May 2018 Project Martha – Historical & Archaeological Background 72 Pukewa / Martha Hill The Cornish Pumphouse and the nearby transformer house at Martha Pit were recorded as archaeological sites (NZAA T13/301 and T13/302 respectively) by Neville Ritchie in 1990 (Hooker 2007:2). A 1997 survey was undertaken by Ray Hooker of the Martha Mine site, which identified several historic mining sites and houses around the mine and within the town. The area of No. 5 Mine shaft was mapped in 2002 (Figure 54) and in 2003 a conservation plan was prepared for the Cornish Pumphouse (Salmond Reed Architects 2003). This report recognised the risk to the Pumphouse arising from ground instability and assessed a number of different options, including maintaining the structure on its original location, relocating the structure, or construction of a replica building. Between 2003 and 2006 it was decided to relocate the Cornish Pumphouse, due to the risk of catastrophic failure and loss of the building if unstable ground collapsed in its original location. A 2006/2007 investigation of the Martha Pit mine extension was undertaken by Ray Hooker under Heritage NZ Authority 2006/132 for relocation of the Cornish Pumphouse to its present site (Hooker 2007). The investigation covered the original location of the Cornish Pumphouse and No. 5 Mine shaft (NZAA T13/301), and any sites along the transfer route and relocation site (Figure 55). The investigation revealed numerous industrial features and foundations associated with early mining activity, as well as the remains of domestic house sites at the receiver site for the Pumphouse. Figure 54. Plan of Martha Hill Pumphouse, transformer house and other associated structures (Salmond Reed Architects 2003)
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