Austin and Kirk Mine (Bradshaws), Coalgate, Selwyn District, Canterbury Region, New Zealandi

Regional Level Types
Austin and Kirk Mine (Bradshaws)	Mine
Coalgate	Town
Selwyn District	District
Canterbury Region	Region
New Zealand	Country

Old coal mine and pottery clays.

(Speight, 1928) states the location is 'Bradshaws (Austins) clay pit'. Earlier sources just generally state Austin and Kirk's clay pit. Bradshaw may have been a later clay miner, or owner of the land.

Austin Kirk and Company Ltd. In 1870, John Austin and Henry Kirk set up the Farnley Brick and Tile Works in what is now Centaurus Road Christchurch. They had met on the ship out from England, Austin a trained potter, while Kirk was a book-keeper. They had arrived at Lyttelton late 1863. John's brother William was also part of the pottery partnership.

The business was highly successful, employing 71 men, with a massive expansion in scope and machinery taking place. However, there must have been some break-down in the partnership, as it was dissolved sometime shortly before 1886 when the clay pit was sold. .

Locally famed potter Luke Adams worked for Austin and Kirk for a time
(1875-1880), setting up their 'fine wares' department, but with the expansion of the business, Austin and Kirk focussed on bricks, tiles and pipes. Adams left to set up his own fine pottery works. This family owned a pottery at Sydenham in Christchurch until 1975 producing domestic ware, and 'kiddibricks'- miniature clay bricks for children, a pre-cursor to Lego.

In fact historically there was a major industry in Christchurch, producing pipes, bricks, tiles, and domestic wares from several kiln works, using Malvern Hills clay.

(Speight, 1928) states of the clay pit, that the upper section is slightly argillaceous sand, then shale 20 feet thick, dark sandy shale 2 feet thick, alternating layers then of clay and sandy clay 6 feet thick, slightly argillaceous sand with interbedded clays 9 feet thick, all dipping south-east. Nearby coal seams were also worked by the company, although no description is provided.

The property covered 10 acres, and was sold in 1886, described as containing a stone cottage, wooden stables, a garden and orchard, paddocks, and a clay pit.

The former pit is on the south side of the Hawkins River, one to two kilometres south of Sheffield, on the south side of the bridge. (Speight, 1928) states an easterly road is taken (Bulls Road?) and the most westerly pit was mined for clay. Workings can be seen on satellite south of the Malvern Hills and Bulls Road intersection, and some more several hundred metres further south either side of the Malvern Hills Road. Jebson's coal mine was also in the area. Without confirmation, the Sheffield Railway Station has been used for the Mindat map, until more information comes to hand.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References