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Nelson Historical Society Journal, Volume 6, Issue 4, 2001

[introduction]

page 23

In 1962 the Baigent name was Timber around the Nelson area. At that time the extensive planting in Pigeon Valley came on stream, and a decision was made to close several small mills and build a large, modern complex just north of Wakefield, near the Wai-iti river. Land was purchased at the end of Bird Lane and the name Brookside was chosen for the mill. The site was on land which had been owned by the pioneer Joshua Bird in 1852 and his home, named Brookside, stood on the eastern part of the land, across the main road, until the 1960s.

The four small mills which closed were Kainui, manager Percy Symes, 88 Valley, manager Cyril Riddle, Quail Valley (or Belgrove), manager Les Coleman and Redwood Valley, manager Charlie Benseman.

Brookside Mill opened in 1962 with Noel Jarrett as manager, and functioned for about 10 years with a few basic operations. There was a log edger with two saws, from which slabs went to the breast bench, which had a single saw. Other timber went on a chain to a frame saw, with approximately 18 saws with an up-and-down movement, a vertical saw. Good boards then went to the main chain, while timber with bark progressed to the board edger, which had two saws for trimming.