Off to Blackball today, weathers not too flash but we went anyway. On the way after passing through Greymouth (going back there tomorrow) we stopped briefly at the Brunner Mine workings which have been turned into an informative display. More on this tomorrow as we will stop on the way back to Greymouth.
We arrived at Blackball, a town very much in decline, and the site of the infamous miners strike of 1908 where the miners after being organised by three miners called the “Wild Men” (one of whom was former PM Bob Semple ) were involved in the famous crib-time (lunchtime) strike in an attempt to get a half hour lunch break like other mines instead of the 15 mins they were allowed.
The Commemoration and Information Display
Their success led to the formation of a national trade union movement and a period of national militancy. This movement was eventually crushed by an employer, a state backlash and the onset of World War One. Out of the ruins emerged the formation of the New Zealand Labour Party which took power in 1935.
It’s other main claims to fame are the Blackball Salami Company where we made a few purchases,
and the Hotel which used to be called The Blackball Hilton until the real Hilton chain threatened to sue them. Not too be beaten by the suits they renamed it “Formerly The Blackball Hilton” and so it remains today.
“Formerly the Blackball Hilton”
A few mining remnants line the main street.
The Community House where the showers and toilets are located has obviously seen better days and looks just like a haunted house ! 
It’s pretty run down so we decided after talking to the lady in the salami company to move to the domain which has a dump station, drinking water and toilets.
In the afternoon we went back into Greymouth so Pauline could try to find the graves of her Grandparents, great grandparents and Aunties and Uncles in the old Karoro Cemetry. With the help of the sexton we managed to locate the headstones.
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