Bill Keane, one of Whitianga's first blacksmiths, came to Mercury Bay from Auckland in 1907, setting up his smithy near Kenneth Avenue. In 1911, he moved opposite Memorial Park, to what is now appropriately called Blacksmith Lane, remaining here until 1925. Bill was also a coachbuilder and wheelwright. No written reference was required for the job back then, but you had to produce a good horseshoe.
Bill was bandmaster of the Whitianga Brass Band, in which he played the E-flat bass. They practiced on Sunday mornings at the blacksmith shop or in the Drill Hall. On one such morning at the blacksmith shop a disgruntled player, after an argument with Keane, threw a sledge hammer through the big bass drum.

Step into explore the rich heritage of Te Whanganui o Hei Mercury Bay.