WAIHI LEADER, TUESDAY JULY 15 2008

DO you enjoy using the Mill Stream Walkway?

The Waihi Walkways AGM this Thursday night will be followed by a presentation of the walk’s heritage features, says the society’s coordinator Ruth Ordish.

Among them are the remains of several power pylons set up by the Waihi Gold Mining Company in 1913, after the Horahora hydro-electric scheme brought power as far as Victoria Battery in Waikino, then on to Waihi.

The walkway also passes the site of the Cassel’s tailings plant, where the cyanide process was used to recover gold from battery tailings from 1894-95.

Another feature, known as ‘The Cutting’, was originally formed to divert the stream away from the mine tailings pond behind it.

The presentation is part of a project to put markers on the walkway by the end of this year, in conjunction with a brochure of photos and stories to help walkers appreciate heritage features that might otherwise be missed, says Ruth.

The information will include reference to the history of the tennis courts, the town’s original swimming baths, Central Hotel and Speak’s Quarry, as researched by local resident Eric Lens.

There are many stories to be told, says Ruth, even in the water of the Mill Stream itself which has been diverted several times over the last century.

She says Thursday’s presentation will be of special interest to people who walk along the Mill Stream. Everyone is welcome at the 7pm meeting at the Waihi Contract Bridge Club in Union St.

Waihi District Walkways Inc. PO Box 241 Waihi New Zealand

Send e- mail to: Waihi Walkways