Mining: the life blood of the West Coast’s economy

Looking back at Stafford – a West Coast mining hamlet

Stafford is a mining hamlet situated on the Waimea Creek, and on the main West Coast road, eight miles from Hokitika.

It was once described as being in the Arahura riding of the county of Westland, and in the Electorate and Provincial District of Westland. The first “rush” to the area took place in 1865, and it is stated that in 1870 the township contained thirty-seven hotels and seventeen stores. It is estimated that at that time the population exceeded 5,000 people, amongst whom were a large proportion of Scandinavians. Stafford, in its palmiest days (which ended about 1875), was a payable field. It has contributed a fair quota of gold over its lifetime but the diggings are now nearly worked out, although a few good sluicing claims still remain; amongst them the “Wheel of Fortune.”

Caption: View of Stafford, Westland, West Coast, across a stream. Photographed circa 1910 by William Archer Price. Stafford Cemetery. 1971. Group portrait of pioneers of Stafford, photographed in 1911 by an unidentified photographer.

Stafford 1901: The nearest railway station is three miles and a-half distant, on the Greymouth-Hokitika line. There are four churches in the settlement; namely, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Roman Catholic, and the clergymen in connection with all come from Kumara, ten miles distant. The Government buildings are represented by the local Magistrate’s Court and Police Station, and the business of the Post Office is conducted at one of the local stores. There are also two hotels, a blacksmith’s smithy, and a bootmaker’s shop. Stafford has a public library, a reading room, an Oddfellows’ Lodge, and a local public school. At the census of 1901 the population numbered 116.

Mining: the life blood of the West Coast’s economy

Elite Mining – working modern-day Stafford

Bruce Smith spent a morning on the Elite mining site at Stafford to have a look at another successful Coast alluvial gold mining operation.

There are currently eight mining operations in the area in 2020.

First up he talks with JD, manager of Elite Mining’s Stafford operations.

Next, Bruce takes a look at one of the mining sites to check out the remedial work that is carried out to restore the site, once mining has been concluded.

Mining: the life blood of the West Coast’s economy

Take a tour of Elite Mining’s working plants

Here we have a look at two land-based plants in work mode:

Elite Mining are a substantial West Coast employer:

An explanation of the alluvial mining process:

Mining: the life blood of the West Coast’s economy

And speaking of gold

Reefton is poised for another hard rock gold investment boom.

New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals granted Tasman Mining a Mining Permit for the high-grade Blackwater gold deposit near Reefton. This approval grants the right to mine gold and silver from the site for a 20 year period.

Six decades after gold mining ceased in the area, Tasman Mining aims to set up an underground mine at the site of the historic Blackwater mine with a small surface footprint, an access point and infrastructure located on private land several kilometres away from the historic mine site. Tailings from the operation would be stored underground within the mine.

Exploratory drilling has shown the Blackwater deposit goes down at least 650m from the last workings. The rate of 23gms of gold per ton of excavation is world class. It seems good things are on the way for Reefton.

Mark Le Messurier gave this presentation at last year’s mineral forum in Dunedin:

Visit Reefton and stay at Dawson’s Hotel

Coaster’s Pass this week, offers you an invitation to come and stay in Reefton, the Coast’s only inland town.

The Coaster’s Pass consists of:

• Two nights accommodation for two at Dawson’s Hotel.
• Breakfast and the evening meal for two on both days of your stay.

The cost of this week’s Coasters Pass at Dawson’s Hotel is $390 and this covers both of you.

Purchase your Pass here.

• The Coasters Pass is only available over a 24 hour period between 5.00pm each Tuesday through to 5.00pm on Wednesday.
• There are a limited number of passes on offer each week so it is first come, first served.
• The Coasters Pass can be used at any time within 90 days of purchase. It’s an individual transferable pass.
• Once the booking dates for accommodation, attractions and restaurants are confirmed they can’t be changed

Making the most of your stay in Reefton

Coaster’s Weekly catches up with Angela Williams from Dawson’s Hotel to give you a sneak preview of your accommodation:

And of course there is no place like Reefton to unleash the four wheel drive adrenalin. The area is a four wheel drive paradise:

It may be too late to catch this year’s Reefton Classic Car Gathering 2020 but have a look here away at the talent on show earlier this month:

FEATURE: Aratuna Freighters Ltd

From the Coast to the South Island and beyond

Andrew Havill and his wife Monique, part-owners of Aratuna Freighters, have plenty to celebrate in this 34th year of the company’s operation.

Andrew and Monique Havill hold the reins these days while Durham and Lorraine, who founded the company in 1985 along with son Andrew, remain committed to the company.

Today, Aratuna’s trucks can be seen all over the South Island and even in the North Island.

Employment opportunity: Are you a truck driver mechanic or engineer looking for employment. Contact Aratuna Freighters by phoning 03-7684029 for more details.

Today we talk to Bill Millar, the Bulk cartage manager for Aratuna Freighters:

Coast Characters

Meet Roger Morrison, a Coaster

Roger turned 91 on the 30th of May 2020 so we thought a catch up would be good.

Roger is a coaster who, as he puts it, has done everything he wanted to do throughout his life. Farmer, shopkeeper, hunter, pioneer in the venison industry, father, grandfather and husband. Here he is:

Coast characters

Meet Arthur Dawson, another Coaster!

Arthur was born in Greymouth, lived in Cobden then moved out to Te Kinga where growing up was a delight.

He went to High School in Greymouth and then started work at the pipe works as a sheet metal worker. Arthur got head hunted by Jack Cooper at Cameron’s in 1957 and still works a full day every day there today.

Capturing the heart of the love of his life, Helen, was his best achievement! Together they raised three children – still his number one priority.

He discovered rugby and played for Blaketown then the Coast and moved on to coach both Blaketown and the Coast team. His love of horses led to an enjoyable involvement with the trotting club.

Check out the interview below – there’s a whole lot more to be told and the tales will bring a smile to your face. A very wise man is how best we can describe Arthur. Have a listen to him here:

Many thanks Arthur and Roger – it was a pleasure to chat with you both.

FEATURE: Williams Hotel

It’s snowing in Wanaka!

So grab your snowboard and skis and head south!

A welcome awaits you at the Oakridge Resort in Wanaka (a Williams Group Resort). There you will find a special rate on offer just for Coasters.

And for those Coasters coming home, the Coaster’s special rate applies also to the Ashley Hotel in Greymouth and the Rocks Tourist Resort at Punakaiki. Call them, you will be very surprised at the deal we have negotiated for you.

In the meantime, check out a couple of recent snow reports: