The company may be under a news blackout with regards to...

The company may be under a news blackout with regards to exploration results (including incomplete material, like DD2) due to having a prospectus out. Can't unduly influence the punters with pumpy news flow.

I dunno.

Also, underwriting the issue to the tune of $144K is a good message, and it will convince people to dip their toes in deeper than they otherwise would. This then reduces the shortfall that the directors have to finance amongst themselves.

one could, cheekily, suggest that punters not subscribe at all and make the directors pay for everything!