XML EAD edition
Burnett's Face was a coal-mining settlement on the Denniston plateau, West Coast. Workings there began c1878. By 1957 the town was deserted and the buildings were falling into ruin.
The collection consists of records salvaged by Les Cleveland. They concern the Athenaeum, the Brass Band, and the Crown Hotel only.
Les Cleveland contributed photographs for the article 'Survivors of ghost town recall a bygone era', 'New Zealand Truth', 11 February 1958, p.22 (clipping held with collection).
A photograph of the Athenaeum ruins was published with the article 'Survivors of ghost town recall a bygone era', 'New Zealand Truth', 11 February 1958, p.22 (clipping held with collection).
These records were collected in 1957 by Les Cleveland from the Burnett's Face Athenaeum site just after the roof had come off the building, which was falling into ruin.
These records were found in 1957 by Les Cleveland on the floor of the Burnett's Face Athenaeum just after the roof had come off the building, which was falling into ruin.
Found on the floor of Burnett's Face Athenaeum in 1957 when the building was falling into ruin.
Only one item is held, a fortnightly account book kept by Bob Roper, licensee of the Crown Hotel, Burnett's Face. The volume was salvaged on a visit to the Face in December 1957. A daily running book which Roper used to keep in the bar is still in private hands. Miners were paid fortnightly; Roper would advance them for drinks etc. and settle up on payday or whenever he coud get it. This system of accounting was common in West Coast pubs. The volume contains daily records of names and amounts, in a combination of pen, pencil, and coloured pencil entries. It has had some damage from damp in the past and is fragile. A typed note by Les Cleveland (the donor) has been laid in.
Fragile. Digitised copy to be used in preference to original.
Two sample pages have been reproduced online.
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Item scanned 22 July 2009; printed and digital copies returned to donor. Two sample pages have been published online with this finding aid.