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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts]

Nelson Creek

Nelson Creek.

Nelson Creek , many years ago, was a prosperous mining settlement, and is situated four miles from the neareast railway station— Ngahere—on the Grey-Reelton line of railway. It is in the Nelson Creek riding, in the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Nelson. A small amount of mining is still carried on in the district, and a considerable amount of dredging in the creek. There are also some sawmills at work in the neighbourhood. The township possesses four hotels, three stores, and a public school with two teachers, and Anglican and Roman Catholic churches. The business of the post office and telephone bureau is conducted at one of the local stores. The population, at the census of 1901, was thirty-six.

Stephens Brothers (Peter Stephens, Hannah Stephens, and George Stephens), General Drapers and Grocers, Nelson Creek. This business was established in the year 1890, by Messrs Peter and Hannah Stephens, who were joined by Mr. George Stephens in 1897. The premises are freehold, and include a wood and iron building, which contains a store, a shop, and residence. Messrs Stephens Brothers do business throughout the West Coast. The partners travel periodically, visiting the various settlements, for a few weeks at a time. They also supply hawkers in various parts of New Zealand, and are importers from all parts of the world.

Mr. Peter Stephens , Senior Partner in the firm of Stephens Bros., was born in the year 1868 at Mount Lebanon, Syria, where he was educated. In 1887, he arrived in Melbourne, Australia, and shortly afterwards came to New Zealand, and opened his first shop in Wellington. Mr. Stephens also established a branch business at Picton, and another in Wellington. In 1890, he commenced business at Nelson Creek, and continued the Wellington branch until 1904, Mr. Stephens has been twice married, and has two sons and two daughters. His second wife died in August, 1904.

Fisher Brothers (William Fisher and Charles Walter Fisher), Sawmillers, Nelson Creek. The sawmill of Messrs Fisher Bros, was started in the year 1900, and is situated six miles from Ngahere railway station, to which the timber is carted by the mill teams. Although there is a good supply of red and white pine, at present page 273 (1905) principal attention is paid to the cutting of silver pine for railway sleepers and bridge work. The mill plant is a complete one, 500 acres of bush is held, and twelve persons are employed.

Mr. William Fisher , Senior Partner, was born at Brighton, near Charleston, in the year 1873. He was educated in Christchurch, and brought up to general work, including farm work, mining and sawmilling. Mr. Fisher is married, and has three children.

Mr. Charles Walter Fisher , Junior Partner, was born in the year 1877, in Christchurch, where he was educated. He has been engaged in various occupations, chiefly sawmilling. Mr. Fisher is married and has two children.

Nelson Creek Gold Dredging Company , Limited. Offices, High Street, Dunedin; Secretary, Mr. W. Holsted. The Nelson Creek Gold Dredging Company began work in the Nelson Creek in the year 1900, and has been very successful. During one year, the gold obtained averaged eighty-six ounces per week. A new dredge is being started (1905) to work ground that is known as the “Deep Lead.” The capital of the company is £8,500, of which £6,000 is subscribed. The dredge is solidly constructed, with pontoons of eightyfour feet in length, twenty-eight feet wide, and seven feet in depth. The ladder has fifty-six feet centres, and is capable of dredging to thirty feet the buckets are of four and a-half cubic feet capacity. There is a thirty horse-power boiler of Cutten's special design, and the main engine is a twelve horse-power compound Marshall. The winches are operated by a Cutten's open-geared four horse-power engine. A dredgemaster and twelve persons are employed.

Mr. Alfred Robert Edmonds , Dredgemaster of the Nelson Creek Gold Dredging Company's dredge, was for many years connected with the dredging industry, prior to his present appointment. He followed a sea-faring life for some years, came to New Zealand in the year 1866, and was goldmining in Otago, and on the West Coast. In 1876, Mr. Edmonds started dredge work in Otago, and was afterwards for a time quartz mining in West Australia. He then returned to New Zealand, and in 1879, he became master of a dredge on who Molyneux. Mr. Edmonds was afterwards in charge of the well-known Jutland Flat dredge at Waipori for ten years. As a Freemason, he is a Past Master of Lodge Arrow Kilwinning.

Ring, photo. Mr. A. R. Edmonds.

Ring, photo.
Mr. A. R. Edmonds.

Mr. Austin F. Warner , Engineet of the Nelson Creek Gold Dredging Company, was born in Greymouth in the year 1876, and educated at Mr. Cook's Warwick House school, in Christchurch. He afterwards went to Sydney, entered the Government railway workshops at Eveline, and remained there for about eight years.

Mr. Warner then returned to New Zealand, and was employed for a few months in suction dredges on the West Coast. He received his present appointment in March, 1901. While in Australia, Mr. Warner was a member of the Sydney Harriers, competed with considerable success in long distance running, and won several trophies. Mr. Warner is married.