"Did we not need the money to pay bills regardless of how long it took the application to be approved.? Was the plan to use part of the drlll money to pay bills but ended up with just enough to pay bills and not enough for drilling?"

I can only guess that the plan was to seek additional financings at much higher share prices following the addition of the new land claims which, if completed in a normal timely fashion, should have assisted in completing the private placement.  Certainly, additional financing would have been required thereafter, no question about that.  But having funds for drilling, and the actual commencement of drilling would have brought those funds at very much higher share prices.     

Again, had the claims been approved as anticipated, this would not be a concern of anyone's, would it?