New Zealand - Brunnerton Bridge - Circa 1880s - Real Photo Format - J. Ring Photo #338182 BRUNNERTON. - Situated eight miles north-east of Greymouth, occupies an important position on the West Coast, and is second only to Westport as a coal-mining centre. It was formed into a borough in the year 1887, and, as the scene of the oldest coalfield in New Zealand, it has played an important part in the coal industry of the colony. - The Brunner coal seam was discovered by Mr. Thomas Brunner, a surveyor in the employment of the New Zealand Company. In 1844–5, in company with two Maoris, Mr. Brunner travelled from Nelson to Westland along the Buller river. From Westport he voyaged to Grey and up the Grey river, and discovered the celebrated coal seam on his way. - His trip was a very arduous one, and, in fact, so dangerous that the Royal Geographical Society gave him its medal in acknowledgment of his services. Work at the mine was first commenced in the year 1864 by Matthew Batty and party, who were the first to lease it from the Nelson Provincial Government. - Subsequently, a compauy from Ballarat, in Victoria, worked the mine for about four years, when its lease was cancelled. The property was then worked for some years by the Provincial Government itself, and in 1874 a lease was granted for twenty-one years to a Melbourne firm, on the usual rent and royalty, and with a stipulation that for the first few years there should be an annual output of 12,000 tons, until the maximum reached 30,000 tons a year. - However, in six months the syndicate sold out to Messrs Kennedy Brothers, of Greymouth, and these gentlemen disposed of three-fourths of their interest to the Westport Coal Company and Union Steamship Company. - The mine is worked by means of a tunnel driven into the face of the Paparoa range. The system of working is what is known as the “board and pillar” principle. The plant is ot the latest type in the world, and it is estimated that over 2000 tons of coal per week could, if required, be brought to the surface. - For many years the men in the Brunner mine had been accustomed to work with naked lights, as the mine was regarded as being perfectly safe in that respect, but the appalling explosion which took place at 9.15 a.m. on the 26th of March, 1896, when sixty-five men and boys were entombed, proved the contrary, with a tragical emphasis still remembered throughout New Zealand. - Since then new methods have been introduced. It is expected that the Wallsend mine, which has been idle for some time, may shortly (1905) be opened up again. Of late the borough of Brunnerton has passed through troublous times owing to the competition of Westport; a factor which has done much to stagnate local trade, and reduce property values. - The borough of Brunnerton is divided by the Grey river, and connected by a fine bridge. The south side of the river is in the provincial district of Westland, while the portion on the northern side is in the provincial district of Nelson, but the entire borough is in the electorate of Grey. Brunner, Walsend, Dobson, and Stillwater are included within the boundaries of the borough. (http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc05Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d27-d1.html)