‘Conquering Cascade is a triumph for the author. Those acquainted with Phil Walsh know that beyond the relaxed, affable exterior lies a sharp intellect, an exceptional way with words and an unwavering determination to uncover the truth. The scholarship displayed in this book would do a professional historian proud.
At first glance, a book of this nature would seem to have limited appeal to a wider audience, but Walsh is able to lift a relatively obscure topic far beyond a mere chronology. His descriptions of the hostile terrain, shocking weather conditions, constant danger and often appalling living conditions almost defy belief.
Conquering Cascade is a remarkable saga of man’s thirst for riches and the extreme lengths to which some people will go in its pursuit. Whilst the Company’s owners risked only their capital, the hewers of coal risked their lives on a daily basis.
This is an unusual story describing a rare phenomenon in New Zealand mining history – a mine worked by a cooperative of miners, some of whom had shares in the venture. Whilst this arrangement did not necessarily result in amity between the mine owners and the workers it did undoubtedly mean that the miners were more committed to the business of effecting repairs when wear and tear or natural events caused damage to the fluming which transported the coal to the railhead or knocked out the access road. Time not spent extracting coal was unproductive and resulted in a loss of income for both parties.
As well as providing a wonderful overview of the trials and tribulations associated with developing and maintaining a coal mine in arguably the most inhospitable place in the country we are treated to rare observations on a number of disastrous natural events. In this day and age we are inclined to associate major flood events with climate change, and quite rightly so, but we must not lose sight of the fact that some of the most destructive rain and flood events ever recorded in this country occurred close to 100 years ago. We have always had significant storms and will continue to do so.
On a number of occasions, earthquakes too caused massive damage. Walsh’s description of the 1929 Murchison quake resonates with this reviewer. Being married to the granddaughter of a Burnetts Face miner who was underground when the earthquake struck means that accounts of that day have been passed down through the family. My mother-in-law, a teenager at the time, often spoke of seeing a mountain, locally known as ‘Mt Bill’, appear to split in half and her feeling of disbelief and relief when all the miners emerged unscathed.
It is the personal anecdotes which make this book even more compelling. Add in the drama and sadness of the depression, the 1951 waterfront strike and constant battles between management and workers and you have a riveting, highly readable slice of history.
Pen portraits, based on interviews, of a few of those associated with the mine add an extra dimension to an already fascinating account. The author has not forgotten the women who from choice or otherwise lived in the dark, south facing valley where winter sunshine would sometimes be measured in minutes per day. Their fortitude and resilience is almost incomprehensible by today’s terms.
The publisher is to be congratulated, too. The book is well designed and laid out with excellent photographs, maps, tables and footnotes. This is not a book to read in one sitting. The reviewer found himself frequently referring back to earlier chapters to clarify a point or check on a date, for instance. A highly recommended read for any student of New Zealand history’.