THE MOKIHINUI

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 4 January 1927, Page 2

THE MOKIHINUI

STORY OF THE GOLD RUSH .EX PI/MTS O'F THE ’SIXTIES September 6th, 1867, was the date of Die gold rush to Mokihinui, says the “Westport News" in its Jubilee issue. When tlie rush took place in that year, about 2000 of a population were residing there. Coal was first discovered at Mokihinui and in 1866, it. was a shipping port, steamers, such as the Murray (Capt. Holmes), the paddle steamer Nelson (Capt. Whitweli), the paddle steamer Bruce, and others, were running up the Mokihinui river, carrying cargo and passengers. The ships were made fast at what is known as the old wharf. This wharf was at the north side of the river.

A man named Garvin owned the first coal pit, at the north side of the river, opposite the Island. The coal was loaded into large boats at the month of the coal mine. These boats carried about three or four tons. The coal was then boated down to the ships and swung on board in baskets.

This seam of coal above-mentioned dips down under the level of the river and it did not pay in those days toi put. expensive machinery on the job for pumping, so work on this seam did not continue very long. The Mokihinui seam, further up the gorge was opened up and a tramway wapTlaid down to the river below Chasm Creek. A wharf was built and the coal later was loaded into the ships at this particular place ."When the gold rush took place late in 1867, a township was formed down near the river month, and this place was called Kynnersly, after the Warden at the. time. Mr Kynnersly held his first Court s-in Mokihinui on September 16th. 1867.' " " ■

Steamers coming from Nelson to Westport would call at Mokihinui with passengers and cargo, load coal and cc-me on to Westport and to the other ports along the Coast. Cobb and Co.’s line of coaches were running backwards and forwards from Westport to Mokihinui three, times a week. .. • The richest finds of the early gold days were, the terrace near the railway station. were set out in the township of Kynnersly. A police camp •was set up, Sergeant Kielv and three constables being stationed there in canvas quarters, a wooden lock-up was built and everything was made very comfortable for "customers.

“A GOOD STORY”

*;-A good story is told of a spree being held at the police qu.yters. The sergeant and the constables drank well, rather than wisely, and when they were properly'laid out, some one collared the canvas covering from the camp and,.left the sleeping beauties peacefully dreaming under the shade of the twinkling stars.;

On three main streets, there were six hotels, stores; cottages, etc., also the Bank of New Zealand. Mrs Carter htiilt a large dance house, but the population did hot last long enough for her to make a fortune with this building. When' the township went back, Mrs ■Carter®came to Westport and manned Peter Herring, “Waterloo.” "(The quartz reef came, into notice in the ■Mokihinui district about 18 miles up the river, but cargo boats could only go about two miles up stream. The" Red <sieen, Swastika and Halycon were the principal mines in the district. The last steam ship to enter the Mokihinui river for coal was the "Lawrence. When leaving in 1892, she struck on

the bar and became a total wreck. This v put a gloom over the district for some tithe, as the Mokihinui mine had to cease working and men were thrown out of employment,

COMPLETION OF RAILWAY

In 1§93 the railway . was completed from Westport to the Mokihinui Mine and'on Friday evening, September 16, 1893, the first coal by rail was taken into Westport, Air T. A. Peterkin was in charge of the train, which brought '3O trucks from the Mokihinui mine, of which Jit Michael Straw was manager. The train arrived at 7 p.m., and a- large ' gathering "of Westport residents was on tHb•''platform of the railway station to meet, the incoming-train. Binging cheers were •giv’fcn ■as it pulled up and the citizens iook samples Of the black diamonds. About, 60 leading citizens of the town then adjourned to Scanlon’s Hotel, where a function took place to celebrate this,historic event. 'Mr <T. J. Moynihari, who presided at the function, in his opening remarks stated that this event marked an epoch in the history of Westport and the •Colony. He nad been looking forward for ten years to this event. Westport was the coal emporium for the Colony. After a lengthy address, he * proposed the toast, of the Mokihinui Coal Mines. Messrs Peterkin ’(District Railway Manager)', Joh'n Hughes (County Chairman), R. .A, Young, R, McKenzie and others replied. . •;#Fr JPeterkin stated that he was' the man who assisted in bringing the first rake of coni in to Westport. He re;'marked that the first man to give this ' place a rise was “Bully” Williams. The speaker brought in ten waggons for him, -l and he remembered the fuss that was * made about it. Two days were occupied , in the work then, hut. on this occasion, he had profited by experience, and had everything ready. , The other speakers at this function were Mr Bayfield and the County, chairman.

As a parting shot to the Mokihinui, ■•enclosed is the following clipping, cut ' out of a Westport paper of February -2nd, 1899: Monday’s Flood. —The residents of the '• Mokihinui valley had a most uncoinC.fortable and anxious time during the ‘.•recent flood. The water invaded many A of the residences, being up (o the win- ‘ dnw sills in several houses, and six feet deep in the blacksmith’s shop at the j Cardiff mine. The repairs of damage at - the mine were onlv completed to-day.