Notes

Gold changed New Zealand's West Coast from a no-man's-land to a settled district in three years. Before 1865 the region was almost uninhabited. By 1867 it was dotted with townships, criss-crossed with tracks and tramways; its population numbered nearly 30,000; its chief port was the busiest in the Colony, its annual gold exports averaged over half a million ounces. This books deals mainly with these three years. Before the diggers - navigators and sealers; the pioneer explorers; prospectors, surveyors and adventurers The Gold Rush - off to the diggings!; by land and sea to the West Coast; the search for Passes The Goldfields - opening the diggings 1865; extending the diggings 1866; high noon 1867 Life on the Goldfields - the gold-mining industry; the goldfield community; the Goldfield capital; roads and waterways Gold and Politics - the two Canterburys 1865; peaceful coexistence 1866; separation 1867 Washing up - Australian goldfield; the prospect