This is the story of John Ewing, gold mining entrepreneur and at one time in the 1890s, New Zealand's wealthiest person. Ewing was a gold mining leader who introduced many technological advances onto the Otago goldfields that greatly extended the life of gold mining in that province. The sluicing elevator was one such innovation that he brought from the United States and put into use in several places across Otago including St Bathans where he mostly resided. As government advisor on gold mining he was highly influential, and at his peak had mining interests spread across southern New Zealand in many companies and ventures. Unfortunately, as gold became harder to mine economically, and banks were under financial pressure, he had extended himself too far and was declared bankrupt. From this set-back he never recovered although he fought hard to clear his name and strike it rich one more time. McCraw's book brings this unsung character to life from a technical point of view with numerous diagrams of the physics of his inventions and introductions. Also from a personal point of view, explaining how Ewing reacted to what was happening around him both politically and socially.
A colourful, influential and strong character, Ewing has left us with a legacy of heavily sluiced landscapes and a notable contribution to the economic well-being.