<\/p>\n
\nA man has been fined after attempting to steal artefacts including metal wheels, axles and a chain from the Denniston Mine on the West Coast.
\nPhoto: Supplied\/Department of Conservation\n<\/p>\n
A Christchurch man has been fined $800 for attempting to take historic artefacts from the Denniston Mine near Westport.<\/p>\n
The Department of Conservation Buller district operations manager Suvi Van Smit said the man was found trying to take metal wheels, axles and chain associated with the mine.<\/p>\n
The area is a popular tourist attraction in Buller and showcases the old mine site and the Denniston Incline.<\/p>\n
Many of weathered artefacts from the mining days remain at site, and show the living and working conditions from the 1880’s when coal was first sent down the Denniston Incline.<\/p>\n
The mine closed in 1967 and since then many artefacts have been stolen from the site, leading the Department of Conservation to increase surveillance in the area.<\/p>\n
That led to the man being identified and enforcement action taken.<\/p>\n
He was fined, instead of being given a harsher penalty, as the attempt to remove the artefacts was not successful, the department said.<\/p>\n
Van Smit said Denniston was classified as a category one Historic Place.<\/p>\n
“The site attracts visitors to the Buller and holds a significant piece of New Zealand’s mining history,” she said.<\/p>\n
“The Denniston Incline is considered a work of engineering genius and the artefacts at the site help tell the story of what took place there.<\/p>\n
“I encourage all people to leave places like these as they find them and avoid any potentially embarrassing and costly interactions with our compliance team or the police. Denniston is a fantastic place to get out naturing, so please treat it with the respect it deserves.”<\/p>\n