Kōrero: Coal and coal mining

This brass band was photographed in 1914 at Burnett’s Face on the Denniston plateau. This site was named after James Burnett, who discovered coal there in 1863. Many West Coast miners came from the coal-mining centres of northern England, particularly Durham and Northumberland. They brought their traditions with them, including the Methodist faith, a belief in unionism, and a liking for brass bands.