Westport - Bugger! Another ghost town in the making

[MD]

As a born and bred Coaster it saddens me to hear last night a quaint town hanging on by it's finger tips gets shafted by the only two large employers it has. Solid Energy halving workforce at Stockton mine and Holcim cement closing. The flow on effects must run deep. Port workers - now obsolete. Pubs, cafes, etc lost customers and how do they sell a business now as a going concern.

I know there's all the economic reasons under the sun to close the place down but how many kicks in the guts can the poor Coast take? As I grow older I lean more towards the hippies and Greens with their anti-corporate ideals. Corporates only know one thing - greed. Ha, Holcim have warm cuddly statements on their website about supporting communities- Tui billboard moment there if ever I saw one.

Bloody shame and my thoughts go out to the people of Westport, most likely already struggling on low wages. How do you sell up and move on when suddenly it's impossible to sell a house?

I have family and childhood friends hit again and again by the slow closure of the Coast.

I took my elderly Mum back to her birthplace and childhood home in Waiuta recently. It's an amazing place to visit if you every pass that way (Reefton-Ikamatua). Seeing next to nothing left of our longest running gold mining town, but collapsed chimney stacks trying to rise above the bush.

Please try and take time to 'see the Coast' when travelling the South Island. Go out of your way to places like Karamea. The Deniston Incline is well worth the trip. While there spend some coin, they deserve it. Don't moan about the price of petrol, they have to survive with that all year.

[george formby]

Exactly the same is happening the length of the country to a greater or lesser degree.

Reading the spin about "growth" and "development" makes me cringe. Not happening in my neighborhood. Communities are barely hanging on by there fingernails. Heart breaking.

[98tls]

On ya M,my old mums from Westport and still has many family there.Ive 2 cousins working in the mine havent heard yet how they fared.Seems the cement works is all but finished as well eh,3 uncles worked there in the good years.Couldnt believe how much it had changed when i was over there last and pretty much all that will be left is jobs catering to tourists.Anyone going there should indeed go up to Denniston and take some time to walk about ...they must have been right hard bastards to live and work up there.Mums got a few great books on Denniston well worth a read.For my money the coasts the most beautiful part of this country.

[Paul in NZ]

Yes its hard to fathom how this has come about but I'm not sure its the corporates. The price of coal collapsed and that wasn't their doing. However I agree with you - loosing that many jobs in a town like Westport is a total disaster. What to do about it or how to replace those jobs is a big challenge and I have NO idea how. Its sad that these physical jobs are all disappearing....

[willytheekid]

Exactly the same is happening the length of the country...

Not Auckland!...ohh hell no!!!, were still strip mining the rest of the country to shove more & more & MORE!!! bussiness & people into that ONE fucking basket!<_<

...And the effects on the country if just ONE of those 7 dormant volcanos decide to rock n roll?? :blink: (Not to mention all the poor bastards who will TRAPPED due to Aucks shitty and all ready overloaded infrastructure & roading :shit:)...yup!, crippling.

Feel so sad for the west coast workers...there one of the IT customers I support, talk to the workers on a daily basis...some of the most decent, hard working and friendly people I have the pleasure of dealing with :yes:...the poor buggers, this is gonna hurt the coast alot!

[Banditbandit]

I have little sympathy ... The Coast has been told for years that it needed to diversify industry away from mining and forestry ...

Now the crunch is here ... the price of coal has dropped so income is less than expenses ... the industry was warned this would happen ... people are diversifying energy production and coal is no longer desirable ... it's too polluting, too expensive ...

If the coast had diversified years ago then there would not be the issue now ...

Now I do feel sympathy for the people loosing their jobs - of course I do ... that is disastrous for them ...

But for the community leaders to stand up and moan ... shit ... where were these leaders years ago when diversification should have occurred.

[willytheekid]

Yes its hard to fathom how this has come about but I'm not sure its the corporates.

sorry mate, I call BULLSHIT!!!

This is a DIRECT result of piss poor management!, over spending and certain people at the top taking the cream while the sun shined, then bailing ship and running once the times got tough! (And taking as much with them as possible)

Wait for the truth to come out...the management & heads of solid have alot to answer for...but as fucking usual!, the workers are the ones paying the highest cost for there inability to manage a company. (But the CEO etc are still gonna get there bonus this year...mark my words they will:angry:...they always do!!)


Just ask them about the 10 MILLION dollar+ mine back filler they bought last year(Its fucking HUGE!!!!)...but never actually needed! nor ever planned to use...why DO you spend 10 million on machinary you will NEVER use if your in such deap financial trouble?:shifty:...yeah...it IS like that.

[puddytat]

The effects reach out far further than Westport...there's people all thru Tasman that have mortgaged themselves because of the promise of work.
Maybe they shouldn't have purchased so many utes... (the company that is)

Dairying is the answer....the cows'll have a nice view.

[MD]

The effects reach out far further than Westport...there's people all thru Tasman that have mortgaged themselves because of the promise of work.
Maybe they shouldn't have purchased so many utes... (the company that is)

Dairying is the answer....the cows'll have a nice view.

Dairy farming wouldn't work on the West Coast. They don't get much rain! ;)

[Gadget1]

As a born and bred Coaster it saddens me to hear last night a quaint town hanging on by it's finger tips gets shafted by the only two large employers it has. Solid Energy halving workforce at Stockton mine and Holcim cement closing. The flow on effects must run deep. Port workers - now obsolete. Pubs, cafes, etc lost customers and how do they sell a business now as a going concern.

I know there's all the economic reasons under the sun to close the place down but how many kicks in the guts can the poor Coast take? As I grow older I lean more towards the hippies and Greens with their anti-corporate ideals. Corporates only know one thing - greed. Ha, Holcim have warm cuddly statements on their website about supporting communities- Tui billboard moment there if ever I saw one.

Bloody shame and my thoughts go out to the people of Westport, most likely already struggling on low wages. How do you sell up and move on when suddenly it's impossible to sell a house?

I have family and childhood friends hit again and again by the slow closure of the Coast.

I took my elderly Mum back to her birthplace and childhood home in Waiuta recently. It's an amazing place to visit if you every pass that way (Reefton-Ikamatua). Seeing next to nothing left of our longest running gold mining town, but collapsed chimney stacks trying to rise above the bush.

Please try and take time to 'see the Coast' when travelling the South Island. Go out of your way to places like Karamea. The Deniston Incline is well worth the trip. While there spend some coin, they deserve it. Don't moan about the price of petrol, they have to survive with that all year.


I was sorry to see this.

On a positive note, I read that agriculture, construction and retail are all expected to grow in that region. Also, people with engineering and related technology qualifications will be in further demand.

[Swoop]

Dairy farming wouldn't work on the West Coast. They don't get much rain! ;)
They'll have to take a leaf out of Canterbury's book... Just pump the rivers dry.

[Paul in NZ]

sorry mate, I call BULLSHIT!!!

This is a DIRECT result of piss poor management!, over spending and certain people at the top taking the cream while the sun shined, then bailing ship and running once the times got tough! (And taking as much with them as possible)

Wait for the truth to come out...the management & heads of solid have alot to answer for...but as fucking usual!, the workers are the ones paying the highest cost for there inability to manage a company. (But the CEO etc are still gonna get there bonus this year...mark my words they will:angry:...they always do!!)


Just ask them about the 10 MILLION dollar+ mine back filler they bought last year(Its fucking HUGE!!!!)...but never actually needed! nor ever planned to use...why DO you spend 10 million on machinary you will NEVER use if your in such deap financial trouble?:shifty:...yeah...it IS like that.

I bow to industry specific knowledge....

There are certainly enough grumblings about the management of Solid Energy to warrant a second look but my intent was that corporates shouldn't be blamed for wrecking a regions economy. Corporates and markets come and go... They are and have always been fleeting things and coal and timber have been in decline for a while now. Indeed - all extractive industries has a life cycle that does not go on forever.. More balance was needed - explore other mining options or even improve harbours to boost the fishing for sure but know that these to have their limits. Tourism has potential but creates little value.

Its always been a difficult discussion to have on the Westcoast though. I did a lot of work there once and this topic would always get the hackles up and the old 'we don't want outsiders telling us how to use our resources" line... Erm...

Taking a high altitude view though - these problems are just a mirror for the rest of the country...

[Paul in NZ]

Dairy farming wouldn't work on the West Coast. They don't get much rain! ;)

A lack of flat land could be an issue but yes, its an option... Its not going to employ the same numbers in the towns though.

[Banditbandit]

sorry mate, I call BULLSHIT!!!

This is a DIRECT result of piss poor management!, over spending and certain people at the top taking the cream while the sun shined, then bailing ship and running once the times got tough! (And taking as much with them as possible)

Wait for the truth to come out...the management & heads of solid have alot to answer for...but as fucking usual!, the workers are the ones paying the highest cost for there inability to manage a company. (But the CEO etc are still gonna get there bonus this year...mark my words they will:angry:...they always do!!)


Just ask them about the 10 MILLION dollar+ mine back filler they bought last year(Its fucking HUGE!!!!)...but never actually needed! nor ever planned to use...why DO you spend 10 million on machinary you will NEVER use if your in such deap financial trouble?:shifty:...yeah...it IS like that.

Yes - all that . They've been a very badly managed company ...

But the price of coal has been dropping .. and predictions were it would go lower ...

https://www.quandl.com/data/DOE/COAL-US-Coal-Prices-by-Region.png?dataset%5Bcollapse%5D=monthly&dataset%5Bgraph_title%5D=Coal+Price+in+USD&dataset%5Bheight%5D=250&dataset%5Bwidth%5D=375

http://www.ibtimes.com/global-climate-change-action-could-push-down-coal-oil-prices-2015-analysts-say-1694215


The price of coal could fall from $75 per metric ton to $65 per unit by the end of 2015,

In fact, it is under $50 per tonne already ...

http://www.infomine.com/investment/metal-prices/coal/6-month/


Why are we trying to produce and sell a product for which there are fewer and fewer people who want to buy it?

We have a resource that was once valuable ... it's not valuable any more ... we should get out of the game for economic reasons and for the future of our planet ... "clean green New Zealand" should not be producing such a polluting product.

[sidecar bob]

I'm a little concerned solid energy didn't act sooner. The govt has already stuffed 182 million of taxpayers money into a sinking ship. Westport should be applauding the rest of the country for standing by them this far into it.

[Banditbandit]

. Tourism has potential but creates little value.



Yeah ???


Domestic and international tourism combined are a $23.9 billion industry, $9.8 billion of which is export earnings.


http://www.mbie.govt.nz/pdf-library/what-we-do/business-growth-agenda/sectors-reports-series/tourism-report.pdf (2013)


And the industry on the coast is worth


$288 million a year that international and domestic visitors spend on the West Coast is equivalent to 20.4% of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) – second only to Otago (25.2% of regional GDP).

http://www.tianz.org.nz/main/news-detail/index.cfm/2014/08/new-statistics-highlight-tourism-value-to-west-coast/



Mining is a $2 billion industry and more than half of that - $1.1 billion – earns export dollars for New Zealand. A significant proportion of those export earnings are from coal.

http://www.straterra.co.nz/mining4nz/why-mine-in-nz/mining-and-the-nz-economy/

So Tourism earns the country $9.8billion in export earnings .. mining earns $1.1billion in export earnings ...

Make your own judgements ... but do you think tourists come here to see mines or to see "clean green New Zealand"? Where do you find "clean green New Zealand" (leave the cynicism out) ..On the West Coast ..

[oldrider]

Media are feeding off this as usual - the coasters are trying to move on - fact they knew it was likely doesn't make it any easier!

Media beat-up isn't really adding anything constructive! :spanking:

[TheDemonLord]

fact they knew it was likely doesn't make it any easier!

Beregond: It is as the Lord Denethor predicted. Long has he foreseen this doom
Gandalf: Forseen and done nothing!

[AllanB]

It's mainly due to the invent of modern electronics. Years back if you were a bad kid Santa would leave you a piece of coal in your Christmas stocking.

Now kids have the net they stop believing in Santa at 5. Thus a significant reduction in the global demand for coal.



I remember some years back a Government gifting the Coast millions and millions to develop alternative sources of revenue - what happened to that?


They do have fantastic roads so get out and ride them while their Councils can still afford to maintain them.

[jellywrestler]

As a born and bred Coaster it saddens me to hear last night a quaint town hanging on by it's finger tips gets shafted by the only two large employers it has.


shafted??? what sort of world do you live in, do you run a business? if so if thae market changes and you get half the price for your goods, half the customers you used to or materials double in price do you just make up the differenence out of your own pocket and keep it going the same????
just how are these people supposed to do that ya clown?

[98tls]

shafted??? what sort of world do you live in, do you run a business? if so if thae market changes and you get half the price for your goods, half the customers you used to or materials double in price do you just make up the differenence out of your own pocket and keep it going the same????
just how are these people supposed to do that ya clown?

Heres an idea run the fucking business properly,you would have to be completely stupid (or a Kiwi i guess) to not work out the demand for coal isnt what it was jesus H theres plenty of Denniston coal been sitting offshore of Japan for years and then some.These cunts are the definition of useless and have been for years.$650,000 a year for that cunt to ponce about in orange overalls:facepalm:mind you this shit isnt restricted to the West coast.Have to chuckle at people moaning about govt support for the area fuck me theres citys up north full of fuckers living off support and have been for years ya blind cunts and ive no doubt hard working coasters have paid far more of there hard earned out over said years than the handouts they have received of late.

[husaberg]

Exactly the same is happening the length of the country to a greater or lesser degree.

Reading the spin about "growth" and "development" makes me cringe. Not happening in my neighborhood. Communities are barely hanging on by there fingernails. Heart breaking.

I would say to a lesser degree about 1200 jobs have been shed on the Coast with Spring creek Globe Pike and Stockton now plus god knows how many else due to the flow on effect.
1200 decent paying jobs jobs is a bloody lot when there is only 30000 people the coast in the first place.
Note same number of people still managing Solid Energy......

[oldiebutagoody]

There seems to be a multitude of Bike runs and rallys for any number of charities nowadays.

I've always wanted to see the West Coast, its the only part of NZ I have not been yet.

How about someone organise an annual West Coast MC gathering, converge from everywhere and spend some dosh there.

[AllanB]

I read somewhere a few years back that the coal powered generator in the North Island (Huntly?) designed to be used as back up power if the lakes get low is run on imported coal as the Coast stuff does not burn green enough for some bureaucrat. :crazy:

[Kickaha]

I read somewhere a few years back that the coal powered generator in the North Island (Huntly?) designed to be used as back up power if the lakes get low is run on imported coal as the Coast stuff does not burn green enough for some bureaucrat. :crazy:

I don't think it ever ran just on imported coal

[husaberg]

I read somewhere a few years back that the coal powered generator in the North Island (Huntly?) designed to be used as back up power if the lakes get low is run on imported coal as the Coast stuff does not burn green enough for some bureaucrat. :crazy:

Hunty power station imports Coal from overseas
There was to be a coal fired power station near Stockton the green movement in the 80's stopped it.
It was to use the low grade coal so they didn't have to bury it again.
Stockton coal is coaking coal for steel making.
To achieve the optimum blend and efficiency it needed higher grade Spring Creek coal to balance the abundant lower grades of Stockton.
Note years later there is still the same number of Management at Solid Energy

[Kickaha]

Hunty power station imports Coal from overseas
It stopped importing coal last year

[swarfie]

Note years later there is still the same number of Management at Solid Energy

Their Chiefs to Indians ratio must be getting out of kilter :yawn::weep:

Bout time they had a culling session at head office :bye:

[ellipsis]

...the world is riddled with ghost towns...aeons of them...NZ is a ghost town...last time I looked, anyway...

[eldog]

Hunty power station imports Coal from overseas
There was to be a coal fired power station near Stockton the green movement in the 80's stopped it.
It was to use the low grade coal so they didn't have to bury it again.
Stockton coal is coaking coal for steel making.
To achieve the optimum blend and efficiency it needed higher grade Spring Creek coal to balance the abundant lower grades of Stockton.

Was involved in making some new gear for Spring Creek a few years back.
Very interesting job it was to. New Conveyor drives etc.

Developed drives so they could be implemented in any mine in any location.

Pike river and the drop in coal price etc stopped future work
a real waste. I put weeks on making the gear easy to use etc. Most hours unpaid because i could see it used everywhere all over NZ

All the Bits parked up here and there.......

still think some shake up of the coal mining industry was warranted. but I am too far away from the coal face.

loss of jobs=typical accountants is still sad to see.

[husaberg]

It stopped importing coal last year

Gee that's was great of them. its a shame there wasn't a few coal mines close.
Imagine building a coal fired power station in Huntley so far away from the overseas coal in the first place.
You would have to wonder why on earth they put it at Huntley:lol:

[MD]

shafted??? what sort of world do you live in, do you run a business? if so if thae market changes and you get half the price for your goods, half the customers you used to or materials double in price do you just make up the differenence out of your own pocket and keep it going the same????
just how are these people supposed to do that ya clown?

If you read my post I said' there's all the economic reasons under the sun to close it down' Never disputed that fact or said anyone should prop it up forever. The point of my post was that knowing the inevitable is going to happen doesn't make it any easier when the time comes for the poor workers losing their jobs and the future of a once bustling town is doomed.

Easy for you to scoff from your pc keyboard. I've grown up with parents, grandparents and great grandparents that worked as gold or coal miners and coal truckies at some point in their lives . From childhood onwards I experienced adults around me worrying about the demise of the coal industry. Coasters haven't been living in denial. It's still bloody hard to walk away from a paying job it if it's all you know and there's no local alternatives. Unless they want to go live in some ugly cesspool like Auckland or Lower Hutt.

[husaberg]

Was involved in making some new gear for Spring Creek a few years back.
Very interesting job it was to. New Conveyor drives etc.

Developed drives so they could be implemented in any mine in any location.

Pike river and the drop in coal price etc stopped future work
a real waste. I put weeks on making the gear easy to use etc. Most hours unpaid because i could see it used everywhere all over NZ

All the Bits parked up here and there.......

still think some shake up of the coal mining industry was warranted. but I am too far away from the coal face.

loss of jobs=typical accountants is still sad to see.

That's the thing though Solid energy is in the poos cause it was poorly run and it has got into trouble because it was expected to borrow money to pay a dividend to the government.
It was also told it had to Buy Pike. it had to borrow to do this as well.
What kind of company has no forward contacts in place for its product.
Everyone keeps making out it is not worth propping up Yet Rio Tinto is.(Bluff smelter)
Solid Energy has sole mineral rights for Most of NZ.
Read between the lines.


Their Chiefs to Indians ratio must be getting out of kilter :yawn::weep:

Bout time they had a culling session at head office :bye:

Oddly that hasn't happened..........

[AllanB]

Hmmm makes you wonder what will happen if the world decides cows milk is out of fashion ..............

[Kickaha]

Gee that's was great of them. its a shame there wasn't a few coal mines close.
They used around 50% local coal anyway

[husaberg]

It stopped importing coal last year

Mr Gordon says the Huntly Power Station only uses imported coal when it can't get enough from New Zealand mines because overseas coal is more expensive than local coal.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/217142/genesis-rejects-union-mine-allegations

State-owned electricity generator Genesis Energy [NZX: GPLFA], slated for partial privatisation in the first half of this year, has paid to extract itself from contracts that saw it importing coal from Indonesian suppliers.
He gave no figures for the cost of quitting existing commitments for coal supply from Indonesia, which have been controversial both because of the high carbon emissions profile of coal compared to other electricity fuel sources and because of the proximity of Solid Energy's Huntly East mine to the ageing coal and gas-fired Huntly power station.
The Solid Energy contract has been extended for three years to June 2017, and is understood to give Genesis much more flexible terms than in the past, given its existing stockpiles and reduced demand for and availability of Huntly's coal-fired units.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/genesis-energy-axes-indonesian-coal-imports-huntly-use-falls-dc-151026

[eldog]

Mr Gordon says the Huntly Power Station only uses imported coal when it can't get enough from New Zealand mines because overseas coal is more expensive than local coal.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/217142/genesis-rejects-union-mine-allegations

State-owned electricity generator Genesis Energy [NZX: GPLFA], slated for partial privatisation in the first half of this year, has paid to extract itself from contracts that saw it importing coal from Indonesian suppliers.
He gave no figures for the cost of quitting existing commitments for coal supply from Indonesia, which have been controversial both because of the high carbon emissions profile of coal compared to other electricity fuel sources and because of the proximity of Solid Energy's Huntly East mine to the ageing coal and gas-fired Huntly power station.
The Solid Energy contract has been extended for three years to June 2017, and is understood to give Genesis much more flexible terms than in the past, given its existing stockpiles and reduced demand for and availability of Huntly's coal-fired units.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/genesis-energy-axes-indonesian-coal-imports-huntly-use-falls-dc-151026

I am not at that coal face and there are definitely others who know more.
Assume coal from Indonesia was shit and provided lots of problems compared to NZ supply
Yes coal industry needs a shakeup - Pike River both management AND workers (My own opinion here) - saw a sad loss of lives

I often think SE gets a raw deal from bulk users threatening to buy coal from overseas, saying its cheaper this is the accountants way.(hate accountants)
The aren't really comparing apples with apples.
There should be a cost on emissions, if NZ supplied coal produces less emissions then (SE) it should benefit

but that's just the global economy..... buy everything from an Asian/3rd world economy because its cheaper, wait till you visit one of those countries and see how people live. NZ is a paradise in comparison. Those countries are generally raping the environment and people. But what can you do, they need to live too

I thought Huntly was run on gas because it was cleaner - looked inside on of the main burners and seen the flame path quite interesting

[Swoop]

Simple solution: The West Coast takes the lunatic-fringe party to court for loss of earnings.

Green party has fucked up the use of coal, so they and their supporters either #1, get forcibly relocated to the Coast, or #2, financially support the Coast with all of their earnings.

[98tls]

What happened with the open cast mine plans for up round Denniston? or was called off due to snails or similar...

[pete376403]

I was thinking SASOL could set up a coal to oil plant as they have in South Africa. But then I see this : "On March 9, 2015 Sasol announced it will cut 1,500 jobs in response to low oil prices.[3]"

[FJRider]

Gee that's was great of them. its a shame there wasn't a few coal mines close.
Imagine building a coal fired power station in Huntley so far away from the overseas coal in the first place.
You would have to wonder why on earth they put it at Huntley:lol:

Perhaps because there was a coal mine 34 km's away ... :beer:

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/waikato-places/page-4

[PrincessBandit]

My dad was born in Westport and spent his childhood there. The family moved to Whanganui (sorry, it was spelt Wanganui back then) but Balu and I have gone to the Coast a number of times checking out the family history - mainly in the cemeteries... and on the last trip went to the Denniston Incline. That was something we'd wanted to do for a long time.
They breed 'em pretty tough down there, and I'm not sure if I could ever live there. Balu, though, has tried to convince me a few times that it could be a place we end up once we leave the rat race of Dorkland.

[scumdog]

Hmmm makes you wonder what will happen if the world decides cows milk is out of fashion ..............


Hmm, it is not too far off if you use prices as a guage of it's desirability world-wide..<_<

[eldog]

Gee that's was great of them. its a shame there wasn't a few coal mines close.
Imagine building a coal fired power station in Huntley so far away from the overseas coal in the first place.
You would have to wonder why on earth they put it at Huntley:lol:

they could have built it in 'strya, could have built a 1 lane highway with the power cable attached back to NZ. now thats an idea<_<:shifty:

[eldog]

My dad was born in Westport and spent his childhood there.
They breed 'em pretty tough down there.

Been to Hokitika for a job delivering some machinery a few years back.

They worked hard and only had the a few days off in the gold mines I visited. But they were good people, gave you the shirt off there back and went out of their way to help me - even arranged some tours on the way back up the coast of various mines.

Most memorable was the Grey river dredge - where I got a personal tour of the dredge by the owner(his name escapes me-thought of it a second ago-Birchfield?) I am sure they had a alluvial mine at Ross, I stopped and looked over the edge of the pit. Brought the Tee Shirt (its still in the wardrobe and its a good un)

Plan to go back there on a bike next time.

Much better than Aklders

[husaberg]

Perhaps because there was a coal mine 34 km's away ... :beer:

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/waikato-places/page-4

Really? You would wonder how they missed it was so far away from Indonesia though:innocent:

[eldog]

Really? You would wonder how they missed it was so far away Indonesia though:innocent:

too many drugs aye:dodge:

[husaberg]

they could have built it in 'strya, could have built a 1 lane highway with the power cable attached back to NZ. now thats an idea<_<:shifty:

We could just sell off the silly thing and those silly worthless minerals it would be great for Mom and Pop Investors.
Imagine the potential prosperity that it could bring to one and all(Of John Keys Mates):whistle:

[husaberg]

too many drugs aye:dodge:

Seems like it I thing you got me between edits for engerish (Bill)

[eldog]

We could just sell off the silly thing and those silly worthless minerals it would be great for Mom and Pop Investors.
Imagine the potential prosperity that it could bring to one and all(Of John Keys Mates):whistle:

OR we could sell it for a $1 to an aussie company who then strips all the assets and buy it back for a few hundred mill a couple of years later.

Bit like the (good) land we are selling overseas. Overseas people realise the value of such things
Cant blame the owners for trying to get top dollar I suppose:doh:

[husaberg]

Been to Hokitika for a job delivering some machinery a few years back.

They worked hard and only had the a few days off in the gold mines I visited. But they were good people, gave you the shirt off there back and went out of their way to help me - even arranged some tours on the way back up the coast of various mines.

Most memorable was the Grey river dredge - where I got a personal tour of the dredge by the owner(his name escapes me-thought of it a second ago-Birchfield?) I am sure they had a alluvial mine at Ross, I stopped and looked over the edge of the pit. Brought the Tee Shirt (its still in the wardrobe and its a good un)

Plan to go back there on a bike next time.

Much better than Aklders

Allan.........Ngahere Gold Dredge
The mine at Ross is his Brother Evan
You can never have too many tanks
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[eldog]

Seems like it I thing you got me between edits for engerish (Bill)


Our new president Bang Bang would have you up for contempt:Oops: of ringlish

[husaberg]

OR we could sell it for a $1 to an aussie company who then strips all the assets and buy it back for a few hundred mill a couple of years later.

Bit like the (good) land we are selling overseas. Overseas people realise the value of such things
Cant blame the owners for trying to get top dollar I suppose:doh:

No we need to be cleverer than that now
Sell it for a token 20 million. With great terms well below market rates for interest.
Then let them sell of all the assets it has and run down the infrastructure as much as possible while still giving them huge tax brakes
Then buy it back for $1 but we then pay to fix it all and maintain it while they get free exclusive use of the freight capabilities it has for perpetuity.

[husaberg]

Our new president Bang Bang would have you up for contempt:Oops: of ringlish

I was only pulling his tail

[eldog]

Allan.........Ngahere Gold Dredge
The mine at Ross is his Brother Evan
You can never have too many tankshttp://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11145591

yep they seemed to build everything there.
a great place for a bike, but wet, the roads down from Blenheim (often first gear) were awesome.

Still want to visit Lake Matheson

nice people the whole lot.

[eldog]

I was only pulling his tail

:stupid: :laugh:

[husaberg]

yep they seemed to build everything there.
a great place for a bike, but wet, the roads down from Blenheim (often first gear) were awesome.

Still want to visit Lake Matheson

nice people the whole lot.

Yeah from what I have figured out I am the only actual arsehole here.
To be fair though were are all a little feral
Buller Gorge is bloody awesome on a fine day (Tourists excluded)

[Gadget1]

I was only pulling his tail


You could be heading for a court case...

[eldog]

Yeah from what I have figured out I am the only actual arsehole here.
To be fair though were are all a little feral
Buller Gorge is bloody awesome on a fine day (Tourists excluded)


funny you should say that. It appears that I am a show off and an arsehole for asking questions.

Ooooo hes wearing BMW gear oooooo (so I saved for a year or two BEFORE I brought it and it has saved me a broken collar bone and various other injuries too.

Me a show off never, an attention seeker maybe.

Never did make it to Westport, thought Hokitika was a good place for a holiday, liked the roads and beaches, the emptyness

[husaberg]

You could be heading for a court case...

Nah we couldn't we settle it with a couple of bottles of Wine (from a vineyard I own in a blind trust which is kind of an odd coincidence that I know about it)
Either way I was out of the country at the time. Enjoying my US citizenship.
We could offer you Judith Collins if a couple of bottles of wine is insufficient.
But rest assured I are not a shape shifting alien.

[Gadget1]

Nah we couldn't we settle it with a couple of bottles of Wine (from a vineyard I own in a blind trust which is kind of an odd coincidence that I know about it)
Either way I was out of the country at the time. Enjoying my US citizenship.
We could offer you Judith Collins if a couple of bottles of wine is insufficient.
But rest assured I are not a shape shifting alien.


Ahh yes the vineyard of the brand Chateau nerve of you, it is popular with the high flyers i hear.

[JimO]

Hmmm makes you wonder what will happen if the world decides cows milk is out of fashion ..............
china is working on it

[Maha]

Never been there, will get there....ghosts or not.

[husaberg]

Ahh yes the vineyard of the brand Chateau nerve of you, it is popular with the high flyers i hear.
Not the young ladies though they find it distasteful
Yes the vineyard produces great young full bodied spirit with a kick in its tail
I can grasp it with both hands.

[Gadget1]

Not the young ladies though they find it distasteful
Yes the vineyard produces great young full bodied spirit with a kick in its tail
I can grasp it with both hands.


Hair, hair!

[husaberg]

Hair, hair!

Pretty Sure Shachi and Shachi can spin this.
https://vijohngrouphairremovercream.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/hrc-eng-12x20cms-2012.jpg

[husaberg]

My dad was born in Westport and spent his childhood there. The family moved to Whanganui (sorry, it was spelt Wanganui back then) but Balu and I have gone to the Coast a number of times checking out the family history - mainly in the cemeteries... and on the last trip went to the Denniston Incline. That was something we'd wanted to do for a long time.
They breed 'em pretty tough down there, and I'm not sure if I could ever live there. Balu, though, has tried to convince me a few times that it could be a place we end up once we leave the rat race of Dorkland.

If you sell you house in Auckland you could buy a street in Westport at the moment.
Westport has a pretty decent Climate, Dennison on the other hand has climate all of its own.

[ellipsis]

Hmm, it is not too far off if you use prices as a guage of it's desirability world-wide..<_<

...the milk cost me as much as the beers I bought today...both necessities mind you...

[James Deuce]

...And the effects on the country if just ONE of those 7 dormant volcanos decide to rock n roll?? :blink: (Not to mention all the poor bastards who will TRAPPED due to Aucks shitty and all ready overloaded infrastructure & roading :shit:)...yup!, crippling.



7? There are 50 individual volcanoes within Auckland's boundaries.

[Kickaha]

7? There are 50 individual volcanoes within Auckland's boundaries.

Does anyone know how we can set them all off?

[James Deuce]

Does anyone know how we can set them all off?

Fracking. Someone tell Len Brown there's oil shale under Auckland please.

[Gadget1]

Fracking. Someone tell Len Brown there's oil shale under Auckland please.


That'll confuse him even more, he's got too many voices in his head now by the look of it.

[Hitcher]

people are diversifying energy production and coal is no longer desirable ... it's too polluting, too expensive ...

Spoken like many who have no idea about coals and how they're used.

Coal from the Stockton Mine is largely a coking coal. It's used as an ingredient for the manufacture of steel -- a reductant that removes oxygen from iron ore and adds carbon. Coking coals are not used for their energy value. It is extremely difficult to manufacture steel without coal.

Other coals from Stockton are used as ingredients in a variety of other products, such as cement ("clinker' is derived from coal), silicone, activated carbon for coal and water filters and also carbon for carbon fibre. There are few coals sources in the world for carbon fibre. Stockton is one of those.

Even in such high-end niche uses, coal is still a commodity. It is a low-margin business, not helped when it has to be railed too far to a capacity-constrained port and shipped in too small quantities to international clients.

Even as an energy source, coal labours under poor public perceptions, but is neither expensive nor polluting when used in modern technologies.

[buggerit]

Spoken like many who have no idea about coals and how they're used.

Coal from the Stockton Mine is largely a coking coal. It's used as an ingredient for the manufacture of steel -- a reductant that removes oxygen from iron ore and adds carbon. Coking coals are not used for their energy value. It is extremely difficult to manufacture steel without coal.

Other coals from Stockton are used as ingredients in a variety of other products, such as cement ("clinker' is derived from coal), silicone, activated carbon for coal and water filters and also carbon for carbon fibre. There are few coals sources in the world for carbon fibre. Stockton is one of those.

Even in such high-end niche uses, coal is still a commodity. It is a low-margin business, not helped when it has to be railed too far to a capacity-constrained port and shipped in too small quantities to international clients.

Even as an energy source, coal labours under poor public perceptions, but is neither expensive nor polluting when used in modern technologies.

Would carbon fibre manufacture, and associated end products be a viable industry for the coast?

[James Deuce]

Would carbon fibre manufacture, and associated end products be a viable industry for the coast?

We don't make shit in NZ, we import low cost cheap rubbish with a 100% markup and export commodities for 50% of their value without seeing it anywhere near our books. Best light, sweet crude in the world for diesel fuel off the coast of Taranaki. We sold the rights to it for $150million and it goes in a big tanker and buggers off to be refined.

Why would we do things differently to keep coasters off the dole? (j/k)

[husaberg]

Spoken like many who have no idea about coals and how they're used.

Coal from the Stockton Mine is largely a coking coal. It's used as an ingredient for the manufacture of steel -- a reductant that removes oxygen from iron ore and adds carbon. Coking coals are not used for their energy value. It is extremely difficult to manufacture steel without coal.

Other coals from Stockton are used as ingredients in a variety of other products, such as cement ("clinker' is derived from coal), silicone, activated carbon for coal and water filters and also carbon for carbon fibre. There are few coals sources in the world for carbon fibre. Stockton is one of those.

Even in such high-end niche uses, coal is still a commodity. It is a low-margin business, not helped when it has to be railed too far to a capacity-constrained port and shipped in too small quantities to international clients.

Even as an energy source, coal labours under poor public perceptions, but is neither expensive nor polluting when used in modern technologies.

Yes and No. The coal that is generally exported and achieves the best returns are the coking coals.
So that is what the mines have been targeting. There are huge reserves of thermal coal available, much larger in fact than the coking coals.
These lower grade coals are already uncovered as part of the mining. They are then stockpiled and covered to prevent degradation.
West Coast coals are some of the highest quality in the world.
For that reason and to make the coal mining more viable a thermal power plant was originally to be built at Nakawau underneath Stockton (it was scuppered for environmental concerns in the 80's.)
As was the Hydro Scheme that was to be built by meridian just up the road.
The National grid has huge amounts of network capacity in this area as it was engineered to accommodate this in the first place.
There is (soon to be was) a cement factory nearby that consumes a lot of power.
The shipping for both is constrained by the Westport river mouth port.
Solid Energy was to build a international jetty at Granity.
This was scuppered by a deal from the rail network, Port Littleton and Canterbury. They were against it as they receive coal levies.
Note the West Coast does not get any levies.
Coal became less viable after the Carbon Tax scheme was introduced. Anyone know where that money goes?

The West Coast also has huge Iron reserves which could form a huge industry in itself. It will never happen (environmental concerns from Auckland will stop that)
There is still over 50 years left of Limestone left at Cape Fowlwind but the factory uses a inefficient wet method.
It does make some of the best cement in the world but it has not been maintained and upgraded as it should have been over the last 50 years of multiple ownership.
Holcim was to build a new cement factory in Oamaru but now just intends to ship in cement from China. (Quick buck)

[Robbo]

Coal became less viable after the Carbon Tax scheme was introduced. Anyone know where that money goes?




Carbon Tax? A reliable source from that lovely Green party told me that they collect large amounts of cash and put it into a wicker basket and attach it to a hydrogen filled balloon and send it off into oblivion and this then makes everything alright. :woohoo::woohoo:

[Ocean1]

We don't make shit in NZ, we import low cost cheap rubbish with a 100% markup and export commodities for 50% of their value without seeing it anywhere near our books.

I have a cunning plan, let's fail to make life untenable for manufacturers in NZ!

Too radical?

[Swoop]

OR we could sell it for a $1 to an aussie company who then strips all the assets and buy it back for a few hundred mill a couple of years later.
You will have to be a labour supporter/member to do that sort of stupidity...


7? There are 50 individual volcanoes within Auckland's boundaries.
None of them have ever erupted twice.
The next one will be near Mt Eden.


Would carbon fibre manufacture, and associated end products be a viable industry for the coast?
No. They are interlinked with other professions. Boatbuilders use a lot in both hull and also mast manufacture but these are separated considerably. The CF has to be "prepared" (for want of a better term) raw, cloth, pre-preg, etc, etc prior to use. There is no problem with component manufacture happening on the coast, but the "tyrrany of distance" then attacks those away from Auckland's manufacture base. Sadly.
Getting industries out of AK would be superb for all involved.

[Ocean1]

You will have to be a labour supporter/member to do that sort of stupidity...


None of them have ever erupted twice.
The next one will be near Mt Eden.


No. They are interlinked with other professions. Boatbuilders use a lot in both hull and also mast manufacture but these are separated considerably. The CF has to be "prepared" (for want of a better term) raw, cloth, pre-preg, etc, etc prior to use. There is no problem with component manufacture happening on the coast, but the "tyrrany of distance" then attacks those away from Auckland's manufacture base. Sadly.
Getting industries out of AK would be superb for all involved.

There were moves afoot to establish a small ship/boat building hub in Wgtn a few years ago, was tied in with the frigate purchase, a reciprocal supply deal.

Helen didn't like the idea, something about not profiting from the tools of war or somesuch drivel. Yet another potentially useful industry stillborn due to political fuckwittedness.

Edit: it's also used to build rockets, a local growth industry...

[husaberg]

There were moves afoot to establish a small ship/boat building hub in Wgtn a few years ago, was tied in with the frigate purchase, a reciprocal supply deal.

Helen didn't like the idea, something about not profiting from the tools of war or somesuch drivel. Yet another potentially useful industry stillborn due to political fuckwittedness.

Edit: it's also used to build rockets, a local growth industry...

The best local example was the scuppering of a hydro project here because it would have flooded 20o hectares of DOC land (that was all modified and covered with Gorse)

Electricity—Dobson Hydro Scheme


5. Hon KEN SHIRLEY (Deputy Leader—ACT NZ) to the Minister of Conservation: Following his comments on National Radio on 16 April 2003 and in question time yesterday relating to the Dobson hydroelectric scheme, will he accept that when he said: “This particular site, because of its ecological values that are fairly unique on the West Coast, is a site worth preserving. We’ve been down this path … this project has already been to the High Court, it has been rejected.”, he was not referring to the Dobson hydroelectric scheme and that the key reason the Dobson scheme is not progressing is because he is not prepared to exercise the discretionary powers contained in the Conservation Act 1987?

Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Conservation) : The Conservation Act does not give the Minister any discretion to remove land from ecological areas. The land still has the values it was protected for in the first place. As I made clear in the House yesterday, the law regarding the disposal of conservation land has been tested once already in the High Court in the Buller electricity case, when the court upheld the decision of the Hon Denis Marshall to decline a proposal to flood conservation land for a hydro scheme.

Hon Ken Shirley: Is the Minister aware of section 18(7) of the Conservation Act, which clearly gives the Minister of Conservation discretionary powers to revoke designations under the Conservation Act, and that that provision was specifically put in the Conservation Act to allow situations like the Dobson scheme to proceed on the conservation estate?

Hon CHRIS CARTER: That member’s interpretation of the Conservation Act is not one that is upheld by my department or myself.

Nanaia Mahuta: Why was the Card Creek ecological area originally protected?

Hon CHRIS CARTER: In 1983 the then National Government, led by the late Rt Hon Rob Muldoon, proudly protected that area for the express purpose of, and I quote from the Gazette notice, “preserving an example of forest in a wide valley floor, including nikau and an unusually high proportion of kahikatea and matai”. It is that very valley floor forest, described by the Hon Nick Smith as mostly gorse, that would be destroyed.

Hon Dr Nick Smith: Why did the Minister state in his press release yesterday that that land was, in terms of the land swap, of higher value than that which was proposed to be swapped for it, when the Department of Conservation’s own report, done when Helen Clark was Minister of Conservation, states exactly the opposite of that; in fact, can I quote from the report done at that time, which states that the area to be swapped is of national conservation importance, is a crucial wildlife habitat, and has significant scientific values and high landscape values, while at the same time the land in question that would be flooded was allocated to Timberlands West Coast because it was of low conservation value?

Hon CHRIS CARTER: The area that will be flooded is in the Card Creek ecological area, an area that was gazetted in 1983. It was not transferred to Timberlands. May I have an opportunity to describe the Mount Buckley area, the area that is proposed for the swap. I asked the Department of Conservation to give me a brief description of it. The total block is 720 hectares, of which 500 hectares is logged podocarp hardwood beech forest that has a canopy of 50 years or more. That is quite good forest. The additional 200 hectares is land that was logged in the 1970s and 1980s. It is bisected by a four-wheel drive track and has a power line running through it. It has considerably lower ecological values than the area that would be destroyed.

Hon Dr Nick Smith: Can the Minister explain to the House which is the Government’s position in respect of Dobson: the position that was expressed by Damien O’Connor to the local media in his area yesterday that the Government is open-minded about the Dobson scheme, or the position that he has expressed, as Minister, that it is dead in the water?

Hon CHRIS CARTER: I repeat to the House that under existing legislation I cannot swap land that has ecological value status, unless that land loses its conservation value.

Hon Roger Sowry: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Minister was asked a very simple question about the Government’s position—the position outlined by Damien O’Connor in the local newspaper, or the position that the Minister has outlined. The Minister did not talk about that, at all, but talked about whether he could swap land. We have heard that answer before. He was asked what the Government’s position is.

Mr SPEAKER: No, the Minister gave the Government’s position. He is the Minister concerned with that matter.

Rt Hon Winston Peters: Can the Minister tell the House today why it was that yesterday he claimed his comments did not relate to the Dobson hydroelectric scheme, or is it a case of one of two things: he was mistaken or he was plain lying?http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/debates/debates/47HansD_20030430_00000059/questions-for-oral-answer-%E2%80%94-questions-to-ministers

4. GORDON COPELAND (United Future) to the Minister of Conservation: With the worsening electricity crisis and concerns for adequate electricity supply in future years, will he reconsider amending the Conservation Act 1987 to enable the proposed Dobson hydro scheme to go ahead as the proposed scheme is in a high rainfall area; if not, why not?

Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Conservation) : No, I will not. The proposed power scheme would take some time to construct and is irrelevant in terms of the electricity situation this winter. The modest amount of power likely from this scheme does not, in any case, justify the flooding of an area of valley-floor kahikatea, and matai forest protected within an ecological area and established by the National Government in 1983.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/business/qoa/47HansQ_20030429_00000185/4-electricity%e2%80%94dobson-hydro-scheme


11. Dobson Hydro Dam—Ecology


11. Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) to the Minister of Conservation: Does he agree with the statement on National Radio last Wednesday by his ministerial colleague Hon Damien O’Connor, in respect of the conservation land required for the Dobson hydro power scheme, “Now I’m sure that a suitable trade can be arrived at.”; if so, what steps is the Government taking to enable a suitable trade of land?

Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Conservation) : No, I am not sure that a suitable trade can be arrived at. Finding a suitable trade for an area of forest protected by a National Government that is one of the best remaining examples of a particular forest type and that has rich bird life values seems exceptionally unlikely, nor is such a trade legally possible for a gazetted ecological area.

Hon Dr Nick Smith: Does the statement made by Government Minister Damien O’Connor: “Yes, the Dobson scheme makes good sense. I support in principle hydro development, and it is a good way to supply electricity to New Zealand, and particularly when it is close to the source of demand. I support the scheme.” represent Government policy; if it does not, can we believe anything that Damien O’Connor says as a Minister representing the Government?

Hon Dr Michael Cullen: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The last part of the question is out of order. This Minister has no responsibility in that respect.

Mr SPEAKER: Yes, the last part is out of order, but the rest of the question is in order.

Hon CHRIS CARTER: The member for West Coast - Tasman is a fine advocate for his local area. He and I often discuss areas of mutual interest. We sometimes have a different emphasis on things. I will continue to discuss the issues with him.

Dave Hereora: What are the wildlife values of the area proposed for flooding?

Hon CHRIS CARTER: In the early 1980s the former Wildlife Service identified these valley floor forests as having the richest known native bird life, in terms of species, diversity, and abundance, in the whole of North Westland. That was one of the key reasons why the area was protected by a National Government. Indeed, Dr Smith himself recognised the reserve’s native wildlife values when he extended the area in 1997.

Hon Dr Nick Smith: Supplementary—

Mr SPEAKER: I will come to the member. Could he just calm down.

Hon Dr Nick Smith: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr SPEAKER: The member will please be seated for a moment. The member constantly interjects. I have counted about 40 today. He will get his question. Other members are entitled by party to ask questions.

Deborah Coddington: Does the Minister think it is fair that people living in the top of the South Island face power cuts and cold showers, while he will not allow a West Coast 65-megawatt power station to proceed, just so that he can woo so-called Green votes in Auckland?

Hon CHRIS CARTER: There are a number of power generation options in the northern South Island, from a coal-fired power station to alternative hydro schemes, so I do not agree that the only power option is the Dobson dam, which would generate about 60 megawatts of power.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/business/qoa/47HansQ_20040616_00000011/11-dobson-hydro-dam%E2%80%94ecology

[neels]

I love visiting the west coast, and it saddens me greatly that Westport has the look of a dying town, although the Denniston Dog is still going strong.

Successive governments have restricted the employment options and any development, usually to appease the greenies and their love of snails and trees (have they ever been to the west coast, they're not short of trees over there for fucks sake), it is a pity for the people trying to scratch a living over there.

Anyone who has not been for a visit should get their arse over there, some of the best motorcycling roads in the country, as long as you don't get too distracted by the amazing scenery. Spend a weekend staying/walking/drinking in Reefton, it's good for your soul.

One can only hope that things such as the old ghost road will get things going a bit more (and the tree huggers keep trying to oppose that too), sadly I can see the only real future is reliant on visitor dollars rather than any proper industry.

[Banditbandit]

You will have to be a labour supporter/member to do that sort of stupidity...



Are you being sarcastic or ironic ??? I can't tell which (I'll give you the benefit by assuming you are not stupid enough to think that's a factual statement).

[husaberg]

Are you being sarcastic or ironic ??? I can't tell which (I'll give you the benefit by assuming you are not stupid enough to think that's a factual statement).

Its a bit backwards granted, but hello 1987...........
It was slightly more right wing than Genghis Kahn, but it was the Labour Party.
I have never really figured out how Rodger Douglas, Richard Prebble, Ken Shirley David Caygill got into the Labour party though.

[ktm84mxc]

My fathers family have lived and worked on the coast from the early/mid 1800's and did the local jobs eg Coal & gold mining, farming, Publicans, Roading contractors , Wharfs , Police, Public service etc it's a sad day for the Coast they've lost Forestry, Mining , Cement works and Tourism is seasonal at best. Whats the Governments answer ? help rebuild ChCh? yeah right.
We used to own/run a large Slate mine up the Gorge close to Hawkes Crag , good quality and used by kids at school before pencil and paper till old Dick Seddon decreed all kids will have pencil and paper, it slowly died out . A survey in the 1920's estimated you could remove 120,000 tons a year and it would have a life of approx 150 yrs , only problem now it's in conservation land.

[Paul in NZ]

There was a piece of TV the other night - the local mayor/councillor/big wig / buggered if I know was commenting that they would need some kind of alternative primary employment until Westport kicked off as an IT hub..... erm..... OK....

I'm guess that what he meant was that local conditions are now so depressed on the Coast that call centres will relocate there from India and the Philippines due to the low wages ....

[Banditbandit]

My fathers family have lived and worked on the coast from the early/mid 1800's and did the local jobs eg Coal & gold mining, farming, Publicans, Roading contractors , Wharfs , Police, Public service etc it's a sad day for the Coast they've lost Forestry, Mining , Cement works and Tourism is seasonal at best. Whats the Governments answer ? help rebuild ChCh? yeah right.
We used to own/run a large Slate mine up the Gorge close to Hawkes Crag , good quality and used by kids at school before pencil and paper till old Dick Seddon decreed all kids will have pencil and paper, it slowly died out . A survey in the 1920's estimated you could remove 120,000 tons a year and it would have a life of approx 150 yrs , only problem now it's in conservation land.

Hang on - are you suggesting that you still should be mining slate to provide writing materials for schools?

[husaberg]

Hang on - are you suggesting that you still should be mining slate to provide writing materials for schools?

Nice spotting Interestingly pretty close to there is a easily accessible extremely high grade Yellow cake Uranium deposit, We are not allowed to mine that one either.
Also it has been announced there has been a cull at Solid Energies head office 75%.
They are saying look you guys in the mines that are operating only lost 50% of the employees so we are hurting more lol
They don't consider it relevant to include the Hundreds of contractors or the staff in the mines they shut as being pertinent to the figures.


My fathers family have lived and worked on the coast from the early/mid 1800's and did the local jobs eg Coal & gold mining, farming, Publicans, Roading contractors , Wharfs , Police, Public service etc it's a sad day for the Coast they've lost Forestry, Mining , Cement works and Tourism is seasonal at best. Whats the Governments answer ? help rebuild ChCh? yeah right.
We used to own/run a large Slate mine up the Gorge close to Hawkes Crag , good quality and used by kids at school before pencil and paper till old Dick Seddon decreed all kids will have pencil and paper, it slowly died out . A survey in the 1920's estimated you could remove 120,000 tons a year and it would have a life of approx 150 yrs , only problem now it's in conservation land.

What was the mine because Heaphy's at Berlins is still going privately.

[98tls]

Nice spotting Interestingly pretty close to there is a easily accessible extremely high grade Yellow cake Uranium deposit, We are not allowed to mine that one either.
Also it has been announced there has been a cull at Solid Energies head office 75%.
They are saying look you guys in the mines that are operating only lost 50% of the employees so we are hurting more lol
They don't consider it relevant to include the Hundreds of contractors or the staff in the mines they shut as being pertinent to the figures.



What was the mine because Heaphy's at Berlins is still going privately.

Out of interest is the pub still going?

[husaberg]

Out of interest is the pub still going?

Not as a pub I don't think, it was for a time reopened as one and spruced up as a pub campgrounds Café it might still be a café or for the rafting company I don't often go that way though.
They had a loan from the Development trust but went under at one stage.
The Jacksons Pub is open again and has been all done up.

[98tls]

Not as a pub I don't think, it was for a time reopened as one and spruced up as a pub campgrounds Café it might still be a café or for the rafting company I don't often go that way though.
They had a loan from the Development trust but went under at one stage.
The Jacksons Pub is open again and has been all done up.

Cheers mate,when i was a young fella mums sister owned Mcmanus Hotel (spelling) up the north end though its well different these days.Ive a pic in the lounge of W.Nahrs Westport brewery which was the first privately owned setup over there,ive a bottle somewhere pale ale or similar,bloke owned a couple of pubs and the brewery,the old girl has a photo of his funeral procession down the main street of Westport,big event in which everyone got the day off work.When over there awhile back i hunted out his grave at from memory Sergeants hill cemetery,huge great headstone etc though sadly neglected considering how many Nahrs still live there.

[eldog]

Its a bit backwards granted, but hello 1987...........
It was slightly more right wing than Genghis Kahn, but it was the Labour Party.
I have never really figured out how Rodger Douglas, Richard Prebble, Ken Shirley David Caygill got into the Labour party though.

you might have to go back to the late '60s and early 70's to see, university graduates?

Who knows what would have happened if Kirk had not passed away. Politically it would have been fun times. Were would be now if we had compulsory saving scheme from back then?

This is KB so not the place I guess?

If you go back to the 20-80's quite often plans were made with the general interest of the small developing country at heart, who has to rely on mostly a rural economy to survive.

You can see that quite often in the electricity side of things.

Money has always been the restraining device.

NZders certainly punch above their weight on the global scheme of things.