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Tales of the Golden Buller

The Hatter		Posted : Monday, 17 June 2013 10:43:47 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 21/05/2013(UTC) Posts: 259 Location: Westport Thanks: 62 times Was thanked: 320 time(s) in 125 post(s)		HI folks. Well nothing to show and not a lot to tell. Just a few Tales, some experiences, recollections, a few tips along the way I guess. Its winter, time to write. Lost all my photo's when my puta had a meltdown. But frig, when I first started it was Box Brownies or Instamatics. Tales to come of Claim Jumping, Back Stabbing, Topping, you name it. In the gold game those are only some of the things you have to face. I always say gold has no friends. Partnerships can fall apart. Friendships blown apart. And it is the lure of gold that is the catalyst. But no, not so much the lure. But when you find it. And then the true human nature of some people comes to show itself. But balanced with that is many fine people along the way, those that share your dreams. The rat bags are few, but do pop up from time to time. But enough of them for now. Gold is just pure fun. Its the lure, the anticipation. The thrill of the hunt, the chase, and at the end of the day. The achivement that you have been there and done that. So this is just a preamble, before I start well " My Journal" or whatever one wants to call it. Like I say its winter, so its time to write. It will all be kept on this thread. From time to time I am sure another adventure will pop into my head. And there are many. Believe me. Where to start, thats the hard part. Maybe I should go back to Reefton when I was about 7 years old. Now that is starting at the begining of my golden adventure. Oh well Folks more to come. Cheers Trev aka " The Hatter"

gavin		Posted : Monday, 17 June 2013 11:13:29 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Administrators, Registered Joined: 20/02/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,326 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 736 times Was thanked: 535 time(s) in 287 post(s)		I'm looking forward to a few stories :)
		WWW

Goldie		Posted : Tuesday, 18 June 2013 1:28:33 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Dust Groups: Registered Joined: 14/04/2013(UTC) Posts: 3 Location: Oamaru Thanks: 24 times Was thanked: 6 time(s) in 3 post(s)		Can't wait! Looking forward to some wonderful tales. Thanks.

The Hatter		Posted : Tuesday, 25 June 2013 6:41:41 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 21/05/2013(UTC) Posts: 259 Location: Westport Thanks: 62 times Was thanked: 320 time(s) in 125 post(s)		Hi Folks A day of memories for me. On this day. On the 25th June 1977 my first son was born. " James Robert Takarehe Alty" Sadly on the 22nd February 1997 he lost his life in a motor accident. James mother and I seperated when he was seven years old. I had moved to the Coast and they were in the North Island of our fair land. Every school holidays I bought him down to stay with me. I dedicate this post to him. And I will write as if it was coming from him. School holidays at last, and off to see Dad. Gunna be good to see the ole buggar and my half brother and sister. But they are only little fella's, so Dad and I get to have lots of adventures together. I don't know how many creeks he has carted me up, creeks in Reefton, creeks in the Buller, and he always makes me carry something. But at least he carrys my lunch in his pack. And as we explore he tells me lots. The history, the geology, and now I know what granite is, and argilite, and greywacke are and lots of other funny names. Every now and then out comes the gold pan and he does a test dish. He even taught me to pan. We did lots of missions and found some good places. But Dad said, we need something closer to home. He lived out at Tauranga Bay, 17K from Westport. When I was young and flew down, they made me wear this thing around my wrist, it said unaccompnied minor and my name and address was on it . One time I got to Wellington and it was to windy to fly to Westport. So an air hostess took me home to stay with her. Dad said, "You lucky buggar" , how come that never happens to me. Then he started doing his gold mining on the beach at the Bay. It was pretty boring, just sucking sand all day. So I used to swim in the big hole they made. It was full of water and warm as. I woke up one morning and my ears were acking, and they hurt. Dad took me to a Doctor straight away. The Doctor said I was swimming in seaweed soup and had germs in my ear. He gave me pills and eardrops. So that was the end of my swimming. So then I started a new game. I would run across the sand that came off the tables. It was kinda like jelly, you had to run fast or else you would sink. Well one day I didn't run fast enough, and I sank. Right up to the tops of my legs. Dad grabbed the plank he walks out on over the big hole, and puts it where I was. He tryed to pull me out. But I was stuck. So then he goes and gets the sand sucker thing. And says I'm gunna have to suck you out. I thought he was gunna suck me and got pretty scared. But he started sucking around my legs. I'm glad he didnt get my diddle. After five minutes he had me out. So that was the end of that game to. Dad bought one of those dredge things, he called it a suitcase dredge, but it didn't look like a suitcase to me. And we started going back up creeks. But I was a bit older then. So I had to carry something, he used to give me the tube, they floated the motor on. Dad used to carry the motor and pump on a pack frame, it had a shelf on. We used to have lots of rests, I don't know why. I wasn't tired. And then we started going into that S creek. I loved it in there. Dad and his mate had fixed the hut up. It had three bunks, a table and even chairs. And a floor. Dad said it was a Pallet Floor, well it was just a floor to me. It had no door, just a bit of plastic stuff. Every nite this furry thing would come in. And steal food. Dad said it was a possum, and he called it Herbert. I asked him, why he didn't bring his gun and shoot it. He said. " Na, its our friend". I didn;t know Dads had possums as friends. One night it got real cold. I was on the top bunk and dad was on the one by the floor. That way I guess he could talk to his friend Herbert. I had one of those sleeping things, bags, thats it. And Dad gave me some blankets, as it was a kinda cheap bag thing. Dad had the good one. Why do Dads always have the good ones. Anyway I was shivering. And I woke Dad up. Dad, I'm cold. Dad said buggar me there is a late frost. And he got me up, and we swapped the bag things. I think Dad got cold then. As I could hear him saying, " Herbert Herbert" where are you. And then Dad found some good gold in the Buller, and he had a claim thingie on it. And I was getting older. So next time he is taking me to the Buller Claim. And guess what I have been growing, and I reckon his wetsuit will fit me. Dad was always a bit skinny. RIP James. The fun times we had together will never leave me. : Dad" Cheers Trev aka " The Hatter"

Mahuta		Posted : Tuesday, 25 June 2013 7:20:50 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Flake Groups: Registered Joined: 27/05/2013(UTC) Posts: 18 Location: Picton Thanks: 17 times Was thanked: 2 time(s) in 2 post(s)		Thanks Trev for sharing that mate ,it gave me goosebumps ,sounds like your young fella had some great times with you on the coast and that will always be there ,I grew up on the coast too ,my old man was in the forest service and used to take me tramping up the back of radiant and all through heaphy and wangapeka and the time I spent with him are still golden memories as I'm sure your sons times were ,after reading this I'm gonna ring my boy ( 16) lives in the north island and tee up a father son expedition in the near future as its been a few months ..thanks
		Gold is where you find it.

kiwikeith		Posted : Tuesday, 25 June 2013 7:53:11 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 28/06/2011(UTC) Posts: 648 Location: hector Thanks: 359 times Was thanked: 230 time(s) in 154 post(s)		yea that is one hell of a story thanks for sharing that and yes you do miss them once they have gone I feel all gossey kiwikeith

bittenbythebug		Posted : Tuesday, 25 June 2013 8:13:02 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 27/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 56 Location: Wellington Thanks: 22 times Was thanked: 20 time(s) in 12 post(s)		Hi Hatter, great story, love your work. As you spend a bit of time in the Buller, I was wondering if you tried your hand at the old diggings opposite Berlins (old Berlins that is before they moved it)? Would like to have a look myself but I don't know how far down the river they moved the building. Just wondered if you ever visited the area? Have read of a few references but never known the original location. Cheers

1864hatter		Posted : Tuesday, 25 June 2013 8:31:24 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 4/08/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,007 Location: Auckland.... Thanks: 49 times Was thanked: 566 time(s) in 269 post(s)		Good story Hatter and thanks for taking the time to write it.
		And now....On sandy beaches and muddy soil, rings and coins await my coil!

crushit		Posted : Wednesday, 26 June 2013 8:18:25 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 24/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 31 Location: westport Thanks: 24 times Was thanked: 16 time(s) in 12 post(s)		Hi Hatter, just worked out who you are keep up the stories regards Flag.
		WWW

The Hatter		Posted : Thursday, 27 June 2013 1:40:10 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 21/05/2013(UTC) Posts: 259 Location: Westport Thanks: 62 times Was thanked: 320 time(s) in 125 post(s)		Amazing who is lurking around here Flag. And I only know one Flag that lives in Westport. Mahuta sent me a PM wants to know about likely area's around Karamea. I know little as just a bit to far away for me. But I do know someone who knows a lot about that area and his name happens to be Flag. Maybe you can help him out. Flagpole. Hehehehe. Cheers Trev aka " The Hatter"

crushit		Posted : Thursday, 27 June 2013 4:24:17 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 24/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 31 Location: westport Thanks: 24 times Was thanked: 16 time(s) in 12 post(s)		Will do Trev the hatter.I know mahuta and his family,they come from karamea. There is some good gold up there in places,mite even have a few samples.ha ha . Flag.
		WWW

chrischch		Posted : Friday, 12 July 2013 11:31:36 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 28/08/2011(UTC) Posts: 811 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 192 times Was thanked: 105 time(s) in 104 post(s)		Awesome story. I miss my Dad. My sons are 16 and 20 but neither can be talked into prospecting.....they dont even come to see me much anymore. Guess its that age. Can't wait to get back over to the coast.
		Fisher Goldbug Pro, Fisher F2, Garrett Propointer.

picknshuffle		Posted : Saturday, 13 July 2013 5:56:19 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Dust Groups: Registered Joined: 17/07/2011(UTC) Posts: 9 Location: Qld. Aus. Thanks: 6 times Was thanked: 8 time(s) in 3 post(s)		Hatter wrote Quote: Lost all my photo's when my puta had a meltdown Hi Hatter, just to let you know that if your computer had SSD or SATA Hard Drives in them and it wasn't these that fried (which is rare, unless you dropped ur comp and damaged the discs in the H/D) then all ur photo's and other information is retrievable. The good discs in the H/D can also be pulled out and restacked in another H/D to retrieve info (thats like worst case scenario and its a bit tricky). Nothing is ever FULLY deleted even if it was emptied in ur recycle bin. If you still have H/D (and its ssd or sata) from melted comp, take it to a tech centre and ask if they can help, if they want to much coin to do the job, i may be able to help, just pm me. And thanks for your stories, i really enjoy reading them, somehow they quench the fever. cheers.

The Hatter		Posted : Sunday, 14 July 2013 5:39:32 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 21/05/2013(UTC) Posts: 259 Location: Westport Thanks: 62 times Was thanked: 320 time(s) in 125 post(s)		Hi Folks Guess if I call it the " Golden Buller " well, what else then, than the Buller River. A mighty water way that runs from the Nelson Lakes to Westport. One moment calm and serene, the next a roaring cascade of tree's, mud, a mean beast indeed, she be. But treat her with respect and caution and she comes to reveal the treasures contained within her. Not a place for the faint hearted, for even in her quieter moments, she can suprise. Oh many secrets does have the mighty Buller, so never take her lightly. We met many years ago, she tinkered with me, tempted me, tantilised me, and as we came to know each other, a respect for each other grew. And I guess over the years we became the best of friends, and we remain so today. Her gold comes from many places, gathered by her, on the journey to the Tasman Sea. A little here, a little there. It all adds up. But she took many courses those eons ago. Now the Terraces she left, stand alongside her. A tribute to her early days. The creeks that drain them, still bring gold to her. Which she confidently hides in her secret places. Nobody will ever tame the mighty Buller, she will flirt with you, and then when the mood takes her, spit you out, as if you were a nothing. So beware the mighty Buller. So come with me on an intreped journey. Tales of gold, Claim jumping, back stabbing, theft. The Buller supplys all to those that seek her golden treasures. She is a carrot dangler, and she taught me well, for I fear I am ever so slightly dangling a carrot. But fear not. The tales are awaiting to be told. So let me begin. It was 28 years ago when I arrived here. My gold seeking had taken a rest for many years as my occupation dictated that I reside in the Waikato in the far north. But finally I had returned to the Island of my birth, the only Island. The bloody Mainland of New Zealand. Bush, rivers, deer, gold, what else could a man ask for. And here I was in Westport, the Buller River within spitting distance. Well I looked at her, and I guess she at me. Right I thought. I have read about you. So now its time to share your secrets with me. But its such a bloody long river, I thought this is gunna take me a lifetime to prospect you, as I am going to visit every beach, bend and place I can get to. So I thought right, first section is from the start of the Buller Gorge to the Iron Bridge. And so I set off, buggar I never really did get to the Iron Bridge. Oh a couple of little forays, even a few beyond the Iron Bridge. But the Buller shared her teasure trove with me in a strange place called " Berlins" and not even near Germany. Often refered to " As the Old Diggings" well it became the new diggings. And what treasure there was, but it was hard won gold, it was as if she didn't want to lose it. I called it " The Battle of the Buller" and on that I shall right. To be continued. Cheers Trev aka " The Hatter"

1864hatter		Posted : Sunday, 14 July 2013 6:13:19 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 4/08/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,007 Location: Auckland.... Thanks: 49 times Was thanked: 566 time(s) in 269 post(s)		Well that's a good start Hatter, I certainly cant wait to hear about the carrots, I mean gold, that you found and the adventures along the way. Was just looking into the Buller today and wondering about what may be hidden in its depths. I had the pan in the car but it was snowing sideways (was up near St Arnaud) so it stayed dry. Looking forward to the next instalment of what promises to be a good read!
		And now....On sandy beaches and muddy soil, rings and coins await my coil!

kiwikeith		Posted : Sunday, 14 July 2013 6:30:56 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 28/06/2011(UTC) Posts: 648 Location: hector Thanks: 359 times Was thanked: 230 time(s) in 154 post(s)		so looking forward to the rest of the story like you its at my back door as well thanks and don't let it be to long

cavey		Posted : Thursday, 18 July 2013 9:09:52 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 19/01/2011(UTC) Posts: 145 Location: Ashburton Thanks: 42 times Was thanked: 22 time(s) in 18 post(s)		Thanks for the great stories so far the buller area a great place spent 3 months staying at the pub in murch working up there what a place . Keep them stories coming. Stu

chrischch		Posted : Thursday, 18 July 2013 9:23:53 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 28/08/2011(UTC) Posts: 811 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 192 times Was thanked: 105 time(s) in 104 post(s)		Looking forward to next installment....hint hint. :)
		Fisher Goldbug Pro, Fisher F2, Garrett Propointer.

The Hatter		Posted : Friday, 19 July 2013 4:50:35 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 21/05/2013(UTC) Posts: 259 Location: Westport Thanks: 62 times Was thanked: 320 time(s) in 125 post(s)		Hi Folks Lets take a visit to Stephensons Creek, or is it Stevensons Creek, the ole memory aint so great these days. Anyway its on the Hydro road that runs from Denniston to New Creek. 4 x 4 only, its a steep drop into Stephensons Valley. Quite a few hair pins. Stephensons is the first creek you come to, when you go down hill. And what a pristine little place it is. We found it many years ago, and it does get a small mention in a very early geological report. There is a lovely little flat there, and in our day had a hut on it. It was pretty dilapidated when we found it, but after a few missions we had it sorted. Three bunks we put in, a pallet floor. Table and chairs. It was a five star bush hut after that. Even had the old corrugated iron chimny and a fire place. What more could a man want. Prior to fixing the hut we had taken a 6 inch Suitcase dredge in, to do some testing. She was a cold little creek even in the summer. So we had hot water on. The water was crystal clear. Basement or bottom, was greywacke/argilite. Bloody beautiful crevices and cracks. But it was a typical small creek, as spotty as hell. We ended up calling it " Tucker Money" Creek. But the gold price was under $600.00 per ounce in those days. Some days ya would get a few grams, and others sweet buggar all. The gold is more or less flakey or angular. Nothing that big. Much of it was stained. Used to get lots of these black heavy wee pebbles. Could have been cassiterite (Tin ore) as it is reported in that area. We never worked to far away from the hut, even with a suitcase there is quite a bit to lug around. The best day we had was around half an ounce. There was a hole downstream with a nice drop off, the old guys wouldnt have been able to get in there, a bit to deep for them. About four feet. Got straight onto gold under the drop off, did about half an ounce in a few hours. And then we were back to a few grams a day. Below that possie is a couple of nice quartz reefs that run across the creek, but they were proved to be barren. We had a lot of fun in there. It was just such a relaxing place. At night you could hear the Kiwi's. And during the day one even got to see the odd Kea. It got to the stage we had to take an alarm clock in there. It was so peaceful we would sleep in. Alas the hut is now gone. Some idiot in a 4 x 4 was bored so had fun backing into it, till it was stuffed. I havent been in there for years. On the way in you will drive alongside the Waimangaroa River for a short distance, you will see a creek flowing into it. Its called Cedar Creek. A bit of gold in that one to. Where the straight is, Cedar Creek is just through the bush a few metres on your left. Later up the road, you drive over it. Up the top is Cedar Creek Saddle. Stephensons Creek originates from there as does Cedar Creek, one goes one west one east. Gold was found there with quartz attached in the old days. A mate of mine did a number down there many years ago and did quite well. You can drive to the Saddle and drop down into the creek about a 100 metres below. Maybe he left a bit. One does need to study a map tho. As up top there are hydro roads going everywhere. The best way in, is keep heading north, drive past Beggs Outcrop (An exposed coal seam on your left. There is an old building there, go past that. The road to the top is on your next right. Well thats the way I remember it. There is another road up there. I used to call that Devils Leap, it was a little tricky to say the least. I think it is stuffed now. Have fun if you venture up and in that way. Even the trip to the Denniston Plateau is an eye opener, great place up there. And gold can be found there. But its strange country to read. Cheers Trev aka " The Hatter"

1864hatter		Posted : Friday, 19 July 2013 6:30:15 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 4/08/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,007 Location: Auckland.... Thanks: 49 times Was thanked: 566 time(s) in 269 post(s)		Good to share ones stories, before they are all forgotten that is. Good on ya!
		And now....On sandy beaches and muddy soil, rings and coins await my coil!

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