Blue Spur
Encyclopedia
In New Zealand
there are two geographic areas called Blue Spur.
The first one is situated close to the Westland District
Capital of Hokitika. It stretches from the Tasman Sea
in the west about 12 km (7.5 mi) eastwards towards the area of Humphreys and the Blue Spur Range. It can be accessed by road along the "Blue Spur Tourist Drive" from the center of Hokitika. During the 1860s, the time of the New Zealand gold rush
, "The Spur
" (as the locals always called it) was inhabited by more than 2,500 people. There was a school, several hotels, busy bars and a theater. Since around the year 2000 the area is gradually being rediscovered (and repopulated) as it offers rural living close to town.
The second place named "Blue Spur" is the area of the historic gold rush town and gold mining fields near Lawrence
, Otago
, New Zealand.
The etymology
of the term "blue spur" not well known. The gold diggers of the 1860s gold rush went after the gold "on the spur", i.e. in a great hurry/rush. Alluvial gold may often be found close to a layer of blueish clay
. Miners frequently talk about mining
down to the "blue clay", thus a "blue spur" could somehow elucidate the hasty process of digging for the gold pursuing a blueish layer of clay. Other potential meanings could refer to a blueish color of mountains ("blue mountains") as it can be spotted in certain light at distant mountains at both locations. Besides these gold rush related connotations we know about a "blue spur flower", and the "blue spur" in coats of arms.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
there are two geographic areas called Blue Spur.
The first one is situated close to the Westland District
Westland District
Westland District is a territorial authority on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island. Its population is - Government :The Westland District is governed by an elected Council, headed by an elected Mayor. The Mayor is elected at large. The current Mayor is Maureen Pugh. Councillors are...
Capital of Hokitika. It stretches from the Tasman Sea
Tasman Sea
The Tasman Sea is the large body of water between Australia and New Zealand, approximately across. It extends 2,800 km from north to south. It is a south-western segment of the South Pacific Ocean. The sea was named after the Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman, the first recorded European...
in the west about 12 km (7.5 mi) eastwards towards the area of Humphreys and the Blue Spur Range. It can be accessed by road along the "Blue Spur Tourist Drive" from the center of Hokitika. During the 1860s, the time of the New Zealand gold rush
Gold rush
A gold rush is a period of feverish migration of workers to an area that has had a dramatic discovery of gold. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, and the United States, while smaller gold rushes took place elsewhere.In the 19th and early...
, "The Spur
Spur
A spur is a metal tool designed to be worn in pairs on the heels of riding boots for the purpose of directing a horse to move forward or laterally while riding. It is usually used to refine the riding aids and to back up the natural aids . The spur is used in every equestrian discipline...
" (as the locals always called it) was inhabited by more than 2,500 people. There was a school, several hotels, busy bars and a theater. Since around the year 2000 the area is gradually being rediscovered (and repopulated) as it offers rural living close to town.
The second place named "Blue Spur" is the area of the historic gold rush town and gold mining fields near Lawrence
Lawrence, New Zealand
Lawrence is a small town of 474 inhabitants in Otago, in New Zealand's South Island. It is located on State Highway 8, the main route from Dunedin to the inland towns of Queenstown and Alexandra...
, Otago
Otago
Otago is a region of New Zealand in the south of the South Island. The region covers an area of approximately making it the country's second largest region. The population of Otago is...
, New Zealand.
The etymology
Etymology
Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...
of the term "blue spur" not well known. The gold diggers of the 1860s gold rush went after the gold "on the spur", i.e. in a great hurry/rush. Alluvial gold may often be found close to a layer of blueish clay
Clay
Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter. Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure.- Formation :Clay minerals...
. Miners frequently talk about mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
down to the "blue clay", thus a "blue spur" could somehow elucidate the hasty process of digging for the gold pursuing a blueish layer of clay. Other potential meanings could refer to a blueish color of mountains ("blue mountains") as it can be spotted in certain light at distant mountains at both locations. Besides these gold rush related connotations we know about a "blue spur flower", and the "blue spur" in coats of arms.