Condition: Used, vintage 1939 softcover (paper wraps, blue linen tape spine).
Unlike most electronic reproductions, this copy os is complete with all the maps.
This is a gold prospector’s intelligence manual for one of New Zealand’s most historically productive gold regions — Naseby, Kyeburn, Mount Buster, Hamiltons, Macraes, Nenthorn, the Maniototo Basin, Swinburn, and Upper Taieri.
Unlike modern broad geological maps, this survey was done on foot and underground while mines were still active. It shows:
Exactly where gold-bearing quartz reefs run
How deep the pay continues
Which leads were abandoned early
Where alluvial wash layers still hold colour
Fault zones that control gold deposition
What gravel banks and terraces were worth working — and which were duds
The included 8 large colour fold-out maps are the real advantage here. They mark:
Historic sluicing areas
Reef outcrops and line-of-lode direction
Tailings and abandoned workings
Pay-streak terraces along Kyeburn & Taieri
Potential untouched ground where old timers didn’t have the gear to follow the run
With modern detectors, suction nozzles, and fine sluices, these maps allow you to:
Return to old claims with new tools
Target likely spill zones around quartz reefs
Work un-mined upper terrace gold
Skip dead ground and time-wasters completely
The book also documents:
Gold fineness by field (coarse vs flour)
Gravel structure and wash layer sequencing
Production totals (what actually paid)
Where mining stopped because it got too hard — not because the gold ran out
If you prospect Naseby, Macraes, Kyeburn, Hamiltons, or Mount Buster, this is not a shelf piece — it is a field operations guide.
Key Points
Original 1939 edition
All 8 colour geological maps present
Shows gold-bearing quartz reef paths & fault-controlled deposits
Identifies alluvial pay terraces and river gravels
Ideal for detector operators, creek hunters, and research-based prospectors
Collections: ALL BOOKS, EARTH SCIENCE, NON-FICTION BOOKS, NZ BOOKS, NZ NON FICTION, VINTAGE BOOKS
Type: NON FICTION
Category: BOOKS, GEOLOGY, GOLD MINING, GOLD RUSH, GOLDMINING, NATURE, NON FICTION, NZ BOOKS, NZ NON FICTION, SCIENCE, VINTAGE
A: All our books are stored, catalogued, and shipped from our bookshop in Kenepuru, Porirua.
Each listing represents a real, physical copy in stock. This is a photo of the actual book!
Orders within New Zealand usually arrive in 2-3 working days (allow extra for rural delivery). We use Aramex (Tracked), your parcel will be picked up by the Courier from our shop at 3.30pm (Monday to Friday) so if you order over the weekend, add a little extra time.
A: Yes — local pickup is available, we are at Unit 2, 55 Kenepuru Drive Porirua - we usually can have it ready within the hour.
A: Yes. Every title is pre-owned; the condition is written in the product description. If we got it wrong, or you are unhappy, let us know and we will make it right.
A: Yes, each book is photographed individually. If you want more photos, we would be more than happy to add them, just ask!
A: Each book is individually priced based on its current market value, condition, and availability. Most of our books are collectable, vintage, many are hard to find in the 'wild'. We use actual 'sold' prices as a benchmark (Trademe, Ebay & Dunbar Slone) We try to price below market average to encourage people to start to resell books as a side hustle! We love to do bulk deals, just drop us a message!