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Journal of the Nelson and Marlborough Historical Societies, Volume 1, Issue 5, October 1985

Jenkins Hill

Jenkins Hill

Although coal was known in the Brook Valley at least as early as 1853 it was at the foot of Jenkins Hill on the south side of Jenkins Creek (also known as O'Brien's Creek) to the southwest that the first mine was developed (Fig. 1). During 1858 Alfred George Jenkins opened up a coal prospect on his property called Enner Glynn. It must have been very superficial for in July heavy rain destroyed the workings and a more ambitious investigation was then initiated. By September Jenkins had two drives constructed by John Marsden, an experienced miner. Although in September it was recorded that 200 tons of coal had been won the drives had to be abandoned because of unstable ground conditions. The coal was very soft but trials using the iron screw steamer White Swan (124 tons), the paddle page 5steamer Tasmanian Maid (32 tons), and Mathew Campbell's steam mill all proved satisfactory. Campbell declared that the coal was better than the best firewood available.

Fig. 1 Locality map showing various coal mining ventures near Nelson.

Fig. 1 Locality map showing various coal mining ventures near Nelson.