The 74-year-old put on a display on Saturday, showing visitors to the two-yearly fete how he was restoring the ruins of the old stone St Bathans School.
The primary school was built in the 1890s but closed in the 1940s and had become unstable over time.
The category 2 historic building now belongs to Karina and Alistair Toms. Mr Hinds has spent the past few months mixing his own lime mortar to stabilise the remaining stonework.
"It’s exactly what they would have used in the day.
"I’m just stabilising and fixing all around the top where all the loose rocks are — it’s just to make sure nothing more of it falls off."
During the demonstration, he offered insight into the traditional techniques behind the construction of some of Central Otago’s oldest stone buildings.
He said there were no plans to put a roof back on the building. Rather, it would remain as a ruin.
Following the public demonstration, many people had shown an interest in helping with the work, so he planned to hold a weekend workshop at the site, where people could come along and get their hands dirty, too.
"In some ways, this has brought it a wee bit more to other people’s interest, which is a very positive thing."
The former Otago Polytechnic heritage stone masonry tutor has a lot of experience restoring historic buildings.
He helped move many of Cromwell’s old buildings to their new sites above the water line during the construction of the Clyde Dam.
Hundreds visited the fete on Saturday, designed to celebrate the area’s history and the creative community.
It was also an important fundraiser for the St Bathans Community Association, which helps maintain the historic buildings and public spaces in the settlement.
