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Blacksmith shop at Taylorville operated by Claude Hartill from 1952 until his death in 1986.
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DescriptionBlacksmith shop at Taylorville operated by Claude Hartill from 1952 until his death in 1986.Date of Photo1952 - 1986Map[1] ContributorTom Hartill
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Location (city or town)TaylorvilleEventBlacksmith shop at Taylorville operated by Claude Hartill from 1952 until his death in 1986.
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Date Created12th February 2022CommentsLeeanne Sneddon
Aw I spent so much of my childhood holidays in this shed with Claude, watching him make magic with fire and steel I'm humbled and blessed to have had people like him and his gift touch my life's journey
Richard Howe
A lot of memories would be created by this photo i think. I love old buildings like that.
Craig Benbow
Remember Claude fondly, I watched and learned from him how to shoe the horse. Might struggle to do it now but
Herb Hart
Went there with Dad quite a few times in the 50s
Anne Hines
Claude use to shoe mine, lovely man…can still see his wee van and the anvil
Graham Hay
I took some car springs out there to get reset, didn't him long, Claude surely knew what he was doing.
Chris Carroll
My dad was friends with your dad.
Glenn Johnston
I remember Claude from the 1970's. I had dealings with him before you Tom.
Ed Dando
Knew Claude at the Dobson mine where I worked in the school holidays. I'm am still mesmerized by him making horse shoes
Helen Burns
Lots of great
Memories there with grandad
Alan Messenger
Remember your dad well Tom and all that he did for cycling on the Coast.
Sandra Ilton
Can remember this when I was young
Percy Billett
Been in that shed when Claude did my car springs. he allso shoed our ponys
Sandra Sands
Hi Tom. Arthur here I remember a pea gun fight with you and Don and I fell off the roof and broke my collar bone
Reply
11h
Margaret Mulloy
Great family remember Claude well.
Jon Elley
Fond memories of visiting him getting car springs reset or he also use to make us trailer springs from car ones . My grandparents were friends with your folks Tom and they always loved to talk about that . Great times .
Thelma Wilkins
I remember those days. Such great memories
Dennis Minehan
And who has the treasured anvil. I have no idea wher my grand fathers anvil went. Used to love the sound belting it as a kid.
Tom Hartill
Dennis Minehan The small one he carried in his car is still in the family.
Kaye'Mike Finch
Dennis Minehan It funny how an old anvil can mean so much to you after someone you treasure has gone.l have Dad's one and now I'm trying to work out how I can smuggle it into the lounge as Kaye's idea.
Bill Liddell
Went there with Dad as a kid a number or times Something to do with tensioning springs ???
Matthew Howard
He re-sprung my springs for me…….I had to put rocks in my boot!
Nancy Irene Wakelin
He sure was a nice guy. We were looking for a heavy horse and he found us a perfect one. Probably knew all the horses around because of his shoeing.
Sandra Arnott
Yip loved his work real nice man!
James Codyre
My uncles had a mining timber contract and Claud would come out the bush with a mobile forge and shoe the draughthorses.As he pared the hooves,blowflies and wasps would fight over the shavings.
Debbie Ansett
Awww yes I remember so well watching your Dad forging the shoes\
Bazza Morland
Noooo !
Mary Moffitt
I remember him well as he visited our area.
Barry Mcgreevy
Very fond memories of claude Still got photos of claude and jessie Spent a lot time at there place while growing up
Rob Lunn
He was the only man who could successfully reset the early Landrover springs and would never charge enough
Alan Shirley
I sometimes used to go to the Dobson mine on a Saturday and would watch Claude working. He was good friends with Dad and used to call in for a cuppa after going his horse shoeing. I remember a buddha statue in the lounge at his house
John Ryall
Warmed my bum often while we discussed many topics
Dennis Minehan
Our relatives the Harris Family lived up the Turnbull, just south of Haast.They moved in the early sixtie's I think.??? When the Road to haast was completed we drove through in 1965 and visited the old homestead.Was known as the Pondorosa where a lot of characters that worked at Carters Mill lived. When we visited there were all the relics of days gone by scattered all over the property.The most vivid I recall were the old bellows sitting by one of the sheds weathering away. They were a creamy canvas type.The old house was a relic to the first settlers in the district.
John White
Yes. Fond memories Tom. Your Dad was a gruff old bugger with a heart of gold. Could fix anything.
Terri Prince
I have fond memories visiting Claude & Jessie's home in Taylorville with my parents as a youngster, always a cuppa and cookies on hand, a visit into the back shed with Dad and Claude, where they'd talk for hours both with the same interests. I believe my Grandad Owen Prince was Claude's best Man at his wedding or visa versa I'd be interested to see a photo.
Bill Stephenson
I remember seeing the welding flashes at Wallsend from Claude welding at night from his w/shop in Taylorville. I spent a little time working with him in the workshop at the mine before going underground. There were some real characters there at that time. Great sorts, great memoriesKerry Keating
Knew Claude reasonably well. Always struck me as a damn good man.
Shona McEnaney
It has seen its day. Still standing that’s good?
Tom Hartill
No, it's been gone 30 years Shona.
Andy Grigg
My Toyota Landcruiser truck which I brought back from Oz in late 70's, bent a spring,but Claude heat-treated it straight,no problem!Blacksmithing sure is an art!
Heather Reid
Claude an my dad Charlie Reid were great friends
Kym Murdoch
Claude used to shoe my horse in Cobden always called the horses Biddy must have been easier than remembering all the names. He was a great farrier never lost any shoes lol
Don Hartill
new windows in the shop there Tom /// ay
Tom Hartill
That was from the miniature cannon I made.
Denise Bradley
Watched him making horse shoes in that shed
Karen Peters
Lots of memories Tom. Claude made plenty of sets of shoes in there for my horses over the years. He liked to come shoe my grey horse at the end of his shoeing years, because he was a good old fella to shoe.he was one of his last to do. Very fond memories of Claude
Maurice O'Flaherty
great black smith did my rear springs for my mark 1 zephyr
Arthur Bass
Maurice O'Flaherty those real blacksmiths did car springs up real well compared to modern day ones.
Vern Pattinson
Maurice O'Flaherty me to Maurice made a great job
Debbie Ansett
Would go and watch him make the shoes.
Leanda Moka
Jessie hartills family
Reply
6h
Josephine Morehu
Leanda Moka is Jessie still around?
Leanda Moka
Josephine Morehu no mate she passed away awhile back can't remember what year
Geoffrey Collis
Meet Claude with Johnny Taft both top blacksmiths RIP boys.
Leanda Moka
She was a very dear mate of mine back in the 80s as was she to many others up and down the coast
Josephine Morehu
Leanda Moka last seen her pre-earthquakes in the bus station.
Leanda Moka
Josephine Morehu okay was she in chch then
Josephine Morehu
Leanda Moka can't remember exactly - she looked amazing - but told me she was very ill. Brings back old memories - Vera and ? - Joey Reynolds - hell sakes - I can remember situs - names avoid me. It's climate change
Josephine Morehu
anything older than a week ago, gets slotted in the 'this happened one day' - a while ago
or hmmmmmm file
I'm sure I met your grand/son in the supermarket the other day
young guy asked me a question, I thought - "ooo - helookslike, Jimmy Moka.
handsome fulla
Jude Alfeld
Best blacksmith so great with us kids and our ponies
John Ryall
The best great man spent moments warning the body bye the furnace in the Winter months many great discussions about most things warming
Kelvin Pawson
where in Taylorville was this as we have just moved into that town
Reply
22h
Mark Crook
Great man. I remember talking to Claude in the 80’s. Very interesting man.
Mark Crook
Names that come up from the past Johnny Taft was a nice man did shoes for a horse a brought for my daughter and wife back in the day. Rip to Johnny & Claude.
Leeanne Sneddon
Spent many a day as a wee kid up there watching Claude
Garry Wick
I remember Claude when he was the blacksmith at the Dobson Coal Mine ..
Noel Clark
I remember seeing Claude working in shed when Tommy, Harry peters I meet to go training .
Maurice O'Flaherty
Great at doing car rear springs
Vern Pattinson
Maurice O'Flaherty he did my Mark one spring great job
Debbie Ansett
I remember going and watching him making the shoes. A true craftsman.
Sandra Sands
I fell off this roof when me and Don were hiding from Tom. I broke my collarbone
Jenny Adamson
Sandra Sands that sounds like something you would do Arthur.
Sandra Arnott
He was an awesome farrier,always happy eh!
I was just a wee un and I'd go watch him making shoes for the horses yip true Debbie Ansett a true craftsman.
Karen Potter
He was great with horses. Good Joker.
Rochelle French
Was that the section next to the shop on the corner, I vaguely remember a story or two, if I have it right,
31m
Ed Dando
Remember watching him make shoes at the Dobson mine
fire Sticker
David Clarke
Many a visit there to get springs set up for Landrovers/Vanguards for Union Garage.
Jill Cowan
Great blacksmith great guy
Annie Van Looy
I used to ride to claudes shed from Greymouth on my old pony Noddy to get shod and then ride home again such a nice man
Allan Upston
Remember it well
Denise Bradley
Remember it well. Also when he would come out to shoe the horses. Not pins in his mouth but nails.
Bert Chandler
Looks like that's been there a long time even in 52
Geoffrey Collis
A good horseman Claude taught my good friend John Taft to blacksmith and deal with horses.
Leeanne Sneddon
I loved Claude I was just a wee un and I'd go watch him making shoes for the horses yip true Debbie Ansett a true craftsman.
Sandra Sands
I fell off this roof when me and Don were hiding from Tom. I broke my collarbone
Kelvin Pawson
Was this on the corner of Oxford Street where the empty section is
Rochelle French
Was that the section next to the shop on the corner, I vaguely remember a story or two, if I have it right,
Chris Carroll
Used to visit with dad
Doreen Wallis
We used to get horse shoes from him and between my Dad and Claude they could realign any hoof issues slowly slowly
Aw I spent so much of my childhood holidays in this shed with Claude, watching him make magic with fire and steel I'm humbled and blessed to have had people like him and his gift touch my life's journey
Richard Howe
A lot of memories would be created by this photo i think. I love old buildings like that.
Craig Benbow
Remember Claude fondly, I watched and learned from him how to shoe the horse. Might struggle to do it now but
Herb Hart
Went there with Dad quite a few times in the 50s
Anne Hines
Claude use to shoe mine, lovely man…can still see his wee van and the anvil
Graham Hay
I took some car springs out there to get reset, didn't him long, Claude surely knew what he was doing.
Chris Carroll
My dad was friends with your dad.
Glenn Johnston
I remember Claude from the 1970's. I had dealings with him before you Tom.
Ed Dando
Knew Claude at the Dobson mine where I worked in the school holidays. I'm am still mesmerized by him making horse shoes
Helen Burns
Lots of great
Memories there with grandad
Alan Messenger
Remember your dad well Tom and all that he did for cycling on the Coast.
Sandra Ilton
Can remember this when I was young
Percy Billett
Been in that shed when Claude did my car springs. he allso shoed our ponys
Sandra Sands
Hi Tom. Arthur here I remember a pea gun fight with you and Don and I fell off the roof and broke my collar bone
Reply
11h
Margaret Mulloy
Great family remember Claude well.
Jon Elley
Fond memories of visiting him getting car springs reset or he also use to make us trailer springs from car ones . My grandparents were friends with your folks Tom and they always loved to talk about that . Great times .
Thelma Wilkins
I remember those days. Such great memories
Dennis Minehan
And who has the treasured anvil. I have no idea wher my grand fathers anvil went. Used to love the sound belting it as a kid.
Tom Hartill
Dennis Minehan The small one he carried in his car is still in the family.
Kaye'Mike Finch
Dennis Minehan It funny how an old anvil can mean so much to you after someone you treasure has gone.l have Dad's one and now I'm trying to work out how I can smuggle it into the lounge as Kaye's idea.
Bill Liddell
Went there with Dad as a kid a number or times Something to do with tensioning springs ???
Matthew Howard
He re-sprung my springs for me…….I had to put rocks in my boot!
Nancy Irene Wakelin
He sure was a nice guy. We were looking for a heavy horse and he found us a perfect one. Probably knew all the horses around because of his shoeing.
Sandra Arnott
Yip loved his work real nice man!
James Codyre
My uncles had a mining timber contract and Claud would come out the bush with a mobile forge and shoe the draughthorses.As he pared the hooves,blowflies and wasps would fight over the shavings.
Debbie Ansett
Awww yes I remember so well watching your Dad forging the shoes\
Bazza Morland
Noooo !
Mary Moffitt
I remember him well as he visited our area.
Barry Mcgreevy
Very fond memories of claude Still got photos of claude and jessie Spent a lot time at there place while growing up
Rob Lunn
He was the only man who could successfully reset the early Landrover springs and would never charge enough
Alan Shirley
I sometimes used to go to the Dobson mine on a Saturday and would watch Claude working. He was good friends with Dad and used to call in for a cuppa after going his horse shoeing. I remember a buddha statue in the lounge at his house
John Ryall
Warmed my bum often while we discussed many topics
Dennis Minehan
Our relatives the Harris Family lived up the Turnbull, just south of Haast.They moved in the early sixtie's I think.??? When the Road to haast was completed we drove through in 1965 and visited the old homestead.Was known as the Pondorosa where a lot of characters that worked at Carters Mill lived. When we visited there were all the relics of days gone by scattered all over the property.The most vivid I recall were the old bellows sitting by one of the sheds weathering away. They were a creamy canvas type.The old house was a relic to the first settlers in the district.
John White
Yes. Fond memories Tom. Your Dad was a gruff old bugger with a heart of gold. Could fix anything.
Terri Prince
I have fond memories visiting Claude & Jessie's home in Taylorville with my parents as a youngster, always a cuppa and cookies on hand, a visit into the back shed with Dad and Claude, where they'd talk for hours both with the same interests. I believe my Grandad Owen Prince was Claude's best Man at his wedding or visa versa I'd be interested to see a photo.
Bill Stephenson
I remember seeing the welding flashes at Wallsend from Claude welding at night from his w/shop in Taylorville. I spent a little time working with him in the workshop at the mine before going underground. There were some real characters there at that time. Great sorts, great memoriesKerry Keating
Knew Claude reasonably well. Always struck me as a damn good man.
Shona McEnaney
It has seen its day. Still standing that’s good?
Tom Hartill
No, it's been gone 30 years Shona.
Andy Grigg
My Toyota Landcruiser truck which I brought back from Oz in late 70's, bent a spring,but Claude heat-treated it straight,no problem!Blacksmithing sure is an art!
Heather Reid
Claude an my dad Charlie Reid were great friends
Kym Murdoch
Claude used to shoe my horse in Cobden always called the horses Biddy must have been easier than remembering all the names. He was a great farrier never lost any shoes lol
Don Hartill
new windows in the shop there Tom /// ay
Tom Hartill
That was from the miniature cannon I made.
Denise Bradley
Watched him making horse shoes in that shed
Karen Peters
Lots of memories Tom. Claude made plenty of sets of shoes in there for my horses over the years. He liked to come shoe my grey horse at the end of his shoeing years, because he was a good old fella to shoe.he was one of his last to do. Very fond memories of Claude
Maurice O'Flaherty
great black smith did my rear springs for my mark 1 zephyr
Arthur Bass
Maurice O'Flaherty those real blacksmiths did car springs up real well compared to modern day ones.
Vern Pattinson
Maurice O'Flaherty me to Maurice made a great job
Debbie Ansett
Would go and watch him make the shoes.
Leanda Moka
Jessie hartills family
Reply
6h
Josephine Morehu
Leanda Moka is Jessie still around?
Leanda Moka
Josephine Morehu no mate she passed away awhile back can't remember what year
Geoffrey Collis
Meet Claude with Johnny Taft both top blacksmiths RIP boys.
Leanda Moka
She was a very dear mate of mine back in the 80s as was she to many others up and down the coast
Josephine Morehu
Leanda Moka last seen her pre-earthquakes in the bus station.
Leanda Moka
Josephine Morehu okay was she in chch then
Josephine Morehu
Leanda Moka can't remember exactly - she looked amazing - but told me she was very ill. Brings back old memories - Vera and ? - Joey Reynolds - hell sakes - I can remember situs - names avoid me. It's climate change
Josephine Morehu
anything older than a week ago, gets slotted in the 'this happened one day' - a while ago
or hmmmmmm file
I'm sure I met your grand/son in the supermarket the other day
young guy asked me a question, I thought - "ooo - helookslike, Jimmy Moka.
handsome fulla
Jude Alfeld
Best blacksmith so great with us kids and our ponies
John Ryall
The best great man spent moments warning the body bye the furnace in the Winter months many great discussions about most things warming
Kelvin Pawson
where in Taylorville was this as we have just moved into that town
Reply
22h
Mark Crook
Great man. I remember talking to Claude in the 80’s. Very interesting man.
Mark Crook
Names that come up from the past Johnny Taft was a nice man did shoes for a horse a brought for my daughter and wife back in the day. Rip to Johnny & Claude.
Leeanne Sneddon
Spent many a day as a wee kid up there watching Claude
Garry Wick
I remember Claude when he was the blacksmith at the Dobson Coal Mine ..
Noel Clark
I remember seeing Claude working in shed when Tommy, Harry peters I meet to go training .
Maurice O'Flaherty
Great at doing car rear springs
Vern Pattinson
Maurice O'Flaherty he did my Mark one spring great job
Debbie Ansett
I remember going and watching him making the shoes. A true craftsman.
Sandra Sands
I fell off this roof when me and Don were hiding from Tom. I broke my collarbone
Jenny Adamson
Sandra Sands that sounds like something you would do Arthur.
Sandra Arnott
He was an awesome farrier,always happy eh!
I was just a wee un and I'd go watch him making shoes for the horses yip true Debbie Ansett a true craftsman.
Karen Potter
He was great with horses. Good Joker.
Rochelle French
Was that the section next to the shop on the corner, I vaguely remember a story or two, if I have it right,
31m
Ed Dando
Remember watching him make shoes at the Dobson mine
fire Sticker
David Clarke
Many a visit there to get springs set up for Landrovers/Vanguards for Union Garage.
Jill Cowan
Great blacksmith great guy
Annie Van Looy
I used to ride to claudes shed from Greymouth on my old pony Noddy to get shod and then ride home again such a nice man
Allan Upston
Remember it well
Denise Bradley
Remember it well. Also when he would come out to shoe the horses. Not pins in his mouth but nails.
Bert Chandler
Looks like that's been there a long time even in 52
Geoffrey Collis
A good horseman Claude taught my good friend John Taft to blacksmith and deal with horses.
Leeanne Sneddon
I loved Claude I was just a wee un and I'd go watch him making shoes for the horses yip true Debbie Ansett a true craftsman.
Sandra Sands
I fell off this roof when me and Don were hiding from Tom. I broke my collarbone
Kelvin Pawson
Was this on the corner of Oxford Street where the empty section is
Rochelle French
Was that the section next to the shop on the corner, I vaguely remember a story or two, if I have it right,
Chris Carroll
Used to visit with dad
Doreen Wallis
We used to get horse shoes from him and between my Dad and Claude they could realign any hoof issues slowly slowly
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West Coast New Zealand History (16th Jun 2025). Blacksmith shop at Taylorville operated by Claude Hartill from 1952 until his death in 1986.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 6th Apr 2026 20:02, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/30644