New Zealand

Gold rush swindler faced public punishment in Otago

A man who fabricated a gold discovery during an Otago rush was publicly whipped for his deception.

Skinny McBuntu

During a gold rush period in Otago, a man spread false rumours about a gold find, taking advantage of the chaotic atmosphere of speculation and hearsay. His hoax was exposed, and he was subjected to public whipping as punishment for the fraud.

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Otago Daily Times

Bogus Otago gold rush earns its instigator a whipping

Lies mixed with rumour in the fevered atmosphere of the gold rushes, writes Tom Clarke in this extract from his new book.

Read the full story at Otago Daily Times