Greymouth, in 1866, was growing in all directions to meet the demands of the diggers. Until recently there had only been a Government Supply Depot to supply provisions for explorers and casual visitors.
Exploration of the area by Europeans began in the 1840’s with Thomas Brunner, Charles Heaphy and Arthur Dudly Dobson. James Mackay completed the land sale from the Maori in 1860.
The Government Supply Depot was set up in 1863 and run by Charles Townsend until he was drowned while crossing a river in October. Gold was discovered by Day, Smart and French in the Taramakau and Greenstone area in January 1863 and an unsuccessful attempt was made to collect the reward offered by the Canterbury provincial Government for finding a payable gold field in the province. Albert Hunt was successful and was paid the reward for his discoveries in the Greenstone area. Reuben Waite sailed from Nelson aboard the Nelson in July 1864 with seventy diggers and set up a store on the banks of the Grey River.
Charleston, circa 1870 - a good example of an early mining town
By 1865 the population of the West Coast had grown to 16,000 and another 14,000 arrived during 1866. The reported gold recovery for the later year was 553,000 ounces.
Sluicing a gold claim
The Canterbury Provincial Government proclaimed the area south of the Grey River and west of the Southern Alps as a goldfield, while the area to the north of the Grey River was under the control of the Nelson Provincial Council. An “Improvement Committee” of prominent citizens administered the town and improvements were paid for by a levy on merchants.
Richmond Quay, Greymouth, circa 1890
The first buildings in the area were little more than shacks made of canvas. Gradually more substantial buildings were constructed as businesses were established.
Floods, fires and earthquakes have taken their toll on buildings over the years and many have been lost.