McKay's Creek Powerhouse, Kaniere River

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Description The man standing in front of the whitebait factory, appears to be WCSHI member Annetta Karam's ancestor Thomas Foxcroft who opened the first one in Hokitika.

Darian Zam
My memory's a little vague on this but yes the McKays one was in particular started as a water race developed for gold dredging in the 1870s. I think later sometimes so much electricity was diverted to dredging/mining that towns in the area would not have enough supply, therefore in part to combat this the government undertook the major public works scheme to expand hydro generation between the late 1920s to late 1930s all through the West Coast and Westland. Probably not entirely accurate but the gist is it became a problem for everyone.
Map^[1]ContributorDarian Zam

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Location (city or town)KaniereMcKay's CreekPersonThomas FoxcroftEventMcKay's Creek powerhouse, Kaniere River

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Date CreatedBetween 19th February 2023 and 12th February 2023CommentsIan Andrew Jonson
What was the power for?

Bob Jamieson
Ian Andrew Jonson Probably for the Gold Dredge.

Kev Rasmussen
Ian Andrew Jonson I far as I’m awear it was built to power the mining in Ross.

Darian Zam
My memory's a little vague on this but yes the McKays one was in particular started as a water race developed for gold dredging in the 1870s. I think later sometimes so much electricity was diverted to dredging/mining that towns in the area would not have enough supply, therefore in part to combat this the government undertook the major public works scheme to expand hydro generation between the late 1920s to late 1930s all through the West Coast and Westland. Probably not entirely accurate but the gist is it became a problem for everyone.

Murry McKendry
Still is a problem in the South when you look at Tiwia point refinery

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McKay's Creek Powerhouse, Kaniere River

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