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Journal of the Nelson and Marlborough Historical Societies, Volume 2, Issue 6, 1995

Gold in a Tin Dish

page 51

Gold in a Tin Dish

New Zealand's goldmining history has long been fertile ground for both academic and commercial publications, but in the past this interest has been centred on the more spectacular and richer fields of Otago, the West Coast and Coromandel, while the smaller but nevertheless historically interesting northern South Island fields have been substantially ignored. This as it turns out may have been fortunate, because in Mike Johnston the milling history of the Marlborough and Nelson region has at last a chronicler of considerable skill and qualifications whose work is surely definitive.

Volume Two completes this detailed and well written account of the Marlborough goldfields and covers the Northbank (Wairau River), Queen Charlotte Sound (Golden Point and Cape Jackson), Mahakipawa and Waikakaho. It encompasses all the methods used in mining the alluvial and reef gold from the 1860s through to the Depression era of the 1930s. Mike has also included the antimony mining at Endeavour Inlet and the exploitation of the Picton Coalfield.

As with Volume One (which concentrates on the Wakamarina goldfield) the author has produced a very detailed and thorough but eminently readable account, which will undoubtedly stand as the authoritative reference work on the subject. Mike Johnston's background as a geologist and his narrative skill ensure that the reader has a clear perspective on the geological and technical aspects of the mining. It is, however, testament to his ability as an historian that this book also tells so much about the social aspects of the mining life. For example the chapter on Cullensville vividly portrays the rise of this thriving if ephemeral little town of up to 600 people and the infrastructure of stores, pubs and other services thrown up to cater for and cash in on the needs of the miners and their families. People crowd the pages of this history; it details the names and stories of the ever optimistic investors and entrepreneurs, the hard grafting miners, the adventurers, opportunists and rogues all seeking their share of the all too often unrealised riches.

Volume Two is well illustrated, with clear location maps, contemporary plans and diagrams and a liberal selection of historical and geological photographs gleaned from a wide range of sources. It is also very clearly referenced, with annotations detailed for each chapter at the back of the book. For those interested in statistics, annual gold returns from the Marlborough fields are listed in an appendix.

The book is well designed with a clear layout. Nikau Press are to be congratulated on their publishing of this important addition to the history of the region.

Gold in a Tin Dish, Volume Two, along with its companion Volume One, is essential for anyone with an interest in the history of our area or goldmining in New Zealand. Although as with the previous volume it is available only in hardback, at a price of $65.95, it needs to be borne in mind that at 456 pages it is a substantial book, and that the two volumes represent one of the most detailed regional New Zealand mining histories written and provide the major reference work on the Marlborough Goldfields.

Mike Johnston has now turned his attention to the Nelson goldfields and we can look forward to a further definitive history in a few years time.

Steve Bagley