CHARLESTON
Goldfields Act of 1866 reduced this by half, and a head was thereafter only 20 square inches, viz., 20 inches wide and 1 inch deep or an equivalent. This became known as a “Government Head.” The race above the gauge was required to be dead level for 30 feet, thus regulating the velocity of the flow.
The price per head in early days was up to 55/- per week for 40 inches, but in 1882 was 45/-, and in 1905 was the same price, 45/-. Much of the water used at Charleston was from The Basin; while Gregory & Horner sold water from the upper levels of Darkie’s Creek, also from small dams on Charleston Flat. Several of these were ultimately owned by Samuel McClatchie, who, in 1888, held at least eight. A dam behind Section 333 was owned by Gardner & Sutton.
There was also a large dam, called The Reservoir, built by Haines in 1871, between Darkie’s Creek and Nile River, and a dam on town sections 205-207. Water was conducted to the field by races, flumes, and pipes, for long distances and at great expense. Considerably the largest and most important was the Argyle Company’s Race, later taken over by the Government and later still by the Buller County Council. In consequence it became known as the Government Race. (See another chapter.)
Gold Deposits: The alluvial gold of the Coast varied considerably in “sizes,” ranging from nuggets and pellets to small particles, some as fine as flour. The largest nugget found was The Roddy, unearthed near Ross in 1909. It weighed 99 oz. 12 dwt. 12 gr., and was valued at £395. To-day it would be worth over £1,000 in New Zealand currency. It is said that this lump of wealth was purchased by a hotel-keeper who, for a “draw” used it as the doorstep to his bar; and later raffled it to provide funds for a hospital. It was purchased by the Government and presented to the King for use as an inkstand. It was named The Roddy as a compliment to the Hon. Roderick McKenzie, a popular Westcoaster and then Minister of Mines. A plaster cast of it was shown at the Centennial Exhibition at Wellington.
Much of the gold on the Coast was coarse and nuggety, being caught by logs or other obstructions placed athwart tailraces, behind which it could settle; by ripple-bars on tables, by
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