Gold Worth Millions Some Phenomenal Yields

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 December 1934, Page 19

Gold Worth Millions Some Phenomenal Yields

THE magic influence which gave Westland its prominence was the discovery of gold around Hokitika. Gold-buyers travelled the country, visiting the various diggings and buying the precious metal on the spot. It was not unusual for a buyer to return to the bank headquarters with 500 or 600 ounces of gold, no light quantity to handle. Some of the lucky miners cleared £lOOO to £2OOO quickly, and many such left for other places. Earnings often ranged from £2O to £lOO per week. In some months as much as 12,000 ounces of gold were brought in to Hokitika. A banker of the ’sixties records that from March, 1865, td the end of 1869, the total yield of gold exported from the West Coast was set down at 1,750,000 ozs., of a value in those days of seven million sterling. The effect of so much wealth suddenly acquired, he records, produced results similar to those on older goldfields. Much of the money was squandered recklessly, but there was also careful hoarding. Figures taken from the Mines Record show that, in 1864, the gold won on the West Coast totalled 1463 oz., valued at £5,560. From 1865 to 1873, the yield was 2,951,399 oz., valued at £11,665,489. , , , From 1864 to 1903, the yield was 6,320,488 oz., valued at £25,136,378.

The first discovery of gold was made at the Buller, and was followed by an extension of prospecting, till less than three years later, gold was found near Hokitika, and by December, 1864 the gold rush was in full swing. Of the early rushes, the richest in the flush days was at Okarito —the notable Five Mile —where the Okarito Dredge is now operating—being pronounced the greatest. The fact that good returns are being won nowadays shows that in the early days, Operations were on a primitive scale, and there were not facilities to work the deeper ground. The first crop in any . case was rich, and the lucky miners were satisfied with their golden reward; the residue is there for the enterprising miner of to-day. There are other localities about Hokitika where for-

mer-worked ground is being tested for i fresh operations under modern methods, and different places are coming again into profit. This applies to several centres on the Coast, assuring

.that the golden days are not past, but there is still opportunity for gold finds. In that respect, the quartz reefing prospects of Westland remain undeveloped; but in that field also enterprise is becoming interested, and in this fresh era' of goldmining, the Westland reefs, which are in plenty, should be destined to play a part. The digger of the early days was no mean personage. He was, of a type which had to be equal to many emergencies. He had to be resourceful and courageous, and as he made his way make his own pleasures. He ventured into a no-man’s land, unpeopled and unprovided for. He had .to find his way, feed himself, and then. seek for the treasure. Naturally he was a young and active man, and had to be hardened to discomforts, and even privations. If opportunity offered relaxation, probably he took his pleas-

ures boisterously. Many no doubt wasted their hard earnings readily, but the growth of the town and its development showed also much fr us al and sane control of the earnings. The early population was male largely, but the "weaker” sex began to arrive with steamboat facilities. Dance houses appeared to assist in providing pleasures after a remote and difficult domicile in the bush. The house of amusement in the form of the casino, with high-sounding Continental names, came into being, and catered for the thirst as well as the entertainment of patrons. The strolling player found a ready and liberal audience, and night life became merry and gay, as such places of resort appeared. The majesty of the law was at hand to deal with excesses, but over a long period, the general leaning of a very mixed public was on. the side of law and order definitely.

The type of citizen in Hokitika in the early days is indicated by the men prominent in public life. The official side was drawn chiefly from Canterbury, and all f were capable administrators. t Those who took up civic duties in an honorary way were chiefly men who rose to prominent rank in various places later. Many of those who were successful in business moved to other places, and established permanent houses. This leaven of good citizenship was helpful for the town’s quicker development. The residential portion spread quickly up Gibson Quay, where neat homes with useful and 'beautiful gardens were soon developed. The Quay became the fashionable residential quarter, many of the leading officials residing on the waterfront. About Government House a garden area also was developed, and it became one of the chief show-places of the town. Apart from being the residence of the Superintendent, it was also the temporary home of the visiting Justice on circuit duties, and for any distinguished visitor, such as the Governor of the Colony. The building and grounds still remain, an asset for higher education in the district. The town owes a great deal to the founders, who along with those coming after, have done 1 so much to establish the place with every regard for the general welfare.

Unemployment was reported rife in 1865, due to the inexperience of many who knew nothing of mining and were quite unable to follow the bush life. The population was cosmopolitan certainly, but in the ranks were many capable men. The pioneers pursued their avocations with diligence. Many, after the flush of mining passed, took up settlement. The adjacent country at Kokatahi became settled, and is now something of a backbone to the town, and a great feeder over the years. Settlement, apart from feverish gold-mining, spread. The progress was not as magical as in the gold-rush times, but it has proved more permanent, and is to-day a notable part of the general prosperity, and is still expanding.