May 2018 Project Martha – Historical & Archaeological Background 75 Figure 57. Grand Junction boiler house remains recorded in 2010, showing the north part of the boiler house investigated (source: Hooker 2010a: Figure 2) Union Hill In 1988 Neville Ritchie undertook a survey of historic mining features in the area to the north and west of the town, including the Union Battery and cyanide tanks or ‘pachuccas’ (NZAA T13/303). Several features identified in the project area, including mine shafts at Silverton, Union and Gladstone Hill, were recorded in a book on gold mining in the Coromandel Peninsula (Moore & Ritchie 1996). Ritchie and Phil Moore also described the Union Hill/Waihi in-ground ore-roasting kilns (Moore & Ritchie 1998). A 1997 paper on the Union Battery ruins by Pamela Wright described the Union Hill kilns, Cyanide tanks, and the concrete strongroom (Wright 1997). A 2000 survey by Dr Caroline Phillips confirmed the locations of previously recorded in-ground ore roasting kilns (NZAA T13/823), and collectively recorded several features relating to early mining activity as an archaeological site, NZAA T13/822 (Phillips 2000). A conservation plan was prepared for the Union Hill site (Moore et al. 2010). The plan covers the whole of the Union Hill historic landscape, including the land managed by LINZ, DOC and HDC, but excludes the Keatley property subsequently acquired by WGCL (Figure 58). The conservation plan has the objectives of ‘protecting and preserving all significant historic sites and features in the area; retaining the “character” of the place; removing immediate threats (to the remains); promoting improved public access and appreciation of the historic heritage; promoting opportunities for community involvement in conservation and research; and ensuring future development of the place is compatible with its cultural heritage significance’. Key recommendations of the plan (p. 121) are:
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