Pumphouse Photo Competition
There was a great response to the Cornish Pumphouse photo competition held recently. Entries were on display in the window of the Waihi Leader office from mid November until last week.
The winners of each section and those judged 'highly commended' have been waiting patiently to receive their prizes. These will be awarded, along with prizes for float entries, at the conclusion of the annual Christmas Parade on Saturday 16th December.
The presentations will take place near the pumphouse and people who wish to check out the pumphouse site will be able to do so immediately afterwards.
All photographs entered in the competition are now at Barrons Unichem Pharmacy Kodak Express and owners can pick them up from there.
Southern Stability Cutback Blasting Trials
While excavation continues on the southern stability cutback Newmont Waihi Gold and Macmahon Contractors are preparing to begin a blasting programme in the cutback area.
It is many years since any blasting has taken place as high up as the pit rim. Because the area to be blasted is close to residences and businesses and likely to be noticeable, trials will be conducted first.
The trials are being carried out on twenty signature holes to obtain data with which to refine blast design and determine appropriate charge weights.
This will assist in minimising effects from future blasting.
A series of four signature holes were fired last week. They were located near the pit rim within the south western side of the open pit. This area is adjacent to the commercial area of Seddon Street east of Haszard Street and many residences.
Due to the proximity of these properties to the trial area occupants were informed of the likelihood that vibration from the blasts would be noticeable.
A second series comprising the remaining 16 signature holes is planned to take place on one day during the week 18th to 22nd December 2006, between 10.30am and 11.00am. The trial will last approximately 50 seconds.
As a precaution the pit rim walkway between the Western Viewing Platform and the Cornish Pumphouse will be closed for a short time while the trial is taking place.
Pumphouse Progress
Activities at the site recently have been centred around establishing the Cornish Pumphouse on new foundations and carefully removing the equipment and extra concrete pads that were attached to the building to facilitate the move.
A retaining wall and mock 'No 5 shaft' is being constructed beside the western wall of the pumphouse. Backfill will be put in place on the north and south sides of the building to bring the ground level back up to the base of the buttresses. Selected samples of industrial equipment and pieces of the cast-in-situ concrete beams, used for the first phase of the move, will form chunky sculptures in the grounds around the pumphouse.
On the eastern side of the building, furthest from the town centre, the ground will slope down to the same level as the upper surface of the pre-cast concrete beams.
These will remain in place to help tell the story of the engineering feat that relocated this historic building.
Access to the inside of the pumphouse will be from the eastern side, as it was before the building was relocated. The ground level of this entrance will be the same elevation as the relocation causeway, between the concrete beams.
A lot of planting has been carried out over the last two weeks in areas surrounding the site. The walkway between the pumphouse and the top of Martha Street is taking shape. New grassed areas are being established and if weather and conditions allow, it is hoped to have it open to view at the weekend in conjunction with 'Pumphouse on Parade'.
Above: The pumphouse walkway is taking shape. This photograph was taken last week looking south east with Union Hill in the background.
Above: A re-creation of No 5 Shaft is being constructed on the western side of the Cornish Pumphouse.
Throughout the relocation project the pumphouse was illuminated at night. This photograph was taken 21 September 2006.
Highlighting the Pumphouse
While the pumphouse was being relocated it was illuminated with temporary lighting to provide extra interest. This proved very popular and certainly allowed for many great photo opportunities.
This lighting has been removed to make the way clear for earthworks machinery to operate at the site so the pumphouse is now in the dark for a short time.
The Newmont Waihi Gold freephone is attended 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
0800 NEWMONT
(0800 639 6668)
Ideas for permanent lighting have been under investigation with a view to enhancing the structure's engaging character and also providing night time security lighting to deter vandalism and other undesirable behaviours.
An Auckland lighting design specialist, Lambent Design, in association with Waihi's Mitre 10, will soon be implementing the concepts agreed upon. These will incorporate seasonal lighting for Christmas and other special occasions as well as providing year-round interest.
Watch this space!!