Hocken Digital Collections

Murray, Ron : Papers relating to the history of Central Otago

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Reference NumberARC-0718CreatorMurray, Ron, 1928-2010DescriptionThe collection relates mainly to Central Otago history, particularly gold mining, the building of the Clyde Dam and consequent flooding of part of Cromwell. It also contains a large amount of material on early Central Otago events, crimes and identities. It includes a large number of photographs, early legal documents and research files compiled by Ron Murray. There are also reminiscences of early Central Otago residents.
Only a part of this collection is digitised and available through Digital Collections. Information about other items can be found on the Hākena catalogue, through the Library Catalogues link above.History / BiographyRonald William Murray was born in Dunedin on 11 May 1928 and was the eldest son of William and Emily Murray (nee Bell). With a shortage of work in Dunedin during the depression, his family soon moved to Cromwell where they had relatives. Ron's father William went goldmining on the Cromwell flats.
Ron was a pupil of Cromwell District School from February 1934 to June 1947. At the age of nine, he contracted polio, as did his mother and younger brother Ian. Ron was paralysed in both legs and his back and was not expected to live. He spent two years in Dunedin Hospital and for the rest of his life wore leg splints and used walking sticks. He studied accountancy and worked for Cromwell firm Brodrick, Parcell and McKay, but his lifelong passion was history, particularly the history of the Cromwell district and gold-mining.
Ron Murray co-wrote 'Costly Gold', a book on Clutha goldmining published in 1978 and also co-wrote 'Early Pioneers in the Cromwell Area, 1863-1880', published to mark the 150th anniversary of Otago. In 1998, Mr Murray was made a life member of the Cromwell and District Historical Society. He died in Dunstan Hospital on 28 September 2010 at the age of 82. (From Obituary, Otago Daily Times, 6 November 2010).

Ron Murray

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PlacesCentral OtagoCromwellSubjectsLocal history

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Murray, Ron : Papers relating to the history of Central Otago

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