Former Westport Coal Co. building in Wellington.

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DescriptionThe Westport Coal Company was founded in 1881 when a group of Dunedin businessmen purchased the mines of the Westport Colliery Company Ltd. The company developed the remote West Coast coalfields at Coalbrookdale (Denniston) and Granity Creek (Millerton) and was once New Zealand’s largest coal producer. It had a head office in Dunedin with depots in most cities and large towns throughout
New Zealand. The Union Steam Ship Company was a major shareholder and customer, and by strategic asset acquisition, held a virtual monopoly of West Coast coal until the intervention of Richard Seddon’s government in 1901 with the establishment of the State Coal Mines.
The Westport Coal Company traded from premises at Queen’s Chambers, Post Office Square, with branches on Dixon Street, Tinakori-Road and Tasman Streets until 1915 when a site was purchased on the ‘Taranaki-Street extension’. They commissioned
architects Penty and Lawrence to design a two storey brick building with a manager’s office at ground floor and a showroom on the first floor levels. The new premises were said to be ‘a fine building’ located on a site near Te Aro Station that had
previously been used by travelling circuses. The elevations were of ‘red brick relieved with white stucco facings’, the ceilings were of pressed metal with rimu paneling and plastered walls. The rear yard was fitted with a ‘self-recording weigh bridge and the total cost of construction was approximately £3000.
The Westport Coal company went into a decline in the 1930's due in part to the displacement of coal by oil fuel and hydroelectric power, as well as reductions in the country’s rail service and by a reduction in demand for coal in industry caused by the economic depression.5 The outbreak of war in 1939 led to a strong demand for coal.
Coal mining was declared an essential industry in 1942, and all the mines in the Grey River valley were nationalised in that year. In 1948 the nation’s remaining coal deposits were nationalised and the Westport Coal Company was either nationalised or ceased to trade at around this time.
Map^[1]ContributorClaire Ward

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Location (city or town)WestportWellington

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Category TagOld buildings

From Facebook

Date Created3rd September 2019CommentsRoger Gardiner I worked in that building, on and off in the 60’s and early 70’s. It was the State Coal Depot at that time. The building has been relocated across the road and is now The Circa theatre. I have been to the the theatre a few times and when I mentioned that I worked in this building,nobody believed me. My response was, look at the doors they had WCC on the glass

Fiona Beals Roger Gardiner thanks so much for making this connection for me. I have always wondered why Circa has the title of Westport and it is special seeing two pieces of Westport - this building and the giant Karamea Granite rock - opening the entrance to our place - Te Papa

Ken Meadowcroft Roger Gardiner My late brother in-law also worked there in that period Roger.I wondered if you new him. Jack McGuigan. ( John sometimes).

Roger Gardiner Yes, I do remember him. He also worked at State Coal Head Office

John Rosanowski The Westport Coal Co were ruthless employers. You should read their callous record in books such as Len Richardson's. The tough life for miners and their families can be sheeted home to companies like this.

Ken Meadowcroft John Rosanowski All the big companies are ruthless John even today. It's all about the bottom line mate. Cheers.

Don Hutton John Rosanowski, Ken Meadowcroft True. There are graphic illustrations of children slaving in mines in the past. In more recent times the film "Brassed Off" depicted owner's continued callousness over many centuries. Is there a list of the founding board of WCC? I have a feeling one of my long deceased Dunedin rellies was on it.

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Former Westport Coal Co. building in Wellington.

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