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simon  
Posted : Saturday, 15 June 2013 10:13:56 AM(UTC)
simon

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Here is a link to the ODT in regards to the Skippers generator being restored and reinstated.

For all the DOC knockers, goes to show some are doing good out there. and good to see more public initiative doing this sort of project round here.

http://www.odt.co.nz/new...-restored-and-back-place

Lammerlaw  
Posted : Saturday, 15 June 2013 12:40:27 PM(UTC)
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I think that the newspaper article should lead on to more information about this generator and its use as there is a wealth of information relating to it and many people here would be interested.

The Sandhills gold dredge at Skippers was managed by my oldest Goldmining partners father who by trade was an Electrical Engineer. From the Sandhills dredge he went to Okere Falls at Rotorua and was the sole charge of a power station there but died in 1904 of Pneumonia which he caught driving his car back from a family trip to Tauranga or Mt Maunganui.

These guys were very clued up in both mining matters and matters relating to chemistry, geology, explosives and so on. The first three books come from Aspinals claim at Skippers and from the manager of the Sandhills dredge - they belonged originally to Aspinal who must have given them to his son in law Robert White who was the Manager of the Sandhills dredge and married to Aspinals daughter.

The book named 'Workshop Rceipts is one of the most amazing books I have ever read and one which has got me into considerable strife due to the fact that it tells how to make every known explosive up to its date of publication. The two books on mining are also invaluable and are amazing sources of information on mining and geology. All of these books were published well between 1872 and 1888.

The third book is a must for all those who like Simons reference above as it gives the history of the Bullendale Electrical system and those who ran it as well as photos and a general history of the area...a highly recommended book.

For those capable of driving the Skippers road without getting appoplexy and dont mind a bit of a walk the Bullendale site comes highly recommended but the road tends not to be for the faint hearted...or at least it wasnt.

Edited by user Saturday, 15 June 2013 12:49:59 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

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Shilo  
Posted : Saturday, 15 June 2013 1:26:24 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: Lammerlaw Go to Quoted Post


The book named 'Workshop Rceipts is one of the most amazing books I have ever read and one which has got me into considerable strife due to the fact that it tells how to make every known explosive up to its date of publication.


The great thing about old books is that the copyright has expired so they are now online for free:

Workshop Receipts:
Volume 1, Volume 3, Volume 4, Volume 5.

Underground Treasures

A Practical manual of Minerals, Mines and Mining

Lammerlaw  
Posted : Saturday, 15 June 2013 1:47:27 PM(UTC)
Lammerlaw

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Originally Posted by: Shilo Go to Quoted Post
Originally Posted by: Lammerlaw Go to Quoted Post


The book named 'Workshop Rceipts is one of the most amazing books I have ever read and one which has got me into considerable strife due to the fact that it tells how to make every known explosive up to its date of publication.


The great thing about old books is that the copyright has expired so they are now online for free:

Workshop Receipts:
Volume 1, Volume 3, Volume 4, Volume 5.

Underground Treasures

A Practical manual of Minerals, Mines and Mining




I got Volumes I, II and III from the Skippers source but it is only Vol I which really spins my wheels due to the large amount of information contained in the many pages on how to blow apart anything you like with recipes for making explosives, Nitro Glycerin, Gun cotton, Fulminates etc etc and dozens of recipes for the many colourful and deadly fireworks enough to ensure that every cat in the neighbourhood has been scared to Purgatory never to return. Great book.