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Video'd Trip up the Arrow River

madsonicboating		Posted : Sunday, 1 May 2011 11:31:15 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 21/03/2011(UTC) Posts: 674 Thanks: 187 times Was thanked: 157 time(s) in 127 post(s)		ronincolin wrote: Epic first adventure! You're driving on the wrong side of the road though aahhhhhah. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, from California Hahaaa Cheers mate
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criticol		Posted : Sunday, 1 May 2011 4:07:40 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 14/05/2010(UTC) Posts: 234 Location: coromandel Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 66 time(s) in 48 post(s)		Hi All. I guess that Somebody needs an explanation. John,(JW), Seems to have a bee in his bonnet over a couple of my posts, which he seems to consider to be a personal attack on himself? This assumption could not be further from the truth, as I was making a personal overall observation regarding “ALL” the Internets Prospecting forums, and of how the odd persons habit of repetition of their feats all over the different subject threads tend to be sort of “OLD HAT” to regulars, and could indeed tend to discourage new persons from joining the forum, if all they see is Re-runs, of Re-runs. If I have inadvertently upset our earlier friendship relationship as you seem to think John, Then I apologize to you. Regrets, and regards---Colin. P.S. Having said that, I don’t think that I could have the “Gall” to post a picture of myself and my partner smack bang in the middle of a forum. P.P.S. JOHN, how come your answering a question put to NZGOLD.
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kiwijw		Posted : Sunday, 1 May 2011 6:51:12 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 28/03/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,152 Thanks: 92 times Was thanked: 658 time(s) in 324 post(s)		. Edited by user Saturday, 9 July 2011 2:23:10 AM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

Lammerlaw		Posted : Wednesday, 25 May 2011 10:02:08 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,721 Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)		I like the photos of Andersons Battery - back in the days when the only 4WD vehicles were Landrovers and Austin Gypsys and the odd army Jeep I use to camp just back from there - Macetown was unspoilt and the text book experts who have banned together to form the PC brigade known as Dept of Constipation had not been up there to fence and spoil it and the yuppy brigade with their screaming motorbikes and fancy 4WDs had not gone there to drive everywhere thus forcing DOCs hand to fence it. Andersons Battery then was all covered over and more or less complete and near going condition. I remember watching a fellow walk up the road with a huge spanner and remove the bearing caps to get the big bronze bearings - he didnt have his pinch bar so could not prize the caps off - by the time he got back the caps were off and the top bearings had gone. We got half a pound of gold up the Arrow one day - I still have an ounce in the form of nuggets between 1dwt and 4 dwt. My uncle got 8 ounces one day on his own in the Arrow - that was back before anyone was really interested in gold mining, when the prices were low and we had it more or less to ourselves...back in the days when we walked up Deep Creek in the Skippers and from a crack got 1oz 8dwt including another 4dwt nugget.

Lammerlaw		Posted : Wednesday, 25 May 2011 10:12:52 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,721 Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)		With response to some of the unfriendly bantering above I might add that all the 'Old Hats' sit and laugh loudly, smile quizzically and never say a thing - not one word. They tend not to share...they just read and learn more. Most of the note worthys who contribute would not have been gold mining ten and twenty years ago - I should wonder. The newer people are the more likely they are to say too much here - as for me, I never could keep my mouth shut and I am also in my second childhood so I guess I do say too much...but never anything of great importance! ...and as for the nuggets photographed on here by one certain fella - dont you dare even hint where they came from, doesnt pay to say too much - by doing that you s*** in your own nest....and I need a hand to move my larger dredge motor this coming summer!

Lammerlaw		Posted : Wednesday, 25 May 2011 10:17:11 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,721 Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)		criticol wrote: Hi All. I guess that Somebody needs an explanation. John,(JW), Seems to have a bee in his bonnet over a couple of my posts, which he seems to consider to be a personal attack on himself? This assumption could not be further from the truth, as I was making a personal overall observation regarding “ALL” the Internets Prospecting forums, and of how the odd persons habit of repetition of their feats all over the different subject threads tend to be sort of “OLD HAT” to regulars, and could indeed tend to discourage new persons from joining the forum, if all they see is Re-runs, of Re-runs. If I have inadvertently upset our earlier friendship relationship as you seem to think John, Then I apologize to you. Regrets, and regards---Colin. P.S. Having said that, I don’t think that I could have the “Gall” to post a picture of myself and my partner smack bang in the middle of a forum. P.P.S. JOHN, how come your answering a question put to NZGOLD. Personally I think that the photos are not out of place as that is what forums are about. Does it matter if a happy couple show themselves - not at all - it is simply sharing. Another advantage of seeing faces is that you will recognize a person maybe in the field and know whether to tell them things...or say nothing...good to know who you are talking to is it not?

Eagle		Posted : Wednesday, 25 May 2011 3:21:19 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 3/03/2011(UTC) Posts: 71 Location: Central Otago Thanks: 3 times Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 12 post(s)		Gidday Lammerlaw Its always great to read some stories from time past..thanks for sharing,they remind me of some of my grandads tales in Central Otago when I was a little kid...& the jars of gold he would show us..wow!!! But with due respect,everyone has to start somewhere & at some stage wether it was yesterday or 10 or 20 years ago it doesn't really matter. We all wish there was as much gold around now like back in the good old days,& could just go up the Arrow & get 8oz. Even 20,30 or 40 years ago it was still everywhere & with a bit of effort pounds of gold could be got just like in yours & my Grandads stories. Unfortunately the takers of the previous generations have given nature a good bollocking & there is now less of everything for any new comer. Most of the "note worthys" as you call them do pretty well considering there aint know easy gold around like back in the day & legally you are supposed to only fossick in public fossicking areas,unless one has a claim. The "Note worthy" are at least sharing some of there adventures,experiences,ideas,unlike as you say the "old Hats" who sit and laugh loudly, smile quizzically and never say a thing - not one word...Why take all that good knowledge to your grave??? PS. Criticol aint know "note worthy", he has probably found more gold than all of us combined on this forum, "keep well Colin". Cheers Eagle

madsonicboating		Posted : Wednesday, 25 May 2011 3:29:21 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 21/03/2011(UTC) Posts: 674 Thanks: 187 times Was thanked: 157 time(s) in 127 post(s)		thanks to you all who have offered advice I personally appreciate it tenfold and hope to one day repay either the giver of the advice, or some other younger fellow like myself who may also want to learn from the "brofessionals" and thanks also for the kind words I have recieved for my first trip. PS if you really do get the urge to tell me a secret spot I won't tell anyone else...PROMISE hahahaaa :) Edited by user Wednesday, 25 May 2011 4:16:57 PM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified
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Lammerlaw		Posted : Wednesday, 25 May 2011 4:37:41 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,721 Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)		Eagle wrote: Gidday Lammerlaw Its always great to read some stories from time past..thanks for sharing,they remind me of some of my grandads tales in Central Otago when I was a little kid...& the jars of gold he would show us..wow!!! But with due respect,everyone has to start somewhere & at some stage wether it was yesterday or 10 or 20 years ago it doesn't really matter. We all wish there was as much gold around now like back in the good old days,& could just go up the Arrow & get 8oz. Even 20,30 or 40 years ago it was still everywhere & with a bit of effort pounds of gold could be got just like in yours & my Grandads stories. Unfortunately the takers of the previous generations have given nature a good bollocking & there is now less of everything for any new comer. Most of the "note worthys" as you call them do pretty well considering there aint know easy gold around like back in the day & legally you are supposed to only fossick in public fossicking areas,unless one has a claim. The "Note worthy" are at least sharing some of there adventures,experiences,ideas,unlike as you say the "old Hats" who sit and laugh loudly, smile quizzically and never say a thing - not one word...Why take all that good knowledge to your grave??? PS. Criticol aint know "note worthy", he has probably found more gold than all of us combined on this forum, "keep well Colin". Cheers Eagle An interesting comment and most especially the last part - and how much gold do you think some of us might have had over the years? I know of a chap - indeed the very fellow who first mentioned this site to me and I have no doubt that it is he who has more gold than any one on this forum but he does not appear to be a member - he just sits and reads! Do you think your friend Criticol has had that many kilogrammes of gold to make your comment a fact? I shall also point out that I never even inferred that any specific person is a 'note worthy' and least not the person you mention as I do not know him but I do know some on this forum and from the one and only year I ever experienced as a member of the deer stalkers I do note that those who talk the most usually tend to be newcomers with of course exception so that when they have some success they tend to share it with the world - thats human nature as we are all proud of our first successes and want to share them...I have no objection to that. Generally I do not join these forums but did join this simply because my son took a friend gold mining and the friend chose to show his share of the gold here and thus I joined so that I could comment accordingly...otherwise I would just...sit and read...and learn! As for the gold - there are as many opportunities to get easier gold now than ever before - far easier. I worked weekend after weekend and ended up crook on many occasions overdoing it, moving rocks, blasting rocks, moving gravel etc for the gold I have but my son merely walks around my high country property going beep beep beep and bringing home hundreds of dollars worth - its there - he got 21 grammes just the other day and seems to get down in the dumps and declares it isnt worth it if he only gets four or so grammes for four hours beep beeping.

madsonicboating		Posted : Wednesday, 25 May 2011 6:17:46 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 21/03/2011(UTC) Posts: 674 Thanks: 187 times Was thanked: 157 time(s) in 127 post(s)		Lammerlaw I'd go beep beeping for 4 grams (or half of a a big nugget lol...does he want a detecting buddy :) :) :)
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Lammerlaw		Posted : Wednesday, 25 May 2011 6:33:47 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,721 Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)		madsonicboating wrote: Lammerlaw I'd go beep beeping for 4 grams (or half of a a big nugget lol...does he want a detecting buddy :) :) :) I have to be honest and say that I am sitting here doing some soul searching on that one - It is me who holds the whip hand here as I own the place and veto those we take out but dont say no to his friends but I am once bitten twice shy so I have to get to know people first. The agreement was he use my detector and give me half but I cant bring myself to take my share!

starflash		Posted : Thursday, 26 May 2011 2:40:06 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 16/08/2010(UTC) Posts: 192 Location: auckland, tairua Thanks: 18 times Was thanked: 38 time(s) in 30 post(s)		sigh! landlords and locked gates! the haves and the have nots! once apon a time no one owned anything and people were free to roam. sometimes i think nz is the most restrictive and unfree place on earth. even england has better access laws. keep those gates locked tight lammerlaw!

simon		Posted : Thursday, 26 May 2011 4:10:06 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 7/01/2011(UTC) Posts: 789 Location: Central Otago Thanks: 33 times Was thanked: 239 time(s) in 150 post(s)		#32, Starfish: this forum needs a "like" button as per other apps like facebook! it definitely does seem like that these days. a bit like that fashion show on tv - you're either in or out. i definitely see where landowners are coming from. just wish some of the ones around here would actually spare a minute of their time to get to know some of the guys, and perhaps allow a little access to some of us. ie. not just the monied ones. even if it was just for a handful of local types. there is often the feel of you're just another f**ken tourist as many people are round these parts. maybe next time i need to show a local rates bill or sometime when i ask permission. simon.
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madsonicboating		Posted : Thursday, 26 May 2011 5:01:47 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 21/03/2011(UTC) Posts: 674 Thanks: 187 times Was thanked: 157 time(s) in 127 post(s)		lol...mate I felt like a tourist when I was in Arrowtown...cept the japs were all taking photos of the strange guy in the camo hilux and waders hahaaa... All good lammerlaw...my uncle used to own a station that sides the clutha...he recently sold the block to his neighbour but still lives in the station house so I have around 10,000 hectres to go searching on when I head south lol..I only have a fisher F2 with a few fancy coils so it's not really a gold machine anyway. And hey...I'm a decent person to meet....I'm a "B" man...boats, bikes, boobs and bourbon. (and now bullion :) Dan
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Lammerlaw		Posted : Thursday, 26 May 2011 5:17:04 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,721 Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)		madsonicboating wrote: lol...mate I felt like a tourist when I was in Arrowtown...cept the japs were all taking photos of the strange guy in the camo hilux and waders hahaaa... All good lammerlaw...my uncle used to own a station that sides the clutha...he recently sold the block to his neighbour but still lives in the station house so I have around 10,000 hectres to go searching on when I head south lol..I only have a fisher F2 with a few fancy coils so it's not really a gold machine anyway. And hey...I'm a decent person to meet....I'm a "B" man...boats, bikes, boobs and bourbon. (and now bullion :) Dan I aint got a boat but did think about selling my high country place to buy TM listing Listing #: 273785309 ( I am still interestred) bikes yes, boobs - yes, bourbon - only if its free (I am not supposed to drink - something to do with a lifetimes supply for four people in ten short years of debauchery)...more like Chivas Regal for me. I was going to ask a question aobut uncle but shant on a public forum - suffice to say I wonder if its where my son went at Christmas time with a land owner who has about that area.

madsonicboating		Posted : Thursday, 26 May 2011 5:27:55 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 21/03/2011(UTC) Posts: 674 Thanks: 187 times Was thanked: 157 time(s) in 127 post(s)		haha thats not a boat thats a ship!! nice tho!! Mine kinda matches my truck lol.. hmmmm yeah beter be careful what ya ask as according to above posts we are being watched by some silent gold seekers haha...seriously tho I'm not sure whose been on the station or what...I know he'd allow most people who asked as he himself has other interests, and the neighbour that just brought the station is very similar. In saying that, gold does strange things to people I'm learning :) Dan
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Lammerlaw		Posted : Thursday, 26 May 2011 6:02:18 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,721 Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)		madsonicboating wrote: haha thats not a boat thats a ship!! nice tho!! Mine kinda matches my truck lol.. hmmmm yeah beter be careful what ya ask as according to above posts we are being watched by some silent gold seekers haha...seriously tho I'm not sure whose been on the station or what...I know he'd allow most people who asked as he himself has other interests, and the neighbour that just brought the station is very similar. In saying that, gold does strange things to people I'm learning :) Dan I got a couple of duck shooting guns for that but it might be a bit small! As for the ship I am still serious about it - BUT my cousins tell me I am quite mad - my high country place has a little bit of gold to find, a place to go hunting, to go tramping, and they tend to go up in value...and ships sink! As for the mad part - no one needs to tell me...I know! The owner of the place my son went on isnt interested in gold though my son gave him the biggest of the wee nuggets he did find - I didnt see it but it would have been a penny weight or so judging by his other bits. Edited by user Thursday, 26 May 2011 6:06:40 AM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

kiwijw		Posted : Thursday, 26 May 2011 7:55:45 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 28/03/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,152 Thanks: 92 times Was thanked: 658 time(s) in 324 post(s)		. Edited by user Saturday, 9 July 2011 2:26:16 AM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

gjj109		Posted : Thursday, 26 May 2011 8:15:13 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 14/03/2011(UTC) Posts: 464 Location: Thames Thanks: 217 times Was thanked: 194 time(s) in 115 post(s)		Hi Lammerlaw, That boat is a fine example of craftsmanship. Are the items in photo 10 included in the list of chattels?

Lammerlaw		Posted : Thursday, 26 May 2011 8:40:42 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,721 Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)		kiwijw wrote: Hi there Lammerlaw. Great to have you on board & welcome to the site. You have been a busy boy with your posts over the last couple of days. Great reads & thanks for them. Look forward to many more. Great to have such a seasoned & experianced contributer. You would have had many great adventures & exciting finds under your belt. The likes of which we are unlikely to see again in this day & age. Have you read the book by Allan Hamilton "Hammy's Gold"? A fantastic read & you would totaly relate to. His adventures sound very similar to what you talk about. Happy hunting JW :) My son got me this book for christmas and yes it is a great book.I thoroughly recommend it as a stimulant and inspiration! I understand my uncle may have known him but may be wrong. My uncle had a place at Arrowtown and frequented the Arrow a lot. Our last day together up the Arrow was half a pound of gold - I still have an ounce of it. He collapsed with me one day, snowing heavily it was - on that day we took 28 pennyweight - he died in hospital four nights later. The third fellow there on that day was my uncles partner and later became mine...this chaps father in turn is shown in the book 'Let There Be Light' by P.Chandler and R.Hall - page 78, wearing a six shooter! When the sluicing guns got to the house my gold mining partner was born in they just sluiced the house away - apparently. I am not certain but I think my gold mining partners grandfather either got 70,000 ounces of gold or made 70,000 pound out of gold - most likely the latter. My goldmining partners father was R.C. White manager of the Sandhills dredge and his grandfather was Aspinal of Skippers. Your sentence ' The likes of which we are unlikely to see again in this day & age' probably refers to me too as well I think as I get the distinct impression I have done my dash and its the younger fellows with the metal detectors whos turn it is now. My son is getting far more than I am and I may as well let him use the detector as his hearings more acute than mine...and besides I seem to be used to instant miracles and two minutes with the detector and I am bored out of my tree. I went to put on my wet suit last season and had to be rescued out of it by two burly lads as it induced chest pains and I was stuck in it like a straight jacket - far too tight! As I said I have probably done my dash - I was the first of the 'modern' miners to work one of the secondary rivers and we had it all to ourselves for thirty years. I think that with a small dozer I could get several ounces daily on my place with the detector but had a conservation covenant put on that part so more or less shot myself in the foot! It was all good while it lasted...its my sons turn now!...mind you I have a couple of spots on my place yet!...roll on next summer...as we wish our lives away!

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