Public works camp at Bruce Bay. 1939

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DescriptionThis 1939 photo from the Auckland Weekly News is a splendid illustration of the transition of Mahitahi/Bruce Bay, from a Maori kainga in the 1860s to a tiny Post Office for the local settler farmers up the valley in the 1900s, to a roadmen's camp in the 1930s.
The Bruce Bay Hall was built here about the same time, originally as a Public Works hall, followed by the sawmill across the river. When the sawmill closed and the Public Works pulled out, having completed the road link from Fox Glacier to Bruce Bay, very little remained of 1940s Bruce Bay - the hall, the former Public Works house (Cadigans), a store and a couple of other houses. Most others lived at Jacobs River and Hunts Beach.Date of Photo1939Map^[1]ContributorDyan Hansen

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Location (city or town)Bruce Bay

Category Information

Category TagOld buildingsMenuBy Topic | Working Life | Industry Last edited by: Tracey Butler

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LinkBruce BayCommentsDyan Hansen
August 18, 2014 ·

Hi Betty Tindale. My Nana and Grandad spent the very early part of their marriage living in public works camps in South Westland while Grandad worked on bridges and roads. Quite possibly in the camp in the photo. I need to ask my Uncle where they were based "back in the day" before he drove the Davenport loci at the Bruce Bay sawmill and punting stores and goods from Flower Pot Rock landing to shore and back.

William Albert Whitehead the Cadigans moved to PWD at Inangahua during WW2. I was in same class as Bill at IJ school. Family, including yournger brother Joe, moved to ChCh later.
31 May 2014 at 12:29 · Like · 1

Heather Newby William Albert Whitehead How many kids went to the IJ school when you were there? and what was it like there? We pass through there twice a year to come down to Greymouth
1 June 2014 at 11:45 · Like

William Albert Whitehead When I drove the first Days Motors bus on Group Travel tour, into Haast from the East in 1962, I had picnic lunch taken from Hotel Cromwell (Dan Douglas Prop) in Okura Hall, about 6 mlles south of Haast. Minister opened road next day.
1 June 2014 at 15:25 · Edited · Like

Heather Newby I think the Okuru hall is still there. We stayed down at Haast last xmas
2 June 2014 at 11:43 · Like

Heather Newby William Albert WhiteheadDad took us down to Haast not long after the bridge opened.did you actually attend the opening?

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