Rutherglen, Greymouth, Grey District, West Coast Region, New Zealandi

Regional Level Types
Rutherglen	- not defined -
Greymouth	- not defined -
Grey District	District
West Coast Region	Region
New Zealand	Country

After the discovery of gold within beach leads on the coast in 1864, miners cast their eye inland to the hills, seeking the source of the gold. Various small parties of miners conducted operations in scattered areas around Rutherglen, although indications are it was never a rich field, providing tucker money only.

Specks of gold was found in streams, and terraces bordering, in a layer variously described as blue clay, marine sediment containing seashells, and cement (a gold mining term for a hardened clay). Mining methods were very water based, including sluicing, puddling machines, and hydro jets blasting clay away from cliff faces.

Rutherglen was first known as Brighton Gully during the initial gold-rush here in 1866. After a court case involving a dam, the name was changed to Dam Gully, then Diamond Gully, before the government erected a post office, naming the area Rutherglen from at least 1869.

Welshman's, German Gully, Moa Flat, Saddle, Baker's Track, Fenian or Black Sand Lead, and Limestone are mentioned as sites, although could not be located with any accuracy. Someone living local may shed some light on this.
Welshman's contained some Portuguese miners, and some Chinese miners were also around Rutherglen. They were little written about, and tolerated at best by the other miners, who saw them as the 'yellow peril' hordes about to descend, and take over their claims.

While a couple of small abandoned modern dredging operation remains can be seen, the area is now covered in housing and small acreages. Historic newspaper articles on the area in the late 1800's, are plenty, but provide scant details.

In 1869, Sylvester and Co., Morrison, and Pritchard and Co., are operating between Moa Flat and Welshman's. Only one party is on Moa Flat itself, with scattered parties at Limestone, several parties at German Gully, stating also the area is very remote and difficult to reach.

An 1872 report states there are several parties at Welshman's, for the prior four years, initially alluvial mining, and now tunnelling. Also at this time, Hart and Co., considered one of the pioneer mining parties at Rutherglen, were sluicing between Rutherglen and Welshman's. At German Gully were Collins Gallagher and Co, the Cornish party who had been working here for five years, the elderly Dalzelle and Co., and Hughes and Co. Also mentioned in the area at the time is Louis and Co., Ryan and Leighy, Robinson and Co, Wilmot and Martin, Lewis and Ballard, and Warren and Co.

However, a year later the area is almost deserted, with the Warden's office closed, and police camp moved. Two stores remained for a short time, which also acted as the hotel, and butcher shop. Only minor activity continued.

Ching Fu and Ah Fook applied for a dam in 1882, while John Walsh applied for a tail race the same year, opposed by J. Robinson, and J. Blocksage.

L. Haydn and H. Watters applied for a water race in 1905. Louis Haydn had been in the area since at least 1884, when he applied with Walter Lines for a race. The same year, Holmes and Co. built a dam, and was erecting machinery on their claim. A court case over a dam for a gold lease owned by Albert and Gerald Perotti occurred in 1912.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References