The Old Ghost Town, Waiuta.

The Old Ghost Town, Waiuta.

By Tess Morgan

Located just inland on the West Coast of New Zealand, lies the well known ghost town, Waiuta. Despite the broken down houses and the eerie sense, Waiuta once thrived amongst shops, mines and everyday town life.

Waiuta evolved over many great years of mining, throughout deathly health causes, and through the statistics of population.

Gold processing, Snowy Battery in Waiuta

How Waiuta Formed

Before the shops and sports teams, the town of Waiuta started when four adventurers discovered the Birthday Reef of gold on the upper sweep of the Blackwater Stream.

Closely after, they then sold the land rights to a businessman for $500 (approximately $30,000 in today’s money), more than enough for living comfortably throughout the years. After proving that the stream was more than it seemed, the first mineshaft named Blackwater Shaft opened in the year 1908, with a depth of 563m deep, finishing off with the Prohibition mineshaft years later.

Left lung with Silicosis, Right lung healthy. 


Early Deaths of Miners, Caused By Silicosis

With the many great outcomes in the mining industry, a sickness known as the deathly Silicosis caused stress among many workers each day.

The miners job is to extract the gold within mounds of quartz, by drilling a hole into the reef, then packing it with explosives to break it apart.

Although, the mining space was cramped and by working the rock apart, disastrous crystalline silica filled the air, causing the disease called Silicosis.

Silicosis, also known as Miners Phthisis is a form of lung disease transmitted by inhaling crystalline silica, a common dust found in mining environments. 

Once the crystalline silica is in the lungs, it takes the role of scar tissue, which then makes it hard for oxygen to reach this key organ.

Unfortunately, there is no found cure to Silicosis, and the disease only gets worse; leading to shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pains and even cancer. From all around the world, this disease has killed over 2000 people from 1999 to 2013. Silicosis also took a toll on the Waiuta.



Local Barbershop 

Population of Waiuta

From 1906 to the 1930’s, the population of Waiuta thrived through their shops, sports teams, and it’s sociable image. Easily accessible from SH 7 near Ikamatua, Waiuta attracted many’s attention, and the population reached the peak of 600.

Although, in the year 1951, the Blackwater Shaft collapsed from excessive extracting and could no longer be pumped for water and gas which was vital for the mining industry.

The company who owned the shaft decided it would be placing workers lives in danger to reopen, so they closed down the shaft and the town was left abandoned, as there was no more work for residents.


Just inland of the West Coast in the South Island, Waiuta still has some sturdy houses, however the bush is slowly reclaiming of what used to be the town.

The story of Waiuta is about harsh working environments, miners deaths, the popular sports teams, and the shops in what used to be a thriving community.
The Blackwater Shaft

Kiwi Reflection

After a 40 minute car trip into the heart of Paparoa Range; our class Ruma C emerged through the car door to reveal a two metre high predator free fence, with a Kiwi Sanctuary logo dead centre.

Leading us through the gate, our expert Joe gestured us into a miniature compartment decorated with pictures, signs and short descriptions of her volunteer job. Handling the precious Kiwi feathers and a rough, but smooth egg shell; Joe spoke with genuine love and integrity of the beautiful Kiwi; telling many facts about habitat loss, egg laying and territorial calls.

After our quick chat, we walked with purpose downhill across a creek while Joe scuttled threw the immense gorse to give a health check on one of her Great Spotted Kiwi.

as we waited for Joe to come back with the kiwi, we began exploring their habitat inside the sanctuary. After a few hopeful moments later, we saw Joe walking calmly towards us with something squirming inside a blue bag. As she reached the bottom of the hill she sat down on the damp, mossy grass, rummaging her hands gently inside the bag and out revealed a gorgeous kiwi. Cradling the soft, beautiful creature in her arms, the kiwi squirmed but Joe held him gently as she weighed the bird to check it’s health.

Personal Comment:
Overall our trip to see the Kiwi's was a one in a million event, and to have been standing half a meter away from such an amazing bird, I would love to do it over and over again. Also, thank you to our teacher of Ruma C: Dean, for making this happen.

My Weekly Reflection

I enjoy being told what to do when it is learning at school, but since the learning environment has changed as Dean came to LBS,  I learned to adapt to changes and got on with my SDL. In some ways I do want to go back to being told what to do and when to do it; although I enjoy learning within Dean's perspective of education. Sometimes I do get a bit confused on what to do when I don't have much to get on with, but I end up with a way of getting more work done at the end of it. With next week becoming nearly a full week of just getting on with my own work, no structure at all, I think it would be a good chance to see if I can achieve well in a Self Directed Classroom.

Weekly Reflection

This week I ended up finishing a lot of my activities I had to do and I really feel like I'm doing really well at my Self Directed Learning. Some activities I finished off include my Scratch (coding), completed my maths buddy revision, and I also finished my farm P.M.I. Even though I did have one day off I am still completing a lot of work, I am beginning to enjoy being a Self Directed Learner.

This Day In History

This day in history is something we participate in Ruma C every morning. It involves searching up what happened on this day, but a different year. With our creation, we also have to do a so what. A so what is when we explain why this is important to know, and why we should learn about these things. Today we chose to do use a coding website for our creation on Auckland pedestrians begin 'Barnes Dance'. Thank you for looking at my blog.

Weekly Reflection

*Things has changed at the school and things will change some more. What will this look like for you? Will you change?
* Question
I  think that this school has changed a lot, our Principle has changed, we used to have a different teacher, but sometimes it is good for a change I think and LBS will look much different in the future. I am really excited for my last year in primary school, and I want to make it the best year yet.

Little Red Riding Hood Narrative

THE STORY OF LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

Once upon a dark, saddened time, there came a girl named Genevieve who loved caring for her old crippled Granny who lived in a nearby village. One glistening day, her mother called her into the kitchenette to break the news about Granny’s health.
“Genevieve! Poor Granny’s under the weather again and I insist that you leave her this apple-crumb cake that’s baking in the oven now. Do you remember what path to take to arrive at the cottage?” Asked mother.
“Indeed I do.” Genevieve said cheerily. 

With that being said, Genevieve skipped up the worn out wooden stairs that lead her to the bedroom where she placed the basket ready for the morning.

She awoke the next day with a pit of nerves deep in her stomach. Walking across the room, she buttoned up her red coat and slumped to breakfast cradling her packaged goods. Shortly after saying a brief goodbye to mother, she then headed out into the bitter cold weather in search for her Granny’s cottage.

After 30 minutes of shivering her way along the dirt road, there came a fork in the path. One way curved to the right, the other went a jagged left. At this point, Genevieve had to think persistently about what path to take.
“Must I go to the left, or the right?” pondered Genevieve.
“Do you need some help young lady?” A gravelly voice spoke behind her. Genevieve turned to see a dark grey wolf-like animal somewhat smiling at her.
“Granny is unwell, so I have come to give her some home baking. The problem is, I can’t remember which way to turn!” As Genevieve said this, her voice started to crack as if she would burst into tears.
“Well, why don’t you take the left path! It’s very quick..” The wolf sniggered.
“That sounds great, thanks for helping me!” said Genevieve relieved, taking off down the dusty path.

Although the wolf said that the path she had taken was a quick short route, Genevieve couldn’t help but think that he had tricked her into something disastrous. She had been walking along the dirt road for what had seemed like hours now, and every bit further she got, she became a little bit more worried.

Whilst Genevieve was on the verge of tears, the wolf was processing a cunning plan to eat the grandmother, then pretend to be her when Genevieve knocked on the door; so then he could gobble her up too! He raced along the opposite path that Genevieve took and in no time he was at the doorstep knocking on the door, innocently pretending to be Genevieve.
“Granny? Are you there? I have some freshly baked cake for you to have a munch on!” The wolf said slyly.
“Oh Genny! I have been hoping you that you will show soon! Did mother send you? Granny said wondering.
The wolf didn’t know what to say, Genevieve had never said anything about mother.
“Ah, that doesn’t matter!” the wolf said nervously. “How do I come in?”
“Pop the latch and lift the handle.” Granny spoke softly; not knowing what a mess she was getting herself into. The wolf let himself in and came threw the door. He jumped on Granny, careful not to tear the clothing that he would wear shortly after, and enjoyed his late lunch of an old lady. Licking his lips, he jumped into her slightly bloody clothes, walked over to her bed and made himself comfortable while he waited for Genevieve.

In the meantime while all of this was happening, Genevieve had calmed herself and continued walking, and noticed that the wolf hadn’t lied about the path as it did indeed lead her to Granny's house. She came to the porch and knock-knock-knocked on the door.
“Granny? Mother has sent me some delicious home baking for you!” Genevieve said proudly.
“Oh Genny! I was hoping that you would show soon! Did mother send you?” The wolf said imitating Granny perfectly.
“Oh yes she did! Granny, how do I come in?” Genevieve asked.
“Pop the latch and lift the handle dear.” said the wolf, licking his lips.
Genevieve entered Granny’s little cottage and headed to the bedroom area.
“My, What big ears you have!” said Genevieve, intrigued.
“The better to hear you with, darling” Said the wolf sweetly.
“But Granny, what big eyes you have!” Said the granddaughter, a tad spooked now.
“The better to see you with, sweetness” The wolf said, a little agitated about all of the questions.
“Must I say, what big teeth you have!” Said Genevieve backing away.
“THE BETTER TO EAT YOU WITH, DELICIOUS LITTLE GIRL!” Yelled the wolf, jumping out of bed and chasing the frightened girl around the bedroom.

After many minutes of the chase game, Genevieve, only just a little girl became tired and started to slow down. To the wolf, this was the perfect opportunity to eat her up. With his mouth open wide, she wolf pounced on the little girl and gobbled her up. The wolf, now the size of a full scale motorbike, layed down onto the bed and fell contently asleep; dreaming about more yummy humans to eat next time.


The End