Paroa, Greymouth, Grey District, West Coast Region, New Zealandi
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Paroa | - not defined - |
| Greymouth | - not defined - |
| Grey District | District |
| West Coast Region | Region |
| New Zealand | Country |
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
42° 30' 41'' South , 171° 10' 1'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Köppen climate type:
Paroa is on the coast, 10 kilometres south of Greymouth. In 1864, the Watson brothers discovered gold behind the beach just south of Greymouth. Three leads named Watson, Stoney and Mosquito were found just behind the beach, and running parallel to it, stretching south 18 kilometres, through Paroa mid-way, finishing at Camerons at the southern end.
The leads are auriferous sand to gravel basements containing specks of gold, 14 to 25 feet below the surface. Also of interest was gold washed into the Saltwater Creek, which crosses State Highway 6 at Paroa, then turns south at the back of the sand-dunes, entering the ocean at the mouth of the New River. Little evidence of mining remains.
Soon after discovery, around three thousand alluvial miners were seeking gold in the Paroa area.
It is reported in 1872, the Leviathan Water Race Company worked a large area of land in the late 1860's, from Paroa to Jacks Creek, the creek half-way between Paroa and Greymouth to the north. Dowling and Co. were obtaining gold immediately behind Paroa in 1874, although another report in 1872, states several claims were taken on a lead at the back of Paroa, then abandoned.
An 1889 report states there is a claim named Neptune near Paroa, owned by Nickles and Co. Also around this time the Paroa Gold Dredging Company was operating in the area, with variable reports of gold being successfully found, or the gravel was too heavy for the dredge, or the operation was not completely successful, as the buckets at the side of the dredge never worked. Their claim bordered the Saltwater Creek south of Paroa.
South of this was the Golconda Claim, then the Saltwater Creek Dredging Company, the leads stated as sand with admixed pebbles. In 1914, G and H Williams surrendered their lease at Paroa.
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