Like most mining camps the initial town was built of calico or canvas. A favoured method of construction, this allowed buildings to be both erected and dismantled quickly; the material also being comparatively light and cost effective. In most early mining settlements the initial inhabitants were young, single and high-spirited. A ‘work hard – play hard’ mentality ensued and this attracted businesses focused on appealing activities for young single men. Alcohol, gaming in the form of billiards and female company were at the top of the list. Even George Hassing, prior to his Cardrona time, had operated a profitable bar on the banks of the Clutha in the early rush days. The cost and difficulty associated with transport to Cardrona meant the early structures were primitive and the selection of alcohol available was largely limited to fortified wines. Contained in robust wooden barrels and being of higher alcohol content, the fortified wine was the most economic alcoholic beverage to market.
The first settlement was near Pringles Creek. It was named for Thomas Pringle who established a store here. Canvas and calico made way for corrugated iron as the township became a more established community. Cardrona had two centres of population, the Lower Township near Tuohy’s Gulley and the upper site, Pringles Creek, located close to where the present surveyed town resides.
In 1863 a particularly severe winter proved disastrous for the miners in the Otago hinterlands. Early heavy snowfalls were followed in July by deluges of rain causing extensive flooding. Cardrona was lucky in that no loss of life was reported. Although on 28 August, the body of a German miner from Cardrona, by the name of Guetzuiker was found in the Clutha River near present day Alexandra. At his inquest it was stated that his skull had been beaten and his body repeatedly stabbed. The resulting verdict – murder against persons unknown. It has been conjectured that if foul play were at fault then the perpetrators could have likely been two bushrangers, Levy and Sullivan, though this was never proved and the case remains cold to this day.
When married women arrived in a mining area the character of the entertainment would change. Organised balls or dances were considered appropriate, the married ladies displaying displeasure with the over indulgence in alcohol and other women of loose moral attitudes. This coupled with the appointment of police to the area meant the rip-roaring nature of the early settlement social life changed. Some of the former, more visceral activities were driven underground and businesses were double faces, complying with the norms of the town. Police records indicate one instance of the arrests of women for not having obvious means of support. This was in March 1868 when two women (probably sisters as they have the same surname) were arrested and sentenced to fourteen days hard labour at the Arrowtown Court.
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First published in “Cardrona – 150 Years in the Valley of Gold” by Ray O’Callaghan.