Gin and Raspberry Mine, Cardrona, Queenstown-Lakes District, Otago Region, New Zealandi

Regional Level Types
Gin and Raspberry Mine	Mine
Cardrona	- not defined -
Queenstown-Lakes District	District
Otago Region	Region
New Zealand	Country

This was one of the richest early claims after gold was discovered in the valley in November 1862. The name oft quoted comes from the owner/miners shouting 'gin and raspberry' whenever a large amount of gold was showing in the claim. No mention is made as to the reason for this odd behaviour. Maybe the items were two of their favourite things, that were also expensive, but is purely a theory.

There was probably a lot of gin drunk, and raspberries eaten, as each man in this large syndicate is said to have come away with 7000 pounds (a lot of money by 1860's standards) over a twelve month period. Another source after the event states 603 ounces was obtained within one week, with 6.5 ounces in one dish, with 3 ounces per dish common.

Said to have been a large syndicate of working miners, only four names were found in passing. Information about mines in the area only started in 1870, and a lot of the information found was regarding reminiscing about the past. Theo Russell and E.C. Hedditch made so much money, they opened a large hotel in Wanaka, from which guests could cruise the lake on a large luxury yacht.
Charles Colchough is another found, while John Mace amassed a fortune from the mine, however with no subsequent successful investments, died a pauper.

Gold was discovered at the site in 1865. The Pirate and Homeward Bound were neighbouring rich claims. They were worked by tunnels and drives into yellowish clayey gravel, containing narrow well defined auriferous leads on a false bottom. The workings reached a depth of 30 feet.

A 1917 source makes a general comment that after the original syndicate abandoned the claim, it was worked by another party making 10 pounds per man per week. Then when they left it was worked by a Chinese party making 6 pounds per man per week. More specific information was found as follows.

A visitor notes the claim has been abandoned in 1869, when the pumps failed at some point previous to this, water flooding the workings. However at the time of visit the workings were being unwatered. This was probably J. Austin, John Stotz and party who are working the lease in 1870 by another source.
Bond and Cooper (surnames) are mentioned as working the 'old' Gin and Raspberry claim, with the Pirate claim, in 1874. The lease is abandoned again in 1878 when the underground workings were overwhelmed by water, probably due to a major flood in this year, that closed down permanently many claims.

A Cardrona old timer, George M. Hassing states in 1918 the lease was one mile downstream from the Cardrona town site. He distinguishes this from the Empire and Banner of War mines which were discovered late 1860's on a flat one mile below the town, alluding the Gin and Raspberry is possibly on a hill bordering the flats. Topographic maps mark an area of workings which match the above information. Further a small subdivision of housing is now at the location, with a street named Gin and Raspberry Lane. Considering the amount of land available in the area, it is puzzling why houses would be constructed over old mine tunnels, and shafts. Co-ordinates approximate.

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