State Battery (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place has historic value as a reminder of the rekindling of mining interests in the area in the mid-1950s.

History

By 1902, agitation was quite strong in the Menzies district for a state battery, with almost daily articles appearing in the North Coolgardie Herald. [08/12/1902, p.2; 09/12/1902, p.2; 10/12/1902, p.2; 20/12/1902, p.3; 08/01/1903, p.2; 09/01/1903, p.2; 10/01/1903, p.2] By February 1903, the Mines Department had approved the erection of a State Battery in Menzies as a good water source had been located and a well sunk. [NCH,
17/02/1903, p.3; 21/02/1903, p.4; 27/02/1903, p.3; 20/03/1903, p.4]
In July 1903, tenders were called for carting the Menzies mill from the railway station to the battery site, as the mill was coming from Adelaide to Fremantle and then transported to the Menzies railway station. The successful tenderer was Mr Twyford, from Mulwarrie, who was to superintend the carting and erection of the mill. [NCH 07/07/1903, p.4; 14/07/1903, p.4; 16/07/1903, p.4] Mr S.W. Ebsary was in charge of the setting in of the two boilers. [NCH 13/10/1903, p.3] The Battery was almost completed by the end of 1903, but owing to several delays did not begin operations until early the following year.
A State Battery Reserve for Menzies was gazetted on 12 October 1906. [GG 12/10/1906, p. 3026]
In 1955, the rebirth of the Menzies district was forecast by the Minister for Mines, Mr. L.F. Kelly, when he officially opened the centre's new £27,000 State battery. The five-head mill will be the first State battery to serve the district for over 38 years. The most modern in the state, it is also the first battery to be erected in a gold mining area by the Government for 25 years. The entire community and many visitors from outlying centres witnessed the opening ceremony.... Construction of the new battery began last April. The stamps fell for the first time on December 30, since then about 550 tons of ore have passed through the mill. ... A compact and efficient plant, the battery is supplied by water from a well three-quarters of a mile away. The project was first considered by the State Government about 18 months ago and speakers at the opening functions praised the speed with which it was completed." [West Australian 21 February 1955, p. 14.]

Uses

Historic Themes

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