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The Flying Coalminer, story of Bert Waghorn from Reefton, 1973.
My Story
DescriptionCertainly from the time he began his mining career at Alborn's Boatmans in 1956, Bert used to look up at the occasional plane passing over Reefton with more than just a casual interest. It was a local medical practitioner, Dr. S. Tremlow, with a bug for flying which no antibiotics could cure, who infected Bert with the practical manifestations of the disease.
Bert began flying in 1969 in a 1950 Piper Cub, and then stepped up to Cessnas. While his first flight was off the back straight of the local racecourse - incurring displeasure of the Reefton Jockey Club - subsequent training and flying were at Mawheraiti, 12 miles south of Reefton.
His instructor was Nash Taurau, an ex-RNZAF electronics engineer, and either the excellence of the instructing or Bert's innate skill enabled him to solo after only 5 hours' duel. He then bought a 1971 Cessna 172 Skyhawk, but only as a prelude to stepping up his flying interests.
Forming Westland Air, Bert and Nash Taurau joined in a company to operate a licensed air charter service. From January 1st, 1973, the company was joined by Frank Halloran, a leading mine operator in Reefton, who was also keen about flying. The company can operate all over NZ, and has signed for a Cessna U206, a 6 seater aircraft able to carry 6 passengers and 300lb of freight.
Westland Air was kept busy flying forestry officials in aerial surveys of the beech forests, Ministry of Works and Catchment Board inspections or air ambulance missions. Tourists could fly over the old gold trails and mines which once put Reefton on the map, for only $2.00 for a quarter hour flight. The firm was the only one licensed for charter work on the West Coast.
"We also wanted to try to provide the best service" Bert said in explaining the company's plan for developing.
We learned that Mrs Rosalie Waghorn is similarly keen on flying, and Bert's 11 year old son is another addict. Bert is now completing his commercial licence now, after a course at the aviation college at Nelson, and Rosalie is just waiting for him to obtain his instructor's rating before learning to fly.
Nash Taurau holds a "B" category instructor's licence , and is teaching other Reefton resident to fly. There are 7 pupils being instructed at present, ranging in age from 17 to 40, including the local policeman and one woman. An airstrip has been built at Cronadun, a few miles north of Reefton, and has been registered.
"I want to try a helicopter, but I was advised I was a load by myself!" he joked referring to his heavy build.
However much as he enjoys flying, Bert does not regard it as a sport or business to be taken lightly. "One experience taught me never to think you've made a good job until you're finished," he said. He learnt this lesson when doing a forced landing practise. "I did everything according to the book, and was feeling pleased with myself, except that I forgot to round off as I was coming in - I bounced 20 feet in the air," he said.
Relating some of his experiences in flying, Bert talked of the time he took off in a Cessna 206 for a brief flight, but enjoyed himself so much in the air he crossed the Southern Alps and ended up in Christchurch.
"Flying an aircraft has a sobering effect," he continued as we relaxed in one of Reefton's examples of West Coast centres of hospitality. He explained the highly stressed construction of the aircraft, and the need to handle an aeroplane with care. "I've mucked around with 'dozers and cars," he said. You can't handle aircraft like them".
Bert's coal mining interests are continuing as he plans to open a new coal mine at Hart Creek, 11 miles north of Rotokohu. The analysis of the coal is identical to Reefton No. 4 but it's a very hard coal, and lower in sulphur and ash content. The new mine will be opencasted and 2 1/2 miles of new road will have to be into the area to open up the coal.
As well as continuing his association with coal, and developing his new interest in aviation, Bert operates 2 bulldozers in a contracting business. If the West Coast is full of occurrences which delight, - as they baffle - the hard -headed city dwellers "from away", Bert has probably added another take to the legends of Coasters' individuality.
Future generation may wonder why a certain road in the Reefton area increases in width for no apparent reason, and then relapses into standard width again after a short distance.
The contractor upgrading the road, (need he be named?) found it took 2 hours 10 mins travelling time each day to commute from Reefton to the site. By air, the total travelling time is only 25mins. Answer: widen the road enough at a suitable point to form an airstrip. Advantages: less travelling time and more flying time in the logbook.
"I like doing things, if I'm sure I'll make a go of them," Bert says.
"Do you have other interests?" we asked, wondering if all this activity leaves time for any.
This elicited the information that jet boats have been a former interest, now supplanted by flying, and that shooting is another. With a .243 Winchester his prize shot was a 12 pointer royal stag, which he left in the bush for the carcass to rot. When he returned for the head, however, it had disappeared - so his trophy from this sport now adorns someone else's home.
"One final question," we said to Bert as he finished his beer and prepared to leave. "As a businessman with several interests in the West Coast,, and obviously a believer in the potential of the area, what are your views on diversification?"
"No comment!" the coalminer/contractor/aviation operator said with a smile as he left for home.ContributorBlacks Point MuseumDate of story events1973.Map[1]
Bert began flying in 1969 in a 1950 Piper Cub, and then stepped up to Cessnas. While his first flight was off the back straight of the local racecourse - incurring displeasure of the Reefton Jockey Club - subsequent training and flying were at Mawheraiti, 12 miles south of Reefton.
His instructor was Nash Taurau, an ex-RNZAF electronics engineer, and either the excellence of the instructing or Bert's innate skill enabled him to solo after only 5 hours' duel. He then bought a 1971 Cessna 172 Skyhawk, but only as a prelude to stepping up his flying interests.
Forming Westland Air, Bert and Nash Taurau joined in a company to operate a licensed air charter service. From January 1st, 1973, the company was joined by Frank Halloran, a leading mine operator in Reefton, who was also keen about flying. The company can operate all over NZ, and has signed for a Cessna U206, a 6 seater aircraft able to carry 6 passengers and 300lb of freight.
Westland Air was kept busy flying forestry officials in aerial surveys of the beech forests, Ministry of Works and Catchment Board inspections or air ambulance missions. Tourists could fly over the old gold trails and mines which once put Reefton on the map, for only $2.00 for a quarter hour flight. The firm was the only one licensed for charter work on the West Coast.
"We also wanted to try to provide the best service" Bert said in explaining the company's plan for developing.
We learned that Mrs Rosalie Waghorn is similarly keen on flying, and Bert's 11 year old son is another addict. Bert is now completing his commercial licence now, after a course at the aviation college at Nelson, and Rosalie is just waiting for him to obtain his instructor's rating before learning to fly.
Nash Taurau holds a "B" category instructor's licence , and is teaching other Reefton resident to fly. There are 7 pupils being instructed at present, ranging in age from 17 to 40, including the local policeman and one woman. An airstrip has been built at Cronadun, a few miles north of Reefton, and has been registered.
"I want to try a helicopter, but I was advised I was a load by myself!" he joked referring to his heavy build.
However much as he enjoys flying, Bert does not regard it as a sport or business to be taken lightly. "One experience taught me never to think you've made a good job until you're finished," he said. He learnt this lesson when doing a forced landing practise. "I did everything according to the book, and was feeling pleased with myself, except that I forgot to round off as I was coming in - I bounced 20 feet in the air," he said.
Relating some of his experiences in flying, Bert talked of the time he took off in a Cessna 206 for a brief flight, but enjoyed himself so much in the air he crossed the Southern Alps and ended up in Christchurch.
"Flying an aircraft has a sobering effect," he continued as we relaxed in one of Reefton's examples of West Coast centres of hospitality. He explained the highly stressed construction of the aircraft, and the need to handle an aeroplane with care. "I've mucked around with 'dozers and cars," he said. You can't handle aircraft like them".
Bert's coal mining interests are continuing as he plans to open a new coal mine at Hart Creek, 11 miles north of Rotokohu. The analysis of the coal is identical to Reefton No. 4 but it's a very hard coal, and lower in sulphur and ash content. The new mine will be opencasted and 2 1/2 miles of new road will have to be into the area to open up the coal.
As well as continuing his association with coal, and developing his new interest in aviation, Bert operates 2 bulldozers in a contracting business. If the West Coast is full of occurrences which delight, - as they baffle - the hard -headed city dwellers "from away", Bert has probably added another take to the legends of Coasters' individuality.
Future generation may wonder why a certain road in the Reefton area increases in width for no apparent reason, and then relapses into standard width again after a short distance.
The contractor upgrading the road, (need he be named?) found it took 2 hours 10 mins travelling time each day to commute from Reefton to the site. By air, the total travelling time is only 25mins. Answer: widen the road enough at a suitable point to form an airstrip. Advantages: less travelling time and more flying time in the logbook.
"I like doing things, if I'm sure I'll make a go of them," Bert says.
"Do you have other interests?" we asked, wondering if all this activity leaves time for any.
This elicited the information that jet boats have been a former interest, now supplanted by flying, and that shooting is another. With a .243 Winchester his prize shot was a 12 pointer royal stag, which he left in the bush for the carcass to rot. When he returned for the head, however, it had disappeared - so his trophy from this sport now adorns someone else's home.
"One final question," we said to Bert as he finished his beer and prepared to leave. "As a businessman with several interests in the West Coast,, and obviously a believer in the potential of the area, what are your views on diversification?"
"No comment!" the coalminer/contractor/aviation operator said with a smile as he left for home.ContributorBlacks Point MuseumDate of story events1973.Map[1]
West Coast New Zealand History (13th Aug 2017). The Flying Coalminer, story of Bert Waghorn from Reefton, 1973.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 19th Mar 2026 01:40, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/21137