Appleton's gold claim, Blue Spur, Hokitika.1960`s.

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DescriptionGlenn Johnston.."This photo of me was taken almost 50 years ago on Appleton's gold claim at Blue Spur near Hokitika. Later on John and Judy Scott mined and ran a tourist venture on this claim. I used to be allowed to play there. Some times I'd watch George working the claim but usually myself and friends would just explore and play."
Date of Photo1960-70Map^[1]ContributorGlenn Johnston

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Location (city or town)Blue SpurPersonGlenn JohnstonLandmark (Place)Appleton's gold claim - later John and Judy Scott's claim

Category Information

Category TagGoldmining

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CommentsJune Williams Glenn, was George Alice Appleton’s husband? They
lived in Livingstone Street.

Bev Kelly hi June. Yes Alice was his wife. She was my girl guide leader many moons ago.

June Williams Bev Kelly I remember having to go her house to complete my semaphore badge for guides. I think at that stage she was a commissioner or similar. We used to go to guides in the Hall on Fitzherbert Street. I think Mrs Northcroft was my leader. Gosh that’s going back a while.

Bev Kelly June - sure is a yr or two ago! Was the old All Saints hall. Oh yes, and Mrs Northcroft..... forgot about her.

June Williams Bev Kelly that’s right. Thought it was the Anglican Hall.
s
Dennis Gibbs Did the races ever collapse in on people?

Heather Newby yes... I read in the old papers.. there were a few casualties..

Alan Pegley John White, Ken Reece Snr, and myself purchased this claim from George Appleton. We ran a tourist business there, and later sold it to John, and Judy Scott

Ken Reece Alan Pegley thats right ..in earlyer times my Dad enjoyed many a weekend up the Blue Spur...along with myself and my two older boys,Darryl and Stephen

Peter Campion Yes I remember it well Glen

John Kerr Where exactly was it on the Blue Spur?
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Frances Thomas Thanks for the memory..Mrs Appleton was my brownie and guide leader in the 50s/60s.. was in the scout hall up the top of Hall or Sale st...went to the mine panning gold for one of my badges

John Moore I lived right next door to the Appleton’s and have many a memory of the family including having a cup of tea in the hut at the claim. Smoky tea, wonderfull.

Amanda Taylor We now own the piece of land that was Appletons mine and are running it as a small holding. Would like to see more photos of the place through the years. We have a good set of photos from the Scott's time here.

Amanda Taylor Still some shafts on the place and one tunnel known as Madmans.

Fergus Bryant I to recall the Appletons and was lucky enough to be taken as a schoolboy to watch the sluice and tailrace working. I now own the land were the Scotts house was and my place now is, at the top part of the claim. There is an access road to the area Amanda refers to signposted by a large wooden white hand. Be advised that all of this area is privately owned and the public turnaround is obviously before these access points

Peter Curtain Interesting thread, I worked on the claim with old George in the school holidays, helping with the tourists. We used to dig the gold panning material out of the tunnels except when we got too busy and salted a few pans!
I loved operating the water cannon for the sluice, very impressive.
I remember seeing a blind mountain trout in a small pool hundreds of meters in a tunnel,
a wheel embedded in a tree six feet off the ground and lastly, Georges vintage car.

Glenn Johnston Amanda Taylor FYI. Second tunnel entrance photo. (I've got shoes on this time unlike in the other photo)
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Therese McAra I remember going there when it was open as a tourist attraction.

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Appleton's gold claim, Blue Spur, Hokitika.1960`s.

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