Canvastown's second gold rush

he Wakamarina River has become the scene of a second goldrush after last month's flood, bringing hope that someone's fortune has been churned up in the process.

Heavy rain on December 28 caused a flood that left some houses condemned in Wakamarina and Canvastown.

Yesterday, holidaymakers at Pinedale Motor Camp on the Wakamarina River were panning in search of elusive nuggets, or at least specks, of gold.

Barrie Shannon, of Auckland, was on holiday with wife Marion and daughter Sophie, eight, and had spent about three hours searching for the precious metal with a metal detector.

However, his Eureka Gold metal detector did not unearth the fortune Mr Shannon was looking for.

The family had booked to stay at the motor camp even before heavy rains caused flooding late last month. Mr Shannon said the flood waters would have increased chances of finding gold, because the water would have disturbed some of the river rocks.

He said it was also possible the water might have washed what little gold was in the river towards Canvastown.

Mr Shannon, who has had an interest in gold panning for several years, also brought two gold pans to try his luck.

New Zealand could take better advantage of the gold-mining element of the tourism industry, he said.

The family planned to stay at the motor camp for a few more days, before heading to the West Coast to keep trying their luck.

Mr Shannon had tried his hand at striking gold in several places around the country, but had not yet found a secret spot.

"There's always gold," he said.

"It's just a matter of where to look."

Christchurch man John Tater was holidaying at the motor camp with daughters Jessica, nine, and Jorja, eight. They had not been gold panning yet, but were thinking about hiring pans from the camp shop.

Motor camp co-owner Mark Hodgson said gold still existed by the river, but people would have better chances of finding any away from the campsite, because campers had been trying their luck there for about 40 years.

Mr Shannon had not yet struck a significant amount of gold, but said if he did, he would keep it for himself.

Gold was discovered in the Wakamarina Valley in 1860, but the gold rush did not begin until 1864, when larger deposits were found. The rush ended about a year later.

Up to 6000 gold prospectors worked around Canvastown and lived in small canvas tents while they worked their claim.

SIMON WONG - The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:00 13/01/2011

STAKING HIS CLAIM: Auckland holidaymaker Barrie Shannon searches for gold with his metal detector on the banks of the Wakamarina River, after floodwaters churned up parts of the river last month. Photo: DEREK FLYNN