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Manzoni Gold Claim,Callaghans..what it looks like now. -ALBUM-

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DescriptionCallaghans is found by travelling to the Goldsborough camp site, 16 kilometres north-east of Hokitika, then continuing on the road past the camping ground, and turning north onto Callaghans Road, a short distance.

There are several alluvial shallow pits (casts) here, some historic, and some very recent. Information on modern mining at such locations is in short supply, as they are often conducted by an individual, or at most small party of men, with a digger, truck, and portable processing plant. Unlike public companies there is no requirement for these entities to post public information.

It is thought gold was discovered here in the late 1860's, shortly after Goldsborough, and other places nearer the coast. By 1869, Callaghans had 50 miners. It is claimed the location was the first to introduce the foxglove weed into New Zealand, when a homesick Irish miner wrote for seeds.

Gold was found in gravel layers, initially mined via shafts, which were soon flooded by the copious water at the location. Later mining was conducted with high powered water jets, blasting the hardened auriferous clay cement off the face.

Limited and incomplete information was found. Joseph Moretti, Joseph Clopott, and Joseph Manzoni formed the Callaghans Long Tailrace Gold Mining Company in 1890, with only 500 pounds capital. Pictures show high powered water sluicing taking place, on land once containing tunnels, from the original alluvial miners. Manzoni at least continued for a number of decades at Callaghans, as a lease application was found for him in 1918.

Hyndman and party are mentioned in 1891, obtaining gold from a gravel wash, 6 feet below the surface, yielding 5-6 dwt. Beneath the wash was a layer of sediment full of rotten wood, with much water which flooded the shaft. Wheeler and party is also mentioned, on a lead named after Wheeler, and also struggling to literally keep afloat.

In 1895, rich gold was discovered at Italian Gully at Callaghans. Dredging figures were found across 1900-1910, with no other information. S.R. Honey was actively mining here immediately after this.

Charles Stoup (19) died after being electrocuted at Callaghan's gold sluicing claim in 1933. He was hitching a truck in the incline tunnel, the accident happening when power cords became entangled. His body was found by his father, who also worked at the mine.

The Maori Gully (Kokiri) Gold Dredging Company (later re-named Maori Gold Ltd), was dredging at the site from the late 1930's, until the company was wound up in 1944. The company had always complained the ground was difficult to dredge, and faced with the cost of new machinery needed, decided to call in the liquidator.

From the road, is the start or end of the Goldsborough Shamrock Track, which drops down across a series of ridges, then along Shamrock Creek to the Goldsborough camp site, passing old gold workings. Maps state there is a derelict dredge in a pond next to Callaghans Road, but needs on the ground confirmation. Map^[1]External LinkCallaghansContributorMichael W Anderson

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Location (city or town)CallaghansOrganisation (eg business)Manzoni Gold Claim

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Category TagGoldmining

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LinkFacebookDate Created23rd November 2018CommentsJoseph Moretti, Joseph Clopott, and Joseph Manzoni formed the Callaghans Long Tailrace Gold Mining Company in 1890, with only 500 pounds capital. Pictures show high powered water sluicing taking place, on land once containing tunnels, from the original alluvial miners. Manzoni at least continued for a number of decades at Callaghans, as a lease application was found for him in 1918.

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Manzoni Gold Claim,Callaghans..what it looks like now. -ALBUM-