Menu
Railway picnic Lake Mahinapua , Jan 1959.
Expand/collapse
About this image
DescriptionBrian McIntyre
LAKE MAHINAPUA
During the 1950s, picnics were held at Lake Mahinapua, which is just South of Hokitika, and they were eagerly looked forward to, especially by the children. The Miners’ Union and the Wharfie’s Union would on separate occasions hire a train, which left from Greymouth and picked up along the way to Mahinapua. On the journey to the picnic, apples, lollies and ice cream tubs were given away to all the children. On arrival at Mahinipua, the men were jumping off the train before it had rolled to a stop and made straight for the hotel, which was only a stone’s throw from the railway line. The women and children, all loaded up with food, drink and a blanket for the ground had to walk about 400m from the train to the picnic ground. Right from the moment the train stopped, the females were on edge. The trek from the train must have looked like a mass arrival of refugees, with about 500 people walking the road, through beautiful native bush, to the large open grassed area on the shores of the lake. Athletic sports and boat rides helped fill in the day. The boat, a long open rowing boat type, with plank seats and sharp at each end, could carry about 20 kids and not a life jacket in sight. A single cylinder engine, in built, powered it and it moved at about seven knots, through the water, heavy with weed and tall reeds, with a slow pop, pop, pop, out through the side of the boat. During the day, some of the men would stagger down the road from the pub, to a hostile reception from the wives, but were soon dozing off and not taking much notice. At the end of the picnic, you could hear the steam train blowing its whistle in long blasts, telling people where ever they were, it’s time to go. Those pack horse wives, and tired kids, carried everything back along that gravel/ mud road and loaded it all on board the carriages. One very long blast on the whistle meant we’re off, and you might have thought the Police were raiding the pub, with men rushing out after the train, to climb on the moving carriages. Us kids thought it good entertainment, to see these guys, all red faced from running, some falling over trying to catch the train. By the time we walked from the Railway Station in Greymouth to Puketahi St, about half a mile,[600m] Mum was really exhausted and it would be an early night for all. Dad would be out cold on the couch in the kitchen, after a day on the booze.Date of Photo1959Map[1] ContributorCarl Harrington
LAKE MAHINAPUA
During the 1950s, picnics were held at Lake Mahinapua, which is just South of Hokitika, and they were eagerly looked forward to, especially by the children. The Miners’ Union and the Wharfie’s Union would on separate occasions hire a train, which left from Greymouth and picked up along the way to Mahinapua. On the journey to the picnic, apples, lollies and ice cream tubs were given away to all the children. On arrival at Mahinipua, the men were jumping off the train before it had rolled to a stop and made straight for the hotel, which was only a stone’s throw from the railway line. The women and children, all loaded up with food, drink and a blanket for the ground had to walk about 400m from the train to the picnic ground. Right from the moment the train stopped, the females were on edge. The trek from the train must have looked like a mass arrival of refugees, with about 500 people walking the road, through beautiful native bush, to the large open grassed area on the shores of the lake. Athletic sports and boat rides helped fill in the day. The boat, a long open rowing boat type, with plank seats and sharp at each end, could carry about 20 kids and not a life jacket in sight. A single cylinder engine, in built, powered it and it moved at about seven knots, through the water, heavy with weed and tall reeds, with a slow pop, pop, pop, out through the side of the boat. During the day, some of the men would stagger down the road from the pub, to a hostile reception from the wives, but were soon dozing off and not taking much notice. At the end of the picnic, you could hear the steam train blowing its whistle in long blasts, telling people where ever they were, it’s time to go. Those pack horse wives, and tired kids, carried everything back along that gravel/ mud road and loaded it all on board the carriages. One very long blast on the whistle meant we’re off, and you might have thought the Police were raiding the pub, with men rushing out after the train, to climb on the moving carriages. Us kids thought it good entertainment, to see these guys, all red faced from running, some falling over trying to catch the train. By the time we walked from the Railway Station in Greymouth to Puketahi St, about half a mile,[600m] Mum was really exhausted and it would be an early night for all. Dad would be out cold on the couch in the kitchen, after a day on the booze.Date of Photo1959Map[1] ContributorCarl Harrington
Shown in this image
Location (city or town)Lake MahinapuaEventRailway picnic Lake Mahinapua Jan 1959
Category Information
Category TagPeople
From Facebook
Date Created13th January 2018CommentsJoy Devereux Used to love the picnics
Jannice Hansen We used to go too lovely place
Sandra Douglas Jannice Hansen shame names aren’t on this photo
Judi Johnson Lake Mahinapua pub was a good drinking pub
Lyn Moe The miners was also a big day.
Brent Tomlinson We used to go for the miners picnic
Val Whittaker We use to go for the miners picnic loved those days they were such a treat and so much fun
Joy Cox My all time childhood favourite place to go for a picnic and a swim
But... We always had to wait for half an hour after we ate before we were allowed to swim hahaha. Why!!!!
Pam Mcmanus Joy Cox we were told by our parents that swimming to soon after eating caused stomach cramps.
Karen Oleary yes we did to used to catch the train down was so much fun
Don Pearson Those were the days,great fun,great train ride,great memories.
Trevor Keith Scott MY WORD, THAT SHOOK THE BRAIN BOX, that brought back memories that's for sure. The old carriages being towed by the steam train ...smoke and smell of the engine, the picnic area swimming and playing games, snacks and drinks. A lot of fun & exploring, and on the way home in the carriages a lot of sleepy young ones. Thank you Heather for the wake up!!
Edwin Lord Fond memories of those days remember hoping off the train and walking down to the lake all loaded up with the picnic gear those were the days
Margaret Standen
Margaret Standen A great day out, first on the train then the picnic. Very tired on the way home. Also remember the ones at Rapahoe Beach. Great memories Heather.
Yvonne Lawson We always went to them too.
Judy Collins We use to go.
Sandra Geddes Yip on that slow train!great day out
Lorraine O'Donoghue Those were the days and all travelling by train.
Jan Ward Yes..remember the Cobden school picnics. The steam train..walking down to the lake..the tents..the 3 legged races etc.. and most of all the wooden boxes of apples wrapped in tissue paper that were distributed throughout the train. On the way home we would throw them out the window to the Maori kids at Arahura station and they'd eat them core & all.
Glenys Elizabeth Martin Yes we never missed those picnics there was always free trains running and on them we got apples icecream in those wee cartons gear day down at the lake and all kinds of races etc a couple of men running down with little material bags of lollies sewn o…See More
Kathy Duthie it truely was, my friend
Gypsy Rover Miners picnic was great
Jannice Hansen Yes theres none of us
Anne Pattinson I remember the miners picnics we would get the train at wallenda and meet up with all the Runnaga family it was a big family day out
Ann Knipe A tubs of Snowflake ice cream out of the big green canvas bags that were given out to the children on the journey home.
Louise Cheyne I remember the railway picnics, and the lolly scramble .
Robert Wilson i was a kid in ruatapu,,who ever the picnic nwas i was there,,heaps of goodies,,,i remember playing rugby with the hot ice out of the ice cream bag,,,you passed it pretty quick,,i still shoot on the lake spent most of my life on it,,,
Robert Wilson i still go down there weekly heather,,i brought my first boat of jum mcshell, i lived in ruatapu so kept my boat up at the entrace of bitten creek,,i remember the bait pooring up to the swamp,,we caught enunga,kopu,cockabully,and ells by the bag full,they were on there way to the swamp on the hill i camped out there often and the totara lagoon,,,sadly its all gone,,
Robert Wilson i love the photos you folk put up,,cheers bob
Valda Ford Gosh this was such a fun day with cousins from greymouth! We lived in Ruatapu.. Smithie
Len Brereton Is THAT JOE KNIPES daughter
Frank Winter Everyone seems to have held their picnics here , fabulous memories ! Gillian
Pauline Matene Loved the railway picnics at Mahinapua, running races, sack races three legged races,all fun and great memories
Vincent Knapp 3 big pinics railways miners and wharfies every year
Helen Chappell We loved going down on the train and it’s one of those memories that will be there forever can still see us Bernard’s carting loads of food and probably plenty of booze
Malcolm Howell The Railway & Miners Picnics to Lake Mahinapua were a great days outing for all the kids and teenagers. Who could forget that picnic and train journey.
Rob Elwood
Thanks for sharing this. Mahinapua is (still) as special place for us. My mother's family were coal miners from Taylorville in the 1920's & 30's (and before then). She often spoke of an annual Miner's Picnic at Mahinapua as a highlight of the year. (including the miners that never got further than the Mahinapua Pub). I wonder if anyone on Westcoast Recollect have any pictures or remembrances of the miner's picnics.
Heather Newby
Author
Admin
Rob Elwood i remember them too.. was always a great time out
Pam Sosky
Rob Elwood I remember them. So much fun.
Eleanor Morel
Rob Elwood I remember them too. It was a great day out. The bacon and egg pie, copious sandwiches, something sweet and cordial. The train journey then the long trek into the lake (well it seemed long fir small legs). The beautiful lake and a day of fun and maybe a boat ride. Then the reverse journey, tired but happy kids.
Stephen Lucas
Remember these well the train from Greymouth was too long for the station.
If the weather was bad a car would drive down the street with a loud speaker announcing if the picnic was on or off
Margaret Mulloy
I remember going to Mahinapua miners picnics. Great day out
Vern Pattinson
Margaret Mulloy me as well Marg we all would have been there together
Maree Nolan
We went every year and loved it,
Sonia Smith
I remember them fondly. Every year the train left from Stillwater where I lived. Always the best time
Reply6h
Catherine Moffitt Rowlands
Sonia Smith it sure was a great treat to go. Just loved them. I seem to remember the train had to stop at a few pubs on the way as well.
Richard Leach
Those times a trip home in the care of drunk engine driver and his off sider. They spent the day in the pub waiting to take us home
Truly wonderful days
Josephine Wesley
Great memories of the miners picnic. Ty for sharing.
Phil Millar
I can remember mum and dad taking me there for Railway picnics ,Dad was the Ganger on the Hokitika to Ross length,we lived in the 2nd Railway house at Ruataup !
Lenny Crowe
Remember them well great times
Pauline Schafer
We had miners picnics down there too, great fun!
Cathie Pengelly
Yip. Remember these as a kid
Anne Pattinson
Cathie Pengelly we had miners picnics there Grandma made the best pies for it. Men fighting on the train on the way home to much booze
Lois Iacoppi
I remember going there for a picnic as kids
Bruce Tones
I could have been there too, with my mum and dad, and kids, and not always miners and railway picnic, but wharfies picnic as well, kids were always given lollies and apples, on the traiin
Jock Allen
Great times Train leaving BlackBall with All the children with their Windmills hanging out of the windows also getting a fair amount of grit in their faces from the Steam Train Andy Kennendywould come through the carrigdges??and give all the children 2 Shillings each the money was comming from the Miners Relief Fund Train also stopped on the way for pickups Wonderful Days
Dawn N Jack Fearn
I used to go to those railway picnics with my cousins family.
Sandra Case
Great picture
Murray Webber
I remember going on these railway picnics, great fun
George Brown
What a great picture!!The days before DOC and sign posts everywhere telling you not to do stuff !
Faye York
George Brown I knew this area so well, it was ruined by DOC. I was so angry when they pulled out a really effective BBQ which had been used free of charge for years and replaced it with a crappy Australian designed (they sent me a copy of the plan when I complained ) one with a tiny hot plate. Never went back!! Another beautiful BBQ spot at Duffers Creek which had been lovingly cared for by Dept of Lands and Survey staff was another casualty of DOC. Too many degrees.
George Brown
Totally agree and at the fear of being labelled an ignorant old fart too many young staff from who are indoctrinated to the point of stupidity to carry out the rules .We can no longer even walk a dog on a lead in these areas .
Maureen Kelly
I remember the 3 legged race!
Lynn Hopkins
Simple things in life,the kids of today don’t know what they missed out on
We had the best times.
Judy Crestani
I remember the miners picnic in the maybe mid to late 60s. They had games for us kids and money prizes. Mum wanted to know where I got all the money from. I told her I entered every event I could. We lived at Rapahoe, so we got on the train in Runanga. I remember one was held at Mahinapua and one at Hokitika. No men were at these two picnics, just mums and heaps of kids
Glenys Elizabeth Martin
Think Every body from Greymouth and surrounding area s went (As Family's Great times )
Yvonne Lawson
Remember the Miners picnic. Got on at Runanga station.
Murry McKendry
Yvonne Lawson We got on at Greymouth.
Beryl Heperi
Loved those picnics
Shona Ratana
How I loved these picnics.
Anne Honey
Do u remember the school picnic and the train trip and walking over the bridge. Great days Glenys.Ann-maree Mclean
Mary Menzies is that your mum
Brian McIntyre
By 1959 I was now too old for that one started work in 57
Sandra Arnott
Used to go there awesome!
Rebekah Fairhurst Geer
Love love loved the railway picnics!!
Deborah Sweetman
Went a couple of times.Always raining.Ended up going to the movies in Hokitika.
Kath Stopforth
The most beautiful place!
Allan Upston
From L / R not sure of First Lady then Mrs Gwen Washer, Mrs Hatchard, Dennis Washer, Pam Hatchard, (Upston) Val Jones (Harrington) Raelene Washer Gloria Hatchard and Ray Maclean. ?
16h
Renee Panapa
thank you for these wonderful photos and memories. Seems so long ago and far away. Much water under the bridge.
Renee Panapa
I don't think I was involved in the sinking! We had great picnics, Nana's bacon and egg pies and cakes, etc. and there were lots of activities like egg and spoon and sack races, etc. Treasured memories of times spent with friends and family. xxx
Renee Panapa
fantastic fun times at the Miners Lake Mahinapua picnic (when it didn't get rained out). We always got a bag of fruit and lollies on the train and I loved throwing my lollies to the Maori kids at the Arahura bridge thinking maybe they didn't get any. Now I realise that they would have had heaps of whitebait fritters which I LOVE. At the picnic we would sometimes get a canoe to row out on the lake and I have seen the odd one sunk - don'
Gillian Williams
Loved going in late 1940, such fun, yes we had Apples wrapped in tissue paper
Chris Williams
There were two rail trips in the summer, in the early to mid 60's I recall. One was the combined Cobden schools and the miners picnic train from Greymouth to Lake Mahinapua. What a lot of fun we had when the train had to stop at the road[rail bridges. We were issued green apples prior to our stop at the Arahura Bridge. Their cores provided the ammo to fight the local Maori boys.
Keith White
Don't recall any, but may have been on some - Dad was chief stationmaster Greymouth and retired about 1964/
Christine Hansen
Fiona we were probably there
Heather Curtis
We loved going on these picnics.was lots of fun.they used to bring round cases of fruit for the kids.Families would all go an have a great time.The good old days.
Christine Hansen
Heather Curtis .. wasnt it great, yes the apples wrapped in tissue and the sack races, lolly scambles
Ann-maree Mclean
Mary Menzies is that your mum
Mary Menzies
Yes Ann-Marie it is.
Ann-maree Mclean
I thought so
Peter Gray
I remember them, leave Greymouth by train, stop at Hokitika to pick up other people but many from Greymouth ran over to the Railway hotel to stock up.
Everybody got off opersite the Manhinapua Hotel and walked to the lake, that is except for the men who visited the hotel. Great picnics
David Howe
I attended several rilway picnics in Hawke's Bay when young. Trains rain from Woodville to Napier, and then the Central Hawke's Bay trains ran from Waipukurau to Eskdale. Everyone enjoyed themselves, especially the children. Great days when all railwaymen and women shared the camerarderie of meeting others. You would finally see the face of the person that you only knew on the telephone the rest of the year. Wonderful days.
Graham Bone
Great days, enjoyed watching the people run from the Hotel when the train tooted on leaving.
Ross Miller
Drinking competition… beer from a baby’s bottle, teat and all. The symbolism is something else, but in those days PC was a police constable
Ross Miller
Probably at this. Have photos of one at Lake Kaniere
McKay Paul
Loved the miners picnic. Jacqui did you ever go. Dad didnt come was on dog watch so spent day at home catching up on sleep
Brian McIntyre
LAKE MAHINAPUA
During the 1950s, picnics were held at Lake Mahinapua, which is just South of Hokitika, and they were eagerly looked forward to, especially by the children. The Miners’ Union and the Wharfie’s Union would on separate occasions hire a train, which left from Greymouth and picked up along the way to Mahinapua. On the journey to the picnic, apples, lollies and ice cream tubs were given away to all the children. On arrival at Mahinipua, the men were jumping off the train before it had rolled to a stop and made straight for the hotel, which was only a stone’s throw from the railway line. The women and children, all loaded up with food, drink and a blanket for the ground had to walk about 400m from the train to the picnic ground. Right from the moment the train stopped, the females were on edge. The trek from the train must have looked like a mass arrival of refugees, with about 500 people walking the road, through beautiful native bush, to the large open grassed area on the shores of the lake. Athletic sports and boat rides helped fill in the day. The boat, a long open rowing boat type, with plank seats and sharp at each end, could carry about 20 kids and not a life jacket in sight. A single cylinder engine, in built, powered it and it moved at about seven knots, through the water, heavy with weed and tall reeds, with a slow pop, pop, pop, out through the side of the boat. During the day, some of the men would stagger down the road from the pub, to a hostile reception from the wives, but were soon dozing off and not taking much notice. At the end of the picnic, you could hear the steam train blowing its whistle in long blasts, telling people where ever they were, it’s time to go. Those pack horse wives, and tired kids, carried everything back along that gravel/ mud road and loaded it all on board the carriages. One very long blast on the whistle meant we’re off, and you might have thought the Police were raiding the pub, with men rushing out after the train, to climb on the moving carriages. Us kids thought it good entertainment, to see these guys, all red faced from running, some falling over trying to catch the train. By the time we walked from the Railway Station in Greymouth to Puketahi St, about half a mile,[600m] Mum was really exhausted and it would be an early night for all. Dad would be out cold on the couch in the kitchen, after a day on the booze.
David Howe
Railway picnics were a big thing back in those days, nearly every district had one.They were always looked forward to A great chance to meet people who you had only known by voice over the telephone.
Anne Honey
A lovely picnic spot.
Trisha Green
Great times remember when it was raining and we all went to the pictures instead. In Hokitika. And putting my head out the window of the train and ended up in chch to get the ember out.
Ann-maree Mclean
great days
Jenny Haines
They were great times as kids
Janine Vincent
I remember a bit about the railway ride to Lake Mahinapua in the late forties, early fifties, for the Railway picnics, as a young child it was the highlight of my year. Today my love of train travel is such a joy to enjoy.
Sandra Arnott
Good days eh!
Brian McIntyre
Loved those days
Pauline Schafer
I enjoyed reading all the comments. Lots of happy memories.
Jenny Haines
They were great times as kids
19h
Reply
James Codyre
There were many great places for picnics when I was young on the Coast.I remember going to Moana,Nelson Creek,Rapahoe,Punakaiki,Barrytown,Lake Kaniere,Mahanipua as some.
Brian McIntyre
LAKE MAHINAPUA
During the 1950s, picnics were held at Lake Mahinapua, which is just South of Hokitika, and they were eagerly looked forward to, especially by the children. The Miners’ Union and the Wharfie’s Union would on separate occasions hire a train, which left from Greymouth and picked up along the way to Mahinapua. On the journey to the picnic, apples, lollies and ice cream tubs were given away to all the children. On arrival at Mahinipua, the men were jumping off the train before it had rolled to a stop and made straight for the hotel, which was only a stone’s throw from the railway line. The women and children, all loaded up with food, drink and a blanket for the ground had to walk about 400m from the train to the picnic ground. Right from the moment the train stopped, the females were on edge. The trek from the train must have looked like a mass arrival of refugees, with about 500 people walking the road, through beautiful native bush, to the large open grassed area on the shores of the lake. Athletic sports and boat rides helped fill in the day. The boat, a long open rowing boat type, with plank seats and sharp at each end, could carry about 20 kids and not a life jacket in sight. A single cylinder engine, in built, powered it and it moved at about seven knots, through the water, heavy with weed and tall reeds, with a slow pop, pop, pop, out through the side of the boat. During the day, some of the men would stagger down the road from the pub, to a hostile reception from the wives, but were soon dozing off and not taking much notice. At the end of the picnic, you could hear the steam train blowing its whistle in long blasts, telling people where ever they were, it’s time to go. Those pack horse wives, and tired kids, carried everything back along that gravel/ mud road and loaded it all on board the carriages. One very long blast on the whistle meant we’re off, and you might have thought the Police were raiding the pub, with men rushing out after the train, to climb on the moving carriages. Us kids thought it good entertainment, to see these guys, all red faced from running, some falling over trying to catch the train. By the time we walked from the Railway Station in Greymouth to Puketahi St, about half a mile,[600m] Mum was really exhausted and it would be an early night for all. Dad would be out cold on the couch in the kitchen, after a day on the booze.
Bob Jamieson
Brian McIntyre One small correction, Brian. The Miners Picnic train left from Dunollie via Runanga (my home town) and then on to Mahinapua, cheers.
Mary Moffitt
Brian McIntyre Brian, I don’t remember that all men, as a body, went to the hotel. Firstly because most fathers were still at work, like my father, thus most families were comprised mainly of women and children. Also, all games and events were run by good sober men (and there were a lot of them present) and also sober men were involved in the boating etc. They needed to be sober. After all, the railwaymen and miners were on show and, remarkably, giving us spending money on the train, and money prizes in the athletic sports.
Young unattached men or grown sons possibly made up the group of drinkers you remember. I don’t even remember the ‘mad rush’ by the men from train to pub. I was always on the plate of the train with a blanket, alongside other ‘big kids’ ready to run for the lake to get the best picnic position for a family base, hence the blanket. I doubt that any blokes got off the the train ahead of us very often.
Similarly we raced back to the train to get the good family seats.
Brian, I am not denying the race of men between pub and train, just that it was a small group of men. I can’t sit by and have all of those wonderful railway and mining men included in what was NOT a pub-dash for them.
David Howe
Railway picnics were a big thing back in those days, nearly every district had one.They were always looked forward to A great chance to meet people who you had only known by voice over the telephone.
Heather Newby
Author
Admin
David Howe we went to coalminers picnics at lake mahinapua..we just loved those days.
David Howe
Heather Newby I love Lake Mahinapua. And the glow worms along the track leading in at night.
David Howe magical
Ken Meadowcroft
Heather Newby yep us 2 loved the miners picnics from Blackball all us kids got a 2&6 penny peice on the way down to Mahinapua on the train. 1/2 crown in them days. ha,ha,ha.wish we could go back to them days loved growing up back then.?
Anne Honey
A lovely picnic spot.
Trisha Green
Great times remember when it was raining and we all went to the pictures instead. In Hokitika. And putting my head out the window of the train and ended up in chch to get the ember out.
Ann-maree Mclean
great days
Jenny Haines
They were great times as kids
Janine Vincent
I remember a bit about the railway ride to Lake Mahinapua in the late forties, early fifties, for the Railway picnics, as a young child it was the highlight of my year. Today my love of train travel is such a joy to enjoy.
Sandra Arnott
Good days eh!
McKay Paul
Loved the miners picnic. Jacqui did you ever go. Dad didnt come was on dog watch so spent day at home catching up on sleep
Brian McIntyre
LAKE MAHINAPUA
During the 1950s, picnics were held at Lake Mahinapua, which is just South of Hokitika, and they were eagerly looked forward to, especially by the children. The Miners’ Union and the Wharfie’s Union would on separate occasions hire a train, which left from Greymouth and picked up along the way to Mahinapua. On the journey to the picnic, apples, lollies and ice cream tubs were given away to all the children. On arrival at Mahinipua, the men were jumping off the train before it had rolled to a stop and made straight for the hotel, which was only a stone’s throw from the railway line. The women and children, all loaded up with food, drink and a blanket for the ground had to walk about 400m from the train to the picnic ground. Right from the moment the train stopped, the females were on edge. The trek from the train must have looked like a mass arrival of refugees, with about 500 people walking the road, through beautiful native bush, to the large open grassed area on the shores of the lake. Athletic sports and boat rides helped fill in the day. The boat, a long open rowing boat type, with plank seats and sharp at each end, could carry about 20 kids and not a life jacket in sight. A single cylinder engine, in built, powered it and it moved at about seven knots, through the water, heavy with weed and tall reeds, with a slow pop, pop, pop, out through the side of the boat. During the day, some of the men would stagger down the road from the pub, to a hostile reception from the wives, but were soon dozing off and not taking much notice. At the end of the picnic, you could hear the steam train blowing its whistle in long blasts, telling people where ever they were, it’s time to go. Those pack horse wives, and tired kids, carried everything back along that gravel/ mud road and loaded it all on board the carriages. One very long blast on the whistle meant we’re off, and you might have thought the Police were raiding the pub, with men rushing out after the train, to climb on the moving carriages. Us kids thought it good entertainment, to see these guys, all red faced from running, some falling over trying to catch the train. By the time we walked from the Railway Station in Greymouth to Puketahi St, about half a mile,[600m] Mum was really exhausted and it would be an early night for all. Dad would be out cold on the couch in the kitchen, after a day on the booze.
Bob Jamieson
Brian McIntyre One small correction, Brian. The Miners Picnic train left from Dunollie via Runanga (my home town) and then on to Mahinapua, cheers.
Brian McIntyre
Bob Jamieson my ignorance Bob as the train was just sitting at Greymouth waiting for me
Edited
Bob Jamieson
Brian McIntyre You're forgiven, Brian, Cheers.
Brian McIntyre
Bob Jamieson but only now I never mentioned the Railways picnic. But Ill correct that
Mary Moffitt
Bob Jamieson Bob, the train picked us up at Stillwater every year.
We used to say that some people walked the whole way there and back. They went up and down through the carriages the whole journey. Some were quite over-excited and made it hard for folk with babies. Loved every minute every year for a couple of decades.
Noel Clark
Mary Moffitt yes Mary I remember them at that stage the best time. Three legged races and organized fun.great memories.
Mary Moffitt
Noel Clark It was wonderful, Noel. How are you?
McKay Paul
Bob Jamieson yes we caught it in runanga with a heap of others the highlight of our year.
Mary Moffitt
Brian McIntyre I suspect now, that carriages were hitched up at each junction, ie Stillwater and Greymouth. Hard to remember though.
Ken Meadowcroft
Brian McIntyre Brian was you known as frog back in the day.if yes I used to work with you at Rex & Terry Berchfeilds Modern Builders.
Mary Moffitt
Brian McIntyre Brian, I don’t remember that all men, as a body, went to the hotel. Firstly because most fathers were still at work, like my father, thus most families were comprised mainly of women and children. Also, all games and events were run by good sober men (and there were a lot of them present) and also sober men were involved in the boating etc. They needed to be sober. After all, the railwaymen and miners were on show and, remarkably, giving us spending money on the train, and money prizes in the athletic sports.
Young unattached men or grown sons possibly made up the group of drinkers you remember. I don’t even remember the ‘mad rush’ by the men from train to pub. I was always on the plate of the train with a blanket, alongside other ‘big kids’ ready to run for the lake to get the best picnic position for a family base, hence the blanket. I doubt that any blokes got off the the train ahead of us very often.
Similarly we raced back to the train to get the good family seats.
Brian, I am not denying the race of men between pub and train, just that it was a small group of men. I can’t sit by and have all of those wonderful railway and mining men included in what was NOT a pub-dash for them.
McKay Paul
Mary Moffitt that's right our dad was on dog watch at rewanui so stayed home for his sleep
Brian McIntyre
Loved those days
Pauline Schafer
I enjoyed reading all the comments. Lots of happy memories.
David Howe
Railway picnics were a big thing back in those days, nearly every district had one.They were always looked forward to A great chance to meet people who you had only known by voice over the telephone.
Anne Honey
A lovely picnic spot.
Trisha Green
Great times remember when it was raining and we all went to the pictures instead. In Hokitika. And putting my head out the window of the train and ended up in chch to get the ember out.
Ann-maree Mclean
great days
Jenny Haines
They were great times as kids
Janine Vincent
I remember a bit about the railway ride to Lake Mahinapua in the late forties, early fifties, for the Railway picnics, as a young child it was the highlight of my year. Today my love of train travel is such a joy to enjoy.
Sandra Arnott
Good days eh!
McKay Paul
Loved the miners picnic. Jacqui did you ever go. Dad didnt come was on dog watch so spent day at home catching up on sleep
Jacqui Low
McKay Paul yes I remember them too and I going over the rail bridge. I loved them
McKay Paul
Jacqui Low hanging out the windows on the train can't imagine that happening now
Jacqui Low
McKay Paul definitely not but they were fun times
Brian McIntyre
LAKE MAHINAPUA
During the 1950s, picnics were held at Lake Mahinapua, which is just South of Hokitika, and they were eagerly looked forward to, especially by the children. The Miners’ Union and the Wharfie’s Union would on separate occasions hire a train, which left from Greymouth and picked up along the way to Mahinapua. On the journey to the picnic, apples, lollies and ice cream tubs were given away to all the children. On arrival at Mahinipua, the men were jumping off the train before it had rolled to a stop and made straight for the hotel, which was only a stone’s throw from the railway line. The women and children, all loaded up with food, drink and a blanket for the ground had to walk about 400m from the train to the picnic ground. Right from the moment the train stopped, the females were on edge. The trek from the train must have looked like a mass arrival of refugees, with about 500 people walking the road, through beautiful native bush, to the large open grassed area on the shores of the lake. Athletic sports and boat rides helped fill in the day. The boat, a long open rowing boat type, with plank seats and sharp at each end, could carry about 20 kids and not a life jacket in sight. A single cylinder engine, in built, powered it and it moved at about seven knots, through the water, heavy with weed and tall reeds, with a slow pop, pop, pop, out through the side of the boat. During the day, some of the men would stagger down the road from the pub, to a hostile reception from the wives, but were soon dozing off and not taking much notice. At the end of the picnic, you could hear the steam train blowing its whistle in long blasts, telling people where ever they were, it’s time to go. Those pack horse wives, and tired kids, carried everything back along that gravel/ mud road and loaded it all on board the carriages. One very long blast on the whistle meant we’re off, and you might have thought the Police were raiding the pub, with men rushing out after the train, to climb on the moving carriages. Us kids thought it good entertainment, to see these guys, all red faced from running, some falling over trying to catch the train. By the time we walked from the Railway Station in Greymouth to Puketahi St, about half a mile,[600m] Mum was really exhausted and it would be an early night for all. Dad would be out cold on the couch in the kitchen, after a day on the booze.
Bob Jamieson
Brian McIntyre One small correction, Brian. The Miners Picnic train left from Dunollie via Runanga (my home town) and then on to Mahinapua, cheers.
Brian McIntyre
Bob Jamieson my ignorance Bob as the train was just sitting at Greymouth waiting for me
Bob Jamieson
Brian McIntyre You're forgiven, Brian, Cheers.
Brian McIntyre
Bob Jamieson but only now I never mentioned the Railways picnic. But Ill correct that
Mary Moffitt
Bob Jamieson Bob, the train picked us up at Stillwater every year.
We used to say that some people walked the whole way there and back. They went up and down through the carriages the whole journey. Some were quite over-excited and made it hard for folk with babies. Loved every minute every year for a couple of decades.
Noel Clark
Mary Moffitt yes Mary I remember them at that stage the best time. Three legged races and organized fun.great memories.
Mary Moffitt
Noel Clark It was wonderful, Noel. How are you?
McKay Paul
Bob Jamieson yes we caught it in runanga with a heap of others the highlight of our year.
Mary Moffitt
Brian McIntyre I suspect now, that carriages were hitched up at each junction, ie Stillwater and Greymouth. Hard to remember though.
Ken Meadowcroft
Brian McIntyre Brian was you known as frog back in the day.if yes I used to work with you at Rex & Terry Berchfeilds Modern Builders.
Mary Moffitt
Brian McIntyre Brian, I don’t remember that all men, as a body, went to the hotel. Firstly because most fathers were still at work, like my father, thus most families were comprised mainly of women and children. Also, all games and events were run by good sober men (and there were a lot of them present) and also sober men were involved in the boating etc. They needed to be sober. After all, the railwaymen and miners were on show and, remarkably, giving us spending money on the train, and money prizes in the athletic sports.
Young unattached men or grown sons possibly made up the group of drinkers you remember. I don’t even remember the ‘mad rush’ by the men from train to pub. I was always on the plate of the train with a blanket, alongside other ‘big kids’ ready to run for the lake to get the best picnic position for a family base, hence the blanket. I doubt that any blokes got off the the train ahead of us very often.
Similarly we raced back to the train to get the good family seats.
Brian, I am not denying the race of men between pub and train, just that it was a small group of men. I can’t sit by and have all of those wonderful railway and mining men included in what was NOT a pub-dash for them.
McKay Paul
Mary Moffitt that's right our dad was on dog watch at rewanui so stayed home for his sleep
Brian McIntyre
Loved those days
Pauline Schafer
I enjoyed reading all the comments. Lots of happy memories.
Jannice Hansen We used to go too lovely place
Sandra Douglas Jannice Hansen shame names aren’t on this photo
Judi Johnson Lake Mahinapua pub was a good drinking pub
Lyn Moe The miners was also a big day.
Brent Tomlinson We used to go for the miners picnic
Val Whittaker We use to go for the miners picnic loved those days they were such a treat and so much fun
Joy Cox My all time childhood favourite place to go for a picnic and a swim
But... We always had to wait for half an hour after we ate before we were allowed to swim hahaha. Why!!!!
Pam Mcmanus Joy Cox we were told by our parents that swimming to soon after eating caused stomach cramps.
Karen Oleary yes we did to used to catch the train down was so much fun
Don Pearson Those were the days,great fun,great train ride,great memories.
Trevor Keith Scott MY WORD, THAT SHOOK THE BRAIN BOX, that brought back memories that's for sure. The old carriages being towed by the steam train ...smoke and smell of the engine, the picnic area swimming and playing games, snacks and drinks. A lot of fun & exploring, and on the way home in the carriages a lot of sleepy young ones. Thank you Heather for the wake up!!
Edwin Lord Fond memories of those days remember hoping off the train and walking down to the lake all loaded up with the picnic gear those were the days
Margaret Standen
Margaret Standen A great day out, first on the train then the picnic. Very tired on the way home. Also remember the ones at Rapahoe Beach. Great memories Heather.
Yvonne Lawson We always went to them too.
Judy Collins We use to go.
Sandra Geddes Yip on that slow train!great day out
Lorraine O'Donoghue Those were the days and all travelling by train.
Jan Ward Yes..remember the Cobden school picnics. The steam train..walking down to the lake..the tents..the 3 legged races etc.. and most of all the wooden boxes of apples wrapped in tissue paper that were distributed throughout the train. On the way home we would throw them out the window to the Maori kids at Arahura station and they'd eat them core & all.
Glenys Elizabeth Martin Yes we never missed those picnics there was always free trains running and on them we got apples icecream in those wee cartons gear day down at the lake and all kinds of races etc a couple of men running down with little material bags of lollies sewn o…See More
Kathy Duthie it truely was, my friend
Gypsy Rover Miners picnic was great
Jannice Hansen Yes theres none of us
Anne Pattinson I remember the miners picnics we would get the train at wallenda and meet up with all the Runnaga family it was a big family day out
Ann Knipe A tubs of Snowflake ice cream out of the big green canvas bags that were given out to the children on the journey home.
Louise Cheyne I remember the railway picnics, and the lolly scramble .
Robert Wilson i was a kid in ruatapu,,who ever the picnic nwas i was there,,heaps of goodies,,,i remember playing rugby with the hot ice out of the ice cream bag,,,you passed it pretty quick,,i still shoot on the lake spent most of my life on it,,,
Robert Wilson i still go down there weekly heather,,i brought my first boat of jum mcshell, i lived in ruatapu so kept my boat up at the entrace of bitten creek,,i remember the bait pooring up to the swamp,,we caught enunga,kopu,cockabully,and ells by the bag full,they were on there way to the swamp on the hill i camped out there often and the totara lagoon,,,sadly its all gone,,
Robert Wilson i love the photos you folk put up,,cheers bob
Valda Ford Gosh this was such a fun day with cousins from greymouth! We lived in Ruatapu.. Smithie
Len Brereton Is THAT JOE KNIPES daughter
Frank Winter Everyone seems to have held their picnics here , fabulous memories ! Gillian
Pauline Matene Loved the railway picnics at Mahinapua, running races, sack races three legged races,all fun and great memories
Vincent Knapp 3 big pinics railways miners and wharfies every year
Helen Chappell We loved going down on the train and it’s one of those memories that will be there forever can still see us Bernard’s carting loads of food and probably plenty of booze
Malcolm Howell The Railway & Miners Picnics to Lake Mahinapua were a great days outing for all the kids and teenagers. Who could forget that picnic and train journey.
Rob Elwood
Thanks for sharing this. Mahinapua is (still) as special place for us. My mother's family were coal miners from Taylorville in the 1920's & 30's (and before then). She often spoke of an annual Miner's Picnic at Mahinapua as a highlight of the year. (including the miners that never got further than the Mahinapua Pub). I wonder if anyone on Westcoast Recollect have any pictures or remembrances of the miner's picnics.
Heather Newby
Author
Admin
Rob Elwood i remember them too.. was always a great time out
Pam Sosky
Rob Elwood I remember them. So much fun.
Eleanor Morel
Rob Elwood I remember them too. It was a great day out. The bacon and egg pie, copious sandwiches, something sweet and cordial. The train journey then the long trek into the lake (well it seemed long fir small legs). The beautiful lake and a day of fun and maybe a boat ride. Then the reverse journey, tired but happy kids.
Stephen Lucas
Remember these well the train from Greymouth was too long for the station.
If the weather was bad a car would drive down the street with a loud speaker announcing if the picnic was on or off
Margaret Mulloy
I remember going to Mahinapua miners picnics. Great day out
Vern Pattinson
Margaret Mulloy me as well Marg we all would have been there together
Maree Nolan
We went every year and loved it,
Sonia Smith
I remember them fondly. Every year the train left from Stillwater where I lived. Always the best time
Reply6h
Catherine Moffitt Rowlands
Sonia Smith it sure was a great treat to go. Just loved them. I seem to remember the train had to stop at a few pubs on the way as well.
Richard Leach
Those times a trip home in the care of drunk engine driver and his off sider. They spent the day in the pub waiting to take us home
Truly wonderful days
Josephine Wesley
Great memories of the miners picnic. Ty for sharing.
Phil Millar
I can remember mum and dad taking me there for Railway picnics ,Dad was the Ganger on the Hokitika to Ross length,we lived in the 2nd Railway house at Ruataup !
Lenny Crowe
Remember them well great times
Pauline Schafer
We had miners picnics down there too, great fun!
Cathie Pengelly
Yip. Remember these as a kid
Anne Pattinson
Cathie Pengelly we had miners picnics there Grandma made the best pies for it. Men fighting on the train on the way home to much booze
Lois Iacoppi
I remember going there for a picnic as kids
Bruce Tones
I could have been there too, with my mum and dad, and kids, and not always miners and railway picnic, but wharfies picnic as well, kids were always given lollies and apples, on the traiin
Jock Allen
Great times Train leaving BlackBall with All the children with their Windmills hanging out of the windows also getting a fair amount of grit in their faces from the Steam Train Andy Kennendywould come through the carrigdges??and give all the children 2 Shillings each the money was comming from the Miners Relief Fund Train also stopped on the way for pickups Wonderful Days
Dawn N Jack Fearn
I used to go to those railway picnics with my cousins family.
Sandra Case
Great picture
Murray Webber
I remember going on these railway picnics, great fun
George Brown
What a great picture!!The days before DOC and sign posts everywhere telling you not to do stuff !
Faye York
George Brown I knew this area so well, it was ruined by DOC. I was so angry when they pulled out a really effective BBQ which had been used free of charge for years and replaced it with a crappy Australian designed (they sent me a copy of the plan when I complained ) one with a tiny hot plate. Never went back!! Another beautiful BBQ spot at Duffers Creek which had been lovingly cared for by Dept of Lands and Survey staff was another casualty of DOC. Too many degrees.
George Brown
Totally agree and at the fear of being labelled an ignorant old fart too many young staff from who are indoctrinated to the point of stupidity to carry out the rules .We can no longer even walk a dog on a lead in these areas .
Maureen Kelly
I remember the 3 legged race!
Lynn Hopkins
Simple things in life,the kids of today don’t know what they missed out on
We had the best times.
Judy Crestani
I remember the miners picnic in the maybe mid to late 60s. They had games for us kids and money prizes. Mum wanted to know where I got all the money from. I told her I entered every event I could. We lived at Rapahoe, so we got on the train in Runanga. I remember one was held at Mahinapua and one at Hokitika. No men were at these two picnics, just mums and heaps of kids
Glenys Elizabeth Martin
Think Every body from Greymouth and surrounding area s went (As Family's Great times )
Yvonne Lawson
Remember the Miners picnic. Got on at Runanga station.
Murry McKendry
Yvonne Lawson We got on at Greymouth.
Beryl Heperi
Loved those picnics
Shona Ratana
How I loved these picnics.
Anne Honey
Do u remember the school picnic and the train trip and walking over the bridge. Great days Glenys.Ann-maree Mclean
Mary Menzies is that your mum
Brian McIntyre
By 1959 I was now too old for that one started work in 57
Sandra Arnott
Used to go there awesome!
Rebekah Fairhurst Geer
Love love loved the railway picnics!!
Deborah Sweetman
Went a couple of times.Always raining.Ended up going to the movies in Hokitika.
Kath Stopforth
The most beautiful place!
Allan Upston
From L / R not sure of First Lady then Mrs Gwen Washer, Mrs Hatchard, Dennis Washer, Pam Hatchard, (Upston) Val Jones (Harrington) Raelene Washer Gloria Hatchard and Ray Maclean. ?
16h
Renee Panapa
thank you for these wonderful photos and memories. Seems so long ago and far away. Much water under the bridge.
Renee Panapa
I don't think I was involved in the sinking! We had great picnics, Nana's bacon and egg pies and cakes, etc. and there were lots of activities like egg and spoon and sack races, etc. Treasured memories of times spent with friends and family. xxx
Renee Panapa
fantastic fun times at the Miners Lake Mahinapua picnic (when it didn't get rained out). We always got a bag of fruit and lollies on the train and I loved throwing my lollies to the Maori kids at the Arahura bridge thinking maybe they didn't get any. Now I realise that they would have had heaps of whitebait fritters which I LOVE. At the picnic we would sometimes get a canoe to row out on the lake and I have seen the odd one sunk - don'
Gillian Williams
Loved going in late 1940, such fun, yes we had Apples wrapped in tissue paper
Chris Williams
There were two rail trips in the summer, in the early to mid 60's I recall. One was the combined Cobden schools and the miners picnic train from Greymouth to Lake Mahinapua. What a lot of fun we had when the train had to stop at the road[rail bridges. We were issued green apples prior to our stop at the Arahura Bridge. Their cores provided the ammo to fight the local Maori boys.
Keith White
Don't recall any, but may have been on some - Dad was chief stationmaster Greymouth and retired about 1964/
Christine Hansen
Fiona we were probably there
Heather Curtis
We loved going on these picnics.was lots of fun.they used to bring round cases of fruit for the kids.Families would all go an have a great time.The good old days.
Christine Hansen
Heather Curtis .. wasnt it great, yes the apples wrapped in tissue and the sack races, lolly scambles
Ann-maree Mclean
Mary Menzies is that your mum
Mary Menzies
Yes Ann-Marie it is.
Ann-maree Mclean
I thought so
Peter Gray
I remember them, leave Greymouth by train, stop at Hokitika to pick up other people but many from Greymouth ran over to the Railway hotel to stock up.
Everybody got off opersite the Manhinapua Hotel and walked to the lake, that is except for the men who visited the hotel. Great picnics
David Howe
I attended several rilway picnics in Hawke's Bay when young. Trains rain from Woodville to Napier, and then the Central Hawke's Bay trains ran from Waipukurau to Eskdale. Everyone enjoyed themselves, especially the children. Great days when all railwaymen and women shared the camerarderie of meeting others. You would finally see the face of the person that you only knew on the telephone the rest of the year. Wonderful days.
Graham Bone
Great days, enjoyed watching the people run from the Hotel when the train tooted on leaving.
Ross Miller
Drinking competition… beer from a baby’s bottle, teat and all. The symbolism is something else, but in those days PC was a police constable
Ross Miller
Probably at this. Have photos of one at Lake Kaniere
McKay Paul
Loved the miners picnic. Jacqui did you ever go. Dad didnt come was on dog watch so spent day at home catching up on sleep
Brian McIntyre
LAKE MAHINAPUA
During the 1950s, picnics were held at Lake Mahinapua, which is just South of Hokitika, and they were eagerly looked forward to, especially by the children. The Miners’ Union and the Wharfie’s Union would on separate occasions hire a train, which left from Greymouth and picked up along the way to Mahinapua. On the journey to the picnic, apples, lollies and ice cream tubs were given away to all the children. On arrival at Mahinipua, the men were jumping off the train before it had rolled to a stop and made straight for the hotel, which was only a stone’s throw from the railway line. The women and children, all loaded up with food, drink and a blanket for the ground had to walk about 400m from the train to the picnic ground. Right from the moment the train stopped, the females were on edge. The trek from the train must have looked like a mass arrival of refugees, with about 500 people walking the road, through beautiful native bush, to the large open grassed area on the shores of the lake. Athletic sports and boat rides helped fill in the day. The boat, a long open rowing boat type, with plank seats and sharp at each end, could carry about 20 kids and not a life jacket in sight. A single cylinder engine, in built, powered it and it moved at about seven knots, through the water, heavy with weed and tall reeds, with a slow pop, pop, pop, out through the side of the boat. During the day, some of the men would stagger down the road from the pub, to a hostile reception from the wives, but were soon dozing off and not taking much notice. At the end of the picnic, you could hear the steam train blowing its whistle in long blasts, telling people where ever they were, it’s time to go. Those pack horse wives, and tired kids, carried everything back along that gravel/ mud road and loaded it all on board the carriages. One very long blast on the whistle meant we’re off, and you might have thought the Police were raiding the pub, with men rushing out after the train, to climb on the moving carriages. Us kids thought it good entertainment, to see these guys, all red faced from running, some falling over trying to catch the train. By the time we walked from the Railway Station in Greymouth to Puketahi St, about half a mile,[600m] Mum was really exhausted and it would be an early night for all. Dad would be out cold on the couch in the kitchen, after a day on the booze.
David Howe
Railway picnics were a big thing back in those days, nearly every district had one.They were always looked forward to A great chance to meet people who you had only known by voice over the telephone.
Anne Honey
A lovely picnic spot.
Trisha Green
Great times remember when it was raining and we all went to the pictures instead. In Hokitika. And putting my head out the window of the train and ended up in chch to get the ember out.
Ann-maree Mclean
great days
Jenny Haines
They were great times as kids
Janine Vincent
I remember a bit about the railway ride to Lake Mahinapua in the late forties, early fifties, for the Railway picnics, as a young child it was the highlight of my year. Today my love of train travel is such a joy to enjoy.
Sandra Arnott
Good days eh!
Brian McIntyre
Loved those days
Pauline Schafer
I enjoyed reading all the comments. Lots of happy memories.
Jenny Haines
They were great times as kids
19h
Reply
James Codyre
There were many great places for picnics when I was young on the Coast.I remember going to Moana,Nelson Creek,Rapahoe,Punakaiki,Barrytown,Lake Kaniere,Mahanipua as some.
Brian McIntyre
LAKE MAHINAPUA
During the 1950s, picnics were held at Lake Mahinapua, which is just South of Hokitika, and they were eagerly looked forward to, especially by the children. The Miners’ Union and the Wharfie’s Union would on separate occasions hire a train, which left from Greymouth and picked up along the way to Mahinapua. On the journey to the picnic, apples, lollies and ice cream tubs were given away to all the children. On arrival at Mahinipua, the men were jumping off the train before it had rolled to a stop and made straight for the hotel, which was only a stone’s throw from the railway line. The women and children, all loaded up with food, drink and a blanket for the ground had to walk about 400m from the train to the picnic ground. Right from the moment the train stopped, the females were on edge. The trek from the train must have looked like a mass arrival of refugees, with about 500 people walking the road, through beautiful native bush, to the large open grassed area on the shores of the lake. Athletic sports and boat rides helped fill in the day. The boat, a long open rowing boat type, with plank seats and sharp at each end, could carry about 20 kids and not a life jacket in sight. A single cylinder engine, in built, powered it and it moved at about seven knots, through the water, heavy with weed and tall reeds, with a slow pop, pop, pop, out through the side of the boat. During the day, some of the men would stagger down the road from the pub, to a hostile reception from the wives, but were soon dozing off and not taking much notice. At the end of the picnic, you could hear the steam train blowing its whistle in long blasts, telling people where ever they were, it’s time to go. Those pack horse wives, and tired kids, carried everything back along that gravel/ mud road and loaded it all on board the carriages. One very long blast on the whistle meant we’re off, and you might have thought the Police were raiding the pub, with men rushing out after the train, to climb on the moving carriages. Us kids thought it good entertainment, to see these guys, all red faced from running, some falling over trying to catch the train. By the time we walked from the Railway Station in Greymouth to Puketahi St, about half a mile,[600m] Mum was really exhausted and it would be an early night for all. Dad would be out cold on the couch in the kitchen, after a day on the booze.
Bob Jamieson
Brian McIntyre One small correction, Brian. The Miners Picnic train left from Dunollie via Runanga (my home town) and then on to Mahinapua, cheers.
Mary Moffitt
Brian McIntyre Brian, I don’t remember that all men, as a body, went to the hotel. Firstly because most fathers were still at work, like my father, thus most families were comprised mainly of women and children. Also, all games and events were run by good sober men (and there were a lot of them present) and also sober men were involved in the boating etc. They needed to be sober. After all, the railwaymen and miners were on show and, remarkably, giving us spending money on the train, and money prizes in the athletic sports.
Young unattached men or grown sons possibly made up the group of drinkers you remember. I don’t even remember the ‘mad rush’ by the men from train to pub. I was always on the plate of the train with a blanket, alongside other ‘big kids’ ready to run for the lake to get the best picnic position for a family base, hence the blanket. I doubt that any blokes got off the the train ahead of us very often.
Similarly we raced back to the train to get the good family seats.
Brian, I am not denying the race of men between pub and train, just that it was a small group of men. I can’t sit by and have all of those wonderful railway and mining men included in what was NOT a pub-dash for them.
David Howe
Railway picnics were a big thing back in those days, nearly every district had one.They were always looked forward to A great chance to meet people who you had only known by voice over the telephone.
Heather Newby
Author
Admin
David Howe we went to coalminers picnics at lake mahinapua..we just loved those days.
David Howe
Heather Newby I love Lake Mahinapua. And the glow worms along the track leading in at night.
David Howe magical
Ken Meadowcroft
Heather Newby yep us 2 loved the miners picnics from Blackball all us kids got a 2&6 penny peice on the way down to Mahinapua on the train. 1/2 crown in them days. ha,ha,ha.wish we could go back to them days loved growing up back then.?
Anne Honey
A lovely picnic spot.
Trisha Green
Great times remember when it was raining and we all went to the pictures instead. In Hokitika. And putting my head out the window of the train and ended up in chch to get the ember out.
Ann-maree Mclean
great days
Jenny Haines
They were great times as kids
Janine Vincent
I remember a bit about the railway ride to Lake Mahinapua in the late forties, early fifties, for the Railway picnics, as a young child it was the highlight of my year. Today my love of train travel is such a joy to enjoy.
Sandra Arnott
Good days eh!
McKay Paul
Loved the miners picnic. Jacqui did you ever go. Dad didnt come was on dog watch so spent day at home catching up on sleep
Brian McIntyre
LAKE MAHINAPUA
During the 1950s, picnics were held at Lake Mahinapua, which is just South of Hokitika, and they were eagerly looked forward to, especially by the children. The Miners’ Union and the Wharfie’s Union would on separate occasions hire a train, which left from Greymouth and picked up along the way to Mahinapua. On the journey to the picnic, apples, lollies and ice cream tubs were given away to all the children. On arrival at Mahinipua, the men were jumping off the train before it had rolled to a stop and made straight for the hotel, which was only a stone’s throw from the railway line. The women and children, all loaded up with food, drink and a blanket for the ground had to walk about 400m from the train to the picnic ground. Right from the moment the train stopped, the females were on edge. The trek from the train must have looked like a mass arrival of refugees, with about 500 people walking the road, through beautiful native bush, to the large open grassed area on the shores of the lake. Athletic sports and boat rides helped fill in the day. The boat, a long open rowing boat type, with plank seats and sharp at each end, could carry about 20 kids and not a life jacket in sight. A single cylinder engine, in built, powered it and it moved at about seven knots, through the water, heavy with weed and tall reeds, with a slow pop, pop, pop, out through the side of the boat. During the day, some of the men would stagger down the road from the pub, to a hostile reception from the wives, but were soon dozing off and not taking much notice. At the end of the picnic, you could hear the steam train blowing its whistle in long blasts, telling people where ever they were, it’s time to go. Those pack horse wives, and tired kids, carried everything back along that gravel/ mud road and loaded it all on board the carriages. One very long blast on the whistle meant we’re off, and you might have thought the Police were raiding the pub, with men rushing out after the train, to climb on the moving carriages. Us kids thought it good entertainment, to see these guys, all red faced from running, some falling over trying to catch the train. By the time we walked from the Railway Station in Greymouth to Puketahi St, about half a mile,[600m] Mum was really exhausted and it would be an early night for all. Dad would be out cold on the couch in the kitchen, after a day on the booze.
Bob Jamieson
Brian McIntyre One small correction, Brian. The Miners Picnic train left from Dunollie via Runanga (my home town) and then on to Mahinapua, cheers.
Brian McIntyre
Bob Jamieson my ignorance Bob as the train was just sitting at Greymouth waiting for me
Edited
Bob Jamieson
Brian McIntyre You're forgiven, Brian, Cheers.
Brian McIntyre
Bob Jamieson but only now I never mentioned the Railways picnic. But Ill correct that
Mary Moffitt
Bob Jamieson Bob, the train picked us up at Stillwater every year.
We used to say that some people walked the whole way there and back. They went up and down through the carriages the whole journey. Some were quite over-excited and made it hard for folk with babies. Loved every minute every year for a couple of decades.
Noel Clark
Mary Moffitt yes Mary I remember them at that stage the best time. Three legged races and organized fun.great memories.
Mary Moffitt
Noel Clark It was wonderful, Noel. How are you?
McKay Paul
Bob Jamieson yes we caught it in runanga with a heap of others the highlight of our year.
Mary Moffitt
Brian McIntyre I suspect now, that carriages were hitched up at each junction, ie Stillwater and Greymouth. Hard to remember though.
Ken Meadowcroft
Brian McIntyre Brian was you known as frog back in the day.if yes I used to work with you at Rex & Terry Berchfeilds Modern Builders.
Mary Moffitt
Brian McIntyre Brian, I don’t remember that all men, as a body, went to the hotel. Firstly because most fathers were still at work, like my father, thus most families were comprised mainly of women and children. Also, all games and events were run by good sober men (and there were a lot of them present) and also sober men were involved in the boating etc. They needed to be sober. After all, the railwaymen and miners were on show and, remarkably, giving us spending money on the train, and money prizes in the athletic sports.
Young unattached men or grown sons possibly made up the group of drinkers you remember. I don’t even remember the ‘mad rush’ by the men from train to pub. I was always on the plate of the train with a blanket, alongside other ‘big kids’ ready to run for the lake to get the best picnic position for a family base, hence the blanket. I doubt that any blokes got off the the train ahead of us very often.
Similarly we raced back to the train to get the good family seats.
Brian, I am not denying the race of men between pub and train, just that it was a small group of men. I can’t sit by and have all of those wonderful railway and mining men included in what was NOT a pub-dash for them.
McKay Paul
Mary Moffitt that's right our dad was on dog watch at rewanui so stayed home for his sleep
Brian McIntyre
Loved those days
Pauline Schafer
I enjoyed reading all the comments. Lots of happy memories.
David Howe
Railway picnics were a big thing back in those days, nearly every district had one.They were always looked forward to A great chance to meet people who you had only known by voice over the telephone.
Anne Honey
A lovely picnic spot.
Trisha Green
Great times remember when it was raining and we all went to the pictures instead. In Hokitika. And putting my head out the window of the train and ended up in chch to get the ember out.
Ann-maree Mclean
great days
Jenny Haines
They were great times as kids
Janine Vincent
I remember a bit about the railway ride to Lake Mahinapua in the late forties, early fifties, for the Railway picnics, as a young child it was the highlight of my year. Today my love of train travel is such a joy to enjoy.
Sandra Arnott
Good days eh!
McKay Paul
Loved the miners picnic. Jacqui did you ever go. Dad didnt come was on dog watch so spent day at home catching up on sleep
Jacqui Low
McKay Paul yes I remember them too and I going over the rail bridge. I loved them
McKay Paul
Jacqui Low hanging out the windows on the train can't imagine that happening now
Jacqui Low
McKay Paul definitely not but they were fun times
Brian McIntyre
LAKE MAHINAPUA
During the 1950s, picnics were held at Lake Mahinapua, which is just South of Hokitika, and they were eagerly looked forward to, especially by the children. The Miners’ Union and the Wharfie’s Union would on separate occasions hire a train, which left from Greymouth and picked up along the way to Mahinapua. On the journey to the picnic, apples, lollies and ice cream tubs were given away to all the children. On arrival at Mahinipua, the men were jumping off the train before it had rolled to a stop and made straight for the hotel, which was only a stone’s throw from the railway line. The women and children, all loaded up with food, drink and a blanket for the ground had to walk about 400m from the train to the picnic ground. Right from the moment the train stopped, the females were on edge. The trek from the train must have looked like a mass arrival of refugees, with about 500 people walking the road, through beautiful native bush, to the large open grassed area on the shores of the lake. Athletic sports and boat rides helped fill in the day. The boat, a long open rowing boat type, with plank seats and sharp at each end, could carry about 20 kids and not a life jacket in sight. A single cylinder engine, in built, powered it and it moved at about seven knots, through the water, heavy with weed and tall reeds, with a slow pop, pop, pop, out through the side of the boat. During the day, some of the men would stagger down the road from the pub, to a hostile reception from the wives, but were soon dozing off and not taking much notice. At the end of the picnic, you could hear the steam train blowing its whistle in long blasts, telling people where ever they were, it’s time to go. Those pack horse wives, and tired kids, carried everything back along that gravel/ mud road and loaded it all on board the carriages. One very long blast on the whistle meant we’re off, and you might have thought the Police were raiding the pub, with men rushing out after the train, to climb on the moving carriages. Us kids thought it good entertainment, to see these guys, all red faced from running, some falling over trying to catch the train. By the time we walked from the Railway Station in Greymouth to Puketahi St, about half a mile,[600m] Mum was really exhausted and it would be an early night for all. Dad would be out cold on the couch in the kitchen, after a day on the booze.
Bob Jamieson
Brian McIntyre One small correction, Brian. The Miners Picnic train left from Dunollie via Runanga (my home town) and then on to Mahinapua, cheers.
Brian McIntyre
Bob Jamieson my ignorance Bob as the train was just sitting at Greymouth waiting for me
Bob Jamieson
Brian McIntyre You're forgiven, Brian, Cheers.
Brian McIntyre
Bob Jamieson but only now I never mentioned the Railways picnic. But Ill correct that
Mary Moffitt
Bob Jamieson Bob, the train picked us up at Stillwater every year.
We used to say that some people walked the whole way there and back. They went up and down through the carriages the whole journey. Some were quite over-excited and made it hard for folk with babies. Loved every minute every year for a couple of decades.
Noel Clark
Mary Moffitt yes Mary I remember them at that stage the best time. Three legged races and organized fun.great memories.
Mary Moffitt
Noel Clark It was wonderful, Noel. How are you?
McKay Paul
Bob Jamieson yes we caught it in runanga with a heap of others the highlight of our year.
Mary Moffitt
Brian McIntyre I suspect now, that carriages were hitched up at each junction, ie Stillwater and Greymouth. Hard to remember though.
Ken Meadowcroft
Brian McIntyre Brian was you known as frog back in the day.if yes I used to work with you at Rex & Terry Berchfeilds Modern Builders.
Mary Moffitt
Brian McIntyre Brian, I don’t remember that all men, as a body, went to the hotel. Firstly because most fathers were still at work, like my father, thus most families were comprised mainly of women and children. Also, all games and events were run by good sober men (and there were a lot of them present) and also sober men were involved in the boating etc. They needed to be sober. After all, the railwaymen and miners were on show and, remarkably, giving us spending money on the train, and money prizes in the athletic sports.
Young unattached men or grown sons possibly made up the group of drinkers you remember. I don’t even remember the ‘mad rush’ by the men from train to pub. I was always on the plate of the train with a blanket, alongside other ‘big kids’ ready to run for the lake to get the best picnic position for a family base, hence the blanket. I doubt that any blokes got off the the train ahead of us very often.
Similarly we raced back to the train to get the good family seats.
Brian, I am not denying the race of men between pub and train, just that it was a small group of men. I can’t sit by and have all of those wonderful railway and mining men included in what was NOT a pub-dash for them.
McKay Paul
Mary Moffitt that's right our dad was on dog watch at rewanui so stayed home for his sleep
Brian McIntyre
Loved those days
Pauline Schafer
I enjoyed reading all the comments. Lots of happy memories.
Editing is temporarily disabled
Cancel EditClick on the image to add
a tag or press ESC to cancel
a tag or press ESC to cancel
West Coast New Zealand History (30th Apr 2025). Railway picnic Lake Mahinapua , Jan 1959.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 21st Mar 2026 14:46, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/22767