Historic Garden Gully Hut
A corrugated iron hut with timber framework and floor, and featuring heavy calico side wall sections. It contains bunks and has a large open fireplace with a corrugated iron chimney. There is no trace of four other huts which stood nearby. Set in a grassy clearing with a stream amid beech/podocarp forest.
History
Garden Gully Hut in the 1920s
Built during the 1930s slump by men prospecting for the Government or employed on a subsidised gold scheme. Construction was done in stages, men bringing back more materials after every trip to Blackball.
Refurbished in 1986, when the board and batten side walls were replaced by original treated calico.
Themes of gold mining and historic settlement.
Fabric significance
A rare example of its type, well documented with contemporary photographs.
Historic significance
Sole survivor of five huts which stood in Garden Gully during the 1930s.
Management
Creosus-Moonlight historic Area, Greymouth Mawheranui Area Office, West Coast Conservancy, Department of Conservation.
Future management
Liaise with Blackball History Group. The hut will be maintained to protect its historic fabric and minimise deterioration.
A conservation plan has been prepared (Les Wright, June 1998) to guide its management this contains more information about the hut.