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Capleston (aka Boatman's)
About this location
DescriptionCAPLESTON 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
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
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Category Information
Category TagGoldmining
West Coast New Zealand History (2nd May 2015). Capleston (aka Boatman's). In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 2nd Apr 2026 06:04, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/822