SHANTYTOWS FEATURES

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32702, 3 September 1971, Page 13

SHANTYTOWS FEATURES

Above, we show the main street of Shantytown, and below, we detail some of the features of this nineteenth century town re-created near Greymouth.

Bank: The Bank is typical of banks in the old goldmining towns, with old gold scales and the accoutrements of the trade. General Store: Named the “Beehive” store, it contains all the bric-a-brac of

, brand names, products and t packaging of a by-gone era. , Golden Nuggets Hotel: ’ Many West Coast gold- [ mining pubs were crudely- , furnished grog shops—the J Golden Nuggets is definitely , in the better class of ' miners’ hostelries and the , facilities are of sufficient ' standard to allow of a tern- ' porary permit on special ' occasions for selling liquor. Much of the material in the J hotel is authentic—it has ( been salvaged from defunct . West Coast licensed prei mises. It has a stairway to an imaginary upper storey, and a small stage where dancing girls perform. i Printing Works: The staff I of Greymouth’s only survivi ing newspaper, the Grey- ! mouth Evening Star, gave i their time to. build and equip the printing works. ; It houses a Model 1 Lino- ■ type, a hand-operated - platen press, a guillotine, i proof press and files of the ’ Grey River Argus of about i 100 years ago.

Cobbler’s Shop: A retired cobbler has fitted the shop with his tools of trade. Here the individual craftsmanship of the pre-machine age in footwear lives on. Barber’s Shop: Cut-throat razors are the order of the

day in the two-chair (no waiting) barber’s shop—also donated by a retired barber. Medicaments, liniments and hair-restorers of an early age add to the authenticity of the display. Church: A genuine 104-year-old church has been re-erected in Shantytown. It was originally at No Town (12 miles from Greymouth), and was later transported to Ngahere. Now it has been re-erected and restored, and was used for a genuine wedding on opening day. Gaol: Prompt treatment for claim-jumpers, bushrangers, and gold diggers celebrating a rich strike too riotously, is available at Shantytown. The gaol reflects Victorian attitudes to wrongdoers; the accommodation is cramped, manacles are ready for use, the heavy steer doors have peepholes for keeping a watchful eye on the prisoner. The doors came from the former gaol at Blackball.

Gallows: The gallows are authentic and not a modem reconstruction. They are favourites for photographers, as are the stocks. Gems and Minerals: A large building (formerly a school) houses the West Coast Gem and Mineral Club headquarters, where pebbles and gem stones are polished and offered for sale. Livery Stable: The farmers of the district have

combined to provide a livery stable, complete with old farm implements. S.S. “Hesketh”: The wheelhouse from the steamer “Hesketh,” which was wrecked on the Greymouth beach in 1899, is on display. It was located at the former home of a past chairman of the Greymouth Harbour Board, where it had been used as a children’s playhouse. Carpenter’s Shop: Used as a workroom during construction, the carpenter’s shop is now serving its original purpose displaying tools of trade of the old-time carpenter.

combined to provide t livery stable, complete witl old farm implements. S.S. “Hesketh”: Th: wheelhouse from th< steamer “Hesketh,” whicl was wrecked on the Grey mouth beach in 1899, is or