BANKS PENINSULA: Otanerito Bay
(43d, 50`, 30S, – 173d, 03`, 30E)
The visible archaeological evidence indicated that this bay had been occupied for an appreciable period and was used as an industrial base by the Chinese. A wide range of foundations were clearly visible, including two barrack blocks, the depression of the 40m x 20m sea-going harbour (MAS located the outline of a 28m x 11m junk), the stonework of the 168m long, 11m wide canal linking the harbour to the sea, still visible in several places. An internal canal system linked the creek on the east side of the bay, to the internal harbour and industrial site on the western side of the bay. Sections of the canal outline are visible and where the canal had been back-filled, the original stone canal edges could still be seen in places. The industrial operation comprised an internal water pound, now the home of many water loving plants, the area still being fed from aqueducts running up the hillside. Clearly visible were the remains of the earth dam used to impound the water which was used to drive the water wheels, which drove the combustion air bellows for the adjacent 2m sq smelters still sitting in their ramps. The impounded water also furnished the power to drive an ore crusher’s two water wheels. Now the only visible evidence of this building is a man-made flattened 10m sq platform adjacent to the impounded area. MAS located the two short aqueducts which carried the water to the wheels. Excess water that accumulated in the pound under torrential rain conditions, was spilled via an aqueduct to the sea. As this aqueduct, although visible, is blocked, small dykes have been constructed along the line to ensure that water does not flood the site. The water spilled from the smelters and the crusher was run into a small internal harbour, 40m x 30m, the line of the harbour walls still being visible. The site owner has now used this damp site for a lovely garden.
On the walk out from Otanerito Bay over the Purple Peak volcanic rim to Akaroa, it was obvious that this followed an ancient paved road, (the drive road to the Homestead does not follow this route). On the downhill route to Akaroa, it was noted that the track was paralleled by a strip of lush grass growth, MAS revealed the presence of an aqueduct, the 1m width being far greater than a modern drain or culvert. The aqueduct ended at the remains of a manmade platform, with visible free stone, another walled barrack block, (43d, 48`, 40S, – 172d, 59`,15E) This is some 400m east of the sealed road to Akaroa.
T.C.Bell UK. Feb 2003
