V. Greymouth: Gold port

Wharf-side crane at Greymouth, the West Coast's largest town with a population of 9,528
Wharf-side crane at Greymouth, the West Coast's largest town with a population of 9,528. Unemployment in 2006 was 3% compared to a national figure of 5.1%

Greymouth

 As entry to the port at Hokitika became more treacherous the port of Greymouth to the north became the major supply centre for the goldfields and towns.

 

We passed through the town early on a grey and miserable morning and took a few photos of the impressive buildings left by the prosperity that accompanied the West Coast gold rush.

Harbour warehouse at Greymouth on  a dank April morning. The opening of the Pike River coal mine saved the port and the mine disaster (see To Authur's Pass) threw its future into doubt
Harbour warehouse at Greymouth on a dank April morning. The opening of the Pike River coal mine saved the port and the mine disaster (see To Authur's Pass) threw its future into doubt

The population of Westland District - from Hokitika to Haast - is a mere 8,403 people (2006 Census). The population of Grey District - around Greymouth - is 13,221. And the population of the Buller district to the north is 9,702.

 

That gives a total population for the West Coast of 31,326.

Harbour Board Office (1884), Greymouth
Harbour Board Office (1884), Greymouth
Former hotel and pub in the port area of Greymouth - now a backpacker's hostel
Former hotel and pub in the port area of Greymouth - now a backpacker's hostel
Former municipal buildings, Greymouth. Now a Speights Alehouse
Former municipal buildings, Greymouth. Now a Speights Alehouse
The 1924 Grey County Chambers in the port area of Greymouth, now a museum
The 1924 Grey County Chambers in the port area of Greymouth, now a museum
Poster for next sailing of the schooner Kiwi from Wellington to the Grey River west coast goal fields in the 1860s (Hokitika Museum)
Poster for next sailing of the schooner Kiwi from Wellington to the Grey River west coast goal fields in the 1860s (Hokitika Museum)