The West Coast Gold Rushes.

Philip Ross May.

This fine book deals mainly with three hectic years. Before 1865 the West Coast region was almost uninhabited. By 1867 it was dotted with townships, criss-crossed with tracks and tramways; it’s population numbered nearly thirty thousand and it’s chief port was the busiest in the colony, annual gold exports were half a million ounces. Gifted historian Phillip May recounts this history with exemplary scholarship and his work is still regarded as the best on the subject, a South Island of New Zealand history classic. Many interesting photographs. First published in 1962 this is the second, revised edition.

Pegasus Press, Christchurch, 1967.

Hardback with dust jacket. 559 pages.

SECONDHAND. Fine condition.