A man has been fined after attempting to steal artefacts including metal wheels, axles and a chain from the Denniston Mine on the West Coast. Photo: Supplied/Department of Conservation
A Christchurch man has been fined $800 for attempting to take historic artefacts from the Denniston Mine near Westport.
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.
The area is a popular tourist attraction in Buller and showcases the old mine site and the Denniston Incline.
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.
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.
That led to the man being identified and enforcement action taken.
He was fined, instead of being given a harsher penalty, as the attempt to remove the artefacts was not successful, the department said.
Van Smit said Denniston was classified as a category one Historic Place.
"The site attracts visitors to the Buller and holds a significant piece of New Zealand's mining history," she said.
"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.
"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."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
