Decline Of Denniston

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30569, 12 October 1964, Page 1

Decline Of Denniston

(From Our Own Reporter)

WESTPORT, October 11.

The closure of the only remaining hotel premises last month, and a move to close the last general store at the end of October, are further evidence of the decline of the once-flourishing mining township of Denniston.

Where once there was a population of almost 1500 persons between Denniston and Coalbrookdale, with seven hotels, many stores and a well equipped hospital, there are now only scattered buildings and vacant sections, as most of the population moves either to Westport or to Wai mangaroa at the foot of the long winding road from the hilltop settlement

The hard-surfaced sports ground, always the dread of apparently more delicate town soccer and Rugby players, is now used only occas ionally for soccer. The tennis courts and swimming pool have been abandoned, and the hospital has ceased to function. The only amenity left is the picture hall, where a miners’ committee screens films twice weekly.

There are only 12 single men residing at Denniston, and it will be difficult to encourage any more to live on the “hill” when there is so little of interest outside their work. The Denniston Miners Union has attempted to have the hotel licence restored, but that is unlikely to occur because of the lack of a suitable building. The licensee of the Mount Rochfort Hotel which was destroyed by fire early this year, Mr R. McKinnon, had his licence cancelled by the West Coast committee when his temporary premises, the former police house, were considered unsuitable.