Seddonville, showing houses and other buildings.

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DescriptionThe West Coast coal-mining settlement of Seddonville, 50 km north of Westport, was named in honour of the legendary Liberal Premier Richard Seddon. It was also the site of an early experiment in state socialism – New Zealand’s first state-owned coal mine opened there in 1903.
When the name was chosen in 1893 Seddon joked that he hoped the town would prosper, as he wouldn’t want his name to be associated with failure. ‘King Dick’ didn’t get his wish: the mine struggled and was closed in 1914, eight years after his death.
Later in the 20th century the Seddonville area became a centre for private and co-operative mines, and hydraulic mining technology was pioneered there. But due to its exceptionally high sulphur content, Seddonville coal became difficult to sell. Mining ceased in the 1990s, and only a small community remains. The main reminders of the area’s mining heritage are the Chasm Creek and Charming Creek walkways, both of which follow abandoned railway lines.PhotographerWilliam A Price .Map^[1]External LinkSeddonville

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Location (city or town)Seddonville

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Category TagCoal Mining

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CommentsHeather Taylor my uncle jimmy chandler had a saw mill there or worked in one I know he lived there to

Helen Hadland Is that the pub in the distance? I used to stay with a Bill McIndoe when I was a kid. There was Jimmy and his family who had a farm there. And Gordon and Mary had a farm near Westport I think.
Helen Hadland Looks before their time though perhaps?
Heather Taylor my uncle had a little batch there he didn't have a farm

Helen Hadland No Heather the Jimmy and Gordon were McIndoe's sorry for the confusion.

Don Hutton Heather Newby I never cease to marvel about the great historical photos you and others upoad on to this website. Are they from private collections which have never been displayed before or are they from repositories such as public libraries, museums, archives etc? Whatever the case, it's been a revelation.

Maye Dunn My grandmother got her barmaids license here...

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Seddonville, showing houses and other buildings.

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