Public NZAA Number

E40/58

Report Written By

From Peter Petchey (3 Jun 2010), archaeologist and author of 1995 conservation plan for the Invincible Mine site: The battery was not demolished, and the main battery posts and camshaft remain on site (the mortar boxes and stampers were removed when the plant shut down). However, they have fallen down through natural decay. Likewise, the water wheel has collapsed, although it is still partially intact where it is within the wheel pit (ie, the above ground section has collapsed). In other words, the site still consists of: The restored set of 7 berdans The partially intact (but collapsed) battery The partially collapsed water wheel The battery and associated infrastructure site (the terrace on the mountain side where everything happened) The mines The mine road The buddle and associated features on the river flats at the base of the hill. Registration should cover the whole complex, as they were functionally linked. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.