Millerton, New Zealand
Millerton | |
---|---|
West Coast | |
District | Buller District |
Electorates | West Coast-Tasman Te Tai Tonga |
Population (2006) | |
• Total | 40 |
Millerton is a small settlement in the northwestern
.The history of Millerton bears some resemblance to that of Denniston, being a town that lived from and for the coal that was mined in the Ranges. Millerton has a population of approx 30-40. It was classified like Denniston as a ghost town in the 1970s but has had a resident population for several decades. It is possibly New Zealand's only populated hilltop township.[1]
Mining and incline
Despite its elevation of 300 metres being considerably lower than that of Denniston (600 metres), the steep grade between the coastline and Millerton still meant that the coal was difficult to get down from the hilltop to the coastal railway near sea level. The Westport Coal Company built the Millerton Incline in 1891[2] and the Millerton Mine began production in 1896. Mining at Millerton ended in the late 1960s, as it largely did at Denniston.[2]
The Millerton Incline was a
Further images of Millerton, its ropeways and incline, can be accessed via the 'External links' below.
The Hon.
With the Denniston and the smaller Millerton mining operations having ended, the nearby Stockton coalfield is continuing the tradition of West Coast coal. Solid Energy New Zealand has planned to extend the life of the Stockton mining area by opening up the old Millerton Mine workings, albeit as an open cast pit.
Community
The Millerton
Millerton had its own Lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (Lookout Lodge No 127 of the R.A.O.B. NZ Constitution of the Grand Lodge of England). The Lodge was opened in 1950 and closed sometime in the mid-1980s. [citation needed]
Tourism
Tourists often venture further up the West Coast north of Westport. Originally there was a narrow, steep and winding road to the township, but the steeper section of road has been closed and diverted, going directly to Stockton via 'The Grand Canyon'. Access is now off the new upper road section and is signposted, entering the township via the original road from the north-eastern end of the town. This 'old' road continues through the town and west towards the historic Millerton Incline, the portal and dam (part of an inclined rail system that took coal down to Granity). There are some extensive views here across the rainforest to the coast and north towards the Karamea headland. The closed section of old road can be walked down as far as the Millerton 'Granity Creek' Bridge, from which there are a series of waterfalls to be viewed. There is parking at either end of this walking section. The local community offers maps and information at the local community hall (in the township). There are several short walks in and around Millerton with historic sites and scenic views.
The bathhouse walks are additional trails in this area, and the Bathhouses themselves are of historic value also.[citation needed] A creek formed the reservoir dam where the coal miners used to come and bathe after a long day mining, and remnants of the pipework which flowed with hot water heated by the mines still remains at the site. In the township area one can see the mine sites and the incline brake head.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2016) |
References
- ^ "Getting Around New Zealand | 100% Pure New Zealand".
- ^ a b Solid Energy
- ^ "South Island Soccer Finalists". Papers Past. 17 October 2021.
- ^ "The West Coast boys from the All Black stuff". Stuff. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
External links
- G Parkhouse (Firm). G Parkhouse (Firm, Westport): Millerton, N.Z. New Zealand post card, issued by G Parkhouse, Westport. Phototyped in Saxony [ca 1910]. [Postcards of the Wesport and Buller area, collected by William Robert Jones. 1900-1970s]. Ref: Eph-A-POSTCARDS-Jones-03. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Coalmining town of Millerton, West Coast. Couchman, Gary: Photographs of coalmining in New Zealand. Ref: 1/2-080267-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Lock, Henry Thomas, fl 1885-1910?. Millerton township. Couchman, Gary: Photographs of coalmining in New Zealand. Ref: 1/2-080265-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Millerton Incline, Buller district, with coal wagons. Greymouth Evening Star: Photographs of the West Coast. Ref: 1/2-050053-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand
- Lock, Henry Thomas, fl 1885-1910?: Main rope road, Westport Coal Company works, Millerton, West Coast. Ref: PAColl-D-0806. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.