Coromandel Life Magaizine 2017 Winter

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GREAT KIWI FOOD • GREAT KIWI SERVICE
GREAT KIWI ENTERTAINMENT
Visit our new website with its photofantastic
sections of Thames History & Events
700 POLLEN STREET | THAMES | Ph 868 6008
Revolving Chair
Barber Shop
Phone or text Kim on
027 204 1007
A CLEAR CUT CHOICE • 328B POLLEN STREET • THAMES
Tuesday - Saturday • Walk Ins Welcome
(Extended hours over Summer holidays)
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STEP BACK IN TIME
34 COROMANDEL LIFE 2017 LATE AUTUMN / WINTER
The technical skills and inventions from goldmines in Thames
provided NZ with a reputation worldwide for innovation and
achievement. Step back into this world at the most intact school of
mines in the southern hemisphere. A rock shop is also located in the
complex. (Robert Simmons mentions how much this museum and
rock shop impressed him in his fossicking article on p24-25.)
During NZ’s gold rush days, some thirty schools were built to teach
miners and mine supervisors the geology, science and mechanics of
gold mining. Although the schools in Waihi and Kuaotunu no longer
exist, you can also visit the historic buildings in Coromandel Town.
Open daily January-March 11am to 3pm, and rest of year Wed-Sun
re
available, approx. $10. Corner of Brown & Cochrane Streets, Thames.
side.” After reaching the top Clarkson had no desire to go further and
retraced his steps back down while the others went down their way.
“Reaching their starting point, Clarkson walked to the face of the rock,
and looking intently saw a speck of gold. He called out ‘hand me
up the pick’ (it was his own), then knocking the moss off the stone,
picked some of the rock out, and found it was a very rich stone.
“The three men went back together with the stone to the camp
and showed it to Mr Mackay. He warned them not to say a word to
anyone because it was on Maori land. He straight away set to work
negotiating with the Maoris, who were very reluctant to throw open
the land for prospecting. However, after four days’ hard persuading,
they finally agree.” After Mackay secured an agreement, he issued the
four partners (William Cobley being added) adjoining claims.
Short but solid at the Shotover Mine. The rich vein was not long
nor deep but very potent, delivering a high percentage of gold and
silver metal. “The ‘Shotover’ was so named at the suggestion of
the minister - the water shooting over the top. The four men got
at least £40,000 each out of it, and it is interesting to note that the
Government of the day did not honour its pledge to pay the reward
offered for the discovery of the first payable goldfield.”
Clarkson’s son continues, “The Thames people had the pick with
which the lucky strike was made, engraved ‘Mr. George Clarkson, the
Gold Discoverer’. The pick is in my possession.”
* See
Hunt
Clarkson
White
Cobley
...continued from page 32.
THAMES SCHOOL OF MINES
AND MINERALOGICAL MUSEUM