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We are continually impressed with the
numbers and responsibilities of the
Coromandel’s volunteer forces, many retired,
at some very BIG BIG places. We covered The
Treasury last issue, where we just scratched
the surface – over 60 categories of volunteers
serve there. Preserving books and old
newspapers are fine for some, but guys will
be guys... and in Thames, we could tell right
off where they went to play...um... contribute...
attracted to all things metal.
The most obvious playset is the Thames Small
Gauge Railway Society, formed in 1993, with
its small station, small gauge track, locomotive
and rolling stock sets that littlies can ride on.
Waihi has it own train restoration corps for its
full size trains to Waikino. Then for real mining,
one can hook into the Goldmine Experience.
But you can’t beat the Bella Street Pumphouse
for some real ‘heavy metal’.
PUMPS KEPT DEEP SHAFTS WORKABLE
This building complex occupies the site of the
former Queen of Beauty mine which sank a
shaft to a depth of around 400 feet in pursuit of
gold bearing quartz. At this level, water seeped
into the shaft and associated tunnels so there
was a constant need to pump out water.
As many of the Thames shafts reached depths
where water was a problem, pumping facilities
were common. The first organised co-op
pumping operation to drain adjacent claims
occurred at Tookey’s Flat in 1871 when a
consortium of four mines combined to form
the United Pumping Association. This pump
was referred to as the ‘Big Pump’, and brought
water from 650 feet below the surface. It was
the largest pump in Australasia in its time.*
At about the same time the Waiokaraka
Drainage Association started to drain the
southern portion of the Goldfield from the
Piako shaft near the south eastern corner
of Cochrane and Rolleston streets, where
the Bright Smile Community Garden is now
located. After the collapse of the Piako shaft,
the pumping operations were shifted to the
nearby Queen of Beauty mine. In the mid
1880s, the shaft was deepened and enlarged
with a bigger pump installed. But mining in this
area produced indifferent results, so funding
the pumping operations was problematic.
A MASSIVE UNDERAKING...
With the goldfields in decline, new investment
capital difficult to attract. In a last ditch bid
to reinvigorate the mines, a scheme was
proposed for deep-level prospecting to
commence from the Queen of Beauty shaft and
driving northwest toward the old ‘Big Pump’
_____________
* Locals may recall that in January – April of
2012, a pot-hole developed on SH25, at the
northern end of Thames near Moanataiari Rd. The
location coordinates and metal artifacts indicated
that this was the Big Pump’s shaft. The shaft
was deemed too expensive to keep open as a
landmark, and the road was repaved over it.
48 COROMANDEL LIFE 2015 SPRING/HOLIDAY
shaft location at 1,000 feet below the surface.
Capital was sourced from the United Kingdom
and work on the second ‘Big Pump’, the
Thames-Hauraki Pump, was started in 1886.
Locally the shaft was expanded and work
began on the chimney. Most machinery was
manufactured in England.
This pump was huge, and the foundation of
the building that housed the pump’s engine
contained 6,000 tons of concrete. Shipments
from England arrived in Auckland in January
and October of 1897 (a mere 38 tons of
machinery in the last delivery). Local Thames
foundry A&G Price manufactured the ten boilers
to produce steam power for the engines.
Work completed, on 19 Dec 1898, the Hon. A
J Cadman, Minister of Mines, officially opened
the pumphouse.
The pump itself was designed to lift 3,000
gallons of water per minute from a depth of
610 metres. (As it happens the shaft went to
only 305 metres, and so the pump never had to
do any seriously hard work.) However, for the
second time in 30 years, Thames could boast
the biggest pump in the southern hemisphere!
GAS LEAKS PUT AN END TO PUMPING
The pump ceased operation when there was
a dangerous influx of gas and water from the
1,000 feet cross-cut, and in 1914, the Dept. of
Mines ordered operations to stop.
The shafts filled with water and the pumping
machinery in the shaft deteriorated. After
the sale of the pump and plant in 1918, the
magnificent engine was used for a last time
hauling the broken and rusted remnants of the
THE BELLA STREET PUMPHOUSE
BY RUSSELL SKEET
and CAROL WRIGHT
WHITIANGA - THAMES - PAEROA
0800 boundary (268 632)
• We offer you a ‘money back’ deal
• We get your titles on time
• We provide prompt local service
Our services include urban and rural subdivisions, unit
titles, site surveys, boundary marking, Council daylight
certifications and building set-out.
Email:
Website:
LET US HANDLE
ALL YOUR LEGAL
REQUIREMENTS
For over 80 years we
have provided our clients
with prompt, pragmatic
and innovative legal
advice. Our friendly
team provide a full range
of services to cover
all your commercial,
property, legal disputes
or personal legal
requirements.
We offer scheduled
consultations in Tairua
and Pauanui.
Ph 09-303-4089
Fax 09-307-6499
The venue will once again be the location of the
Bella Street Steampunk Ball on 13 November.