Denniston incline

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32604, 12 May 1971, Page 16

Denniston incline

Sir,—A recent article on the history of the Denniston incline omitted its tragic fate demolition! Work has already begun on the lower portion. The incline belongs to the New Zealand people and posterity. As an engineering feat, it is unique in New Zealand, perhaps the world. Constructed in 1880, it stands as a silent memorial to the Ingenuity, initiative, courage, and physical endurance of pioneers who built this railway to transport coal and maintain a lire-line with the world, 2000 feet below. In beautiful bush, its peace broken only by the sound of mountain stream and bird calls, the incline commands excellent panoramic views of the Buller district and is an increasily popular trip for visitors. Demolition of the incline is a wanton act of vandalism by a Government which commends and assists the building of Shanty Town. Revere and reconstruct the past by all means, but first let us preserve the original. Yours, etc., Z. E. PALMER. Westport April 29, 1971.

[The Minister of Mines (Mr Shelton) replies: “For many years the incline and a foot track were the only means of access between the Denniston escarpment and Waimangaroa. The completion of road access, difficulties in obtaining the type of railway waggon capable of negotiating the incline, and the condition of the incline itself led to a change-over to road transportation of Denniston coal in 1967. The passing of 80 years, millions of tons of coal, and the Inangahua earthquake all took their toll on the incline. Extremely high in its state of disrepair, the incline had become dangerous and detracted from the natural beauty of the area. It was decided that as much of the materials as possible should be salvaged and a contract was let for this work in September, 1969. 1 agree with your correspondent’s comments on the incline as a historic engineering feat; 1 understand that there is local interest in constructing a scale model of the incline as a lasting reminder, and my

department has already of- I fered to help with this project.”]