Page:Gillespies Beach Beginnings • Alexander (2010).pdf/14

 Gabriel’s Gully. This “Australian invasion” had begun in 1865. Miners tended to keep moving to new areas when existing claims petered out but their daily existence would probably have been hand-to-mouth at best. Again, when the best of the gold gave out in Otago, Laurence Sullivan moved to the other side of the alps on New Zealand’s West Coast.

The West Coast had been officially declared a gold field in 1864 but it was 1865 before the real influx of miners began. By the time Laurence arrived in Hokitika some time in 1865 - the exact date unknown - it would have been quite a busy place which had developed quickly once the West Coast had been declared a gold field. It had a well-used if somewhat dangerous river port with many mishaps because of the river bar. Ships from Melbourne in Australia arrived and departed from there, as did coastal shipping.

On arrival it is likely Laurence heard of the rich deposits of gold being found on the beaches further south. He probably acquired a horse or perhaps, like others, he travelled on foot. It is unlikely he travelled alone as other hopefuls were also following the beach route south as did limited dray traffic carrying supplies. It is more than likely that his cousin, Mick Carroll, was with him. The news of good strikes further afield invariably acted as a spur to up stakes and keep moving.

For those travelling down the coastline, the first obstacle to cross was the Hokitika river, followed by the Mikonui and Waitaha rivers. It is known that Laurence worked the gold at Mikonui Beach where his future wife lived but whether they met there or not isn’t known. In the newspaper report of the wedding which appears later, Mikonui was described as the bride’s family home and the wedding certificate states that this is where the marriage to Margaret Vaughan took place. How long he mined at Mikonui Beach isn’t known but again he moved on.