Royal coalmine bin, Rainy Creek, Inangahua

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DescriptionI took this photo of what is likely the remains of a Royal coalmine bin back in 2011 when working in a tributary of the Inangahua River. It is up Rainy creek; there is an overgrown road and collapsed bridges on the way out to the Inangahua River which I guess was forded to get to the main road. Does anyone know much about when this coalmine operated. I know some nearby coal mines provided coal to fire boilers associated with hard rock goldmining in the area but the Royal operation may have been later?Map^[1]

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Location (city or town)Rainy Creek, InangahuaEventRoyal coalmine bin, Rainy Creek, Inangahua

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Category TagCoal Mining

From Facebook

Date Created4th March 2021CommentsAllan Archer
Tom Chandler, ? Curtis, Frank Hudson worked Rainy Creek, Frank Huddy was a young fella and ended up on the coal as Tom Chandler was training for boxing and pushed the box's for fitness, and used to run home to Reefton also.
Arthur Bass
Allan Archer Reg Curtis I think.
Des Mckenzie
My grandfather Frank O'Flaherty was a bridge builder and the bridge at rainy creek was one of his.
Michele Caldwell
Arthur Bass Cecil Curtis. He was friends with Dad

Bruce Baxter
It would have been all over by the mid1950,s . When we were kids we used to swim in the Inangahua river up at rainy creek the bridge piles were there in the early to mid 1960,s only on a good day as the sand flies drove you away . Davey Hammils father was the last owner of the royal mine , something like only 13000 tones was produced. The coal seam was very broken . Started by the Inkerman gold mine .
Robyn Spinks
Bruce Baxter We too used to go swimming and picnic at Rainy Creek, and remember the sandflies but had lots fun. My Dad Claude Butcher knew a lot about the mining in all these areas (we are related to Col Watts you mentioned). I have some old books but don’t know if they cover this area....will have a look sometime.

Paul Huffam
Sorry about the bad spelling - it should have started with Do you know much . . .

Glenn Johnston
Paul Huffam Yes I know a bit and have had three full days searching that area for old adits etc. Late last year I note that yet another geological survey of the area is underway which must be the third in the last 15 years or so. This site has threads … See More

Arthur Bass
Used to over there with Ben Alty and his Kids when he was Sergeant in Reefton. He used to spend a bit of time with a sluice box looking for gold.

Bruce Baxter
Arthur Bass thats awhile ago !!!!! we used to go that way to the big blow

Glenn Johnston
Bruce Baxter I've visited that former mining site and many others in Victoria Forest Park. I managed to relocate various former mine and stamper battery sites.
Paul Huffam
Glenn, Do you no much about the Alexander goldmine. I have been to the site several times and while there were still some buildings standing. I recall the teacher's bach there being up lifted and taken to Ikamatua school for the resident teachers. wo… See More

Bruce Baxter
Dianne Patchett, s dad Jack Sara drove the truck that carted the coal out

Glenn Johnston
Bruce Baxter what era are we talking about for when the mine was operating?

Arthur Bass
I can remember the bins up there. Not the mine working. Ray Chandler may know ?

Bruce Baxter
There was a bridge once the piles were still to be seen up to about the late 1970,s there is still a bit to see on the way to where the mine was .

Glenn Johnston
Bruce Baxter Do you mean a bridge over the Inangahua?

Bruce Baxter
Glenn Johnston yes it would have been abit like the original perserverance bridge most probably build by the miners them selves

Ray Chandler
Stan Griggs owned or worked a mine up Rainy creek at one time.

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Royal coalmine bin, Rainy Creek, Inangahua

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