Low Level Water Race - Victoria Battery
|
1894 |
Waihi Gold Mining Company was investigating the Waikino site for a battery. "Water-races from Waitekauri and Ohinemuri Rivers, also from the Mangakara Creek, have been surveyed to the site at the foot of Thorpe's Hill" (Mines Statement, 1895). |
|
1896-1897 |
Construction of masonry dam and water race. |
|
1898 Feb. |
Victoria Battery starts. Low level race powers the full 100 stamps on March 2nd. |
|
1911 |
"The wings of the Masonry Dam supplying the Low Pressure Race were carried up an additional six feet as a protection against high floods." (Engineer's Report—Victoria Mill—Year Ended 31st December, 1911.) |
|
1952 |
Martha Mine closes, Victoria Battery clean up lasts approximately two years. Water race abandoned. |
|
1981 |
Flood erodes ground at northern wing of Masonry dam. Repaired by Hauraki Catchment Board (as yet unconfirmed). |