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AH ambassador
We were away for a few days visiting old family areas and stayed just accross the road from my great grandfathers old hut where he moved to and lived for 24 years after his wife died in 1939. I remember visiting him there with family in the late 50's and early 60's.
We are members of the MZMCA (New Zealand Motor caravan association) and as such have access to the unserviced sites they have throughout the country for nominal or no cost in some cases. We were the only ones in this one at the Hayes engineering historical workshop site, so it was a nice quiet few days where we spent time in various areas that my great great grandfather was and tought in the first schools in the surrounding gold mining towns. He was born 1839 in Scotland and married here in NZ in 1875 with my great grandfather being the first born in 1878 (first of 7) and who lived in the area all his life.
Our campsite
In the background is the old Hayes engineering workshops and homestead that we had a good look round.
Right accross the road was my Great Gandfathers old hut where we camped with him when he was still there. It is sadly neglected by the present owners but the historical society is looking to restore it.
We had a good look round the old Hayes workshops and homestead buildings
The workshop areas with the steel racks
Forge area with view of overhead belt drive system which drove all tools in the workshop that was originally driven by a large windmill which the workshop specialised in making but in later years by a 3 hp motor.
A small jobbing forge
The company motto
We are members of the MZMCA (New Zealand Motor caravan association) and as such have access to the unserviced sites they have throughout the country for nominal or no cost in some cases. We were the only ones in this one at the Hayes engineering historical workshop site, so it was a nice quiet few days where we spent time in various areas that my great great grandfather was and tought in the first schools in the surrounding gold mining towns. He was born 1839 in Scotland and married here in NZ in 1875 with my great grandfather being the first born in 1878 (first of 7) and who lived in the area all his life.
Our campsite
In the background is the old Hayes engineering workshops and homestead that we had a good look round.
Right accross the road was my Great Gandfathers old hut where we camped with him when he was still there. It is sadly neglected by the present owners but the historical society is looking to restore it.
We had a good look round the old Hayes workshops and homestead buildings
The workshop areas with the steel racks
Forge area with view of overhead belt drive system which drove all tools in the workshop that was originally driven by a large windmill which the workshop specialised in making but in later years by a 3 hp motor.
A small jobbing forge
The company motto