An exploration of the silver and gold mines in Waihi. Features men and work in the mines, machinery and Waihi street scenes. Photographed by Norman Blackie.
Title sequence shows “Waihi” then “New Zealalands (sic) Town” written in sand with gold objects scattered about. Featuring the work of miners and the operations at Waihi and Waikino. Views of Waihi township, including, main street, Seddon street, various hotels and streets. A sign reads, “MARTHA GOLDMINING COY (WAIHI) LTD. INCORPORATED ENGLAND A.F. LOWRIE, SUPERINTENDENT”. Two men survey the area. Written in sand in pieces of gold is, “Waihi”. “New Zealand’s Town”. “Produced by A.L Margan”. “Photographed by N.W. Blackie. Tauranga”.
A miner plants a small explosive in the earth. An ore in operation at Martha Mine. A nurse organises supplies in the surgery. A group of miners trudge to work. A man ties a gold trinket to his lapel. A group of men in suits outside a wooden building. Man driving a car pulls out of a garage. Men work at the coal face. Mine interior and machinery. A sign reads, “Danger! Visitors not permitted”. Work in the mine shafts. Men shovelling earth into the mine train. Men leaving the mine after their shift. Oiling the mine machinery.
A man brushing a horse’s tail. The harnessed horse. A train collects carts of dirt from the mine. Shovelling coal into the train engine. A brass sign reads, “Waikino”. A sign on metal gates reads “JR Noble Battery Superintendent”. The dirt being sifted for gold, the washing process. A painted sign reads, “All solutions in this plant are poisonous”. The remaining sludge being pumped into the river. A sign in gold dust reads, “Silver & Gold”. A man dips his hand in a gold pan. [Small heaps of gold dust being wrapped in paper]. Process of melting down gold.
Group of men gathered outside wooden building, collecting their pay for the week; from their pay they put coins in a box .