NZ West Coast

A vivid and detailed account of probabably the most remarkable journey of exploration ever made in New Zealand. Thomas Brunner travelled from the infant settlement of Nelson down the Buller river and south along the west coast as far as the glaciers. The return journey was north to the Grey river and Cape Foulwind and back along the Buller. This is his journal. 

Pegasus Press, Christchurch, 1952. Hardback with dust jacket. 110 pages. SECONDHAND.

In 1846 Brunner and his Maori guides set off from Nelson and travelled down the Buller river and from its mouth down the coast to South Westland, an epic of early NZ exploration and travel. This is the first biography of Brunner and includes his own account of the great journey.

Nikau Press, Nelson, 2006. Hardback, no dust jacket as issued. 288 pages. NEW

Using his own journals this book tells the remarkable story of Charles Douglas who pioneered the exploration of the rivers and mountains of South Westland. A New Zealand and South Westland classic.

A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1957. Hardback with dust-jacket. 331 pages, illustrated. SECONDHAND

The story of a pioneering folk hero. A colourful tale of adventure, discovery and survival in the most remote areas of the Southern Alps. Life of William James O'Leary 1865-1947.

Exisle Publishing Ltd., Auckland, 2000. Softback. 182 pages. SECONDHAND

The story of the Chinese who came to the West Coast during the gold rush of the 1860s and onwards, and mined the leftover tailings.

Shantytown, Greymouth, 2009. Softcovers. 294 pages, illustrated. NEW

Gerhard Mueller surveyed the West Coast during the gold rush and his letters to his wife in Invercargill written between 1865 and 1866 provide a glimpse into the isolation of the West Coast and the chaos of frontier society.

Pegasus Press, Christchurch, 1958. Hardback with dust-jacket. 238 pages. SECONDHAND

Gerhard Mueller surveyed the West Coast during the gold rush and his letters to his wife in Invercargill written between 1865 and 1866 provide a glimpse into the isolation of the West Coast and the chaos of frontier society. First published in 1958, this is a facsimile reprint.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2012. Softback. 237 pages. NEW

This very impressive book is still the best account of the West Coast gold rushes, Phillip Ross May was a scholar with an international reputation. First published 1962, this copy is of the second revised edition. Very good condition.

Pegasus Press, Christchurch, 1967. Hardback with dustjacket, slight chips. 587 pages, illustrations. SECONDHAND.

The official centennial souvenir history of the Province. A diverse collection of essays on numerous aspects of the achievements of Westland. This copy bound in hard covers.

Westland Centennial Council, Greymouth, 1960. Hardback, no dust jacket. 177 pages. SECONDHAND

A very well researched history of gold mining in the Buller District, compiled by the author from documents and records made available by the sons and daughters of the pioneers of these romantic and glamorous days. Very slight damp staining to jacket, see scan.

Pegasus Press, Christchurch, 1957. Hardback with dust jacket. 215 pages. SECONDHAND

The most comprehensive history of the European occupation of the Buller district yet written from original material collected by the author who lived in the area all her life. First published in 1957, this is a facisimle reprint with a new index.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 1999. Softback. 216 pages, with index. NEW

The book recalls the days when Hokitika was 'the most rising place on earth', enjoying unchallenged supremacy as the goldfields emporium, the sixth town in the Colony, and New Zealand's busiest port.

Pegasus Press, Christchurch, 1964. Softback with folds. 48 pages. SECONDHAND

A well illustrated history of the great days of the Westland gold rushes, the people and the gold fields that developed from the Lyell in the north to Okarito in the south. First published in 1959, this is a facimile reprint.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2003. Softback. 223 pages. NEW

A true and authentic account of the great Kumara gold rush on the field in the Teramakau valley, proclaimed in 1863. The history of the rush from the earliest days to the end of the dredging era. Well illustrated.

A.H. and A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1977. Softback. 73 pages. SECONDHAND

The author travelled throughout the region in the 1920s and 1930s collecting stories from those still living who remembered the great days of the gold rushes. She also writes of the construction of the Otira tunnel.

A.H. and A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1960. Hardback with dust jacket. 208 pages. SECONDHAND

Written in the form of a traveller's guide to the goldfields of the wild west coast and an examination of the bonanza of its glorious golden days, murder, mayhem and natural disasters.

A.H. and A.W. Reed Ltd., Wellington, 1975. Softback. 88 pages. SECONDHAND

Records in a lively style the life, colour and atmosphere prevailing in the early days of settlement and is filled with authentic anectdotes of the struggling and adventurous population of the gold rush days. Fascimile reprint.

Capper Press, Christchurch, 1976. Hardback with dust jacket. 258 pages. SECONDHAND

Reminiscences of Westland from its settlement by gold-seekers and traders. These tales origionally appeared in the columns of the Grey River Argus. First published in book form in 1906, this is a facsimile reprint.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2010. Softback. 225 pages. NEW

An illustrated history of the 'coast' from its earliset Maori inhabitants, the exciting days of the gold rushes, timber milling and coal mining to the modern era of tourism and dairy booms.

Cornwall Publications, Christchurch, 2012. Softback. 75 pages. NEW

A study of the history of the Irish on the coast who were initally attracted by the gold but many of whom stayed on to form a community with a distinctive character.

Otago University Press, Dunedin, 2007. Softback. 203 pages. SECONDHAND

Stories of the author and his horse teams carting heavy commercial loads in the Nelson and West Coast areas of the South Island before the arrival of motor transport. Illustrated.

A.H. and A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1961. Hardback with dust jacket. 190 pages. SECONDHAND

A history of the Grey County, Westland, published to mark its centenary. Full of interesting facts, details and historic photographs. Includes list of gold dredges and the 1875 directory.

Greymouth Evening Star Print, 1960. Card covers. 88 pages. AS NEW.

A 1993 record of the development of Greymouth and district and some of the activities and achievements of its citizens, councils and community organisations. Published for the 125th Jubilee of the Grey District.

Greymouth Evening Star Co. Ltd., 1993. Softback. 160 pages. SECONDHAND

A good local history of the district and its people on the northern side of the Grey River, Westland, from the earliest days by an author who was born there.

J. Minehan, Christchurch, 1986. Hardback with dust jacket. 98 pages, illustrated. SECONDHAND

A good modern general history of the Buller District and of its colonisation by Europeans. Covers the gold rush era and its later phases as well as coal and coal mining. A chapter is devoted to each of the larger settlement and there are numerous interesting illustrations. 

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2004. Softback. 224 pages. NEW

Describes the history of gold mining at Nelson Creek in Westland, the origins and fate of a once bustling gold rush town. Illustrated. First published in 1976 this is a facsimile reprint.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2009. Softback. 99 pages, illustrated. NEW

A record of the first 120 years of settlement, development and growth in the Marsden Valley, Grey County, Central Westland, 1866 to 1986.

Craig Printing Co. Ltd., Invercargill, 1986. Softback. 184 pages. SECONDHAND

A comprehensive history of the people and the gold mining at Waiuta on the South Island West Coast. This town lasted much longer than most other West Coast gold mining towns. Fully illustrated.

Friends of Waiuta Inc., Reefton, 1986. Softback. 135 pages. SECONDHAND

A facinating history of 60 years of quartz mining at Big River in the Inangahua district about 30 km from Reefton. Big River was one of the most profitable and long lasting mine in the district. Fully illustrated. First published in 1993, this is the second edition.

Friends of Waiuta Inc., Reefton, 1994. Softback. 144 pages. SECONDHAND

A very comprehensive and detailed description of the hard rock mines in the Wesr Coast districts of Marlborough, Nelson and Westland, including maps and plans, written by an Inspectorr of Mines. First published in 1928, this is a facsimle reprint.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2003. Softback. 143 pages. NEW

The illustrated centennial memorial of the history of the Borough of Westport from its founding in the wake of the first gold rushes. First published in 1973 this is a facimile reprint.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2000. Softback, A4 size. 80 pages. NEW

Famous for its dozens of hotels and its casino girls Charleston was New Zealand's classic gold mining town. Springing from nowhere in 1866, it rapidly grew into the bustling prosperous centre of the West Coast gold boom and just as swiftly collapsed when the gold was gone. Illustrations. First edition.

A.H. and A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1941. Hardback, no dust jacket. 231 pages. SECONDHAND

Famous for its dozens of hotels, one for every 150 people, and its Casino girls, Charleston was New Zealand's classis gold mining town. Springing from nowhere in 1866 it rapidly grew into a busy and prosperous centre and just as swiftly collapsed when the gold was gone. First published in 1941, this is a fascimile reprint.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2007. Softback. 250 pages. NEW

A story of a pioneering enterprise and a history of the area, it's timber mills and coal mines, tramways and associated engineering and todays tracks that mark this important industrial heritage.

NZ Railway ans Locomotive Society Inc., Wellington, 2012. Softback. 187 pages. NEW

The story of quartz mines and mining in the West Coast township of Waiuta by a long time resident. A story of drinking, gambling, fighting, loving above ground and slogging, swearing and sweating below. Illustrated. First published in 1962, this is a facsimle reprint with a new index.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2004. Softback. 166 pages, with index. NEW

The history of the west coast gold rushes in the experience of one town, Ross, the most productive alluvial gold field in the country, unequalled in investment and technological development. Well illustrated text written by a goldfields scholar born in the town. A west coast classic.

Pegasus Press, Christchurch, 1970. Hardback with dust jacket. 104 pages. SECONDHAND

In March 1868 a priest and a newspaper editor led a mock funeral into Hokitika cemetery to commemorate Fenian agitators hanged in Britain. This action provoked a stong reaction from the authorities and from loyalist miners. This is that history now part of west coast legend and romance.

Grantham House, Wellington. 1990. Softback. 178 pages. SECONDHAND.

For twelve days in 1941 the countryside round the small West Coast settlement of Koiterangi, near Hokitika was terrorised by 40 year old local farmer Stanley Graham who murdered seven men. This is a well researched factual account of one of the country's worst ever crimes. Fully illustrated. First edition.

Whitcoulls Publishers, Christchurch, 1979. Hardback with dust jacket. 224 pages. SECONDHAND

Divis, a miner at the Blackwater Mine at Waiuta photographed life in New Zealand mining towns of Blackball, Waiuta and Waihi, where he worked between 1900 and 1935. His legacy is an extraordinary record of the isolated and often dangerous life in frontier communities.

Steele Roberts. Hardback. 112pages. NEW

Despite its drawbacks of isolation, inclement weather and barrenness, the author doubts if any other New Zealand town of like size had even a fraction of the varied interests which the hill had to offer. Here in a little world apart, was an existance geared to the winning of coal. The author lived at Denniston for twenty years and these memories have inspired recent successful fiction. First edition, this copy signed by the author.

J.W. Baty Ltd., Christchurch, 1971. Hardback with dust jacket. 168 pages. SECONDHAND

Despite its drawbacks of isolation, inclement weather and barrenness, the author doubts if any other New Zealand town of like size had even a fraction of the varied interests which the hill had to offer. Here in a little world apart, was an existance geared to the winning of coal. The author lived at Denniston for twenty years and these memories have inspired recent successful fiction. First published in 1971, this is a facsmile reprint with an index for the first time.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 2004. Softback. 168 pages, with index. NEW

A complete illustrated history of the remarkable technical achievement of winning coal from such an inhospitable landsape. Profusely illustrated with maps and photographs.

NZ Railway and Locomotive Society Inc., Wellington, 2008. Softback. 96 pages. NEW

A comprehensive history of union and mining affairs in an important coal producing area of the South Island West Coast. Of interest to historians and those researching family history.

Denniston Miner's Union, Westport, 1984. Softback. 110 pages. SECONDHAND

Stories of the twin coal mining communities of Denniston and Burnetts Face and how the Incline created a special spirit amongst the inhabitants and unique places unlike anywhere else in the country.

Buller Printing, Westport, 2004. Softback. 121 pages. SECONDHAND

A comprehensive and well illustrated history of the mining and industrial activity of this famous West Coast area.

Bright Print, Greymouth, 2004. Softback. 194 pages, illustrations.  SECONDHAND. 

The Blackball strike of 1908 took place at the onset of a wave of industrial unrest in New Zealand associated with the formation of the "Red" Federation of Labour. This book addresses the local, national and international context of the eleven week strike.

Bright Print, Greymouth, 2008. Softback. 230 pages. SECONDHAND.

The story of how the Kokatahi Band of Westland began. Includes membership list of and repertoire of tunes.  Also chapters on the herons of Okarito and the Savage Club. Original owner's name on title page.

Nelson, Frank Graham, 2001. Softback, illustrated, 196 pages. SECONDHAND

A good impressionistic account of a South Westland tour, a crossing of the Hasst Pass and the Matukituki, including a chapter on Captain Head's ascent of Mount Aspiring. Second edition 1916. Scarce with dust jacket (see scan).

Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd., Christchurch, 1916. Hardback with dust jacket. 219 pages, 48 plates and 2 maps. SECONDHAND

The story of the Big Bay district on the South Westland coast and its life and land as experienced by the author over many years.

Hodder & Stoughton, Auckland, 1974. Hardback with dust jacket. 152 pages. SECONDHAND

A concise regional history of the Haast from the remote early days of exploration and prospecting to the road builders and the engineering triumph of the road through the Haast Pass.

A.H. and A. W. Reed, Wellington, 1966. Hardback with dust jacket. 116 pages. SECONDHAND

The illustrated history of the unsuccessful attempt to found a Vogel inspired 'special Settlement' in remote South Westland from 1875 onwards. A story of courage, hope and pathos. First edition.

A.H. and A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1976. Hardback with dust jacket. 198 pages. SECONDHAND

History of the wholy unsuccessful attempt by the New Zealand Government to plant a settlement in remote Jacksons Bay, South Westland. A tale of endevour, misery, hardship, suffering and ultimate ruin, a tribute to pioneer settlers. First published in 1976 this is a facsimle reprint.

Cadsonbury Publications, Christchurch, 1997. Softback. 198 pages. NEW

Tells the story of a remote area of South Westland and the settlement of Okuru. The Buchanan family struggle for survival after their move to Okuru in 1931.

Myra Fulton, Takaka, 2004. Softback. 320 pages. SECONDHAND

A lively and personal narrative of pioneering settlement in remote South Westland, just north of Milford Sound. The author's father took his family to settle at Martins Bay in 1874 and she suceeds in conveying the reality of pioneering. Here is a story of hardship and endurance quite outside modern experience. First published in 1947. Dust jacket has short tears and chips.

Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd., Christchurch, 1961. Hardback with dust jacket. 129 pages. SECONDHAND

Into the heart of the Waiatoto valley in the Haast district of South Westland, where the men and women pioneers, musterers, hunters and piolots have few peers for isolation, rugged geography and atrocious weather.

Longacre Press, Dunedin, 2009. Softback. 192 pages. NEW