Blue Spur

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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 12km eastwards towards the area of Humphreys and the Blue Spur Range [1]. 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 2500 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[2].

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" [3], and the "blue spur" in coats of arms [4].