Charles Ring

Charles Ring (1832–1906) was a colonial settler who, despite claims that others had been successful before him, is credited with being the first European to discover significant sources of payable gold in New Zealand in 1852. From a young age Ring worked in business and as a farmer both in Australia and New Zealand. He later spent time as a gold prospector in California after which he returned to New Zealand, and became actively involved in promoting the importance of gold mining in the country. In 1852 Ring claimed a reward for discovering gold in Coromandel, and while his claim was recognised, he did not receive the full reward and is said to have died feeling unappreciated for his contribution to the gold industry. During his time as a farmer and gold prospector, Ring was involved in regular, and largely respectful and productive relationships with the local Māori whose lands were protected under the recently signed Treaty of Waitangi. Early life Ring was born in 1832 in Guernsey and after the failure of his father's business career, went to Tasmania at the age of 15. He later moved to Adelaide and opened a general store. When this was burned out, he moved to New Zealand in 1841. He purchased two farms in the Auckland area and while acknowledged as being enterprising in importing stock from Australia, became frustrated with government authorities who blocked his requests for extra suitable land and sold the cattle "by auction on three, six and nine month's bills, owing to there being no money in the place." Disillusioned with New Zealand, Ring decided to go to the California gold rush, as one of the 'Forty Niners'. Along with his brother, Ring boarded a boat called the Fanny, which after a three-month journey, that included an enforced stopover in the Pitcairn Islands to get water, finally berthed in San Francisco. Upon arrival however the ship was seized by the crew who took what they needed and "deserted to become goldseekers". Ring planned to be a storekeeper in Sacramento, but the boat carrying his supplies was wrecked and he lost everything. Ring intended to return to Sydney, but the boat he travelled on ran into problems close to Fiji and he was eventually picked up by an Americal whaler who brought him to Auckland, New Zealand. Gold in New Zealand When Ring arrived back in New Zealand early in 1852, rumours were circulating that there had been gold discovered by whalers, sealers and survey parties in Nelson.