Old forge and engineers workshop

[Garry Keown]

We were away for a few days visiting old family areas and stayed just accross the road from my great grandfathers old tin shack where he moved to and lived for 24 years after his wife died in 1939. We are members of the MZMCA (New Zealand Motor caravan association) and as such have access to the unserviced sites they have throughout the country for nominal or not cost in some cases. We were the only iones there soit was a nice quiet few days where we spent time in various areas that my great great grandfather was and tought in the first schools in the surrounding gold mining towns. He was born 1839 in Scotland and married here in NZ in 1875 with my great grandfather being the first born of 7 and who lived in the area all his life. 

 

Our campsite

 

 

 

In the background is the old Hayes engineering workshops that we had a good look round. 

Yhis was my Great grandfathers old shack where he walked from each day to his gold claim in the hills

 

The workshop areas of the old homestead with the steel racks

 

Forge area with view of overhead belt drive system which drove all tools in the workshop that was originally driven by a large windmill which the workshop specialised in making but in later years by a 3 hp motor.

 

 

 

I could not read the anvil but I dare say soeone here will recognise it.

 

 

 

Another samll forge

 

The company motto

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 27, 2022 by Garry Keown

[Garry Keown]

Spent some time in the historical areas and building many of which are still in use today. the 1850's to the 1870's were a booming time for the gold mining towns with many of the expected hotels and service buildings.

Had a very nice meal here in the Wedderburn hotel

 

 

 

 

The Danseys pass on the road over the hills between otago and Canterbury

 

It gets mighty cold here and even on the day we were there the 6 ft wide fireplace was keeping the place warm.

 

Old wool press's serve as the bas for the drinking leaners.

 

The old walking bridge to the main diggings

 

 

looking to the Pass over to the Canterbury side of the ranges.

 

 

 

Sign at thesite of the old Kyeburn diggings where my GG grandfater tought school.

 

We spent a very pleasant daya in St Bathans where my GG grandfather first tought school in 1875

 

 

 

 

 

 

The end result of the high pressure sluicing done 

 

 

 

 

Some of the signs showing the town history

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another of the old hotels in the area. This one no longer in use.

 

 

Once out of the Ida Vally in Maniototo the Central Otago side of the range showed its views to us.

 

The wild Thyme was in bloom with the purple haze over the hillsides and the wonderfull smells in the air attesting to.

 

 

One of the many old stone or sod cottages that were the homes of the more permanentold miners before they too passed on to other diggings or simply passed on.

 

 

The small historical town of Ophir has a living and ongoing life but has also the reputation of the coldest winter temperatures recorded in the country

The road to the original bridge leading out of town was  hacked through the rock and is still the main road in and out from that end of town.

 

 

 

 

 

From there is was down the Central Otage valleys and into my home range where we parked the caravan untill the next exploring our back yard adventure

[Garry Keown]

A couple of extra's I forgot to include in the correct order.
This is a small stone hut in the yard of the Ranfurly information office that is in the old railway building . Inside there was an room set up with old railway carriage seats with a screen on the end wall with a visitor operated video player that gave the history of the railways in the region and with fottage and explanations of the Hyde rail disaster https://nzhistory.govt.nz/cromwell-dunedin-express-train-tragedy

 

 

As noted above the wild Thyme was in full bloom but so were many of the blossom trees with this one in particular offering a stunning show of blooms and colour.

 

[Alan Longmire]

Lovely stuff, Garry!  I guess it's late spring down there...

 

That anvil is a Hay-Budden from Brooklyn, NY!  

[Garry Keown]

4 hours ago, Alan Longmire said:

Lovely stuff, Garry!  I guess it's late spring down there...

 

That anvil is a Hay-Budden from Brooklyn, NY!  

Yes late spring with nicely warming weather and thanks for the anvil ID. I knew someone here would recognise it.

[Joshua States]

What a terrific trip through time and a family history tied to it to boot. Thanks for the tour Garry.

[Gary LT]

Garry, thanks for these photos, as I always enjoy seeing your country's habitat and history. Looks like a memorable trip you had.

Gary LT

[Don Abbott]

Very, very nice.

 

Thanks for sharing it.

[Dick Sexstone]

I especially liked the walk through the shop……Thanks Gary