Opitonui Stamper - Coromandel Traditional Cache
Darby&Joan: It seems with a fence in place, our intention was not for people to have to clamber over a fence. The usage of this land must have changed, so we are having to archive now. Thanks to all visitors over the years.
Opitonui Stamper - Coromandel
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Size: 
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A quick drive-by featuring a historic site.
This area has lacked council attention for some time. This year we notice the site has been cleaned up and the historic items are on display for all. Opitonui in 1897 had a population of 700. The Kauri Timber Co had sole access to the large gold and timber resources of the area. It was a ten stamper battery. A five mile railway went directly to the Whangapoua Heads Port and a hotel serviced the clientele. The area was deserted by 1903. Opitonui District. kauri Freehold Gold Estates. — This company has carried on extensive works during the year. A tramway has been laid from Whangapoa to the mine at Opitonui, and a locomotive-engine is employed in conveying material from the landing-place to the mine. A branch line is also in the course of construction up the Owera Valley. There is also a considerable amount of work being carried on at the mines on the different sections of the property. Several levels are being put in, and two shafts are sunk. On one of the shafts a pumping and winding plant has been erected. The other shaft is being put down for the purpose of connecting the St. Hilda level with this shaft, which has been driven a distance of 520 ft. on a large body of stone, containing a fair percentage of the precious metal. From the tests made of the different reefs on the property the superintendent is sanguine that when the works are all completed and battery working there will be little doubt as to its ultimate success. Two hundred men are employed. (NZ Mines Dept Page 61) We thought this spot was worthy of a quick stop being a historic site of the area. The Cache is a camo pill container. At the time of placement it contained: Log Sheet. BYO Pen. Best to do traveling North, there is room to park safely just off the road. The driveway is very narrow and maybe missed on first passing. However if attempting from the South pull into the Whangapoua turn off and parking to the right. WATCH CHILDREN BUSY ROAD.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
I Gerr.