RING, CHARLES (1822-1906) was born in Guernsey, the son of William Joseph Ring, who lost his money in a bank failure and emigrated to Tasmania. Educated at Hobart, he left in his teens for Adelaide and entered into business. His premises were burned down (1841) and he decided to come to New Zealand. Arriving in Wellington in 1841, he proceeded to Auckland and bought two farms, one near the pa at Onehunga and the other at Mt Roskill, for which he bought 500 sheep from James Busby and two cargoes of cattle from New South Wales. A hitch having occurred in receiving the crown grant for his land, he sold the cattle at auction and, with his brother Fred, sailed in the brig Fanny for California. Purchasing a boat there, they prospected some of the rivers. In hastening from the Yuba to the Sacramento rush, Ring lost all his merchandise by the capsizing of his boat. In disgust he decided to return to Australia. Taking passage in the Dutch barque Ceres, he was wrecked on a reef in Fiji. The survivors, trying to reach Queensland in an open boat, were picked up by an American whaler, who brought them back to Auckland. Ring believed some of the disappointed miners from the Ceres might be induced to prospect in New Zealand. Accordingly on landing (23 Sep 1852) he interviewed Whitaker and Heale to ascertain whether a bonus would be offered for the discovery of gold. A public meeting was held and arrangements made for the offer of a reward for such a discovery between 34.50 and 38 degrees south latitude. Ring and his brother, finding themselves unable to leave for Australia (as no vessel was advertised to sail) turned their attention to the Coromandel and Thames ranges, where they considered the geological formation resembled that of California. In 1852 they discovered gold at Cabbage Bay (Coromandel), at McCaskill's Driving Creek (Ohinemuri) and at Te Aroha. Horeta Taniwha resented their activities, but finally allowed them to proceed. Ring hurried to Auckland and reported his find, showing samples of the gold. The committee was not satisfied that the gold had not come from California. Eventually W. S. Graham lent the schooner Undine to take the prospectors and a deputation to the field (accompanied by interpreters and the native secretary, Nugent). The deputation was satisfied that the gold was there, but the committee wished to ascertain whether it was in paying quantities. The Ring brothers accordingly registered their claim to the reward. This was not granted, but in 1870 they received £200 from the provincial government 'as a matter of grace not of right.' The Rings were engaged in mining enterprises for many years subsequently. Charles lived in Auckland from 1875, and died there on 24 Mar 1906.

Auckland P.C. Proc.; Cycl. NZ., ii (p); Galvin, Mining Handbook; Weston; C. Ring in N.Z. Herald, 14 Sep-26 Oct, 30 Nov 1895; N.Z. Herald, 26 Mar 1906.

Reference: Volume 2, page 125

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