User:Giantflightlessbirds/sandbox/Kotuku, New Zealand

Kotuku is a small settlement in the Arnold Valley, north of Lake Brunner, West Coast, New Zealand. Once a sawmilling village, its population declined after local timber supplies were exhausted. It is notable for attempts to drill for oil in the area in the early 20th century, and for the model bungalow designed and built by the children of Jack's Mill School in 1938–1940.

Oil prospecting
Eventually drilling was abandoned as oil could not be produced in enough quantity to be profitable. Locals continued to use to oil for lighting fires, and one boarding school pupil used it to oil the classroom floors of St Mary's School in Greymouth.

Geysers of salty water were a common byproduct of the drilling, and a nearby spring continued to produce mineral-infused water that would coat objects left there in calcium carbonate.

Sawmilling
Kotuku had two sawmills, owned by the Jack brothers and managed by George Jack. Children of the workers received a primary school education at Jack's Mill School.

At the height of its prosperity, the settlement had a community hall that would host balls – where young people from the surrounding districts could dance to a three-piece band – weekly silent films accompanied by piano, and occasional touring concert parties. Regular sports days allowed locals to compete at foot races, woodchopping, and cross-cut sawing. One significant event was the 1920 visit of the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII), whose train passed through Kotuku Siding (but did not stop).