Fiery ending to the miner’s rest

Press, 10 May 1980, Page 16

Fiery ending to the miner’s rest

By

DOROTHY FLETCHER,

historian for

Westland National Park

.“Fire destroys lodge at Okarito” was a headline in “The Press” on Wednesday, April 16. Few would realise its full significance. For the Meltzer family it meant the loss of their home, business and possessions; for South Westland, gone’ l for ever was more wan 100 years of history in the old Miners’ Rest or Okarito Forks Hotel — the' first inland hotel of the old mining days and a source of warmth and hospitality ever since. The origins of the hotel are somewhat vague. The “Year of the Rush” in this area was 1866, when the population of Okarito and its gold-bearing beaches reached about 5000. From that time onwards miners struggled up the creeks and rivers to discover the source of the gold. The reward of any inland find was offset by the need for frequent journeys back to Okarito for supplies. Gold was found near Lake Mapourika, on McDonalds Creek and along

the Okarito River and all who worked these areas would have to walk down the Okarito River to Canoe Point, then travel by boat across the Okarito Lagoon to Okarito. The Miners’ Rest at the Forks was a welcome stop, especially on the return journey when the men would be heavily burdened with supplies. In 1893, when Charles Douglas and A. P. Harper made the first survey of the Franz Josef Glacier, the Miners’ Rest was run by “a very fine old digger named Blanchard.” By then there was a cart road to Ross, a dray road to Okarito and men were working on the track round Lake Mapourika to Waiho Gorge (Franz Josef). On mail nights there were lively gatherings at the Forks. Polities was a favourite topic of conversa-

tion. Many of the miners were sent copies of Hansard’s Parliamentary Reports; and, of course, the Premier, Richard Seddon, was their friend and contemporary. When old Fred Blanchard died a young Swiss, Louis Zala, took over the licence. In 1903 Mary Nolan and Frank Heveldt, newly married and both members of pioneer Jacksons Bay families, bought the Miners’ Rest from Louis Zala. It was to be their home for 43 years. Mary added a woman’s touch to this old bachelor establishment. The smoke of ages was washed and bleached from curtains and mosquito nets. Meals and home comforts, began to compete with the bar trade. Meanwhile Frank built a small ball across the road for social occasions.

There was still a steady flow of traffic through to Okarito which, until about 1910, was still the supply and social centre of the wider area. All bulk supplies and mining equipment came by boat to Okarito; and. as settlers became established on the Whataroa Flats, loads of wool, timber, cheese and flax - fibre were carted down for export. The New Year races, with the sports meeting and ball, meant a busytime at the Forks. But perhaps the happiest social occasions at the Forks were the sale days. Mary’s brothers and all other farmers south had to drive their cattle from as far away as the Cascade and Okuru to the Whataroa Saleyards. The 100-mile drive took about three weeks. After the long journey the Nolan cattle were always rested at the Forks, just one day from the salevards. The men from the remote and isolated areas of the far south then made the most of the social occasion after the sale, filling the little hall across the road. , . This long cattle drive gradually became shorter as the road crept southwards. This April, for the first time in 102 years, the cattle were trucked all the way from the Cascade to Whataroa. In 1910 Mary and Frank built a new hotel. A site was chosen on the terrace above the old Miners’ Rest and the local builder, Tojnmy Casey, started on the new Forks Hotel. It was a big undertaking. The family moved up in 1911. Mary and Frank kept a kindly' eye on the ageing

group of miners in the area. Most now received the oldage pension which their friend “King Dick’’ Seddon had provided. On pension nights the spirit of the old Miners’ Rest returned to the Forks. Frank had a pair of dentist’s forceps and an old fellow in pain might get him to pull a tooth. This always meant a good stiff brandy or whisky both before and after the operation. Once the wrong tooth was pulled — not surprising, really, as all the old teeth were stained yellow with tobacco and had never seen a toothbrush. An increasing number of cars were now using the road, which passed on two

sides of the hotel. Naturally the Forks became a convenient stopping place. It was also a very “safe” hotel in the days of six o’clock closing, as its isolation gave plenty of time for a telephone call to warn that the policeman was on his way from Whataroa. Through the Depression and another world war the Heveldts continued to dispense their warmth and hospitality. After they retired and moved to Hokitika the licence changed quite frequently. And then came the dreadful day early in 1971 when the new road was opened and the main south road by-passed the old hotel, isolating it except

for traffic travelling td i Okarito. These were odds which ’ could not be overcome: thd : licence was lost on tember 3. 1971, and the Forks Hotel became the i Forks Lodge. i Several families now struggled with the difficult i task of building a new ; business here. In October, 1976. the Meltzer family I moved in. They renewed and ref I decorated much of the in* s terior and cleared and : developed the surroundings. Gradually visitors learnt of : its renewed attractions. Perhaps the Meltzers will ; be able to rebuild and make a fresh start and reap the I benefit of their previous - hard work.