Open/Close Toolbox
Copyright is retained by the photographer and/or contributor. Please do not reuse without permission.
Format: Location
Linked To
Photograph
Map
Copyright
Copyright is retained by the photographer and/or contributor. Please do not reuse without permission.
Menu
Goldsborough
About this location
DescriptionGOLDSBOROUGH is a mining township, situated on the Waimea creek, ten miles north-east of Hokitika, and about eight miles from Kumara, in the Arahura riding of the county of Westland, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland.
The nearest railway station is called Stafford, and is distant five miles and a-half to the south-east, or three miles and ahalf beyond the township of Stafford.
During the sixties Goldsborough had a population of from 1000 to 1200 persons, who were employed chiefly in goldminig; but at the census of 1901, the population had decreased to 146. Gold of good quality has always been obtained in the district, and during the early days two banks had branches in the township, and did a prosperous business. A considerable amount of sluicing is still carried on, and water is obtained from the Government water races.
About the year 1900 Goldsborough was destroyed by fire; and, latterly, owing to the encroachments of the river, the houses in the lower part of the settlement have had to be removed. Services are conducted in the local churches of the Anglican and Roman Catholic bodies, and there is an excellent State school in the township, with an average attendance of twenty-eight children. Goldsborough has two hotels, and the business of the post office is conducted at one of the local stores.
The old postal district of Big Dam is now included in Goldsborough. The roads in the district are fair, and the coach from Hokitika and Stafford passes daily to Kumara. The courthouse and police station at Stafford are sufficient for the requirements of the settlement.
from THE CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW ZEALAND [NELSON, MARLBOROUGH & WESTLAND PROVINCIAL DISTRICTS]
Map[1]
The nearest railway station is called Stafford, and is distant five miles and a-half to the south-east, or three miles and ahalf beyond the township of Stafford.
During the sixties Goldsborough had a population of from 1000 to 1200 persons, who were employed chiefly in goldminig; but at the census of 1901, the population had decreased to 146. Gold of good quality has always been obtained in the district, and during the early days two banks had branches in the township, and did a prosperous business. A considerable amount of sluicing is still carried on, and water is obtained from the Government water races.
About the year 1900 Goldsborough was destroyed by fire; and, latterly, owing to the encroachments of the river, the houses in the lower part of the settlement have had to be removed. Services are conducted in the local churches of the Anglican and Roman Catholic bodies, and there is an excellent State school in the township, with an average attendance of twenty-eight children. Goldsborough has two hotels, and the business of the post office is conducted at one of the local stores.
The old postal district of Big Dam is now included in Goldsborough. The roads in the district are fair, and the coach from Hokitika and Stafford passes daily to Kumara. The courthouse and police station at Stafford are sufficient for the requirements of the settlement.
from THE CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW ZEALAND [NELSON, MARLBOROUGH & WESTLAND PROVINCIAL DISTRICTS]
Map[1] Photograph
Category Information
MenuBy Topic | Working Life | Mining
loading google map....
West Coast New Zealand History (7th Apr 2018). Goldsborough. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 12th Feb 2026 16:53, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/1116