Fruitlands Schist

Alexandra Stone Quarries are excited to announce the opening of another schist stone quarry in Central Otago called “Fruitlands”.

“Fruitlands” is a settlement in New Zealand. It is situated on State Highway 8, 14km from Alexandra.

Bald Hill Flat was renamed Fruitlands in 1915, in recognition of it becoming a fruit growing area.

The establishment of orchards failed to produce when only one crop of fruit was ever exported.

There was lots of irrigation water available during the summertime but the hard winter frosts destroyed most of the fruit trees.

Once a community with school, post office and church, today the area is a collection of modern farm houses, and the remains of miners' stone cottages; some derelict, others restored.

A example of restored houses are John Mitchell's cottage, and the Speargrass Inn which was Speargrass Hotel.

Throwback…. era1980’s

Before Dave started developing his own guillotine he first started quarrying schist by using explosives to loosen the rock. He’d drill holes for explosives and blast the rock into manageable pieces of schist. He’d use crowbars to shift more manageable sections, although generally speaking, individual pieces were shipped out in larger sizes. In those days Stonemasons would be on site cutting down the bigger bits. Guillotines weren’t used in New Zealand in the early 80s.

*notice all the PPE

Fruitlands Schist Corners for stone pillars

Alexandra Stone Quarries recently sent stone to Ashburton for a builder called Peter Taylor. They required some Schist for Stone Pillars on a residential project in Ashburton.

The builders choose Murray Wagstaff as the Stonemason for this job as he is renown for his tidy work.

We arrange the freight throughout New Zealand, Australia and Worldwide.