Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 27, September 1983
by COLIN BROADLEY
(Reprinted with permission of Hauraki Herald)
| "Karangahake: The Years of the Gold 1875 — 1935" by N.S. Climie and G. Staples; Published and printed for the Paeroa and District Historical and Arts Society by the Whakatane & District Historical Society, Box 203, Whakatane. Limited to 700 copies. Monograph No. 8, January 1983; 78 pages A4 size, soft cover $5. |
This monograph, or treatise-on-one-subject, is a detailed reference book about the social and economic history of the Karangahake/Mackaytown goldfield area. From the Deed of Cession and dramatic opening of the goldfield in 1875 to the tragic story of Dolph Schultz's dream seam being found valueless 75 years later, this book will be an invaluable record for those whose ancestors were in any way involved.
Our thanks must go to the authors and collators of this goldmine of information - it has obviously taken many years of research. You will get a glimmering into the character of author Nell Scott Climie when you read a recollection of 4 year old Nellie Scott's first day of school at Karangahake in 1902; or read her poem, Turner's Hill - where she still lives.
This treatise includes worthwhile contributions from other people of the district like Jack Milroy for the Schultz story; W. Hammond for the Daldy Williams Adventure and Cyril Gwilliam for his details of Goldmining Methods. They've even included contributing poets like John Macefield ("The Hill") and H.A. King Meagher for his poetic story of the Prospector's Dog.
Grand reading as are Nell's poems on the Mackaytown Poplars, Turner's Hill, to our Mothers and Karangahake. Gary Staples provided a review of the New Mining Prospects 1882, the story of the Talisman Dubbo Goldmining Company and untold help to Nell Scott Climie in collating this edition.
I'm sure that this limited edition will soon be sold out, if only to the families of the people concerned with these historic villages. I hope that the next edition can be given to Barry Metcalfe to subedit for Coromandel Press publication - even if the resulting price is double. It will be well worth it.
Even so, this first edition will soon be a collector's item as it is only available at the Paeroa Museum behind the library, and the museum is not open all the time. If you want a copy best of luck.