In 1867, men from all over the world rushed to the Thames to try their luck in the new goldfield. They spread out all over the steep bush-covered ranges and gullies and soon came to realise that the gold at Thames was tied up in the quartz rock they saw jutting out from the ground. In this talk, Kae describes where these miners found the gold, the methods they used to found it, along with outlining all the difficulties they encountered when trying to turn the quartz rock into a gold bar that they could cash in at the bank.
Image credits
Title page: Auckland Weekly News, c1900. Two goldminers and their tools. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 7-A8729.
R. H. Bartlett, c1868. Moanataiari Creek. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 7-A16668.
Speaker's presentation
William Eastwood, 1868. Shortland Town. Auckland Art Gallery.
Daniel Manders Beere, 1868. Shortland, from Hauraki Mission Station. Ref: 1/2-096135-G. Alexander Turnbull Library.
James Richardson & John Kinder, 1868. Looking north from the landing place on the Kauaeranga River. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 4-857.
Photographer unknown, c1867. Early shops in Shortland, Thames.
James Richardson & John Kinder, c1868. Diggers tents at camp at Shortland, Thames. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 4-856.
Photographer & date unknown. Raupo whare.
James Richardson & John Kinder, c1870s. Looking over Karaka Creek. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 4-RIC134.
Looking over Karaka Creek, Thames, showing Una Hill and the Una Battery. Ref: 1/2-065413-F. Alexander Turnbull Library.
H A Firth, c1880s. Bird in the Hand Hill, Thames. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 7-A8764.
Daniel Mundy, 1870s. Russell's Gold Battery, Tararu, Thames. Te Papa Reg. no. O.020928.
Burton Brothers, 1869. The Thames. Te Papa Reg. no. O.034031.
Photographer unknown, 1860s. Prince Alfred Hotel. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 7-A11304.
James Richardson, 1868. Victoria Battery. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 4-3678.
R. H. Bartlett, c1867. Hunt's claim. The Treasury Collection, Thames.
Auckland Libraries holds copies of Kae's book Goldrush to the Thames: New Zealand 1867 to 1869.
This talk was presented via Zoom on 11 May 2022.