Conquering Cascade

From beyond the Denniston Plateau - the birthplace of New Zealand coalmining unionism - comes the remarkable story of the Cascade Westport Coal Company.

Founded on limited resources and iron will, the Company was a courageous player in the volatile post-WW1 coal trade. Despite woeful finances, high-level political and union engagement, the Company operated New Zealand’s longest coal flume through dire economic times. Compounding the Company’s struggle was the isolation, rugged topography and notorious climate of Cascade Creek, where—at every opportunity—nature conspired to sabotage its vulnerable flume.

Conquering Cascade chronicles the troubles and triumphs of the coal company and the 30-year alliance with its contracted workforce: the Cascade Westport Cooperative Coal Party; their association culminating in a powerful legal showdown.

Following a decade of research, interviews, and the sourcing of rare material, Walsh has documented a truly epic saga in New Zealand’s industrial coal mining heritage.

To be released July 2022