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of or interest on
this Debenture, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof,
and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the
Company in the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto or in any
Debenture, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby,
shall be had against any stockholder, officer or director, as such, past,
present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either
directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue
of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance
hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived
and released.
This Debenture shall not be valid or become obligatory for any
purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed
by or on behalf of the Trustee.
6
<PAGE> 14
AND WHEREAS, the form of the Trustee's certificate of
authentication to be endorsed on the face of said Debentures shall be
substantially as follows:
[FORM OF TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION]
This is one of the Debentures described in the within mentioned Indenture.
DEPOSIT GUARANTY NATIONAL BANK,
as Trustee
By: ___________________________
Authorized Officer
7
<PAGE> 15
AND WHEREAS, the form of conversion notice to appear on the
reverse side of said Debenture shall be substantially as follows:
[FORM OF CONVERSION NOTICE]
To FirstMiss Gold Inc.:
The undersigned holder of this Debenture hereby irrevocably exercises
the option to convert this Debenture or portion hereof below
designated into shares of 1994-A Series Stock of FirstMiss Gold Inc.,
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this
Debenture, and directs that the shares and any payment for fractions
thereof issuable and deliverable upon the conversion be issued in the
name of and, unless otherwise indicated, delivered to the undersigned.
Dated: ______________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Please print name and address (including zip code number)
_________________________________________________________________
Signature of Debentureholder
Please Insert Social Security or
Other Identifying Number
***************************************************************************
* *
* *
* *
***************************************************************************
Portion to be converted
(if less than all):
$___________________________
AND WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make the
Debentures, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the
Trustee as in this Indenture provided, and issued, the valid, binding and legal
obligations of the Company, and to constitute these presents a valid agreement
according to its terms, have been done and performed, and the execution of this
Indenture and the issue hereunder of the Debentures have in all respects been
duly authorized;
8
<PAGE> 16
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which
the Debentures are, and are to be, authenticated, issued and delivered, and in
consideration of the premises, of the purchase and acceptance of the Debentures
by the holders thereof and of the sum of One Dollar duly paid to it by the
Trustee at the execution of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby
acknowledged, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the equal
and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the
Debentures, as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. Definitions. The terms defined in this
Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the
context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any
indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in
this Section 1.01. All other terms used in this Indenture which are defined in
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or which are by reference therein defined in
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (except as herein otherwise expressly
provided or unless the context otherwise requires), shall have the meaning
assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act
as in force at the date of the execution of this Indenture.
Authorized Newspaper:
The term "Authorized Newspaper" shall mean a newspaper printed
in the English language, customarily published on each business day, of general
circulation in Reno, Nevada.
Board of Directors:
The term "Board of Directors" shall mean the Board of
Directors of the Company or the Executive Committee, if any, of such Board or
such other committee of the Board of Directors as such Board shall designate.
Board Resolution:
A resolution adopted by the Board of Directors as certified by
an officer of the Company.
9
<PAGE> 17
Common Stock:
The term "Common Stock" shall mean the class of stock
designated as Common Stock of the Company at the date of this Indenture, or any
other class of stock into which the Common Stock may hereafter be changed and
into which the 1994-A Series Stock is hereafter convertible.
Company:
The term "Company" shall mean FirstMiss Gold Inc., a Nevada
corporation, and, subject to the provisions of Article Thirteen, shall include
its successors and assigns.
Conversion Date:
The term "Conversion Date" shall mean immediately prior to the
close of business on the date on which notice of conversion provided in Section
5.03 hereof shall have been received in proper order for conversion by the
Company and such Debenture shall have been surrendered as provided in Section
5.03 hereof.
Corporation:
The term "corporation" shall mean any corporation, voluntary
association, joint stock association, business trust, or similar organization.
Debenture or Debentures; Outstanding:
The term "Debenture" or "Debentures" shall mean any debenture
or debentures, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this
Indenture.
The term "outstanding," when used with reference to
Debentures, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 10.04, mean, as of any
particular time, all Debentures authenticated and delivered by the Trustee
under this Indenture, except
(a) Debentures theretofore canceled by the Trustee or
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Debentures for the payment of which monies in the
necessary amounts shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee
or with any paying agent (other than the Company), provided that, if
such Debentures are to be redeemed or prepaid, notice of such
redemption or prepayment has been duly given pursuant to this
Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been
made; and
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(c) Debentures in lieu of or in substitution for which other
Debentures shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to
this Indenture.
Debentureholder:
The term "Debentureholder," "holder of Debentures," or other
similar terms, shall mean any person in whose name a particular Debenture shall
be registered on the books of the Company kept for that purpose in accordance
with the terms hereof.
Due Date:
The term "Due Date" shall mean November 2, 2004.
Event of Default:
The term "Event of Default" shall mean any event specified in
Section 8.01, continued for the period of time, if any, therein designated.
Indenture:
The term "Indenture" shall mean this instrument as originally
executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or
supplemented.
Interest Payment Date:
The term "Interest Payment Date" shall mean January 1 and July
1 of each year commencing on January 1, 1991.
Interest Rate:
The term "Interest Rate" shall mean a percentage equal to 1%
less than the Prime Interest Rate.
Issuance Date:
The term "Issuance Date" shall mean the date as of which a
Debenture is issued to a Debentureholder.
Officers' Certificate:
The term "Officers' Certificate," when used with respect to the
Company, shall mean a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board of
Directors or the President or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or any
Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.
Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section
16.06 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.
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Opinion of Counsel:
The term "Opinion of Counsel" shall mean an opinion in writing,
signed by legal counsel who shall be satisfactory to the Trustee and who may be
an employee of, or of counsel to, the Company. Each such opinion shall include
the statements provided for in Section 16.06 if and to the extent required by
the provisions of such Section.
Prime Interest Rate:
The term "Prime Interest Rate" shall mean the rate of interest
per annum publicly announced from time to time as its prime rate by Deposit
Guaranty National Bank in Jackson, Mississippi, or, if such bank shall have
ceased to publish a "prime rate," the term shall mean such other rate of
interest per annum which such bank shall certify to the Company and the Trustee
in writing is the interest rate per annum charged by such bank which is most
closely equivalent to such "prime rate."
Principal Office of the Trustee:
The term "principal office of the Trustee," or other similar
term, shall mean the principal office of the Trustee in Jackson, Mississippi,
at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be
administered.
Record Date:
The term "Record Date" shall mean the Record Date specified or
determined as provided in Section 2.03 of this Indenture.
Responsible Officer:
The term "Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the
Trustee, shall mean the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors or
Trustees, the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board
of Directors or Trustees, the President, the Chairman of the Trust Committee,
any Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, any Trust Officer, any
Assistant Vice President, or any other officer or assistant officer of the
Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the
persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any
corporate trust matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity
with the particular subject. The term "Responsible Officer," when used with
respect to the Company, shall mean the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the
President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant
Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.
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Senior Indebtedness:
The term "Senior Indebtedness" shall mean all indebtedness for
borrowed money (whether or not secured), heretofore or hereafter incurred by
the Company (or heretofore or hereafter incurred by another person, including
but not limited to a Subsidiary, and the repayment of which is guaranteed by
the Company or which the Company is contingently obligated to repay, purchase,
or otherwise acquire), unless the terms of this instrument evidencing such
indebtedness specifically provide that such indebtedness is not superior in
right of payment to the Debentures, and any deferrals, renewals or extensions
of any such indebtedness; provided, however, that the term "indebtedness for
borrowed money" shall not include indebtedness representing money borrowed by
the Company from a Subsidiary; and provided, further, that the term "Senior
Indebtedness" include but not be limited to that certain Credit Agreement dated
as of December 30, 1987 by and among FMG Inc., the Company and Westpac Banking
Corporation. The term "Senior Indebtedness" shall not include the Company's
1988-A Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures, its 1989-A Series
Convertible Subordinated Debentures, its 1989-B Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures, its 1990-A Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures, its 1990-B
Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures, its 1990-C Series Convertible
Subordinated Debentures, its 1991-A Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures,
its 1991-B Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures, its 1992-A Series
Convertible Subordinated Debentures, its 1993-A Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures, or its 1994-A Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
1994-A Series Stock:
The term "1994-A Series Stock" shall mean the series of the
Company's preferred stock designated "1994-A Series Convertible Preferred
Stock," authorized at the date of execution of this Indenture, or any other
class of stock resulting from successive changes or reclassifications of the
1994-A Series Stock. The 1994-A Series Stock is convertible into the Common
Stock of the Company.
Subsidiary or Subsidiaries:
The term "Subsidiary" shall mean a corporation of which more
than fifty percent of the issued and outstanding stock entitled to vote for the
election of directors (otherwise than by reason of default in dividends) is at
the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company.
Trustee:
The term "Trustee" shall mean Deposit Guaranty National Bank, a
national banking association organized under the laws of the United States and,
subject to the provisions of Article Nine
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hereof, shall also include its successors and assigns as Trustee hereunder.
Trust Indenture Act of 1939:
The term "Trust Indenture Act of 1939" shall mean the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 as it was in force at the date of execution of this
Indenture and, with respect to each supplemental indenture hereto, as it was in
force at the date of execution of such supplemental indenture.
ARTICLE TWO
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND
EXCHANGE OF DEBENTURES
SECTION 2.01. Designation, Amount and Issue of Debentures.
The Debentures shall be designated as 1994-A Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures. Debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $9,531.25 upon the
execution of this Indenture, or from time to time thereafter, may be executed
by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee
shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Debentures to or upon the written
order of the Company, signed by its Chairman of the Board, President or any
Vice President and its Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary or Assistant
Secretary, without any further action by the Company hereunder.
Interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Debenture shall
be due and payable on each Interest Payment Date after the Issuance Date of
such Debenture on an annualized basis at the Interest Rate in effect from time
to time during the period or any part thereof as to which interest is payable
on such Interest Payment Date. As soon as practicable after each Interest
Payment Date occurring on or after the date of original issuance, the Company
shall deliver an Officers' Certificate to the Trustee setting forth the
Interest Rate or Interest Rates applicable to the interest payment period
ending on such Interest Payment Date. As soon as practicable after each
Interest Payment Date the Company will mail to the Debentureholders at their
addresses appearing on the Debenture register notice indicating the Interest
Rate or Interest Rates applicable to the interest payment period ending on such
Interest Payment Date. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 365 day
year.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will interest be
payable on a Debenture to the extent it is in excess of the maximum allowable
interest rate under applicable law. If the interest payable to any holder or
holders of Debentures is to be
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calculated at a rate lower than the Interest Rate, the Company shall promptly
deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate certifying to the lower rate
and an Opinion of Counsel that such interest rate is the maximum allowable
interest rate under applicable law.
Except as provided in Section 2.06, the aggregate principal
amount of Debentures authorized by this Indenture is limited to the amount set
forth in Section 2.01.
Principal of and interest on the Debentures shall be payable in
such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment
shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
SECTION 2.02. Form of Debentures. The Debentures and the
certificate of authentication to be borne by the Debentures shall be
substantially of the tenor and purport as in this Indenture above recited. Any
of the Debentures may have imprinted thereon such legends or endorsements as
the Board of Directors of the Company may deem appropriate and as are not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to
comply with any law or with any rule or regulation, or to conform to usage.
SECTION 2.03. Denomination and Date of Debentures. The
Debentures shall be issuable only as registered Debentures without coupons in
such denominations as the Company shall approve, such approval to be evidenced
by the execution thereof, and shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise
distinguished in such manner as the Company may deem appropriate and as is not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to
comply with any law or with any rule or regulation, or to conform to usage.
Every Debenture shall be dated the date of its authentication
and shall bear interest from the Issuance Date or from the last Interest
Payment Date to which interest has been paid.
The interest installment on any Debenture which is payable on
any Interest Payment date shall be paid to the person in whose name said
Debenture (or any Debenture or Debentures evidencing the same debt) is
registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest
installment at the address appearing on the Debenture register or to such other
address as that person shall have notified the Company and the Debenture
registrar in writing prior to such Record Date, except if and to the extent the
Company shall default in the payment of the interest due on such Interest
Payment Date, in which case such defaulted interest shall be paid to the
persons in whose names outstanding Debentures are registered at the close of
business on the business day next preceding the date of payment or at the
option of the Company on a subsequent
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record date (which shall not be less than five business days preceding the date
of payment of defaulted interest) established for such purpose by notice given
by mail by or on behalf of the Company to the holders of the Debentures not
less than fifteen days preceding such subsequent record date, provided that in
the case of any defaulted interest on a Debenture converted subsequent to a
Record Date, interest shall be paid to the registered holder of the converted
Debenture on the date immediately prior to the Conversion Date. The term
"Record Date" as used in this Indenture with respect to any Interest Payment
Date shall mean the day (whether or not a business day) next preceding such
Interest Payment Date.
SECTION 2.04. Execution of Debentures. The Debentures shall
be signed (manually or in facsimile) in the name and on behalf of the Company
by its Chairman of the Board, President or one of its Vice Presidents under its
corporate seal (which may be printed, engraved or otherwise reproduced thereon,
by facsimile or otherwise) attested by the manual or facsimile signature of its
Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. Only such Debentures as shall
bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form
hereinbefore recited, executed by manual signature by the Trustee, shall be
entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any
purpose. Such certificate upon any Debenture executed by the Company shall be
conclusive evidence that the Debenture so authenticated has been duly
authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the
benefits of this Indenture.
In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of
the Debentures shall cease to be such officer before the Debentures so signed
shall have been authenticated and delivered, or disposed of by the Company,
such Debentures nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of
as though the person who signed such Debentures had not ceased to be such
officer of the Company; and any Debenture may be signed on behalf of the
Company by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such
Debenture, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of
the execution of this Indenture any such person was not as officer.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and
delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Debentures executed by the
Company to the Trustee for authentication; and the Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver such Debentures as in this Indenture provided and not otherwise.
SECTION 2.05. Registration, Registration of Transfer and
Exchange of Debentures. The Company will keep at the office or agency to be
maintained by the Company as provided in Section 6.02 a register or registers,
in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it will
register Debentures and any permitted transfers of Debentures. The Company
shall serve as
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its own Debenture registrar until such time as another registrar may be
appointed.
Upon surrender for registration of any permitted transfer of
any Debenture at any such office or agency, the Company shall execute and the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or
transferees a new Debenture or Debentures for a like aggregate principal amount
of authorized denominations.
Debentures may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal
amount of other authorized denominations. Debentures to be exchanged shall be
surrendered for that purpose at any office or agency to be maintained for such
purpose by the Company as provided in Section 6.02, and the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the
Debenture or Debentures which the Debentureholder making the exchange shall be
entitled to receive, bearing serial numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.
All Debentures presented for registration of transfer,
exchange, redemption or payment shall (if so required by the Company or the
Trustee) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by instruments of transfer in
form satisfactory to the Company and to the Trustee duly executed by, the
registered holder or his duly authorized attorney.
Any registration of transfer or exchange shall be without
charge, except that the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation
thereto.
The Company shall not be required to register the transfer of
any Debenture not made in accordance with Section 10.06 hereof.
SECTION 2.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debentures.
In case any temporary or definitive Debenture shall become mutilated or be
destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company in its discretion may execute, and upon
its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debenture,
bearing a serial number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and
substitution for the mutilated Debenture or in lieu of and substitution for the
Debenture so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case, the applicant for a
substituted Debenture shall furnish to the Company and to the Trustee such
security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless,
and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also
furnish to the Company and to the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the
destruction, lost or theft of such Debenture and of the ownership thereof.
The Trustee shall authenticate any such substituted Debenture
and deliver the same upon the written request or
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authorization of any Responsible Officer of the Company. Upon the issuance of
any substituted Debenture, the Company may require the payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in
relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any
Debenture which has matured or is about to mature shall have become mutilated
or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a
substitute Debenture, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without
surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debenture) if the applicant
for such payment shall furnish the Company, the Trustee and any paying agent
with such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them
harmless and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the
satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft
of such Debenture and of the ownership thereof.
Every substituted Debenture issued pursuant to the provisions
of this Section 2.06 by virtue of the fact that any Debenture is destroyed,
lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the
Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debenture shall be found
at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture
equally and proportionately with any and all other Debentures duly issued
hereunder. All debentures shall be held and owned upon the express condition
that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debentures and shall preclude
(to the extent lawful) any and all other rights or remedies with respect to the
replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debentures.
SECTION 2.07. Temporary Debentures. Pending the preparation
of definitive Debentures, the Company may execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver temporary Debentures. Temporary Debentures shall be
issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the
definitive Debentures but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may
be appropriate for temporary Debentures, all as may be determined by the
officers of the Company, as evidenced by their execution thereof. Every such
temporary Debenture shall be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same
conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as
the definitive Debentures. Without unreasonable delay, the Company will
execute and deliver to the Trustee definitive Debentures and thereupon any or
all temporary Debentures may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at the
principal office of the Trustee, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver
in exchange for such temporary Debentures an equal aggregate principal amount
of definitive Debentures. Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its
own expense and without any charge therefor except that the Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto. Until so exchanged, the
temporary Debenture
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shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as
definitive Debentures authenticated and delivered hereunder.
SECTION 2.08. Cancellation of Debentures. All Debentures
surrendered for the purpose of payment, conversion, exchange or registration of
transfer may, if surrendered to the Company or any paying or conversion agent,
be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or, if surrendered to the Trustee,
shall be canceled by it, and no Debentures shall be issued in lieu thereof
except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The
Trustee shall, upon request of the Company, either deliver canceled Debentures
or a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.
SECTION 2.09. Benefits of Indenture Provisions. Nothing in
this Indenture or in the Debentures, expressed or implied, shall give or be
construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties
hereto and any paying agent, any conversion agent and the holders of Debentures
and, to the extent provided in Article Four, the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect
of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein
contained; all the covenants, conditions and provisions contained in this
Indenture or in the Debentures being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto
and any paying agent, any conversion agent and the holders of the Debentures
and, to the extent provided in Article Four, the holders of Senior
Indebtedness.
SECTION 2.10. Maintenance of Office or Agency by Trustee. The
Trustee will maintain an office or agency in Jackson, Mississippi where
Debentures may be presented or surrendered for payment of principal and
interest or conversion and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in
respect of the Debentures or of this Indenture may be served, which shall
initially be located at One Deposit Guaranty Plaza, Jackson, Mississippi
39205.
SECTION 2.11. Condition to Issuance of Debentures. The
issuance of any Debenture hereunder upon exercise of a Debenture Option issued
pursuant to the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan shall be conditioned upon
the execution by the person who receives such Debenture of a written agreement
agreeing that any of the Company's Convertible Preferred Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Debenture shall not be transferable other than by will or the
laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations
order as defined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or Title I
of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules thereunder. Such
agreement may
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specifically provide that the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute
a prohibited transfer.
ARTICLE THREE
PREPAYMENT AND REDEMPTION OF DEBENTURES
SECTION 3.01. Mandatory and Optional Prepayment of Debentures.
(a) Upon termination of the conversion privilege of a
particular Debenture pursuant to Section 5.02(a) hereof, the
Company may at its sole option prepay such Debenture at any
time thereafter, if the Company mails notice of prepayment not
less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for
such prepayment to the Debentureholder at his last registered
address, and the Trustee. Any Debenture which is prepaid
pursuant to this Section 3.01(a) shall cease to bear interest
from the date fixed for prepayment. Notice of prepayment
pursuant to this Section 3.01(a) shall state (i) the prepayment
date, (ii) the prepayment price, (iii) that the Debentures must
be surrendered to the paying agent for payment and (iv) that
interest on the Debentures ceases to accrue on and after the
prepayment date.
(b) Installments of interest which mature on or prior to the
prepayment date shall be payable to the holders of such
Debentures registered as such on the relevant Record Dates
according to their terms and to the provisions of Section 2.03
hereof.
SECTION 3.02. Redemption of Debentures. The Debentures are redeemable at the
Company's option, at any Interest Payment Date, in whole or in part, upon
mailing a notice of redemption not less than 12 months prior to the date fixed
for such redemption to the holder or holders of the Debentures to be redeemed
at such holder's or holders' last registered addresses.
(a) Except as provided in clause (b) below, in case of any
redemption of less than all of the Debentures, the Company
shall at least sixty days prior to the date it desires to mail
to Debentureholders a notice of redemption (the "Notice Date")
(unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee),
notify the Trustee of such Notice Date and of the principal
amount of Debentures to be redeemed. In such event, the
particular Debentures to be redeemed shall be selected not more
than sixty days prior to the Notice Date by the Trustee from
the outstanding Debentures not previously called for
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redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and
appropriate and which may provide for the selection for
redemption of portions of the principal amount of the
Debentures. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in
writing of the Debentures selected for redemption and, in the
case of any Debentures selected for partial redemption, the
principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in clause (a) to the contrary, if
any Debentureholder is not employed either by the Company or
one of its subsidiaries or any partnership or joint venture in
which the Company has at least a fifty percent ownership
interest, the Company shall have the right to designate for
redemption any Debenture(s) owned by such holder, regardless of
whether the Company desires to redeem any other Debentures at
such time. Any Debenture(s) so selected for redemption may be
redeemed as provided herein except that clause (a) shall not be
applicable.
(c) For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context
otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption
of Debentures shall relate, in the case of any Debenture
redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the
principal of such Debenture which has been or is to be
redeemed.
Each Debenture is redeemable at a redemption price of 100% of
the principal amount thereof, together with accrued interest to the date fixed
for redemption. Installments of interest which mature on or prior to the
redemption date shall be payable to the holders of such Debentures registered
as such on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and to the
provisions of Section 2.03 hereof. The Debentureholder may convert its
Debenture at any time prior to and on the redemption date, subject to the
limitations on conversion privileges set forth in other provisions of this
Indenture.
At least 12 months but not more than 18 months before a
redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class
mail to each holder of the Debentures to be redeemed and to the Trustee. The
notice shall state (i) the redemption date, (ii) the redemption price, (iii) if
less than all outstanding Debentures are to be redeemed, the identification
(and, in the case of partial redemption, the respective principal amounts) of
the Debentures to be redeemed, (iv) that the Debentures called for redemption
may be converted at any time prior to and on the redemption date, (v) the
conditions prerequisite to conversion of Debentures, (vi) that Debentures
called for redemption must be surrendered to the paying agent to collect the
redemption price, and (vii) that interest on the Debentures ceases to accrue on
and
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after the redemption date. At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give
notice of redemption in the Company's name and at its expense.
Subject to the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof, once notice
of redemption is mailed, the Debentures called for redemption become due and
payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price, and upon surrender
to the paying agent, such Debentures shall be paid at the redemption price,
plus accrued interest to the redemption date.
SECTION 3.03. Deposit of Monies for Redemption or Prepayment.
Prior to any redemption or prepayment date, the Company shall deposit with the
paying agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or prepayment price of and
accrued interest on all Debentures to be redeemed or prepaid. The paying agent
shall return to the Company any money not required for that purpose because of
conversion of Debentures.
If any Debenture called for redemption or prepayment shall not
be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption or prepayment, the principal
shall, until paid, bear interest from the redemption or prepayment date at the
Interest Rate borne by the Debenture.
SECTION 3.04. Limitation on Prepayment. Except as provided in
Sections 3.01 and 3.02 hereof, no Debenture may be prepaid or redeemed by the
Company prior to the Due Date without the written consent of the holder
thereof.
SECTION 3.05. Holder's Right to Elect Redemption. Commencing
on the first Interest Payment Date occurring more than one year after the
Issuance Date of any Debenture, the holder of such Debenture or such holder's
legal successor may elect to have the Company redeem the Debenture on any
Interest Payment Date, by surrender of the Debenture to the Company at least 10
days prior to such Interest Payment Date at 700 North Street, Jackson,
Mississippi, or at an office or agency established for such purpose, duly
endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and accompanied by a written notice of election to
receive payment of the Debenture. The amount of such payment shall be equal to
the unpaid principal portion of the Debenture plus accrued but unpaid interest
on the Debenture through the Interest Payment date. The Company shall hand
deliver or mail by first class mail to the Debentureholder a check on the
Interest Payment Date in payment of the amount due in redemption of the
Debenture.
ARTICLE FOUR
SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES
SECTION 4.01. Agreement That Debentures Be Subordinate. The
Company covenants and agrees, and each holder of a Debenture
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issued hereunder by his acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that
all Debentures issued hereunder shall be issued subject to the provisions of
this Article Four; and each person holding any Debenture, whether upon original
issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by
such provisions.
SECTION 4.02. Subordination to Senior Indebtedness. Anything
in this Indenture or in any Debenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the
indebtedness evidenced by each Debenture shall be subordinate and junior, to
the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, to all Senior Indebtedness:
(a) In the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings,
and any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other
similar proceedings in connection therewith, relative to the
Company or to its creditors, as such, or to its property, and
in the event of any proceedings for voluntary liquidation,
dissolution, or other winding-up of the Company, whether or not
involving insolvency or bankruptcy, then the holders of Senior
Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment is full of
all principal of and interest on all Senior Indebtedness, or to
have provision made for such payment, before the holders of the
Debentures are entitled to receive any payment on account of
principal of or interest on the Debentures, and to that end
(but subject to the power of a court of competent jurisdiction
to make other equitable provisions reflecting the rights
conferred by these subordination provisions upon the Senior
Indebtedness and the holders thereof with respect to the
subordinated indebtedness represented by the Debentures and the
holders thereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under
applicable bankruptcy law) the holders of Senior Indebtedness
shall be entitled to receive for application in payment thereof
any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether
in cash or property or securities, which may be payable or
deliverable in any such proceedings in respect of the
Debentures, except securities which are subordinate and junior
in right or payment to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness
then outstanding;
(b) If any Senior Indebtedness matures by lapse of time,
acceleration or otherwise, and is not immediately paid,
refunded or replaced by new indebtedness, then all principal
of, (and premium, if any) and interest on all such matured
Senior Indebtedness shall first be paid in full, or such
payment shall be duly provided for, before
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any payment on account of principal or interest is made upon,
or acquisition is made of any of, the Debentures;
(c) Each Debentureholder, by his acceptance of a Debenture
issued hereunder (i) irrevocably authorizes and empowers
(without imposing any obligation on) each holder of Senior
Indebtedness (hereinafter in this clause (c) called a "Senior
Holder") at the time outstanding and such Senior Holder's
representatives to demand, sue for, collect, receive and
receipt for such Debentureholders ratable share of all payments
and distributions in respect of the Debentures which are
required to be paid or delivered to the Senior Holders as
provided in clause (a) above, and to file and prove all claims
therefor and take all such other action (including the right to
vote such Debentureholder's ratable share of the Debentures) in
the name of such Debentureholder or otherwise, as such Senior
Holder or such Senior Holder's representatives may determine to
be necessary or appropriate for the enforcement of clause (a)
above, provided, however, that no action may be taken by any
Senior Holder or such Senior Holder's representatives pursuant
to the authorization conferred by this item (i) of this clause
(c) unless written notice shall have been given by such Senior
Holder or such Senior Holder's representatives to a
Debentureholder requesting such Debentureholder to take such
action and such Debentureholder shall not have taken such
action within 15 days after the giving of such notice; and (ii)
agrees to execute and deliver to each Senior Holder and such
Senior Holder's representatives all such further instruments
confirming the above authorization, and all such powers of
attorney, proofs of claim, assignments of claim and other
instruments, and to take all such other action as may be
requested by such Senior Holder or such Senior Holder's
representatives in order to enable such Senior Holder to
enforce all claims upon or in respect of such Debentureholder's
ratable share of the Debentures.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing clauses (a) through (c) of
this Section 4.02, nothing herein shall prevent the Company from prepaying any
Debenture prior to the Due Date under circumstances when the provisions of
clause (a) or clause (b) of this Section 4.02 shall not be applicable.
SECTION 4.03. Payment to Holders of Senior Indebtedness of
Certain Amounts Received by Debentureholders. In the event that,
notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.02 prohibiting such distribution or
payment, any distribution of assets of the Company or payment by or on behalf
of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or
securities, to which the holders of the Debentures or the Trustee would be
entitled but for
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the provisions of this Article Four prohibiting such distribution or payment,
shall be received by the Trustee or the holders of the Debentures before the
principal of and interest on all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, or
provision is made for its payment, such distribution or payment shall be held
in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives,
or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any
instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued,
ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the
Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, for application to the payment
of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay the
principal of and interest on all such Senior Indebtedness in full, after giving
effect to any concurrent distribution or payment, or provision therefor, from
any source, to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representatives
or trustees.
SECTION 4.04. Notice to Trustee of Specified Events; Reliance
on Certificate of Liquidating Agent. The Company shall give prompt written
notice to the Trustee of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding in respect of
the Company and of any proceedings for voluntary liquidation, dissolution or
other winding up of the Company (whether or not involving insolvency or
bankruptcy), within the meaning of Section 4.02(a), and of any event which
pursuant to Section 4.02(b) would prevent payment by the Company on account of
the principal of or interest on the Debenture. The Trustee, subject to the
provisions of Section 9.01, shall be entitled to assume that no such event has
occurred unless the Company, or a holder of Senior Indebtedness, or any trustee
or representative therefor, has given such notice. The Trustee shall not be
charged with knowledge of the curing of any event or of the elimination of the
act or condition preventing any payment by the Company unless and until the
Trustee shall have received an Officers' Certificate to such effect; and the
Company shall deliver such an Officers' Certificate promptly after the curing
of any such default or the elimination of any such act or condition.
Upon any distribution of assets of the Company or payment by or
on behalf of the Company referred to in this Article Four, the Trustee and the
holders of the Debentures shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree of
a court of competent jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature
referred to in Section 4.02(a) are pending, and the Trustee, subject to the
provisions of Section 9.01 hereof, and the holders of the Debentures shall be
entitled to rely upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or
other person making any distribution to the Trustee or to the holders of the
Debentures for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate
in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other
indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount
or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or
to
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this Article Four. In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith,
that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any person as a
holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution
pursuant to this Article Four, the Trustee may request such person to furnish
evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of
Senior Indebtedness held by such person, as to the extent to which such person
is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, and as to other
facts pertinent to the rights of such person under this Article Four, and if
such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such
person pending judicial determination as to the right of such person to receive
such payment.
The Trustee, however, shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary
duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness but shall have only such obligations
to such holders as are expressly set forth in this Article Four.
SECTION 4.05. Subrogation. Subject to the payment in full of
the principal of and interest on all Senior Indebtedness, the holders of the
Debentures (together with the holders of any other indebtedness of the Company
which is subordinate in right of payment to the payment of other indebtedness
of the Company, but is not subordinate in right of payment to the Debentures
and by its terms grants such right of subrogation to the holders thereof) shall
be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive
distributions of assets of the Company, or payments by or on behalf of the
Company, made on the Senior Indebtedness, until the principal of and interest
on the Debentures shall be paid in full; and, for the purpose of such
subrogation, no distributions or payments to the holders of Senior Indebtedness
of any cash, property or securities to which the holders of the Debentures or
the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Four,
and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article Four to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness by the holders of the Debentures or the Trustee
shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior
Indebtedness and the holders of Debentures, be deemed to be a payment by the
Company to or on account of Senior Indebtedness, it being understood that the
provisions of this Article Four are, and are intended, solely for the purpose
of defining the relative rights of the holders of the Debentures, on the one
hand, and the holders of Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.
SECTION 4.06. Obligation to Pay Not Impaired. Nothing
contained in this Article Four or elsewhere in this Indenture, or in the
Debentures, is intended to or shall alter or impair, as between the Company,
its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the holders of
the Debentures, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and
unconditional, to pay to the holders of the Debentures the principal of and
interest on the
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Debentures at the time and place and at the rate and in the currency therein
prescribed, or to affect the relative rights of the holders of the Debentures
and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor
shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the holder of any
Debenture from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law
upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this
Article Four of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive cash, property or
securities otherwise payable or deliverable to the holders of the Debentures.
SECTION 4.07. Reliance by Senior Indebtedness on Subordination
Provisions. Each holder of any Debenture by his acceptance thereof
acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and
are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any
Senior Indebtedness, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired
before or after the issuance of the Debentures, to acquire and continue to
hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness, and such holder of
Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such
subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing
to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.
SECTION 4.08. Certain Payments and Credits Permitted. Nothing
contained in this Article Four or elsewhere in this Indenture, or in any of the
Debentures, shall (a) affect the right of the Company to make or prevent the
Company from making payment of the principal of or interest on the Debentures,
or from depositing with the Trustee or any paying agent monies for such
payments, not then contrary to the conditions described in Section 4.02, (b)
prevent the application by the Trustee or any paying agent of any monies so
deposited with it under this Indenture to the payment of or on account of the
principal of or interest on the Debentures unless the Trustee has knowledge of
a default on the Senior Indebtedness, or (c) prevent the retention by the
holders of Debentures of monies so applied and paid to them on account of the
principal of or interest on the Debentures, whether or not at the time of such
application described in (b) or payment described in (c) payment of principal
of or interest on the Debentures would then be precluded pursuant to Section
4.02.
SECTION 4.09. Subordination Not to be Prejudiced by Certain
Acts. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness of
the Company to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in
any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of
the Company or by any act or failure to act by any such holder, or by any
noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this
Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof any such holder may have or be
otherwise charged with.
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SECTION 4.10. Trustee Authorized to Effectuate Subordination.
Each holder of Debentures by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the
Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to
acknowledge or effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article Four
and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
SECTION 4.11. Trustee's Rights Regarding Senior Indebtedness
Held By it, Etc. The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in
this Article Four in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it,
to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in
Section 9.13 or elsewhere in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of
its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article Four shall apply to claims
of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 9.06 of this
Indenture.
SECTION 4.12. Trustee and Paying Agents Not Chargeable with
Knowledge Until Notice. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Article
Four or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee and any paying agent
shall not at any time be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts
which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee
or any paying agent, unless and until the Trustee or such paying agent, as the
case may be, shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a
holder of Senior Indebtedness, or any trustee therefor; and, prior to the
receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of
Section 9.01, and any paying agent shall be entitled to assume that no such
facts exist. If at lease twenty-four hours prior to the date upon which by the
terms hereof any such monies may become payable for any purpose (including,
without limitations, the payment of either the principal of or the interest on
any Debenture) the Trustee or paying agent, as the case may be, shall not have
received with respect to such monies the notice provided for in this Section
4.12, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such monies and to apply
the same to the purpose for which they were received and shall not be affected
by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or after the
commencement of such twenty-four hour period.
SECTION 4.13. 1988-A, 1989-A, 1989-B, 1990-A, 1990-B, 1990-C 1991-A,
1991-B, 1992-A and 1993-A Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures. Anything
in this Indenture or in the Debentures to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Debentures shall be neither subordinate nor superior in right of payment to the
1988-A Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 1998, issued by the
Company under an Indenture dated as of July 13, 1988, or the 1989-A Series
Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 1999, issued by the Company under an
Indenture dated as of August 9, 1989, or the 1989-B Series
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Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 1999, issued by the Company under an
Indenture dated November 2, 1989, or the 1990-A Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures due 2000, issued by the Company under an Indenture dated August 8,
1990, the 1990-B Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2000, issued by
the Company under an Indenture dated November 1, 1990, the 1990-C Series
Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2000, issued by the Company under an
Indenture dated November 2, 1990, the 1991-A Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures due 2001, issued by the Company under an Indenture dated August 14,
1991, or the 1991-B Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2001, issued
by the Company under an Indenture dated November 7, 1991, or the 1992-A Series
Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2002, or the 1993-A Series Convertible
Subordinated Debentures due 2003, issued by the Company but shall rank pari
passu in all respects with such 1988-A, 1989-A, 1989-B, 1990-A, 1990-B, 1990-C,
1991-A, 1991-B, 1992-A and 1993-A Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
ARTICLE FIVE
CONVERSION OF DEBENTURES
SECTION 5.01. Conversion Privilege; Conversion Price. Subject
to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article Five, at the option
of the holder thereof, any Debenture or portion thereof may, at any time more
than six months after the date of the award of the debenture option pursuant to
which the Debenture was purchased and at or before the close of business on the
Due Date (or, in case such Debenture shall be called for redemption prior to
the Due Date and the Company does not default in timely payment of the
redemption price, then until the close of business on the date fixed for
redemption) be converted at the principal amount thereof, or of such portion
thereof, into fully paid and nonassessable whole shares of 1994-A Series Stock,
at the conversion price of $9.53125 per share (the "conversion price"). The
conversion price shall not be subject to adjustment. Rights with respect to
fractional share interests shall be governed by Section 5.04.
SECTION 5.02. Conversion Period; Limitation on Exercise. The
conversion privilege set forth in Section 5.01 shall also be limited as
described below.
(a) Pledge of Debentures. At any time that a Debenture is
pledged or otherwise hypothecated as collateral for a loan to
any person, the conversion privilege for that Debenture may not
be exercised by any person. If such pledge or hypothecation is
not made in compliance with Section 10.06 hereof, the
conversion privilege for such Debenture shall simultaneously
with such pledge or hypothecation wholly and permanently
terminate. As soon as practicable, the Company shall give
notice to the
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Trustee and any conversion agent of such prohibited pledge or
hypothecation. If such pledge or hypothecation is made in
compliance with Section 10.06, the conversion privilege for
that Debenture shall be exercisable upon receipt by the
Company, the Trustee and the conversion agent from the
Debentureholder and the person to whom the Debenture has been
pledged or hypothecated of notice satisfactory to the Company
that the pledge or hypothecation has been fully and completely
discharged and released and no pledge or hypothecation of the
Debenture has been substituted or has otherwise been created.
If such pledge or hypothecation is made in compliance with
Section 10.06 and the Debenture is transferred to a person
foreclosing on such Debenture, the conversion privilege for
such Debenture shall simultaneously with such foreclosure
wholly and permanently terminate. Unless and until the Trustee
and the conversion agent shall have received notice in writing
of a prohibited pledge or hypothecation of the Debenture or a
foreclosure, the Trustee and conversion agent shall be entitled
in all respects to conclusively assume that no such pledge,
hypothecation or foreclosure has taken place.
(b) Suspension Pending Listing and/or Registration. Anything
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if at any time the
Board of Directors determines, in its discretion, that the
listing, registration, or qualification upon any securities
exchange or under any state or Federal law of 1994-A Series
Stock into which the Debentures are convertible or of Common
Stock into which the 1993-A Series Stock is convertible, or
that the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory
body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in
connection with, the issue of such shares, (1) the Company will
in good faith and at its own expense as expeditiously as
possible endeavor to secure such listing, registration,
qualification, consent or approval, or take such other action,
as the case may be, and (2) the conversion privilege of the
Debentures may not be exercised in whole or in part until such
listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall
have been effected or obtained and the same shall have been
free of any conditions not acceptable to the Board of
Directors.
In the case of any suspension of the conversion privilege
pursuant to this Section 5.02(b) that occurs or will continue
after the Debentures first become convertible, the Company
shall promptly deliver to the Trustee and the conversion agent
an Officers' Certificate stating that such suspension has
occurred and the reason therefor and
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shall promptly mail notice of such suspension and the reason
therefor to the holders of the Debentures at their addresses as
they appear on the Debenture register. Upon termination of any
such suspension, the Company shall promptly deliver to the
Trustee and the conversion agent an Officers' Certificate
stating that such suspension has terminated and shall promptly
mail notice thereof to the holders of the Debentures at their
addresses as they appear on the Debenture register.
(c) Effect of Suspension. Suspension of the right to
exercise the conversion privilege shall not reduce any other
rights under a Debenture.
SECTION 5.03. Manner of Exercising Conversion Privilege. In
order to exercise the conversion privilege, the holder of any Debenture to be
converted shall surrender such Debenture to the Company at any office or agency
maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section 2.10 or 6.02, accompanied by
written notice to the Company at such office or agency that the holder elects
to convert such Debenture or a specified portion thereof. Debentures
surrendered for conversion shall, if so required by the Company or the Trustee,
be duly endorsed by, or accompanied by instruments of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company duly executed by, the registered holder or his duly
authorized attorney. As promptly as practicable after the receipt of such
notice and the surrender of such Debenture as aforesaid, the Company shall
issue and shall deliver, at the office or agency at which such Debenture is
surrendered or such other place as the holder designates in writing, to such
holder (or, on his written order, in his name and for his benefit to some other
person), a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of 1994-A
Series Stock issuable upon the conversion of such Debenture (or specified
portion thereof), and a check in lieu of any fractional interest in accordance
with the provisions of this Article Five. Such conversion shall be deemed to
have been effected on the Conversion Date and at such time the rights of the
holder of such Debenture as such Debentureholder shall cease and the person or
persons in whose name or names any certificate or certificates for shares of
1994-A Series Stock shall be issuable upon such conversion shall be deemed to
have become the holder or holders of record of the shares represented thereby.
In the case of any Debenture which is converted in part only,
upon such conversion the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the holder thereof, at the
expense of the Company, a new Debenture or Debentures of authorized
denominations in principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of such
Debenture. The conversion privilege of the Debenture converted in part shall
apply to such new Debenture or Debentures. No partial conversion will be
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permitted if, following conversion, the remaining principal amount of the
Debenture would be less than $1,000.00.
Interest will accrue on Debentures through the day immediately
preceding the date of conversion and will be paid to the holder of the
Debenture (or, on his written order, in his name and for his benefit to some
other person) when his shares of 1994-A Series Stock are delivered.
SECTION 5.04. Fractional Shares. Shares of 1994-A Series Stock
shall be issued upon conversion of Debentures in whole shares only. If more
than one Debenture shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same
holder, the number of shares which shall be issuable upon conversion shall be
computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures (or
specified portions thereof to the extent permitted hereby) so surrendered. If
any fractional interest in a share would be deliverable upon conversion of any
Debenture, the Company shall make an adjustment therefor by payment in the form
of a check or cash equal in amount to the product obtained by multiplying the
conversion price per share times such fractional interest.
SECTION 5.05. Notice of Certain Corporate Action. In case:
(a) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other
distribution) on its 1994-A Series Stock or its Common Stock
payable otherwise than in cash or other property out of its
retained earnings; or
(b) the Company shall authorize the granting to the holders
of its 1994-A Series Stock or its Common Stock of rights to
subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any
class or of any other rights; or
(c) the Company shall authorize any reclassification of the
1994-A Series Stock or the Common Stock of the Company (other
than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding shares of
Common Stock), or any consolidation or merger to which the
Company is a party and for which approval of any stockholders
of the Company is required, or the sale or transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company; or
(d) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation
or winding up of the Company;
then the Company shall cause to be filed at the office or offices or agency or
agencies maintained for the purpose of conversion of Debentures pursuant to
Section 2.10 and 6.02, and shall cause to be mailed to the Trustee and to
holders of Debentures, at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the
register provided for in
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Section 2.05, at least 20 days (or 10 days in any case specified in clause (a)
or (b) above) prior to the applicable record date hereinafter specified, a
notice stating (i) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of
such dividend, distribution, rights or warrants, or, if a record is not to be
taken, the date as of which the holders of its 1994-A Series Stock or Common
Stock, as the case may be, which are to be entitled to such dividend,
distribution, rights or warrants are to be determined, or (ii) the date on
which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer,
dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, and the
date as of which it is expected that record holders of 1994-A Series Stock or
Common Stock, as the case may be, shall be entitled to exchange their shares of
1994-A Series Stock or Common Stock for securities, cash or other property
deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer,
dissolution, liquidation or winding up. Failure to give notice or any defect
therein shall not affect the legality or validity of any dividend,
distribution, right, redistribution, charge, consolidation, merger, sale, or
transfer. The Trustee shall have no duties with respect to any notice provided
or given to it pursuant to this Section 5.05, except to exhibit the same to
Debentureholders upon request.
SECTION 5.06. Company to Reserve Stock. The Company shall at
all time reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of its
authorized but unissued 1994-A Series Stock, for the purpose of effecting the
conversion of Debentures, the maximum number of shares of 1994-A Series Stock
then issuable upon the conversion of all outstanding Debentures, and if at any
time the number of authorized but unissued shares of 1994-A Series Stock shall
not be sufficient to effect such conversions the Company will take such
corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to
increase its authorized but unissued shares of 1994-A Series Stock to such
number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose.
SECTION 5.07. Taxes on Conversions. The Company will pay any
and all taxes (other than any income taxes) that may be payable in respect of
the issue or delivery of shares of 1994-A Series Stock on conversion of
Debentures pursuant hereto. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay
any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue
and delivery of shares of 1994-A Series Stock in a name other than that of the
holder of the Debenture or Debentures to be converted, and no such issue or
delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue has
paid to the Company the amount of any such tax or has established, to the
satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid.
SECTION 5.08. Covenant as to Stock. The Company covenants
that all shares of 1994-A Series Stock which may be issued upon conversion of
Debentures, and all shares of Common
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Stock which may be issuable upon conversion of 1994-A Series Stock, will upon
issue be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable and free from
all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.
SECTION 5.09. Provision in Case of Consolidation, Merger or
Sale. In case of any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the
Company into, any other corporation or the merger of any other corporation into
the Company (other than a merger in which the Company is the continuing
corporation and in which no change is made in the outstanding 1994-A Series
Stock of the Company), or in case of any sale or transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, the corporation formed by such
consolidation or the corporation which shall have acquired such assets or the
Company (if another corporation shall have merged into the Company) as the case
may be (the "Surviving Corporation"), shall execute and deliver to the Trustee
a supplemental indenture providing that the holder of each Debenture then
outstanding shall have the right thereafter (until the expiration of the
conversion right of such Debenture) to convert such Debenture into the kind and
amount of shares of stock, other securities, cash or other property receivable
upon such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer by a holder of the number of
shares of 1994-A Series Stock of the Company into which such Debenture might
have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale or
transfer. The above provisions of this Section shall similarly apply to
successive consolidations, mergers, sales or transfers. Notice of the
execution of any such supplemental indenture shall be mailed by the Company at
its cost and expense to the holders of the Debentures as soon as practicable
after the execution of such supplemental indenture. Failure to give such
notice, or any defects therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of
any supplemental indenture.
SECTION 5.10. Trustee's Disclaimer of Responsibility for
Certain Matters. Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be
accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of
any shares of 1994-A Series Stock, or of any securities or property, which may
at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Debenture; and
neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent makes any representation with
respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 9.01, neither the
Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be responsible for any failure of the
Company to issue, register or deliver any shares of 1994-A Series Stock or
stock certificates or other securities or property upon the surrender of any
Debenture for the purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the covenants
of the Company contained in this Article Five. Neither the Trustee nor the
conversion agent has any duty to determine whether any provisions of a
supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 5.09 are correct.
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SECTION 5.11. Covenant as to Conversion Rights. The Company
covenants and agrees that so long as any of the Debentures are outstanding, it
will not amend its Certificate of Incorporation in any way which would
adversely change the conversion rights of the 1994-A Series Stock unless such
amendment shall have been approved in writing by the holders of not less than
sixty-six and two-thirds percent of all shares of 1994-A Series Stock at the
time outstanding and by the holders of not less than sixty-six and two-thirds
percent of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time
outstanding.
ARTICLE SIX
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
SECTION 6.01. Payment of Principal and Interest. The Company
covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid
the principal of and interest on each of the Debentures at the time and place
and in the manner provided in the Debentures to or upon the written order of
the holders thereof.
SECTION 6.02. Office for Notices, Payments and Conversions.
The Company covenants and agrees, so long as any of the Debentures remain
outstanding, to maintain in Jackson, Mississippi, one or more offices or
agencies where the Debentures may be presented for payment of principal and
interest, for registration of transfer or exchange or for conversion and an
office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of
the Debentures or of this Indenture may be served. The Company will give to
the Trustee notice of the location of any such offices or agencies and of any
change of location thereof. In case the Company shall fail to maintain such
office or agency or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any
change in the location thereof, presentations and demands may be made and
notices may be served at the principal office of the Trustee.
SECTION 6.03. Paying Agents.
(a) Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying
agents, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or
interest on any Debentures, deposit with such paying agent a
sum sufficient to pay the principal or interest so becoming
due. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its
action or failure so to act.
(b) Any paying agent appointed by the Company, other than
the Trustee, shall be a bank or trust company of the character
and with the qualifications set forth in Section 9.09, and the
Company covenants and agrees to cause such paying agent to
execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which it
shall agree with the
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Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, (1) that
such paying agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the
Debentureholders all sums held by such paying agent for the
payment of the principal of or interest on any of the
Debentures, (2) that such paying agent shall give to the
Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or any other
obligor on the Debentures) to make any payment of the principal
of or interest on the Debentures when the same shall be due and
payable, and (3) at any time during the continuance of any such
default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay
to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent.
(c) If the Company shall at any time act as its own paying
agent, then on or before each due date of the principal of or
interest on any of the Debentures, it will set aside and
segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of
the Debentures a sum sufficient to pay such principal or
interest so becoming due, and will notify the Trustee of its
action or of any failure to take such action.
(d) Anything in this Section 6.03 to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Company may at any time, for the purpose
of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture
or for any other purpose, pay or cause to be paid to the
Trustee all sums held in trust by it or any paying agent as
required by this Section, such sums to be held by the Trustee
upon the trusts herein contained.
(e) Anything in this Section 6.03 to the contrary
notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as
provided in this Section is subject to the provisions of
Sections 14.03 and 14.04 hereof.
SECTION 6.04. Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office of
Trustee. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the
Office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 9.10, a
Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
SECTION 6.05. Further Instruments and Acts. The Company will,
upon request of the Trustee, execute and deliver such further instruments and
do such further acts as may reasonably be necessary or proper to carry out more
effectually the purposes of this Indenture.
SECTION 6.06. Payment of Taxes; Maintenance of Corporate
Existence; Maintenance of Properties; Property Insurance.
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(a) The Company will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, pay
all taxes, assessments and governmental charges lawfully levied
or assessed upon it, upon its property or any part thereof, or
upon its income or profits, or any part thereof, before the
same shall become delinquent, and will duly observe and conform
to all lawful requirements of any governmental authority
relative to any of its property, and all covenants, terms and
conditions upon or under which any of its property is held; and
within four months after the accruing of any lawful claims or
demands for labor, materials, supplies or other objects, which
might become a lien or charge upon any of its property or the
income therefrom, it will pay or cause to be discharged or make
adequate provision to satisfy and discharge the same; provided
that nothing in this Section 6.06 or elsewhere in this
Indenture contained shall require the Company to observe or
conform to any requirements of any governmental authority or to
cause to be paid or discharged, or to make provision for, any
such lien or charge or to pay any such tax, assessment or
governmental charge so long as the validity thereof shall be
contested in good faith; and provided further that neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary shall be required to pay any such
taxes, assessments or charges, if, in the judgment of the Board
of Directors of the Company or such Subsidiary, such payment
shall no longer be advantageous to the Company or such
Subsidiary in the conduct of its business and nonpayment shall
not be disadvantageous in any material respect to the
Debentureholders.
(b) Subject to the other provisions of this Indenture, the
Company will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, maintain its
corporate existence and right to carry on its business and duly
procure all necessary renewals and extensions thereof and use
its best efforts to maintain, preserve and renew all such
rights, powers, privileges and franchises; provided, however,
that nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the
Company or Subsidiary from ceasing or omitting to exercise any
right, power, privilege or franchise (including, in the case of
a Subsidiary, the corporate existence thereof) which in the
judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company or of such
Subsidiary should not be exercised and which is not
advantageous in any material respect to the Debentureholders.
(c) The Company will, and will cause each Subsidiary to,
keep and maintain all buildings, plants and other property
owned or leased by it in such good condition, repair and
working order and supplied with all such necessary equipment as
in the judgment of the Company may
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be necessary, so that the business carried on in connection
therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all
times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 6.06
shall prevent the Company or a Subsidiary from selling,
abandoning or otherwise disposing of any building, plant or
property whenever in the opinion of the Company the retention
thereof is inadvisable or not necessary to the business of the
Company or such Subsidiary.
(d) The Company will insure and keep insured, and will cause
each Subsidiary to insure and keep insured, to a reasonable
amount with reputable insurance companies, to the extent such
insurance is reasonably available, so much of their respective
properties as companies engaged in a similar business and to
the extent such companies in accordance with good business
practice customarily insure properties of a similar character
against loss by fire and the extended coverage perils and other
hazards.
SECTION 6.07. Annual Review Certificate. The Company covenants
and agrees to deliver to the Trustee, on or before a date not more than four
months after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date
hereof, an Officers' Certificate, which shall conform to the provisions of
Section 16.06, stating that a review of the activities of the Company and of
its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the
supervision of the signing officers with a view to determining whether the
Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this
Indenture, and further stating, as to each such officer signing such
certificate, that to the best of his knowledge the Company has kept, observed,
performed and fulfilled each and every such covenant in this Indenture
contained and is not in default in the performance and observance of any of the
terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if the Company shall be in
default, specifying all such defaults and the nature thereof of which he may
have knowledge) and that to the best of his knowledge no event has occurred and
remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of
or interest on the Debentures is prohibited.
SECTION 6.08. No Lien Created. This Indenture and the
Debentures do not create a lien, charge, or encumbrance on any property of the
Company or any Subsidiary.
ARTICLE SEVEN
DEBENTUREHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
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SECTION 7.01. Debentureholders' Lists. The Company covenants
and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee not
more than 30 or less than 15 calendar days before an Interest Payment Date in
each year and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within
thirty days after receipt by the Company of any such request, a list in such
form as the Trustee may reasonably require containing all information in the
possession or control of the Company, and of any paying agents of the Company
other than the Trustee, as to the names and addresses of the holders of
Debentures obtained (in the case of each list other than the first list) since
the date as of which the next previous list, if any, was furnished. Any such
list may be dated as of a date not more than fifteen days prior to the time
such information is furnished or caused to be furnished, and need not include
information received after such date, but the list need not be furnished if the
Trustee is the Debenture registrar.
SECTION 7.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and
addresses of the holders of Debentures (1) contained in the
most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.01
and (2) received by it in the capacity of Debenture registrar
(if so acting) hereunder.
The Trustee may (1) destroy any list furnished to it as
provided in Section 7.01 upon receipt of a new list so
furnished, (2) destroy any information received by it as paying
agent (if so acting) hereunder upon delivering to itself as
Trustee, not earlier than forty-five days after an Interest
Payment Date, a list containing the names and addresses of the
holders of Debentures obtained from such information since the
delivery of the next previous list, if any, and (3) destroy any
list delivered to itself as Trustee which was compiled from
information received by it as paying agent (if so acting)
hereunder upon the receipt of a new list so delivered.
(b) In case three or more holders of Debentures (hereinafter
referred to as "applicants") apply in writing to the Trustee
and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such
applicant has owned a Debenture for a period of at least six
months preceding the date of such application, and such
application states that the applicants desire to communicate
with other holders of Debentures with respect to their rights
under this Indenture or under the Debentures and is accompanied
by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which
such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall,
within five business days after the receipt of such
application, at its election, either
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(1) afford such applicants access to the information
preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with
the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 7.02,
or
(2) inform such applicants as to the approximate number
of holders of Debentures whose names and addresses
appear in the information preserved at the time by the
Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection
(a) of this Section 7.02, and as to the approximate cost
of mailing to such Debentureholders the form of proxy or
other communication, if any, specified in such
application.
If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants
access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written
request of such applicants, mail to each Debentureholder whose
name and address appears in the information preserved at the
time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of
subsection (a) of this Section 7.02, a copy of the form of
proxy or other communication which is specified in such
request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the
Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or
provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of
mailing, unless within five days after such tender the Trustee
shall mail to such applicants and file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, together with a copy of the material to be
mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion
of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best
interests of the holders of Debentures or would be in violation
of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the
basis of such opinion. If said Commission, after opportunity
for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written
statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain
any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order
sustaining one or more of such objections, said Commission
shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all
the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an
order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such
material to all such Debentureholders with reasonable
promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of
such tender; if no such order is entered by said Commission,
the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such
applicants respecting their application.
(c) Each and every holder of the Debentures, by receiving
and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee
that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent
shall be held accountable by reason of the
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disclosure of any such information as to the names and
addresses of the holders of Debentures in accordance with the
provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 7.02, regardless
of the source from which such information was derived, and that
the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing
any material pursuant to a request made under said subsection
(b).
SECTION 7.03. Reports by the Company.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the
Trustee, within fifteen days after the Company is required to
file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents
and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the
foregoing as said Commission may from time to time by rules and
regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to
file with said Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or, if the
Company is not required to file information, documents or
reports pursuant to either of such sections, then to file with
the Trustee and said Commission, in accordance with rules and
regulations prescribed from time to time by said Commission,
such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents
and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in respect of a security listed
and registered on a national securities exchange as may be
prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations.
(b) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the
Trustee and the Securities and Exchange Commission, in
accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from time
to time by said Commission, any additional information,
documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company
with the conditions and covenants provided for in this
Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules
and regulations.
(c) The Company covenants and agrees to transmit by mail to
all holders of Debentures, as the names and addresses of such
holders appear upon the registry books of the Company, within
thirty days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such
summaries of any information, documents and reports required to
be filed by the Company pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of
this Section 7.03 as may be required by rules and regulations
prescribed from time to time by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, except insofar as such summaries, documents or
reports have previously been furnished to such Debentureholder.
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(d) The Company covenants and agrees to transmit by mail to
all holders of Debentures, as the names and addresses of such
holders appear on the registry books of the Company, and to
furnish to the Trustee annually within 120 days after the end
of each fiscal year of the Company, beginning with the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1990, a copy of the consolidated balance
sheet of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as at
the end of its annual accounting period and a consolidated
profit and loss statement of the Company and its consolidated
subsidiaries for such period, prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles and accompanied by the
certificate of a firm of independent public accountants.
SECTION 7.04. Reports by the Trustee.
(a) If this Indenture has been qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, then on or before July 15 in every year
thereafter, so long as any Debentures are outstanding
hereunder, the Trustee shall transmit to the Debentureholders
as hereinafter in this Section 7.04 provided, a brief report
dated as of May 15 of the year in which such report is made
with respect to:
(1) its eligibility under Section 9.09, and its
qualification under Section 9.08, or in lieu thereof, if
to the best of its knowledge it has continued to be
eligible and qualified under such Sections, a written
statement to such effect;
(2) the character and amount of any advances (and if
the Trustee elects so to state, the circumstances
surrounding the making thereof) made by the Trustee (as
such) which remain unpaid on the date of such report,
and for the reimbursement of which it claims or may
claim a lien or charge prior to that of the Debentures,
on any property or funds held or collected by it as
Trustee, except that the Trustee shall not be required
(but may elect) to state such advances if such advances
so remaining unpaid aggregate not more than one-half of
one per cent of the principal amount of the Debentures
outstanding on the date of such report;
(3) the amount, interest rate, and maturity date of
all other indebtedness owing by the Company (or by any
other obligor on the Debentures) to the Trustee in its
individual capacity, on the date of such report, with a
brief description of any property held as collateral
security therefor, except an indebtedness based upon a
creditor relationship
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arising in any manner described in paragraphs (2), (3),
(4) or (6) of subsection (b) of Section 9.13;
(4) the property and funds, if any, physically in the
possession of the Trustee, as such, on the date of such
report; and
(5) any additional issue of Debenture which the
Trustee has not previously reported; and
(6) any action taken by the Trustee in the
performance if its duties under this Indenture which it
has not previously reported and which in its opinion
materially affects the Debentures, except action in
respect of a default, notice of which has been or is to
be withheld by it in accordance with the provisions of
Section 8.08.
(b) If this Indenture has been qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee shall transmit to the
Debentureholders, as hereinafter provided, a brief report with
respect to the character and amount of any advances (and if the
Trustee elects so to state, the circumstances surrounding the
making thereof) made by the Trustee (as such), since the date
of the last report transmitted pursuant to the provisions of
subsection (a) of this Section 7.04 (or if no such report has
yet been so transmitted, since the date of execution of this
Indenture), for the reimbursement of which it claims or may
claim a lien or charge prior to that of the Debentures on
property or funds held or collected by it as Trustee, and which
it has not previously reported pursuant to this subsection,
except that the Trustee shall not be required (but may elect)
to report such advances if such advances remaining unpaid at
any time aggregate ten per cent or less of the principal amount
of Debentures outstanding at such time, such report to be
transmitted within ninety days after such time.
(c) Reports pursuant to this Section 7.04 shall be
transmitted by mail to all holders of Debentures, as the names
and addresses of such holders appear upon the registry books of
the Company.
(d) A copy of any such report shall, at the time of such
transmission to Debentureholders, be filed by the Trustee with
each stock exchange upon which the Debentures are
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listed and also with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Company will notify the Trustee when the Debentures are
listed on any stock exchange.
ARTICLE EIGHT
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND DEBENTUREHOLDERS
ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
SECTION 8.01. Events of Default. In case one or more of the
following Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, that is to
say:
(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest
upon any of the Debentures as and when the same shall become
due and payable, whether or not such payment is prohibited by
the provisions of Article Four, and continuance of such default
for a period of thirty days; or
(b) default in the payment of the principal of any of the
Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable
either at maturity, by declaration or otherwise, and in each
case whether or not such payment is prohibited by the
provisions of Article Four; or
(c) failure on the part of the Company duly to observe or
perform any other of its covenants or agreements contained in
the Debentures or in this Indenture for a period of sixty days
after the date on which written notice of such failure,
specifying such default and requiring the same to be remedied,
shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee, or to the
Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least twenty-five
per cent in principal amount of the Debentures at the time
outstanding; or
(d) an event of default as defined in any indenture or
instrument evidencing or under which the Company has at the
date of this Indenture or shall hereafter have outstanding any
indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company shall have
happened and shall be continuing and such indebtedness shall
have been accelerated so that the same shall be or become due
and payable prior to the date on which the same would otherwise
become due and payable, and such acceleration shall not be
contested in good faith by the Company, and such acceleration
shall not be rescinded or annulled, or such indebtedness shall
not have been discharged, or there shall not have been
deposited in trust a sum of money sufficient to discharge in
full such indebtedness, within ten days after written notice of
such acceleration to the Company from the
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Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee from the holders of
not less than twenty-five per cent in aggregate principal
amount of the Debentures then outstanding hereunder; provided,
however, that if such event of default under such indenture or
instrument shall be remedied or cured by the Company or be
waived by the holders of such indebtedness in any manner
authorized by such indenture or instrument or shall otherwise
cease to exist, then the Event of Default hereunder by reason
thereof shall be deemed likewise to have been thereupon
remedied, cured or waived without further action upon the part
of either the Trustee or any of the Debentureholders; and
provided further that the Trustee, subject to Section 9.01,
shall not be charged with knowledge of any such default unless
written notice of such default shall have been given to the
Trustee by the Company, by the Trustee then acting under any
indenture or other instrument under which such default shall
have occurred, or by the holders of at least five per cent in
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time
outstanding; or
(e) the entry of a decree or order for relief by a court
having jurisdiction in the premises in respect of the Company
in an involuntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any
other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or
other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a
receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other
similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of
its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its
affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order
unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty consecutive days;
or
(f) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case
under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable
federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law
now or hereafter in effect, or the consent by the Company to
the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under
any such law, or the consent by the Company to the appointment
of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company
or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by
the Company of an assignment for the benefit of creditors;
then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all of the
Debentures shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the
holders of not less than twenty-five per cent in aggregate principal amount of
the Debentures then outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company
(and to the Trustee
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if given by Debentureholders), may declare the principal of all the Debentures
to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall
become and shall be immediately due and payable, notwithstanding anything to
the contrary contained in this Indenture or in the Debentures. This provision,
however, is subject to the condition that if at any time after the principal of
the Debentures shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any
judgment or decree for the payment of the monies due shall have been obtained
or entered as hereinafter provided, the Company shall pay or shall deposit with
the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon
all of the Debentures and the principal of any and all Debentures which shall
have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest on such principal
and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under
applicable law, on overdue installments of interest, at the rate borne by the
Debentures, through the day preceding the date of such payment or deposit) and
such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the
Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and
liabilities incurred and all advances made by the Trustee, except as the result
of its negligence or bad faith, and any and all defaults under this Indenture,
other than the nonpayment of principal and accrued interest on Debentures which
shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been remedied -- then and in
every such case the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the
Trustee, may waive all defaults and rescind and annul such declaration and its
consequences; but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or
shall affect any subsequent default, or shall impair any right consequent
thereon.
In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right
under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or
abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or
shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every case,
subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and
the Debentureholders shall be restored respectively to their several positions
and rights hereunder, and thereafter all rights, remedies and powers of the
Company and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceeding had been
taken.
SECTION 8.02. Payment of Debentures on Default; Suit Therefor.
The Company covenants that (1) in case default shall be made in the payment of
any installment of interest upon any of the Debentures as and when the same
shall become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a
period of thirty days, or (2) in case default shall be made in the payment of
the principal of any of the Debentures as and when the same shall have become
due and payable, whether at maturity of the Debentures or upon redemption or by
declaration or otherwise -- then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will
pay to the Trustee, for the benefit
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of the holders of the Debentures, the whole amount that then shall have become
due and payable on all such Debentures for principal or interest, or both, as
the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and (to the extent
that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon overdue
installments of interest at the rate borne by the Debentures, and, in addition
thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and
expenses of collection, including a reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its
agents, attorneys, and counsel, and any expenses or liabilities incurred by the
Trustee hereunder other than through its negligence or bad faith.
In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts
upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express
trust, shall then be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or
proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and
unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final
decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company
or any other obligor on the Debentures and collect in the manner provided by
law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures
wherever situated the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable.
In case there shall be pending any receivership, insolvency,
liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition
or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor on
the Debentures, its or their creditors, as such, or its or their property, the
Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Debentures shall then be
due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and
irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the
provisions of this Section 8.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by the
intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or
claims for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in
respect of the Debentures, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file
such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or
advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the
Debentureholders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company
or any other obligor on the Debentures, its or their creditors, or its or their
property, and to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction
of its charges and expenses; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in
bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the
Debentureholders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that
the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the
Debentureholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for compensation and
expenses, including counsel fees incurred by it up to the date of such
distribution. To the extent that such payment of reasonable compensation,
expenses and counsel fees out of the
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estate in any such proceedings shall be denied for any reason, payment of the
same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all
distributions, dividends, monies, securities and other property which the
holders of the Debentures may be entitled to receive in such proceedings,
whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or
otherwise.
All rights of action and of asserting claims under this
Indenture, or under any of the Debentures, may be enforced by the Trustee
without the possession of any of the Debentures, or the production thereof on
any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding
instituted by the Trustee shall be bought in its own name as trustee of an
express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be for the ratable benefit of
the holders of the Debentures, subject to the provisions of Article Four.
SECTION 8.03. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Article Four, any monies collected by the Trustee
pursuant to Section 8.02 shall be applied in the order following, at the date
or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such monies, upon
presentation of the several Debentures, and stamping thereon the payment, if
only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
First: To the payment of costs and expenses of
collection and reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its
agents, attorneys and counsel, and of all other expenses and
liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee
except as a result of its negligence or bad faith;
Second: In case the principal of the outstanding
Debentures shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the
payment of interest on the Debentures, in the order of the
maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest
(to the extent that such interest has been collected by the
Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the same
rate as the rate borne by the Debentures, such payments to be
made ratably to the persons entitled thereto, without
discrimination or preference; and
Third: In case the principal of the outstanding
Debentures shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise,
to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon
the Debentures for principal and interest, with interest on the
overdue principal; and (to the extent that such interest has
been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of
interest at the rate borne by the Debentures; and in case such
monies
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shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due
and unpaid upon the Debentures, then to the payment of such
principal and interest without preference or priority of
principal over interest, or of interest over principal, or of
any installment of interest over any other installment of
interest, or of any Debenture over any other Debenture, ratably
to the aggregate of such principal and accrued and unpaid
interest; and
Fourth: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the
Company, its successors or assigns, or to whomsoever may be
lawfully entitled to receive the same, or as a court of
competent jurisdiction may direct.
SECTION 8.04. Proceedings by Debentureholders. No holder of
any Debenture shall have any right by virtue of or by availing of any provision
of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at
law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a
receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such holder
previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of default and of the
continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, and unless also (i) the holders
of not less than twenty-five per cent in aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures then outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to
institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder
and (ii) the holders making such request shall have offered to the Trustee such
reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and
liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, (iii) the Trustee for sixty days
after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have
neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding, and (iv)
no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to
the Trustee during such sixty day period by the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding; it being understood and
intended,and being expressly covenanted by the taker and holder of every
Debenture with every other taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or
more holders of Debentures shall have any right in any manner whatever by
virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb
or prejudice the rights of any other holder of such Debentures, or to obtain or
seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to
enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided
and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Debentures.
Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, but
subject to the provisions of Article Four, the right of any holder of any
Debenture to receive payment of the principal and interest on such Debenture,
on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debenture, or to
institute suit for the
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enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates against the
Company, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder;
provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 8.04 are subject to the
provisions of Article Four.
SECTION 8.05. Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of
Default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and
enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial
proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any
of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding
in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any
covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of
any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable
right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
SECTION 8.06. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. All powers
and remedies given by this Article Eight to the Trustee or to the
Debentureholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative
and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available
to the Trustee or the holders of the Debentures by judicial proceedings or
otherwise to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and
agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee
or of any holder of any of the Debentures to exercise any right or power
accruing upon any default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair
any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such
default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions by Section
8.04, every power and remedy given by this Article Eight or by law to the
Trustee or to Debentureholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often
as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Debentureholders.
SECTION 8.07. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults
by Majority of Debentureholders. The holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding determined subject
to the provisions of Section 10.04 shall have the right to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided,
however, that the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 9.01, shall
have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good
faith shall, by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, determine
that the proceeding so directed would involve it in a personal liability or
would be in conflict with any rule of law or provision of this Indenture; and
provided further, that nothing in this Indenture contained shall impair the
right of the Trustee in its discretion to take any action deemed proper by the
Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction by Debentureholders.
Prior to any declaration
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accelerating the maturity of the Debentures, the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding determined
subject to the provisions of Section 10.04 may on behalf of the holders of all
of the Debentures waive any past default or Event of Default hereunder and its
consequences, except by default in the payment of interest on the principal of
any of the Debentures or in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which
under Article Twelve cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the
holder of each Debenture affected. Upon any such waiver, the Company, the
Trustee and the holders of the Debentures shall be restored to their former
positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend
to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right
consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall
have been waived as permitted by this Section 8.07, said default or Event of
Default shall for all purposes of the Debentures and this Indenture be deemed
to have been cured and to be not continuing.
SECTION 8.08. Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within
ninety days after the occurrence of a default, mail to all holders of
Debentures, as the names and addresses of such holders appear upon the registry
books of the Company, notice of all defaults known to the Trustee, unless such
defaults shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice (the
term "defaults" for the purposes of this Section 8.08 being hereby defined to
be the events specified in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of Section
8.01, not including any periods of grace provided for in said clauses (a), (c),
(d) and (e) and irrespective of the giving of written notice provided for in
said clauses (c) and (d)); provided, that, except in the case of default in the
payment of the principal of or interest on any of the Debentures, the Trustee
shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of
directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors and/or
Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the
withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Debentureholders.
SECTION 8.09. Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to
this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Debenture by his acceptance
thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion
require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted
by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an
undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its
discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and
good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the
provisions of this Section 8.09 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the
Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Debentureholder, or group of
Debentureholders, holding in the
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aggregate more than ten per cent in aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Debentureholder for
the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Debenture
against the Company on or after the due date expressed in such Debenture.
SECTION 8.10. Enforcement of Conversion Rights. Anything in
this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the holder of any Debenture,
without reference to and without the consent of either the Trustee or the
holder of any other Debenture, in his own behalf and for his own benefit may
enforce, and may institute and maintain any proceedings suitable to enforce,
his right to convert his Debenture into 1994-A Series Stock as provided in
Article Five.
SECTION 8.11. Waiver of Stay, Extension, or Usury Laws. The
Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not
at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take
the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension, or usury law wherever
enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants
or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it
may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any
such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay, or impede the execution
of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the
execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE NINE
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 9.01. Duties and Liabilities of Trustee. The Trustee
prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing of all
Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties
and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. No
implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the
Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured)
the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers invested in it by this
Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a
prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his
own affairs.
No provisions of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve
the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent
failure to act, or its own willful misconduct of its own affairs, except that
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(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after
the curing of all Events of Default which may have occurred:
(1) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall
be determined solely by the express provisions of this
Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except
for the performance of such duties and obligations as
are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no
implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this
Indenture against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the
Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the
truth of the statements and the correctness of the
opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or
opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the
requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any
such certificates or opinions which by any provision
hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the
Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine
the same to determine whether or not they conform to the
requirements of this Indenture;
(b) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the
Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was
negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
accordance with the direction of the holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of the Debentures at the time
outstanding determined as provided in Section 10.04 relating to
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or
power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture.
None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall
require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal
financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise
of any of its right or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that
the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
SECTION 9.02. Reliance on Documents and Counsel. Except as
otherwise provided in Section 9.01:
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(a) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
consent, order, bond, debenture, coupon, or other paper or
document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed
or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) Any request, direction, order or demand of the Company
mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an
Officers' Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof
be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the
Board of Directors of the Company may be evidenced to the
Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary of the Company;
(c) The Trustee may consult with counsel and any written
advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or
omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with
such advice or Opinion of Counsel;
(d) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the
request, order or direction of any of the Debentureholders,
pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such
Debentureholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable
security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;
(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or
omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized
or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it
by this Indenture;
(f) Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder
and after the curing of all Events of Default, the Trustee
shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or
matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order,
approval, appraisal, bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or
document, unless requested in writing so to do by the holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
then outstanding determined subject to the provisions of
Section 10.04; provided, that if the payment within a
reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or
liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such
investigation is not, in the opinion of the Trustee, reasonably
assured to the Trustee by the security
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afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may
require reasonable indemnity against such expense or liability
as a condition to so proceeding; the reasonable expense of
every such examination shall be paid by the Company or, if paid
by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon demand; and
(g) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by
or through agents or attorneys. The Trustee shall not be
responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any
agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
SECTION 9.03. No Responsibility for Recitals or Certain Other
Matters. The recitals contained herein and in the Debentures (except in the
Trustee's certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of
the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of
the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or
sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debentures. The Trustee shall not be
accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Debentures or the
proceeds of any Debenture.
SECTION 9.04. Trustee, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent or
Registrar May Own Debentures. The Trustee or any paying agent, conversion
agent or Debenture registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may
become the owner or pledgee of Debentures with the same rights it would have if
it were not Trustee, paying agent, conversion agent or Debenture registrar.
SECTION 9.05. Monies to be Held in Trust. Subject to the
provisions of Article Four and Section 14.04 hereof, all monies received by the
Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for
the purposes for which they were received. The Trustee shall be under no
liability for interest on any monies received by it hereunder except such as it
may agree with the Company to pay thereon. Money held by the Trustee in trust
hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required
by law. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
all interest allowed on any such monies shall be paid from time to time upon
the written order of the Company, signed by its President or any Vice President
or its Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer.
SECTION 9.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The
Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the
Trustee shall be entitled to, reasonable compensation (which shall not be
limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of
an express trust), and the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its
request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or
made by
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the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture
(including the reasonable compensation and the expense and disbursement of its
counsel and of all persons not regularly in its employ) except any such
expenses, disbursements or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad
faith. The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it
harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or
bad faith on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or in connection with
the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and
expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in the premises.
The obligations of the Company under this Section 9.06 to compensate the
Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and
advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder, and such
additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the
Debentures upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as
such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of or interest on
Debentures.
SECTION 9.07. Officers' Certificate as Evidence. Except as
otherwise provided in Section 9.01, whenever in the administration of the
provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable
that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering, or omitting
any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be
herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith
on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established
by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such Certificate, in
the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be
full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it under the
provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
SECTION 9.08. Conflicting Interest of the Trustee.
(a) If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest, as
defined in this Section 9.08, it shall, within ninety days after ascertaining
that it has such conflicting interest, either eliminate such conflicting
interest, or resign in the manner and with the effect specified in Section
9.10.
(b) In the event that the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions
of subsection (a) of this Section 9.08, the Trustee shall, within ten days
after the expiration of such ninety-day period, transmit notice of such failure
by mail to all holders of Debentures, as the names and addresses of such
holders appear upon the registration books of the Company.
(c) For the purposes of this Section 9.08, the Trustee shall
be deemed to have a conflicting interest if
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(1) the Trustee is trustee under another indenture under
which any other securities, or certificates of interest
or participation in any other securities, of the Company
are outstanding, unless such other indenture is a
collateral trust indenture under which the only
collateral consists of Debentures issued under this
Indenture; provided, however, that there shall be
excluded from the operation of this paragraph the
Indenture dated as of July 13, 1988 with Deposit
Guaranty National Bank as Trustee, under which the
Company's 1988-A Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures are outstanding; the Indenture dated as of
August 9, 1989 with Deposit Guaranty National Bank as
Trustee, under which the Company's 1989-A Series
Convertible Subordinated Debentures are outstanding; the
Indenture dated as of November 2, 1989, with Deposit
Guaranty National Bank as Trustee, under which the
Company's 1989-B Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures are outstanding; the Indenture dated as of
August 8, 1990, with Deposit Guaranty National Bank as
Trustee, under which the Company's 1990-A Series
Convertible Subordinated Debentures are outstanding; the
Indenture dated as of November 1, 1990, with Deposit
Guaranty National Bank as Trustee, under which the
Company's 1990-B Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures are outstanding; the Indenture dated as of
November 2, 1990, with Deposit Guaranty National Bank as
Trustee, under which the Company's 1990-C Series
Convertible Subordinated Debentures are outstanding; the
Indenture dated as of August 14, 1991, with Deposit
Guaranty National Bank as Trustee, under which the
Company's 1991-A Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures are outstanding; the Indenture dated as of
November 7, 1991, with Deposit Guaranty National Bank as
Trustee, under which the Company's 1991-B Series
Convertible Subordinated Debentures are outstanding; the
indenture dated as of November 5, 1992, with Deposit
Guaranty National Bank as Trustee, under which the
Company's 1992-A Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures are outstanding; the indenture dated as of
November 4, 1993, with Deposit Guaranty National Bank as
Trustee, under which the Company's 1993-A Series
Convertible Subordinated Debentures are outstanding; and
any other indenture or indentures under which other
securities, or certificates of interest or participation
in other securities, of the Company are outstanding if
(i) this Indenture and such other indenture or
indentures are wholly unsecured and such other indenture
or indentures are hereafter qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, unless the
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Securities and Exchange Commission shall have found and
declared by order pursuant to subsection (b) of Section
305 or subsection (c) of Section 307 of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 that differences exist between the
provisions of this Indenture and the provisions of such
other indenture or indentures which are so likely to
involve a material conflict of interest as to make it
necessary in the public interest or for the protection
of investors to disqualify the Trustee from acting as
such under this Indenture and such other indenture or
indentures, or (ii) the Company shall have sustained the
burden of proving, on application to the Securities and
Exchange Commission and after opportunity for hearing
thereon, that the trusteeship under this Indenture and
such other indenture is not so likely to involve a
material conflict of interest as to make it necessary in
the public interest or for the protection of investors
to disqualify the Trustee from acting as such under one
of such indentures, or (iii) such other indenture or
indentures contain substantially the same terms as this
Indenture and such other indenture or indentures and
this Indenture are exempt from qualification under the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
(2) The Trustee or any of its directors or executive
officers is an obligor upon the Debentures issued under
this Indenture or an underwriter for the Company;
(3) the Trustee directly or indirectly controls or is
directly or indirectly controlled by or is under direct
or indirect common control with the Company or an
underwriter for the Company;
(4) the Trustee or any of its directors or executive
officers is a director, officer, partner, employee,
appointee, or representative of the Company, or of an
underwriter (other than the Trustee itself) for the
Company who is currently engaged in the business of
underwriting, except that (A) one individual may be a
director and/or an executive officer of the Trustee and
a director and/or an executive officer of the Company,
but may not be at the same time an executive officer of
both the Trustee and the Company; (B) if and so long as
the number of directors of the Trustee in office is more
than nine, one additional individual may be a director
and/or an executive officer of the Trustee and a
director of the Company; and (C) the Trustee may be
designated by the Company or by an underwriter for the
Company to act in the
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capacity of transfer agent, registrar, custodian, paying
agent, fiscal agent, escrow agent, or depositary, or in
any other similar capacity, or, subject to the
provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection (c), to
act as trustee whether under an indenture or otherwise;
(5) ten per cent or more of the voting securities of
Trustee is beneficially owned either by the Company or
by any director, partner, or executive officer thereof,
or twenty per cent or more of such voting securities is
beneficially owned, collectively, by any two or more of
such persons; or ten per cent or more of the voting
securities of the Trustee is beneficially owned either
by an underwriter for the Company or by any director,
partner, or executive officer thereof, or is
beneficially owned collectively, by any two or more such
persons;
(6) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds
collateral security for an obligation which is in
default, (A) five per cent or more of the voting
securities, or ten per cent or more of any other class
of security, of the Company, not including the
Debentures issued under this Indenture and securities
issued under any other indenture under which the Trustee
is also trustee, or (B) ten per cent or more of any
class of security of an underwriter for the Company;
(7) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds
collateral security for an obligation which is in
default, five per cent or more of the voting securities
of any person who, to the knowledge of the Trustee, owns
ten per cent or more of the voting securities of, or
controls directly or indirectly or is under direct or
indirect common control with, the Company;
(8) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds
collateral security for an obligation which is in
default, ten per cent or more of any class of security
of any person who, to the knowledge of the Trustee, owns
fifty per cent or more of the voting securities of the
Company; or
(9) the Trustee owns on May 15 in any calendar year,
in the capacity of executor, administrator, testamentary
or inter vivos trustee, guardian, committee or
conservator, or in any other similar capacity, an
aggregate of twenty-five per cent or
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more of the voting securities, or of any class of
security, of any person, the beneficial ownership of a
specified percentage of which would have constituted a
conflicting interest under paragraph (6), (7) or (8) of
this subsection (c). As to any such securities of which
the Trustee acquired ownership through becoming
executor, administrator or testamentary trustee of an
estate which included them, the provisions of the
preceding sentence shall not apply for a period of two
years from the date of such acquisition, to the extent
that such securities included in such estate do not
exceed twenty-five per cent of such voting securities or
twenty-five per cent of any such class of security.
Promptly after May 15 in each calendar year, the Trustee
shall make a check of its holdings of such securities in
any of the above-mentioned capacities as of such May 15.
If the Company fails to make payment in full of
principal of or interest on any of the Debentures when
and as the same become due and payable, and such failure
continues for thirty days thereafter, the Trustee shall
make a prompt check of its holdings of such securities
in any of the above-mentioned capacities as of the date
of the expiration of such thirty-day period, and after
such date, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of
this paragraph (9), all such securities so held by the
Trustee, with sole or joint control over such securities
vested in it, shall, but only so long as such failure
shall continue, be considered as though beneficially
owned by the Trustee for the purposes of paragraphs (6),
(7) and (8) of this subsection (c).
The specifications of percentages in paragraphs (5) to (9),
inclusive, of this subsection (c) shall not be construed as indicating that the
ownership of such percentages of the securities of a person is or is not
necessary or sufficient to constitute direct or indirect control for the
purposes of paragraph (3) or (7) of this subsection (c).
For the purposes of paragraphs (6), (7), (8) and (9) of this
subsection (c) only, (A) the terms "security" and "securities" shall include
only such securities as are generally known as corporate securities, but shall
not include any note or other evidence of indebtedness issued to evidence an
obligation to repay monies lent to a person by one or more banks, trust
companies or banking firms, or any certificate of interest or participation in
any such note or evidence of indebtedness; (B) an obligation shall be deemed to
be in default when a default in payment of principal shall have continued for
thirty days or more and shall not have been cured; and (c) the Trustee shall
not be deemed to be the owner or holder of (i) any security which it holds as
collateral security
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(as trustee or otherwise) for an obligation which is not in default as defined
in clause (B) above, or (ii) any security which it holds as collateral security
under this Indenture, irrespective of any default hereunder, or (iii) any
security which it holds as agent for collection, or as custodian, escrow agent,
or depositary, or in any similar representative capacity.
Except as provided in the next preceding paragraph hereof, the
word "security" or "securities" as used in this Indenture shall mean any note,
stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate
of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust
certificate, pre-organization certificate or subscription, transferable share,
investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a
security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas or other mineral rights,
or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a "security" or
any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim
certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to
or purchase, any of the foregoing.
(d) For the purposes of this Section 9.08:
(1) The term "underwriter" when used with reference
to Company shall mean every person who, within three
years prior to the time as of which the determination is
made, has purchased from the Company with a view to, or
has offered or sold for the Company in connection with,
the distribution of any security of the Company
outstanding at such time, or has participated or has had
a direct or indirect participation in any such
undertaking, or has participated or has had a
participation in the direct or indirect underwriting of
any such undertaking, but such term shall not include a
person whose interest was limited to a commission from
an underwriter or dealer not in excess of the usual and
customary distributors' or sellers' commission.
(2) The term "director" shall mean any director of a
corporation or any individual performing similar
functions with respect to any organization whether
incorporated or unincorporated.
(3) The term "person" shall mean an individual, a
corporation, a partnership, an association, a
joint-stock company, a trust, an unincorporated
organization, or a government or political subdivision
thereof. As used in this paragraph, the term "trust"
shall include only a trust where the interest or
interests of the beneficiary or beneficiaries are
evidenced by a security.
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(4) The term "voting security" shall mean any
security presently entitling the owner or holder thereof
to vote in the direction or management of the affairs of
a person, or any security issued under or pursuant to
any trust agreement or arrangement whereby a trustee or
trustees or agent or agents for the owner or holder of
such security are presently entitled to vote in the
direction or management of the affairs of a person.
(5) The term "Company" shall mean an obligor upon the
Debentures.
(6) The term "executive officer" shall mean the
president, every vice president, every trust officer,
the cashier, the secretary, and the treasurer of a
corporation, and any individual customarily performing
similar functions with respect to any organization
whether incorporated or unincorporated, but shall not
include the chairman of the board of directors.
(e) The percentages of voting securities and other
securities specified in this Section 9.08 shall be calculated
in accordance with the following provisions:
(1) A specified percentage of the voting securities
of Trustee, the Company or any other person referred to
in this Section 9.08 (each of whom is referred to as a
"person" in this paragraph) means such amount of the
outstanding voting securities of such person as entitles
the holder or holders thereof to cast such specified
percentage of the aggregate votes which the holders of
all the outstanding voting securities of such person are
entitled to cast in the direction or management of the
affairs of such person.
(2) A specified percentage of a class of securities
of a person means such percentage of the aggregate
amount of securities of the class outstanding.
(3) The term "amount", when used in regard to
securities means the principal amount if relating to
evidences of indebtedness, the number of shares if
relating to capital shares, and the number of units if
relating to any other kind of security.
(4) The term "outstanding" means issued and not held
by or for the account of the issuer. The following
securities shall not be deemed outstanding within the
meaning of this definition:
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(i) Securities of an issuer held in a sinking
fund relating to securities of the issuer of the
same class;
(ii) Securities of an issuer held in a sinking
fund relating to another class of securities of
the issuer, if the obligation evidenced by such
other class of securities is not in default as to
principal or interest or otherwise;
(iii) Securities pledged by the issuer thereof as
security for an obligation of the issuer not in
default as to principal or interest or otherwise;
and
(iv) Securities held in escrow if placed in
escrow by the issuer thereof;
provided, however, that any voting securities of an
issuer shall be deemed outstanding if any person other
than the issuer is entitled to exercise the voting
rights thereof.
(5) A security shall be deemed to be of the same
class as another security if both securities confer upon
the holder or holders thereof substantially the same
rights and privileges; provided, however, that, in the
case of secured evidences of indebtedness, all of which
are issued under a single indenture, differences in the
interest rates or maturity dates of various series
thereof shall not be deemed sufficient to constitute
such series different classes; and provided further,
that, in the case of unsecured evidences of
indebtedness, differences in the interest rates or
maturity dates thereof shall not be deemed sufficient to
constitute them securities of different classes, whether
or not they are issued under a single indenture.
SECTION 9.09. Eligibility of Trustee. There shall at all
times be a Trustee hereunder which shall at all times be a corporation
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any State
or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws
to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at
least $10,000,000, subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State,
Territorial, or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of
this Section 9.09, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall
be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its
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most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time the Trustee
shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section
9.09, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect
specified in Section 9.10.
SECTION 9.10. Resignation or Removal of Trustee; Appointment
of Successor Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may at any time resign by giving written
notice of such resignation to the Company and by mailing notice
thereof to the holders of the Debentures at their addresses as
they shall appear on the registry books of the Company. Upon
receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall
promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in
duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors of the
Company, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the
resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no
successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have
accepted appointment within sixty days after the giving of such
notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor trustee, or any Debentureholder who has been a bona
fide holder of a Debenture, or Debentures for at least six
months may, subject to the provisions of Section 8.09, on
behalf of himself and all other similarly situated, petition
any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee.
Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may
deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.
(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the
provisions of subsection (a) of Section 9.08 after
written request therefor by the Company or by any
Debentureholder who has been a bona fide holder of a
Debenture or Debentures for at least six months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in
accordance with the provisions of Section 9.09 and shall
fail to resign after written request therefor by the
Company or by any such Debentureholder, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or
shall be adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a
receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be
appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or
control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for
the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or
liquidation,
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then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and
appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in
duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors of the
Company, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the
Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or,
subject to the provisions of Section 8.09, any Debentureholder
who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or Debentures
for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all
others similarly situated, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment
of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such
notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the
Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.
(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Debentures at the time outstanding may at any time
remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee which shall
be deemed appointed as successor trustee unless within ten days
after such nomination the Company shall object thereto, in
which case the Trustee so removed or any Debentureholder, upon
the terms and conditions and otherwise as in subdivision (a) of
this Section 9.10 provided, may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee.
(d) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment
of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of
this Section 9.10 shall be effective until acceptance of
appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section
9.11.
SECTION 9.11. Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor
trustee appointed as provided in Section 9.10 shall execute, acknowledge and
deliver to the Company and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting
such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the
predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without
any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect
as if originally named as trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written
request of the Company or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act
shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of
Section 9.06, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor
trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon
request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all
instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming
to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to
act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property
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or funds held or collected by such trustee to secure any amounts then due it
pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.06.
No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in
this Section 9.11 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee
shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 9.08 and eligible under the
provisions of Section 9.09.
Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as
provided in this Section 9.11, the Company shall mail notice of the succession
of such trustee hereunder to the holders of Debentures at their addresses as
they shall appear on the registry books of the Company. If the Company fails
to mail such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the
successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed
at the expense of the Company.
SECTION 9.12. Succession by Merger and Certain Other Events.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which
it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to the business of the Trustee, shall be the successor
of the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any
further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed
to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debentures shall have been
authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt
the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee and deliver such
Debentures so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debentures
shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may
authenticate such Debentures either in the name of any predecessor trustee
hereunder or in the name of such successor to the Trustee; and in all such
cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the
Debentures or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee
shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of
authentication of any predecessor trustee or authenticate Debentures in the
name of any predecessor trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors
by merger, conversion or consolidation.
SECTION 9.13. Limitation on Rights of Trustee as a Creditor.
(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this
Section 9.13, if the Trustee shall be or shall become a
creditor, directly or indirectly, secured or unsecured, of the
Company or of any other obligor on the Debentures within four
months prior to a default, as defined in
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subsection (c) of this Section 9.13, or subsequent to such a
default, then, unless and until such default shall be cured,
the Trustee shall set apart and hold in a special account for
the benefit of the Trustee individually, the holders of the
Debentures, and the holders of other indenture securities (as
defined in subsection (c) of this Section 9.13):
(1) an amount equal to any and all reductions in the
amount due and owing upon any claim as such creditor in
respect of principal or interest, effected after the
beginning of such four months' period and valid as
against the Company and its other creditors, except any
such reduction resulting from the receipt or disposition
of any property described in paragraph (2) of this
subsection, or from the exercise of any right of set-off
which the Trustee could have exercised if a petition in
bankruptcy had been filed by or against the Company upon
the date of such default; and
(2) all property received by the Trustee in respect
of any claim as such creditor, either as security
therefor, or in satisfaction or composition therefor, or
otherwise, after the beginning of such four months'
period, or an amount equal to the proceeds of any such
property, if disposed of, subject, however, to the
rights, if any, of the Company and its other creditors
in such property or such proceeds.
Nothing herein contained, however, shall affect the right of
the Trustee:
(A) to retain for its own account (i) payments made
on account of any such claim by any person (other than
the Company) who is liable thereon, and (ii) the
proceeds of the bona fide sale of any such claim by the
Trustee to a third person, and (iii) distributions made
in cash, securities or other property in respect of
claims filed against the Company in bankruptcy or
receivership or in proceedings for reorganization
pursuant to the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or
hereafter constituted, or other applicable federal or
state law;
(B) to realize, for its own account, upon any
property held by it as security for any such claim if
such property was so held prior to the beginning of such
four months' period;
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(C) to realize, for its own account, but only to the
extent of the claim hereinafter mentioned, upon any
property held by it as security for any such claim, if
such claim was created after the beginning of such four
months' period and such property was received as
security therefor simultaneously with the creation
thereof, and if the Trustee shall sustain the burden of
proving that at the time such property was so received
the Trustee had no reasonable cause to believe that a
default, as defined in subsection (c) of this Section
9.13, would occur within four months; or
(D) to receive payment on any claim referred to in
paragraph (B) or (C), against the release of any
property held as security for such claim as provided in
such paragraph (B) or (C), as the case may be, to the
extent of the fair value of such property.
For the purposes of paragraphs (B), (C), and (D), property
substituted after the beginning of such four months' period for property held
as security at the time of such substitution shall, to the extent of the fair
value of the property released, have the same status as the property released,
and, to the extent that any claim referred to in any of such paragraphs is
created in renewal of or in substitution for or for the purpose of repaying or
refunding any pre-existing claim of the Trustee as such creditor, such claim
shall have the same status as such pre-existing claim.
If the Trustee shall be required hereunder to maintain a
special account, the funds and property held in such special account and the
proceeds thereof shall be apportioned between the Trustee, the Debentureholders
and the holders of other indenture securities in such manner that the Trustee,
the Debentureholders and the holders of other indenture securities realize, as
a result of payments from such special account and payments of dividends on
claims filed against the Company in bankruptcy or receivership or in
proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the federal bankruptcy laws, as now
or hereafter constituted, or other applicable federal or state law, the same
percentage of their respective claims, figured before crediting to the claim of
the Trustee anything on account of the receipt by it from the Company of the
funds and property in such special account and before crediting to the
respective claims of the Trustee, the Debentureholders and the holders of other
indenture securities dividends on claims filed against the Company in
bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the
federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or other applicable
federal or state law, but after crediting thereon receipts on account of the
indebtedness represented by their respective claims from all sources other than
from such dividends and from the funds and property so held in such special
account.
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As used in this paragraph, with respect to any claim, the term "dividends"
shall include any distribution with respect to such claim, in bankruptcy or
receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the federal
bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted; or other applicable federal
or state law, whether such distribution is made in cash, securities, or other
property, but shall not include any such distribution with respect to the
secured portion, if any, of such claim. The court in which such bankruptcy,
receivership, or proceeding for reorganization is pending shall have
jurisdiction (i) to apportion between the Trustee, the Debentureholders, and
the holders of other indenture securities, in accordance with the provisions of
this paragraph, the funds and property held in such special account and the
proceeds thereof, or (ii) in lieu of such apportionment, in whole or in part,
to give to the provisions of this paragraph due consideration in determining
the fairness of the distributions to be made to the Trustee, the
Debentureholders and the holders of other indenture securities with respect to
their respective claims, in which event it shall not be necessary to liquidate
or to appraise the value of any securities or other property held in such
special account or as security for any claim, or to make a specific allocation
of such distributions as between the secured and unsecured portions of such
claims, or otherwise to apply the provisions of this paragraph as a
mathematical formula.
Any trustee who has resigned or been removed after the
beginning of such four months' period shall be subject to the provisions of
this subsection (a) as though such resignation or removal had not occurred. If
any Trustee has resigned or been removed prior to the beginning of such four
months' period, it shall be subject to the provisions of this subsection (a) if
and only if the following conditions exist:
(i) the receipt of property or reduction of claim
which would have given rise to the obligation to
account, if such Trustee had continued as trustee,
occurred after the beginning of such four months'
period; and
(ii) such receipt of property or reduction of claim
occurred within four months after such resignation or
removal.
(b) There shall be excluded from the operation of subsection
(a) of this Section 9.13 a creditor relationship arising from:
(1) The ownership or acquisition of securities issued
under any indenture, or any security or securities
having a maturity of one year or more at the time of
acquisition by the Trustee;
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(2) advances authorized by a receivership or
bankruptcy court of competent jurisdiction, or by this
Indenture, for the purpose of preserving any property
which shall at any time be subject to the lien of this
Indenture or of discharging tax liens or other prior
liens or encumbrances thereon, if notice of such advance
and of the circumstances surrounding the making thereof
is given to the Debentureholders at the time and in the
manner provided in Section 7.04 with respect to reports
pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) thereof,
respectively;
(3) disbursements made in the ordinary course of
business in the capacity of trustee under an indenture,
transfer agent, registrar, custodian, paying agent,
fiscal agent or depositary, or other similar capacity;
(4) an indebtedness created as a result of services
rendered or premises rented; or an indebtedness created
as a result of goods or securities sold in a cash
transaction as defined in subsection (c) of this Section
9.13;
(5) the ownership of stock or of other securities of
a corporation organized under the provisions of Section
25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, which is
directly or indirectly a creditor of the Company; or
(6) the acquisition, ownership, acceptance or
negotiation of any drafts, bills of exchange,
acceptances or obligations which fall within the
classification of self-liquidating paper as defined in
subsection (c) of this Section 9.13.
(c) As used in this Section 9.13:
(1) The term "default" shall mean any failure to make
payment in full of the principal of or interest upon any
of the Debentures or upon the other indenture securities
when and as such principal or interest becomes due and
payable;
(2) The term "other indenture securities" shall mean
securities upon which the Company is an obligor (as
defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939) outstanding
under any other indenture (A) under which the Trustee is
also trustee, (B) which contains provisions
substantially similar to the provisions of subsection
(a) of this Section 9.13, and (C) under which a default
exists at the time of the
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apportionment of the funds and property held in said
special account;
(3) The term "cash transaction" shall mean any
transaction in which full payment for goods or
securities sold is made within seven days after delivery
of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or
other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable
upon demand;
(4) The term "self-liquidating paper" shall mean any
draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which
is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company
for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing,
manufacture, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares
or merchandise and which is secured by documents
evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the
goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or
proceeds arising from the sale of goods, wares or
merchandise previously constituting the security,
provided the security is received by the Trustee
simultaneously with the creation of the creditor
relationship with the Company arising from the making,
drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of
exchange, acceptance or obligation; and
(5) The term "Company" shall mean any obligor upon
the Debentures.
SECTION 9.14. Records of Trustee. The Trustee shall retain
in its possession so long as any of the Debentures shall remain outstanding all
financial statements furnished to it pursuant to this Indenture. The Trustee
shall at all times have access to those books and records of the Company which
may be reasonably required by the Trustee to fulfill its duties and obligations
hereunder, except that no such access shall be allowed to any books or records
constituting restricted security information under any law or governmental
regulation at the time applicable thereto.
ARTICLE TEN
CONCERNING THE DEBENTUREHOLDERS
SECTION 10.01. Action by Debentureholders. Whenever in this
Indenture it is provided that the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures may take any action (including the making of
any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking
of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the
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holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a)
by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by
Debentureholders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by
the record of the holders of Debentures voting in favor thereof at any meeting
of Debentureholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of
Article Eleven, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and
any such record of such a meeting of Debentureholders.
SECTION 10.02. Proof of Execution by Debentureholders; Evidence
of Holdings. Subject to the provisions of Section 9.01 and 11.05, proof of
the fact and date of execution of any instrument by a Debentureholder or his
agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any person of any of the Debentures
shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor
of the Trustee and the Company if made in the following manner:
(a) The fact and date of the execution by any such person of
any instrument may be proved by the certificate of any notary
public or other officer of any jurisdiction authorized to take
acknowledgments of deeds or administer oaths that the person
executing such instrument acknowledged to him the execution
thereof, or by an affidavit of a witness to such execution
sworn to before any such notary or other such officer and where
such execution is by an officer of a corporation or association
or a member of a partnership, on behalf of such corporation,
association or partnership, such certificate or affidavit shall
also constitute sufficient proof of his authority.
(b) The ownership of Debentures shall be proved by the
registers of such Debentures or by a certificate of the
registrar thereof.
The record of any Debentureholders' meeting shall be proved in
the manner provided in Section 11.06. The Trustee may require such additional
proof of any matter referred to in this Section 10.02 as it shall deem
necessary.
SECTION 10.03. Who Deemed Absolute Owners. The Company, the
Trustee, any paying agent, any conversion agent and any Debenture registrar may
deem and treat the person in whose name any Debenture shall be registered upon
the books of the Company as the absolute owner of such Debenture (whether or
not such Debenture shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of
ownership or writing thereon by anyone other than the Company or any Debenture
registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the
principal of and interest on such Debenture and for all other purposes; and
neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying
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agent nor any conversion agent nor any Debenture registrar shall be affected by
any notice to the contrary. Payment of or on account of the principal of and
(subject to the provisions of Section 2.03) interest on such Debenture shall be
made only to or upon the order in writing of the registered holder thereof.
All such payments and all such conversions shall be valid, and, to the extent
of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability
for monies payable upon any such Debenture.
SECTION 10.04. Company-owned Debentures Disregarded. In
determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of
Debentures have concurred in any direction or consent under this Indenture,
Debentures which are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the
Debentures or by any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by
or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any other
obligor on the Debentures shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding
for the purpose of any such determination; provided that for the purposes of
determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such
direction or consent only Debentures which the Trustee knows are so owned shall
be so disregarded. The Company shall, immediately upon issuance of the
Debentures, provide the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel specifying which Debentures are so owned and that no other Debentures
are so owned. The Company shall provide further Officers' Certificates and
Opinions of Counsel as necessary to reflect changes in such information.
Debentures so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as
outstanding for the purposes of this Section 10.04, if the pledgee shall
establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right to vote such
Debentures and that the pledgee is not a person directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with
the Company or any such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right,
any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full
protection to the Trustee.
SECTION 10.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound.
At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided
in Section 10.01, of the taking of any action by the holders of the percentage
in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures specified in this Indenture in
connection with such action, any holder of a Debenture which is included in the
Debentures the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing
written notice with the Trustee at its office and upon proof of holding as
provided in Section 10.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such holder's
Debenture. Absent a proper revocation, any consent to an action given by the
holder of any Debenture shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and
upon all future holders and owners of such Debenture, irrespective of whether
or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debenture or any
Debenture issued in exchange or substitution therefor. Any action taken by the
holders of the percentage in
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aggregate principal amount of the Debentures specified in this Indenture in
connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, the
Trustee and the holders of all the Debentures.
SECTION 10.06. Transfer of Debentures. Except as
provided herein, the Debentures may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged
or otherwise hypothecated. A Debentureholder may pledge or hypothecate a
Debenture for the purpose of borrowing money to buy the Debenture provided that
the Company consents in writing to such intended pledge or hypothecation prior
to consummation of such pledge or hypothecation. Any such consent shall be
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. Upon giving such
consent, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and any conversion agent an
Officers' Certificate which shall identify the Debentures covered by such
consent by stating the serial number, name of registered holder and principal
amount of such Debentures. The duly authorized representative of the estate of
a deceased Debentureholder may request that a Debenture held in that estate be
registered in the name of the person or persons to whom such Debenture passed
by will or the laws of intestate succession, provided that such representative
shall have supplied proof satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee of his
authority, and of any other matters which the Trustee or the Company may deem
relevant. A person who has foreclosed on a pledge or hypothecation on a
Debenture made in compliance with this Section 10.06 may request that such
Debenture be registered in the name of such person. As used herein, the term
"person" shall include any corporation, bank, savings and loan association,
partnership and similar business entities.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
DEBENTUREHOLDERS' MEETINGS
SECTION 11.01. Purposes of Meetings. A meeting of
Debentureholders may be called at any time from time to time pursuant to the
provisions of this Article Eleven for any of the following purposes:
(1) to give any notice to the Company or to the
Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to
consent to the waiving of any default hereunder and its
consequences, or to take any other action authorized to
be taken by Debentureholders pursuant to any of the
provisions of Article Eight;
(2) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor
trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article Nine;
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(3) to consent to the execution of an indenture or
indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the
provisions of Section 12.02; or
(4) to take any other action authorized to be taken
by or on behalf of the holders of any specified
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures under any
other provision of this Indenture or under applicable
law.
SECTION 11.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may
at any time call a meeting of Debentureholders to take any action specified in
Section 11.01, to be held at such time and at such place in the City of
Jackson, Mississippi as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting
of the Debentureholders, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting
and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be
mailed to the holders of Debentures at their addresses as they shall appear on
the registry books of the Company. Such notice shall be mailed not less than
twenty nor more than one hundred and eighty days prior to the date fixed for
the meeting.
SECTION 11.03. Call of Meetings by Company or
Debentureholders. In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a resolution
of its Board of Directors, or the holders of at least ten per cent in aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding, shall have requested the
Trustee to call a meeting of Debentureholders, by written request setting forth
in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the
Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within twenty days
after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Debentureholders may
determine the time and the place in the City of Reno, Nevada for such meeting
and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 11.01, by
mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 11.02.
SECTION 11.04. Qualifications for Voting. To be entitled to
vote at any meeting of Debentureholders a person shall (a) be a holder of one
or more Debentures; or (b) be a person appointed by an instrument in writing as
proxy by a holder of one or more Debentures. The only persons who shall be
entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Debentureholders shall be
the persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any
representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the
Company and its counsel.
SECTION 11.05. Regulations. Notwithstanding any other
provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations
as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Debentureholders, in regard to
proof of the holding of Debentures and of the appointment of proxies, and in
regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and
examination
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of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters
concerning the conduct of the meetings as it shall think fit.
The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a
temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by
the Company or by Debentureholders as provided in Section 11.03, in which case
the Company or the Debentureholders calling the meeting, as the case may be,
shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a
permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the
meeting.
Subject to the provisions of Section 10.04, at any meeting each
Debentureholder or proxy shall be entitled to one vote (and/or fraction
thereof) for each $50.00 principal amount of Debentures (and/or fraction
thereof) held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be
cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Debenture challenged as not
outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding.
The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of
Debentures held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating
him as the person to vote on behalf of other Debentureholders.
At any meeting of Debentureholders, the presence of persons
holding or representing Debentures in an aggregate principal amount sufficient
under the appropriate provisions of this Indenture to take action upon the
business for the transaction of which such meeting was called shall constitute
a quorum. Any meeting of Debentureholders duly called pursuant to the
provisions of Section 11.02 or 11.03 may be adjourned from time to time by vote
of the holders (or proxies for the holders) of a majority of Debentures
represented at the meeting and entitled to vote, whether or not constituting a
quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
SECTION 11.06. Voting. The vote upon any resolution
submitted to any meeting of Debentureholders shall be by written ballots on
which shall be subscribed the signatures of the holders of Debentures or of
their representatives by proxy and the serial number or numbers of the
Debentures held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting
shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the
meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the
secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate for all
votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each
meeting of Debentureholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting
and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the
inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one
or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of
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the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided
in Section 11.02. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of
the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting, and one of the duplicates
shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved
by the Trustee.
Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence
of the matters therein stated.
SECTION 11.07. No Delay of Rights by Meeting. Nothing in
this Article Eleven contained shall be deemed or construed to authorize or
permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Debentureholders or any rights
expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or
delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the
Trustee or to the Debentureholders under any of the provisions of this
Indenture or of the Debentures.
ARTICLE TWELVE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 12.01. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of
Debentureholders. The Company, when authorized by resolution of its Board of
Directors, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an
indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for one or more of the following
purposes:
(a) to make provision with respect to the conversion rights
of holders of Debentures pursuant to the requirements of
Section 5.09;
(b) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the
Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the
successor corporation of the covenants, agreements and
obligations of the Company pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof;
(c) to add to the covenants of the Company such further
covenants, restrictions or conditions for the protection of the
holders of the Debentures as the Board of Directors of the
Company and the Trustee shall consider to be for the protection
of the holders of Debentures, and to make the occurrence, or
the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such
additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a default or
an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of
the several remedies provided in this Indenture as
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herein set forth; provided, however, that in respect of any
such additional covenant, restriction or condition such
supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of
grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than
that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for
an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the
remedies available to the Trustee upon such default;
(d) to provide for the issuance under this Indenture of
Debentures in coupon form (including Debentures registrable as
to principal only), but otherwise with all the provisions and
subject to all the conditions and limitations of the Debentures
issued hereunder in fully registered form, and to provide for
exchangeability of such Debentures with the Debentures issued
hereunder in fully registered form; and
(e) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any
provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture
which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision
contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make
such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising
under this Indenture which shall not be inconsistent with the
provisions of this Indenture, provided such action pursuant to
this clause (e) shall not adversely affect the interests of the
holders of the Debentures.
(f) to modify, eliminate, or add to the provisions of this
Indenture to such extent as may be necessary to effect the
qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act,
or under any similar federal statute hereafter enacted, if such
qualification is or becomes necessary or desirable, and to add
to this Indenture such other provisions as may be expressly
permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, excluding, however, the
provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the Trust
Indenture Act as in effect at the date as of which this
instrument was executed, or any corresponding provision in any
similar federal statute hereafter enacted.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in
the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further
appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to
accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder, but
the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental
indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under
this Indenture or otherwise.
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Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this
Section 12.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the
consent of the holders of any of the Debentures at the time outstanding,
notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 12.02.
SECTION 12.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of
Debentureholders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 10.01)
of the holders of not less than sixty-six and two-thirds per cent in aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding, the Company, when
authorized by resolution of its Board of Directors, and the Trustee may from
time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental
hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or
eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental
indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the
Debentures; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall (i)
extend the fixed maturity of any Debentures, or reduce the rate or extend the
time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or
change any place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any
Debenture or the interest thereon, is payable, or modify the provisions of this
Indenture with respect to the subordination of the Debentures in a manner
adverse to the Debentureholders, or impair the right to convert the Debentures
into 1994-A Series Stock on the terms set forth herein (except as permitted by
Section 12.01(a)), without the consent of the holder of each Debenture so
affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debentures, the holders of
which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture, without the
consent of the holders of all Debentures then outstanding.
Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a copy of the
resolutions of its Board of Directors certified by its Secretary or Assistant
Secretary authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and
upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Debentureholders
as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such
supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee's
own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which
case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter
into such supplemental indenture.
Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of
any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Section 12.02, the Company, at its
cost and expense, shall mail a notice, setting forth in general terms the
substance of such supplemental indenture, to all Debentureholders of record as
of the date of such supplemental indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the
Debentureholders under this Section 12.02 to approve the particular
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form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such
consent shall approve the substance thereof.
SECTION 12.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act; Effect of
Supplemental Indentures. Any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the
provisions of this Article Twelve shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act of
1939 as in effect on the date of execution thereof if such compliance is
necessary or is determined by the Company to be desirable. Upon the execution
of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article
Twelve, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in
accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitation of rights,
obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the
Company and the holders of Debentures shall thereafter be determined, exercised
and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and
amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture
shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture
for any and all purposes.
SECTION 12.04. Notation on Debentures. Debentures
authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture
pursuant to the provisions of this Article Twelve may bear a notation in form
approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental
indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Debentures so
modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of
Directors of the Company, to any modifications of this Indenture contained in
any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company,
authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Debentures then
outstanding.
SECTION 12.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental
Indenture to be Furnished Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of
Sections 9.01 and 9.02, shall be entitled to receive and rely upon an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any
supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements
of this Indenture.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE BY THE COMPANY
SECTION 13.01. Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets
Permitted. The Company covenants that it will not merge or consolidate with
any other corporation or sell or convey all or substantially all of its assets
to any person, firm or corporation, (i) unless either (a) the Company shall be
the continuing corporation, or (b) the successor (if other than the Company)
shall be a corporation which shall expressly assume the due and punctual
payment of the principal of and interest on all the Debentures,
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according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance
of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the
Company by supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and
delivered to the Trustee by such corporation, and (ii) unless the Company or
such successor corporation, as the case may be, shall not, immediately after
such merger or consolidation, or such sale or conveyance, be in default in the
performance of any such covenant or condition.
SECTION 13.02. Succession by Successor Corporation. In case
of any such merger, consolidation, sale or conveyance and upon any such
assumption by the successor corporation, such successor corporation shall
succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it
had been named herein as a party hereto instead of the Company. Such successor
corporation thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own
name or in the name of First Mississippi Corporation, any or all of the
Debentures issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by
the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor
corporation (instead of First Mississippi Corporation) and subject to all the
terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee
shall authenticate and shall deliver any Debentures which previously shall have
been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for
authentication, and any Debentures which such successor corporation thereafter
shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All
the Debentures so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and
benefit under this Indenture as the Debentures theretofore or thereafter issued
in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Debentures
had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance
such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the
Debentures thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
SECTION 13.03. Evidence to be Furnished Trustee. The Trustee,
subject to the provisions of Sections 9.01 and 9.02, may receive an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such
consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and any such assumption comply with
the provisions of this Article Thirteen.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE;
UNCLAIMED MONIES
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SECTION 14.01. Discharge of Indenture. If (a) there shall
have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Debentures theretofore
authenticated (other than any Debentures which shall have been destroyed, lost
or stolen and in lieu of or in substitution for which other Debentures shall
have been authenticated and delivered), or (b) all such Debentures not
theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and
payable at maturity and the Company shall have deposited with the Trustee, in
trust, funds sufficient to pay at maturity all of such Debentures (other than
any Debentures which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and in lieu of
or in substitution for which other Debentures shall have been authenticated and
delivered) not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including
principal and interest, and such deposit shall be upon terms making such funds
payable forthwith upon due presentation, whether before or after such date of
maturity or redemption of such Debentures, and if in either case the Company
shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the
Company, and shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided
for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been
complied with, then (except as to any remaining rights of conversion of the
Debentures) this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect, and the
Trustee, on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and
an Opinion of Counsel as required by Section 16.06 and at the cost and expense
of the Company, shall execute power instruments acknowledging satisfaction of
and discharging this Indenture. However, this Indenture shall continue in
effect to the extent necessary to provide for (a) the conversion of Debentures
as provided in Article Five, (b) the discharge of the duties and obligations of
the Trustee, and (c) the right of the holders of the Debentures to payment of
funds held by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Fourteen. The Company,
however, hereby agrees to compensate and reimburse the Trustee for any services
rendered and costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by
the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Debentures, and to
indemnify the Trustee and hold it harmless against any loss, liability, or
expense as provided in Section 9.06 hereof.
SECTION 14.02. Deposited Monies to be Held in Trust by
Trustee. All monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 14.01 shall
be held in trust and, subject to the provisions of this Indenture and the
Debentures, applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying
agent, to the holders of the particular Debentures for the payment of which
such monies have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due thereon for
principal and interest.
SECTION 14.03. Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held. Upon the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, all monies then held by any
paying agent of the Debentures (other than the Trustee)
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shall, upon demand of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and
thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with
respect to such monies.
SECTION 14.04. Unclaimed Monies. Any monies deposited with
the Trustee or any paying agent (including monies held in trust by the Company
if it shall act as its own paying agent) not applied but remaining unclaimed by
the holders of Debentures for six years after the date upon which the principal
of or interest on such Debentures shall have become due and payable shall be
repaid to the Company by the Trustee or such paying agent on demand, or if held
in trust by the Company may at the Company's option be released from such
trust; and the holder of any of the Debentures entitled to receive such payment
shall thereafter look only to the Company, as the holder of a general claim,
for the payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such paying agent
with respect to such monies, and all liability of the Company as Trustee
thereof, shall thereupon cease, provided, however, that the Trustee or such
paying agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the
expense of the Company cause to be published once a week for two successive
weeks (in each case on any day of the week) in an Authorized Newspaper a notice
that said monies have not been so applied and that after a date named therein
any unclaimed balance of said monies then remaining will be returned to the
Company.
ARTICLE FIFTEEN
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
SECTION 15.01. Indenture and Debentures Solely Corporate
Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or interest on
any Debentures, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof,
and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the
Company in this Indenture, or in any Debenture, or because of the creation of
any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator,
stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the
Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company
or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or
rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise;
it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly
waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the
execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Debentures.
ARTICLE SIXTEEN
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
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SECTION 16.01. Provisions Binding on Company's Successors.
All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture
contained by or in behalf of the Company shall bind its successors and assigns,
whether so expressed or not.
SECTION 16.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation. Any
act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to
be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall
and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board,
committee or officer of any corporation that shall at the time be the lawful
sole successor of the Company.
SECTION 16.03. Notices. Any notice or demand which by any
provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by
the Trustee or by the holders of Debentures on the Company may be given or
served by being deposited, first class postage prepaid, in a United States post
office letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company with
the Trustee) to FirstMiss Gold Inc., 700 North Street, Jackson, Mississippi
39202, Attention of the Secretary. Any notice, direction, request or demand by
any Debentureholder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been
sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at
the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee, Deposit Guaranty National
Bank, One Deposit Guaranty Plaza, Jackson, Mississippi 39205, addressed to the
attention of its Corporate Trust Division (or such other address of the Trustee
as shall have been set forth in a notice from the Trustee transmitted by mail
to all holders of Debentures, as their names and addresses appear upon the
registry books of the Company). For the purposes of Article Four of this
Indenture, any notice, direction, request or demand by the Company or any
holder of Senior Indebtedness to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed
sufficiently given or made only if given or made as described in the preceding
sentence.
SECTION 16.04. Subscription. Debentures will be issued only
to persons to whom the Company has granted options to purchase such Debentures
under the Company's 1987 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The Trustee shall have no
obligations with respect to the terms or performance of such options or such
Plan.
SECTION 16.05. Governing Law. This Indenture and each
Debenture shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of
Nevada and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of said State.
SECTION 16.06. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions
Precedent. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to
take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company
shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers'
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Certificate stating that in the opinion of the signers all conditions
precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed
action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the
opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and
delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that the
person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinion contained in such
certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such
person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable
him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in
the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 16.07. Legal Holidays. If the date of maturity of
principal or interest or the date of prepayment or redemption of any Debenture
or the last day on which a Debentureholder has the right to convert his
Debenture at the conversion price shall be (i) a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal
holiday at the place where payment or conversion thereof, as the case may be,
is to be made, or (ii) a day on which banking institutions at the place where
such payment or conversion, as the case may be, is to be made are authorized by
law to remain closed, then such payment or conversion, as the case may be, may
be made on the next succeeding business day which is not a day specified in (i)
or (ii) above, with the same force and effect as if made on the nominal date of
maturity, and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such
nominal date.
SECTION 16.08. Trust Indenture Act to Control. If this
Indenture is qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, then if and to
the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts
with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be
included in this Indenture by any of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, such required provision shall control.
SECTION 16.09. Table of Contents and Headings. The table of
contents, titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture
have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered
a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or
provisions hereof.
SECTION 16.10. Method of Publication or Other Notice When
Indenture Provision for Publication or Notice Cannot Be Followed. In case, by
reason of the temporary or permanent suspension of publication of any
newspaper, or by reason of any other cause, it
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shall be impossible to make publication of any notice required hereby in a
newspaper as herein provided, then such publication or other notice in lieu
thereof as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a
sufficient publication of such notice. Such publication or other notice shall,
so far as may be, approximate the terms and conditions of the publication in
lieu of which it is given.
SECTION 16.11. Invalidity of Some Provisions Shall Not Affect
Others. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture
or in the Debentures shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Debentures,
but this Indenture and such Debentures shall be construed as if such invalid or
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.
SECTION 16.12. Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may
be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original;
but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same
instrument.
Deposit Guaranty National Bank hereby accepts the trust in this
Indenture declared and provided upon the terms and conditions hereinabove set
forth.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, FIRSTMISS GOLD INC. has caused this
Indenture to be signed and acknowledged by its President or one of its Vice
Presidents, and its corporate seal to be affixed hereunto, and the same to be
attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries, and DEPOSIT
GUARANTY NATIONAL BANK has caused this Indenture to be signed and acknowledged
by one of its Vice Presidents or Assistant Vice Presidents, and has caused its
corporate seal to be affixed hereunto, and the same to be attested by its
Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries, as of the day and year first
written above.
FIRSTMISS GOLD INC.
[SEAL]
By: /s/ G. W. THOMPSON
---------------------------
Title: President
-------------------------
Attest: /s/ CHARLES P. DOOLEY
----------------------
Asst. Secretary
DEPOSIT GUARANTY NATIONAL BANK
[SEAL]
By: /s/ PETE CAJOLEAS
---------------------------
Vice President and
Trust Officer
Attest: /s/ JANICE M. POWELL
-------------------------
Assistant Trust Officer
87
<PAGE> 95
STATE OF NEVADA )
) SS.
COUNTY OF WASHOE )
On this 9 day of February 1995, before me, the undersigned, a
Notary Public of the State of Nevada, personally appeared G.W. Thompson who
proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the President or the
Vice President of FIRSTMISS GOLD INC., and that he, as such officer, being
authorized to do so, executed the foregoing instrument for the purposes therein
contained.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official
seal the day and year first above written.
/s/ Cristine L. McDonnell
Notary Public of the
State of Nevada
[Notary Seal]
My Commission Expires:
October 15, 1995
STATE OF Nevada )
) SS.
COUNTY OF Washoe )
On this 13 day of February, 1995, before me, the undersigned, a
Notary Public of the State of Nevada, personally appeared Charles P. Dooley, who
proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the Secretary or
Assistant Secretary of FIRSTMISS GOLD INC., and that he/she, as such officer,
being authorized to do so, executed the foregoing instrument for the purpose
therein contained.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official
seal the day and year first above written.
/s/ Cristine L. McDonnell
Notary Public of the
State of Nevada
[Notary Seal]
My Commission Expires:
October 15, 1995
88
<PAGE> 96
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI )
) SS.
COUNTY OF HINDS )
On this 10th day of February, 1995, before me, the undersigned,
a Notary Public of the State of Mississippi, personally appeared Pete J.
Cajoleas, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the
President or the Vice President, and Janice M. Powell, who proved to me on the
basis of satisfactory evidence to be the Assistant Trust Officer of DEPOSIT
GUARANTY NATIONAL BANK, and that they, as such officers, being authorized to do
so, executed the foregoing instrument for the purposes therein contained.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official
seal the day and year first above written.
/s/ Mary E. Huskey
Notary Public of the
State of Mississippi
[Notary Seal]
My Commission Expires: February 18, 1996
89
<PAGE> 97
FORM OF CONSENT TO PLEDGE
To: FirstMiss Gold Inc.
The undersigned holds or intends to purchase a debenture in the
aggregate principal amount of $_____________________ (the "Debenture") issued
by FirstMiss Gold Inc. (the "Company"). The Debenture is one of a series of
debentures issued the Company entitled 1994-A Series Convertible Subordinated
Debentures (the "Debentures"). In accordance with the provisions of Section
10.06 of the Indenture dated as of November 3, 1994, governing the terms of the
Debentures, the undersigned hereby requests the Company's consent to a proposed
pledge of the Debenture to:
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
for the purpose of borrowing money to purchase the Debenture.
Please signify the Company's consent to the proposed pledge by
signing in the space below and returning an executed counterpart to the
undersigned.
Dated:___________________ __________________________________
Signature of Debentureholder
__________________________________
Printed Name of Debentureholder
* * * * * *
FirstMiss Gold Inc. hereby consents to the above-described
pledge of the Debenture.
FIRSTMISS GOLD INC.
By:_______________________________
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 5.1
[FirstMiss Gold Inc. Logo]
February 16, 1995
Board of Directors
FIRSTMISS GOLD INC.
Meadow Wood Corporate Centre
5190 Neil Road, Suite 310
Reno, Nevada 89502
Gentlemen:
This opinion is given in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8
(the "Registration Statement") which FIRSTMISS GOLD INC. (the "Company") is
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register $9,531.25 in
principal amount of its 1994-A Series Convertible Subordinated Debentures (the
"1994-A Series Debentures"), for sale to outside directors, 1,000 shares of its
1994-A Series Convertible Preferred Stock (the "1994-A Series Stock") issuable
upon conversion of the 1994-A Series Debentures, and 1,000 shares (subject to
certain adjustments) of its Common Stock (the "Common Stock") issuable upon
conversion of the 1994-A Series Stock, all pursuant to the Company's Long-Term
Incentive Plan (the "Plan").
As General Counsel of the Company, I am familiar with the Company's Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws; the Plan; the Registration Statement; the actions
taken and resolutions passed by the Board of Directors relative to the 1994-A
Series Debentures and the 1994-A Series Stock and the taking of certain other
actions in connection with the offering and sale of the 1994-A Series
Debentures, the 1994-A Series Stock and the Common Stock issuable pursuant to
the Plan; the Indenture, dated as of November 3, 1994, between the Company and
Deposit Guaranty National Bank, as Trustee, relating to the 1994-A Series
Debentures; the form of 1994-A Series Debentures; the Debenture Options, and
such other matters and documents deemed necessary for the purpose of rendering
this opinion.
On the basis of the foregoing, I am of the opinion that:
(1) the 1994-A Series Debentures have been duly authorized and,
when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the
Plan, the Indenture and the Debenture Options, will be validly
issued and binding obligations of the Company;
<PAGE> 2
(2) the shares of 1994-A Series Stock issuable upon conversion of
the 1994-A Series Debentures will, when so issued in
accordance with the Plan, the Indenture and the resolutions
passed by the Company's Board of Directors, be legally issued,
fully paid and non-assessable.
(3) the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
1994-A Series Stock, will, when so issued in accordance with
the Plan, the Indenture and the resolutions passed by the
Company's Board of Directors, be legally issued, fully paid
and non-assessable.
(4) all other shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock
options and other awards under the Plan will, when issued in
accordance with the Plan, be legally issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.
This opinion is subject to the following qualifications:
(a) Rights and remedies set forth in the Indenture and the 1994-A
Series Debentures are subject to applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, moratorium, reorganization and other laws now or
hereafter in effect affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally, and
(b) No opinion is expressed as to the availability of any remedy
or remedies that may be sought with respect to the specific
enforcement of any provision of the Indenture or the 1994-A
Series Debentures.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to me and to my opinion in the
Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
FIRSTMISS GOLD INC.
/s/ J. STEVE CHUSTZ
J. Steve Chustz
General Counsel
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 24.2
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
The Board of Directors
FirstMiss Gold Inc.
We consent to the use of our reports dated August 4, 1994, on the consolidated
financial statements and financial statement schedules of FirstMiss Gold Inc.
and subsidiary as of June 30, 1994 and 1993 and for each of the years in the
three-year period ended June 30, 1994, incorporated herein by reference and to
the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the Registration
Statement.
/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Jackson, Mississippi
February 14, 1995
