Ford and Ogden Mine, Coalgate, Selwyn District, Canterbury Region, New Zealandi

Regional Level Types
Ford and Ogden Mine	Mine
Coalgate	Town
Selwyn District	District
Canterbury Region	Region
New Zealand	Country

Old pottery clay pit.

Ford and Ogden Pottery Company. Located at South Malvern, a small village 2 kilometres north-west of Glentunnel. Some overgrown disturbed ground in the hills above South Malvern is the only remaining evidence.

The company operated from December 1878 until the partnership was dissolved in May 1886 due to the bankruptcy of the Fords. Ogden retired from the business at the same time. The partners were Samuel Ogden, and James Ford. Edmund Ford had joined the company later than 1878 as a partner. James had prospected the Malvern Hills area for the prior 25 years, and was responsible for managing the clay pit, while the other two partners managed the pottery business in Christchurch.

The business was sold to C.W. Fisher and Co. in 1889, then this was bought out by the Wigram brothers, who closed the business.

The site had extensive clays called fireclay, red clay, and ganister in a seam at least 10 feet thick. Colours ranged from dark to light grey, and brown to reddish grey. Conglomerate with rhyolite pebbles underlay the clay, with a 2 foot thick coal seam as part of the fireclay unit. The units strike north-west to south-east, and dip moderately east into the hills.

About 25 men were employed, with clay carted into Christchurch from a railway siding at South Malvern.

A description of the products supplied by the company is reprinted here (New Zealand Times newspaper, 1885) from a Melbourne exhibition: 'Messrs Ford and Ogden of Malvern Hills 45 miles from Christchurch have a large display of drain pipes, in 3 ft length, and ranging from 3in to 21in in diameter with suitable stench-trap bends. All are made from fireclay and ganister, the latter being a rare and valuable commodity for such purposes. There are firebricks of every description, and for every purpose. A large variety of chimney tops, in terra cotta from 1ft 9in to 6 ft in length are fine specimens. Pickle jars of every size are shown, these being a specialty of the firm, who supply large quantities to pickle manufacturers. Bread, butter and honey jars in various sizes are displayed. In garden borders, there are some nice varieties, and of various shapes in terra cotta. There is a very fine collection of flower pots, cast in plaster of paris moulds, the general run being made of what is called technically turned spun clay. Pig troughs of different sizes, which must be a great improvement on the old wooden ones, and gutter tiles are also exhibited. There are various other articles, all being turned out in the test style of workmanship.'

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