RUM CREEK

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 July 1930, Page 3

RUM CREEK

PECULIAR NAMES EXPLAINED

The majority of the many small creeks which flow in the Grey County have been christened with peculiar names. In every case however, there is a reason for conferring such innuendoes up’on them, and during yesterday’s visit by the Grey County Councillors over some of the roads controlled by them, the Engineer, Mr. J. Higgins related interesting happenings and gave reasons which explained why these names were bestowed. Rum Creek is perhaps the most amusing. An old time worker at Bell Hill claim was returning home from town with a keg of rum for his mates and realising that its production at the camp would be quickly followed by its consumption, with himself being allowed only a {small quantity, he hit upon the plan of hiding it at the creek. On arrivel at the. camp he reported that he had lost it, but later returned to the spot where he ha.d hidden it, only to find that during his absence the keg had passed into other unknown hands. Someone had turned the tables on him in a “rum” trick, and thereafter the ‘stream became known as Rum Creek.

Thirsty Creek was so-called because it carries a very small volume of witter, and Puzzle Creek explains itself. At one crossing on the road there is not a sign of water, but recrossing the same creek at Rotomanu, it carries quite a good flow, having received water from the lands it breaks into on the way. It is a case of, puzzle; find the creek?—then a few miles further on the puzzle is solved. Slatey Creek derives its name from the slate coloured deposit which it sheds. Rough and Tumble Creek is rough, with the water tumbling over large boulders forming its bed. Crooked River explains itself.