Menu
Party underground at Coal Pit Heath Mine, 1885
My Story
Descriptionhttp://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=GRA18850211.2.11
February 11, 1885
MINISTERS' VISIT TO BRUNNER.
BANQUET IN THE BRUNNER MINE,
' Yesterday morning the Premier and Minister of Mines and a large party of citizens, amongst whom were a number of ladies, went by train to Bruuner at the invitation of Mr M. Kennedy, who had prepared to receive them in a princely sort of way. A great number of invitations had been issued, but as the morning was
raining, with all the appearance of a wet 1 day, a number of ladies /were deterred 1 from venturing on the trip, and probably ; also a few of the sterner sex. Mackin- , toshes and umbrellas were conspicuous, i A stop was made at the Wallsend mine, ! where Ministers inspected the works and i the extensive plant on the ground. A pillar of coal 17ft. 3in. high attracted a good deal of attention. It was taken out of the Wallsend mine, and represents the thickness of the seam of coal in that mine. The machinery was at work keeping the water down. It works all day, but is stopped at night, and the cost to the company of this and other necessary work, although the mine is at a standstill, amounts to about £50 a month. The party on arriving at Brunnerton were. received by a large crowd, and the local band. An adjournment was made to Jones's Hotel, where Ministers addressed a few words from the balcony to the assembled crowd. The Premier thanked them for the hearty reception they had been accorded. He expressed his desire to learn the nature of their wants and hear any complaints they might have to make, having come there for that purpose ; dwelt on the mineral resources of the locality and the great future that . was before the district ; complimented the miners on the fine band, saying that it was .an encouraging indication of improved taste and intellectual advancement, as he thought that those who could not appreciate and ' enjoy music had not reached a very high j stage of development. j The Minister , of Mines expressed the . pleasure he felt' in visiting the place and j becoming acquainted with the wants and ', resources of the district. He gave a few words of advice on the necessity for capital and labor working hand in hand, as the one could accomplish nothing without the other. Coal mining was onlj in its infancy, and he had no doubt in the j course of time it would put gold mining | in the shade. "When he looked around ; him at the great field for human industry ■ that lay before them, he thought they ought to be. thankful for the advantages Providence had prepared for them. On adjourning inside the hotel Ministers were interviewed by a locaTtleputation in respect to various matters, such as obtaining residence freeholds, a foot bridgein conjunction with-vfcfee^rßi'unner bridge, a bridge across at Roc£y Island, the Wallsend mine lease, and the laying off of a township at Dobsbri, .below Wallsend. The Premier patiently listened to all the deputation had to say v --*He^4*eld out no | hope that freeholds for residences would ! be granted, but he would endeavor to get J j them a tenure under easy conditions with compensation. All the other .matters he promised to lay before the Cabinet. The party then visited, the Coal Pit Heath mine, down the shaft of which I Ministers and a number of ladies ventured, and viewed the workings. The next event in the day's proceedings was to dine hi the Brunner mine At a signal from Mr Kennedy the party, which by this time had been considerably augmented in number, quitted the drizzle of the upper air and dived into the centre tunnel of the mine which leads to the dip workings. Once the straggling procession ef men and women got well inside the tunnel,' a* vista was opened out before them that was very striking. As far as the eye could pierce there was*. an,, avenue!- oi Tartarian*- g^i^p^tiallf'iMspftltea^by. '8 row of iightedicandlesion'each side, which in the ■ distance appeared no bigger than 'the -light- /of fire-flies j /though the sides -of the tunnel were iiluminated -by- hundreds of candles, After what" seemed to be quite a long walk -into the bowels of the •earth, a turning to the right revealed in well-executed lettering "Welcome to -our Visitors." For. a'moment one imagined that through-some freak of nature-he- had dropped '■ into ; i£ /subterranean . fernery. Ferns of the brightest green stoodHii the path .and on either = side of the tunnel on the roof "arid' all around was the fresh natural foliage so artistically arranged .as to wear quite a natural appearance. Naturally the mirid turned to the period of rank and varied..vegetation when the coalfield was- laid. down. This was. the entrance to a chamber of over 20ft. square and about 17ft.' high, an old bord that had been lying idle. This was very nicely docorated, and every preparation made for banqueting a large number of people. Four well-provided tables were laid out., At the end of the bord was a raised table, for Ministers and members of the Legislature, behind them being a handsome banner bearing the device "Advance Brunnerton." The guests being curious-to know.how deep they were learned with some surprise that they were about to dine at a depth of 130 ft. below the Grey river. : At the banquet Mr Kennedy occupied the chair,. the Premier on, his right and the; Minister of Mines, on his- : left. Messrs; Seddon, Menteath,, and r Guinness, M.H.R's.j were also, seated on- either side_ of the Chairman. • . ; - ..■ After honoring the ioast of ' ' The Queen and^tlfe Royal^amily^' ••• : /-■■['. ' ■ Thej'Chairm^n^prb'pelsed--" The' Ministry of Ifew Zealand,-' coupled- with the : names" of Hon. Mr" 'StoUiPfflad-Hon. L'arhaJch,' C.M.G., . Jn'thff "course of. his remarks the . Chaiim^ : imi 'that- this' wtis : "the?^m^fß^^^'^isyj ■ had been : ■ libnbre'd in : by - ; iMr 1 Mx s tae.l*^ S^^ now bjf^^Sit'giijfcf Me "was glad to see the /Palmier displaying -so muclj interest 'acqU^fctedLwitkJhe yWji^s£a^'d^^^ cause wS^Mi;^^W^^^^ali^dO;.4-6 i manner. It ; iwas, jlne possessjion of -that quality that brought! to ' tlie .highes};,po.siftbix that cou^d , l? be (conferred on-him ; by the:p6pple •of &W colony; arid* he. had; no doubt 1 "that ;.Mr 'Stoxtt^ould.do all her^puld' for'the advariciemen't' 1 of; this most; impo^ant' part' of itv .'lt was hjjaisejf thfey haH mf^iiy to.thank for' the incalculable beneiKf' conferred upon tHe place by the Harbor "Board. , '• I ._ The Premier referred to the fact of them dining where they were as something unique in the history of the colony. Itwas a great '-gratification^ to see so many ladies -present; It was"«very poor amusement for menio sit by themselves without^the company /of • the Bofter sex. He referred in a very- humorous way to the commercial rivalry; between Greymouth and Westport, though he saw no need for more than "
few years ago, and what it might become, they could form some idea of the great future before it. He (dwelt" upon* -'the necessity for the people: taking an active and intelligent interest : in the politics and government of the" country ; but they should try to avoid taking narrow views and being animated by local prejudices.^ He was glad to be able'Wsay'tnat-wKeFeever they had travelled ;> so far they -had met with every encouragement and ' received the heartiest .sympathy from the people. ' The Minister of Mines said that when he reflected upon the extent to which- they had been indebted to the people of this district he feared they would have to go into liquidation before they reached home. He concluded by proposing the toast of " The Mining Interest," coupled with the names of Messrs Kennedy, Nancarrow and Kilgour. 'He saw no reason why >; .Greymouth and its sister town Westport should not become two of the greatest /ports in New Zealand. Every quinquennial period would show rapid strides in r advancement and prosperity. They, could confidently look forward to great works. 'being jundertaken at these ports; ' Looking at the question of defence, which was now receiving the serious attention' of #he; Home Government, they! wouldls6e.that it would be of no use to defend othn ports if the coal ports were left, undefended. . Mr. Kennedy replied 'ppTbehallrpof the mining ; interest. Hel Had Been" 1 ten years connected with the.^coal industry* and for a long time it was a hard, struggle as to which would have the' tßastery— himself or the coal ; but he, was now r happy to say that he was the master, and felt that he could look to the- future with confidence though it must rioti be, understood 'that he was amassing enormous wealth, as some 'might 'suppose. . Stilfc Kewould,not decry his own ' propertjjl He :;W-ould merely say that he was sauOT^v|&& c prospect before him; and he l^pt the miners were satisfied, or there jwould not be such a large number. ;of.r them" iWOjkmg there.' " I ; .".'[.■•/? /TAT. Mr Nancarrbw also acKnowle'dgel'^the toast. A great many of 'those* present" had been 20 year's inUhe'^lac'ei anft'did'not need to be told of the^ntcuitfeilW be faced in the coal industry.- fife was one of the pioneers of the : neighbbfing-'mine. They once thought they Iwould make a great deal of money. They thought that M_r Kennedy was doing.so.jrcelL.they_could do better than help him ; but the task "lia'dproved to be a very , up-hill fight ever since. But he was now in hope that better times were coming. They all must be very grateful to the -Premier and his Government for the endowments conferred upon them, and which would enabie^heta to carry out those great words' upon which theTsucbess of the; coal ificfusfryv arid* the place .depended. Ministers deserved credit- forr the courage they .had tsliowii in visiting an out-of-the-way place like this. They were also indebted to Mr Kennedy for the royal way in whichJxe, had. entertained Ministers. ro •-^■'- ■ ' '-*■-- ' ( Mr Kilgour. also, resi)ond l ed TVT TVTHe-described very graphicaHy v ;ifhe' 'difficuMes under which. the coal trade Ws^caHsfeo 1 on in its infancy. '. Altlipngh' jie'JiaWinvested a lot of money in mining' fted!a*^segret it. Reefton would yeif tuife'Sul^ell, and for a ,very long time to ppn&i It'jpas only in its infancy now. A hd"were ifi not for the dense .... forests co vering -the-coiiktry there would be as mv eh gold now as in the palmiest days. ; What they wanted now were roads and tracks. As for their coalfield, he could 'tell^.th«n thajwtheu? «sh&d?eniwcoi^^ they were 'then in .^F'drXad out. i' The resources of this-coast were of such a inatujre that he ibelievfed : iWestlan'dT would eventually. vprov^ the; gsntrof;the colony. .The Chairman 'then- proposed-' "The mine managers," coupled with- the. names of Messrsßishop, Alexander, anfeßarrisson, bearing. testibony-£o their^worth and ability, and 'paying .a^igh.tribwter-to the 1 skill aridcafefulhessof Mr Bishop. ;■ „ .H rl sl ?.9P- acknowledged the complimenf,; an'd.ih.tlie. course of his rerq^k^ expressed the' hope that, no • other -portfolio than that of Minister of Mines; Should be giyento Mr" Lama; ofe; and th.at if ! # was offered to him he ;, should- riot ! a^ce^ it. There was enough in ! qbnnectibn^th^that one office to occupy '.the. attention' ofefeen a genuis. He would like seethe present Ministry remain in power for a ; considerable time for the sake of 'the'iitoining industry.' He deprecated iMinisfries being changed too { ; often'r">ri^ 7 - : befor 1 _ they had learnt' 'tdfts'tfe^ome acquainted with the wants iafad''require.r ments of the'people and''leanft means to supply these. AsHteVePwere many very capable officers in 'thV'Mines Department, he hoped Mr Lafnacltfwduld avail himself of the' abilities' and-know-- ' ledge of these men. If he-did^*h'at>the mining industry would feel the-b'eneficial ">.-■ effects of "it. ■ .- • " f - ■s ?. wrajj^ V^i"^ Mr Alexander contented" • himself -* Thatrwast.afllyime. Their coal; 'reserves were -unexhaustible. Only -giyeJ. them 30ft of water ofi'" the bar anctrtiiß*! might- undertake to- pay off- the -national : debt. The only fi^ld^o!. true "&s■ in^the ; colony were the Grey and the^Buller pthe rest were. all brown ooldi :.' "j The toast of/" Mr/, and' Mrs Kennedy" was then drunk with honors, ta which Mr Kennedy responded ; and the company broke up with " Auld lang Syne" the band playing, which they did at intervals; during the banquet. ..-.•.•. • ; > --, , ■ ,-p A fewJminutes saw. ihelnarty_ba"ck- at Greymouth. The next event of the day . was the laying of the foundation stone as an inauguration of the works about to be commenced by the new Harbor Board. The stone selected was a little beybnfrthe capacity of an ordinary sling to carry *> It weighed -15 tons. ■■■ stone weighed a ion. or two less. They were conveyed: to their last resting place Tr
(8m fourth page,)
first was tipped by the Premier, who made a few remarks suitable to the occasion. ; The second stone was tipped by Mr Larnach, and then the whole party came back to town. . On arriving at the Camp reserve the Premier and Minister of Mines were taken to the ground, and it was pointed but to the Premier how much the townspeople required a central recreation ground. He promised to inquire into the matter, and last evening the Town Clerk furnished him with a map of the ground. Map[1]
February 11, 1885
MINISTERS' VISIT TO BRUNNER.
BANQUET IN THE BRUNNER MINE,
' Yesterday morning the Premier and Minister of Mines and a large party of citizens, amongst whom were a number of ladies, went by train to Bruuner at the invitation of Mr M. Kennedy, who had prepared to receive them in a princely sort of way. A great number of invitations had been issued, but as the morning was
raining, with all the appearance of a wet 1 day, a number of ladies /were deterred 1 from venturing on the trip, and probably ; also a few of the sterner sex. Mackin- , toshes and umbrellas were conspicuous, i A stop was made at the Wallsend mine, ! where Ministers inspected the works and i the extensive plant on the ground. A pillar of coal 17ft. 3in. high attracted a good deal of attention. It was taken out of the Wallsend mine, and represents the thickness of the seam of coal in that mine. The machinery was at work keeping the water down. It works all day, but is stopped at night, and the cost to the company of this and other necessary work, although the mine is at a standstill, amounts to about £50 a month. The party on arriving at Brunnerton were. received by a large crowd, and the local band. An adjournment was made to Jones's Hotel, where Ministers addressed a few words from the balcony to the assembled crowd. The Premier thanked them for the hearty reception they had been accorded. He expressed his desire to learn the nature of their wants and hear any complaints they might have to make, having come there for that purpose ; dwelt on the mineral resources of the locality and the great future that . was before the district ; complimented the miners on the fine band, saying that it was .an encouraging indication of improved taste and intellectual advancement, as he thought that those who could not appreciate and ' enjoy music had not reached a very high j stage of development. j The Minister , of Mines expressed the . pleasure he felt' in visiting the place and j becoming acquainted with the wants and ', resources of the district. He gave a few words of advice on the necessity for capital and labor working hand in hand, as the one could accomplish nothing without the other. Coal mining was onlj in its infancy, and he had no doubt in the j course of time it would put gold mining | in the shade. "When he looked around ; him at the great field for human industry ■ that lay before them, he thought they ought to be. thankful for the advantages Providence had prepared for them. On adjourning inside the hotel Ministers were interviewed by a locaTtleputation in respect to various matters, such as obtaining residence freeholds, a foot bridgein conjunction with-vfcfee^rßi'unner bridge, a bridge across at Roc£y Island, the Wallsend mine lease, and the laying off of a township at Dobsbri, .below Wallsend. The Premier patiently listened to all the deputation had to say v --*He^4*eld out no | hope that freeholds for residences would ! be granted, but he would endeavor to get J j them a tenure under easy conditions with compensation. All the other .matters he promised to lay before the Cabinet. The party then visited, the Coal Pit Heath mine, down the shaft of which I Ministers and a number of ladies ventured, and viewed the workings. The next event in the day's proceedings was to dine hi the Brunner mine At a signal from Mr Kennedy the party, which by this time had been considerably augmented in number, quitted the drizzle of the upper air and dived into the centre tunnel of the mine which leads to the dip workings. Once the straggling procession ef men and women got well inside the tunnel,' a* vista was opened out before them that was very striking. As far as the eye could pierce there was*. an,, avenue!- oi Tartarian*- g^i^p^tiallf'iMspftltea^by. '8 row of iightedicandlesion'each side, which in the ■ distance appeared no bigger than 'the -light- /of fire-flies j /though the sides -of the tunnel were iiluminated -by- hundreds of candles, After what" seemed to be quite a long walk -into the bowels of the •earth, a turning to the right revealed in well-executed lettering "Welcome to -our Visitors." For. a'moment one imagined that through-some freak of nature-he- had dropped '■ into ; i£ /subterranean . fernery. Ferns of the brightest green stoodHii the path .and on either = side of the tunnel on the roof "arid' all around was the fresh natural foliage so artistically arranged .as to wear quite a natural appearance. Naturally the mirid turned to the period of rank and varied..vegetation when the coalfield was- laid. down. This was. the entrance to a chamber of over 20ft. square and about 17ft.' high, an old bord that had been lying idle. This was very nicely docorated, and every preparation made for banqueting a large number of people. Four well-provided tables were laid out., At the end of the bord was a raised table, for Ministers and members of the Legislature, behind them being a handsome banner bearing the device "Advance Brunnerton." The guests being curious-to know.how deep they were learned with some surprise that they were about to dine at a depth of 130 ft. below the Grey river. : At the banquet Mr Kennedy occupied the chair,. the Premier on, his right and the; Minister of Mines, on his- : left. Messrs; Seddon, Menteath,, and r Guinness, M.H.R's.j were also, seated on- either side_ of the Chairman. • . ; - ..■ After honoring the ioast of ' ' The Queen and^tlfe Royal^amily^' ••• : /-■■['. ' ■ Thej'Chairm^n^prb'pelsed--" The' Ministry of Ifew Zealand,-' coupled- with the : names" of Hon. Mr" 'StoUiPfflad-Hon. L'arhaJch,' C.M.G., . Jn'thff "course of. his remarks the . Chaiim^ : imi 'that- this' wtis : "the?^m^fß^^^'^isyj ■ had been : ■ libnbre'd in : by - ; iMr 1 Mx s tae.l*^ S^^ now bjf^^Sit'giijfcf Me "was glad to see the /Palmier displaying -so muclj interest 'acqU^fctedLwitkJhe yWji^s£a^'d^^^ cause wS^Mi;^^W^^^^ali^dO;.4-6 i manner. It ; iwas, jlne possessjion of -that quality that brought! to ' tlie .highes};,po.siftbix that cou^d , l? be (conferred on-him ; by the:p6pple •of &W colony; arid* he. had; no doubt 1 "that ;.Mr 'Stoxtt^ould.do all her^puld' for'the advariciemen't' 1 of; this most; impo^ant' part' of itv .'lt was hjjaisejf thfey haH mf^iiy to.thank for' the incalculable beneiKf' conferred upon tHe place by the Harbor "Board. , '• I ._ The Premier referred to the fact of them dining where they were as something unique in the history of the colony. Itwas a great '-gratification^ to see so many ladies -present; It was"«very poor amusement for menio sit by themselves without^the company /of • the Bofter sex. He referred in a very- humorous way to the commercial rivalry; between Greymouth and Westport, though he saw no need for more than
few years ago, and what it might become, they could form some idea of the great future before it. He (dwelt" upon* -'the necessity for the people: taking an active and intelligent interest : in the politics and government of the" country ; but they should try to avoid taking narrow views and being animated by local prejudices.^ He was glad to be able'Wsay'tnat-wKeFeever they had travelled ;> so far they -had met with every encouragement and ' received the heartiest .sympathy from the people. ' The Minister of Mines said that when he reflected upon the extent to which- they had been indebted to the people of this district he feared they would have to go into liquidation before they reached home. He concluded by proposing the toast of " The Mining Interest," coupled with the names of Messrs Kennedy, Nancarrow and Kilgour. 'He saw no reason why >; .Greymouth and its sister town Westport should not become two of the greatest /ports in New Zealand. Every quinquennial period would show rapid strides in r advancement and prosperity. They, could confidently look forward to great works. 'being jundertaken at these ports; ' Looking at the question of defence, which was now receiving the serious attention' of #he; Home Government, they! wouldls6e.that it would be of no use to defend othn ports if the coal ports were left, undefended. . Mr. Kennedy replied 'ppTbehallrpof the mining ; interest. Hel Had Been" 1 ten years connected with the.^coal industry* and for a long time it was a hard, struggle as to which would have the' tßastery— himself or the coal ; but he, was now r happy to say that he was the master, and felt that he could look to the- future with confidence though it must rioti be, understood 'that he was amassing enormous wealth, as some 'might 'suppose. . Stilfc Kewould,not decry his own ' propertjjl He :;W-ould merely say that he was sauOT^v|&& c prospect before him; and he l^pt the miners were satisfied, or there jwould not be such a large number. ;of.r them" iWOjkmg there.' " I ; .".'[.■•/? /TAT. Mr Nancarrbw also acKnowle'dgel'^the toast. A great many of 'those* present" had been 20 year's inUhe'^lac'ei anft'did'not need to be told of the^ntcuitfeilW be faced in the coal industry.- fife was one of the pioneers of the : neighbbfing-'mine. They once thought they Iwould make a great deal of money. They thought that M_r Kennedy was doing.so.jrcelL.they_could do better than help him ; but the task "lia'dproved to be a very , up-hill fight ever since. But he was now in hope that better times were coming. They all must be very grateful to the -Premier and his Government for the endowments conferred upon them, and which would enabie^heta to carry out those great words' upon which theTsucbess of the; coal ificfusfryv arid* the place .depended. Ministers deserved credit- forr the courage they .had tsliowii in visiting an out-of-the-way place like this. They were also indebted to Mr Kennedy for the royal way in whichJxe, had. entertained Ministers. ro •-^■'- ■ ' '-*■-- ' ( Mr Kilgour. also, resi)ond l ed TVT TVTHe-described very graphicaHy v ;ifhe' 'difficuMes under which. the coal trade Ws^caHsfeo 1 on in its infancy. '. Altlipngh' jie'JiaWinvested a lot of money in mining' fted!a*^segret it. Reefton would yeif tuife'Sul^ell, and for a ,very long time to ppn&i It'jpas only in its infancy now. A hd"were ifi not for the dense .... forests co vering -the-coiiktry there would be as mv eh gold now as in the palmiest days. ; What they wanted now were roads and tracks. As for their coalfield, he could 'tell^.th«n thajwtheu? «sh&d?eniwcoi^^ they were 'then in .^F'drXad out. i' The resources of this-coast were of such a inatujre that he ibelievfed : iWestlan'dT would eventually. vprov^ the; gsntrof;the colony. .The Chairman 'then- proposed-' "The mine managers," coupled with- the. names of Messrsßishop, Alexander, anfeßarrisson, bearing. testibony-£o their^worth and ability, and 'paying .a^igh.tribwter-to the 1 skill aridcafefulhessof Mr Bishop. ;■ „ .H rl sl ?.9P- acknowledged the complimenf,; an'd.ih.tlie. course of his rerq^k^ expressed the' hope that, no • other -portfolio than that of Minister of Mines; Should be giyento Mr" Lama; ofe; and th.at if ! # was offered to him he ;, should- riot ! a^ce^ it. There was enough in ! qbnnectibn^th^that one office to occupy '.the. attention' ofefeen a genuis. He would like seethe present Ministry remain in power for a ; considerable time for the sake of 'the'iitoining industry.' He deprecated iMinisfries being changed too { ; often'r">ri^ 7 - : befor 1 _ they had learnt' 'tdfts'tfe^ome acquainted with the wants iafad''require.r ments of the'people and''leanft means to supply these. AsHteVePwere many very capable officers in 'thV'Mines Department, he hoped Mr Lafnacltfwduld avail himself of the' abilities' and-know-- ' ledge of these men. If he-did^*h'at>the mining industry would feel the-b'eneficial ">.-■ effects of "it. ■ .- • " f - ■s ?. wrajj^ V^i"^ Mr Alexander contented" • himself -*
(8m fourth page,)
first was tipped by the Premier, who made a few remarks suitable to the occasion. ; The second stone was tipped by Mr Larnach, and then the whole party came back to town. . On arriving at the Camp reserve the Premier and Minister of Mines were taken to the ground, and it was pointed but to the Premier how much the townspeople required a central recreation ground. He promised to inquire into the matter, and last evening the Town Clerk furnished him with a map of the ground.
Relates to
Category Information
Category TagentertainmentCoal Mining
West Coast New Zealand History (7th Jul 2016). Party underground at Coal Pit Heath Mine, 1885. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 19th Mar 2026 10:13, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/16198