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Nelson Historical Society Journal, Volume 3, Issue 6, October 1980

Later Developments: Gold Winning in the 1930's

Later Developments: Gold Winning in the 1930's

During the serious trade depression in the early 1930's a system of subsidised gold winning was undertaken in all known gold bearing areas. Various projects were undertaken and one group, known as the Mildenhall Party, worked an area at Parapara Inlet. The group launched out on an extensive scale erecting huts and plant. They made homes by building timber frameworks which were covered by flour sacks bought from the local bakery in Collingwood. These were water-proofed and made serviceable huts. The names of the party were given as R. N. Mildenhall. O. C. Miller, L. B. Deavoll, and A. H. Mildenhall – all coming from the Wellington and Lower Hutt areas. A. H. Mildenhall had been a builder at Plimmerton. Deavoll had engineering experience and knowledge which he was able to put to good use. With financial advances from the local Mining Executive they procured a pump and various equipment from the defunct North Cape coal mine at Puponga and in due course the old water race at Washbourns' paint works was opened up to provide water for this and other undertakings.

Mr D. H. McNabb told the writer that his company trucked the machinery from Puponga for Mildenhall's project. The large boiler used for providing steam for the engine which drove the pump was in the charge of O. C. Miller. There was no heavy firewood in the vicinity so manuka brush wood, which was plentiful, was used to stoke the fire. This produced sufficient heat to keep the engine operating as ten pounds of steam pressure in the large boiler provided sufficient power to operate the pump.

Quite recently the enthusiasts at the Wakefield Steam Museum recovered the massive pump to add to their extensive collection of heavy machinery. The steam boiler had not been left on the mining site to rust out as it was taken to Tarakohe for use at the cement works.

Some sources of information used in this series of articles:

  • Handbook of New Zealand Mines, 1906.
  • Geological Report: Parapara Subdivision, 1907.
  • Golden Bay Argus (newspaper).
  • Collingwood County Council Minute Books and Records.
  • The late John Richards.
  • The late C. L. Grant.
  • Mr P. R. Skilton.
  • Mr D. H. McNabb.
page 36

Key to Map:

1.Bassetls.
2.Washbourns.
3.No. 1 Sluicing Claim.
4.No. 2 Sluicing Claim.
5.Glen Mutchin.
6.Glen Gyle.
7.Appo's Flat, West's Freehold Flat, Elevator Holes.
8.Dam in Parapara River.
9.Tunnel for pipeline.
10.Johnston's United Battery.
11.Slate River Sluicing Claim.
12.Slate River Company's Dam and Water Race.
Location map of Parapara and other goldfield areas based on a map which accompanied Bulletin No. 3, Parapara Subdivision, 1906.– (Courtesy Mr S. Bagley, Director, Nelson Provincial Museum.)

Location map of Parapara and other goldfield areas based on a map which accompanied Bulletin No. 3, Parapara Subdivision, 1906.
– (Courtesy Mr S. Bagley, Director, Nelson Provincial Museum.)