A novel church bell: method of calling worshippers to the House of Prayer at Capleston.1915.

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DescriptionA novel church bell: method of calling worshippers to the House of Prayer at Capleston.

CAPLESTON is still spoken of by old residents as Boatman's, its original designation.

The settlement is eleven miles from Reefton, via Cronadun, six miles distant. It is in the Boatman's riding of the county of Inangahua, in the electorate of Buller, and the provincial district of Nelson. Boatman's creek, a tributary of the Inangahua river, flows through the valley.

The township contains two hotels, a store, a blacksmith's shop, a public library, and a public school, which is attended by about twentyfive children. The local post office, where money order and savings bank business may be transacted, has a telephone bureau. There are two churches—a Roman Catholic and an Anglican—and in the latter various Protestant bodies hold their services.

In the Victoria Range, nine miles distant, there are numerous quartz reefs, including Kirwan's Reward Mine. Mining is the staple industry of Capleston, and there are several dredges at work. Good coal is found in the district, and some farming is carried on.

The neighbouring mountains rise to altitudes, varying from 3,430 feet to 4,247 feet, and, further inland toward the Mauria river, are situated Mount Victoria, 5,237 feet, and Mount Ralph, 5,070 feet.

At the census of 1901, Capleston had a population of 153 persons, with 20 more on the Capleston road. There is a coach service between Cronadun and Capleston Last edited by: Tracey Butler

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19150715-48-03

PhotographerAuckland Weekly News; Archer, E MDate of Photo1915Map^[1]External LinkAUCKLAND LIBRARYContributorHeather Newby

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Location (city or town)CaplestonEventA novel church bell: method of calling worshippers to the house of prayer at Capleston.1915.

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From Facebook

Date Created27th March 2026CommentsAllan Archer
Photographer would be Eva Archer, my Great Grandfathers Sister.born in Capleston 1894, married in that church one year after the photo was taken.

Jan Page
Wonderful photo xx

Pete Lusk
Great photo!!

Colleen Yee
Which church was this bell at? ?

Allan Archer
Colleen Yee , Anglican probably, the Catholic ( St Luke's) has no trees around it, nor a fence in a 1910 photo.

VickiJohn Williamson
Allan Archer - are you the local bell ringer these days?

Allan Archer
VickiJohn Williamson ,,ha ha haven't got the beard,nor his age,,maybe ? ? yet John,,,looks like an old dredge bucket cutting edge,,,very innovative up this valley mate

Pete Lusk
VickiJohn Williamson I was thinking the same…edge of a dredge bucket…we have a few in Alexandra….another goldtown.

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A novel church bell: method of calling worshippers to the House of Prayer at Capleston.1915.

Editing is temporarily disabled