Water-Race License document showing a Westland Mining District Warden's Court stamp.1913.

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DescriptionHow many people realise that Westland once had its own specialist courts for mining matters? These were called "Warden's Courts" and the warden for each mining district acted like a magistrate hearing disputes, issuing licenses etc. with staff registering claims, water races, dams, drainage areas, occupation sites, timber use rights etc. This snippet from a Water-Race License document shows a clear impression of a Westland Mining District Warden's Court stamp.Date of Photo1918Map^[1]ContributorGlenn Johnston

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Location (city or town)HokitikaLandmark (Place)Water-Race License Organisation (eg business)Westland Mining District Warden's CourtEventWater-Race License document showing a Westland Mining District Warden's Court stamp.1913.

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Date Created26th May 2020CommentsAnne Honey Wow can they be viewed on line on paper anywhere we can look.
Glenn Johnston This is from a document in my possession not one found on line but as far as I know the Lands and Survey or their successors scanned and digitised their copies of such information and they are searchable just like land titles are. Fees are likely payable though! Someone will know the details! LINZ (Land Information NZ) would be the people to contact.
Anne Honey Thank you Glenn
Phyllis Aberhart Very interesting
Paul Robin Love your posts thanks Glenn...
Ivan Murray Wilson Just read a book by "Warratah" one of our classics, where he interviews and writes about these wardens. Published in 1906.
Ivan Murray Wilson Re print in about 1983 by Capper Press Christchurch. Covers a lot of other aspects of life here in the 18 hundreds.
Glenn Johnston Some of the early goldfields wardens have their names commemorated in place or street names. For example Kynnersley had two small settlements named after him, Mackay has a street in Greymouth, Revell a street in Hokitika and Sale a street in Hokitika.
David Verrall Some miners used 'advocates' in court, who knew the mining regulations and could represent the miners. One of these, quite well known, was Richard John Seddon who later became an MP, and in 1891 was appointed Minister of Mines. He was responsible for the School of Mining which was set up on the Coast.

Rick Giles
Today's Greymouth Star mentions the fate of the Warden's Court in 1973.
Matters once handled by the judicial branch were transferred to The Mines Department in Wellington. In other words, royalty and rents were being re-directed into the coffers of Central Government. Specifically, Norman Kirk's pockets.

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Water-Race License document showing a Westland Mining District Warden's Court stamp.1913.

Editing is temporarily disabled