It is also an extremely rare example of Chinese affluence in the goldfields, as most Chinese were poor and lived in small huts. A house of this size, style and permanence was uncommon amongst European miners, let alone the Chinese. Gay Tan was a man well outside the Chinese norm in Otago, being both relatively wealthy and having married a European wife.
The house marks the site of the Gifford Road Chinese camp, which was situated on the other side of Gifford Road. Such Chinese settlements were a common feature of goldmining settlements, generally located a short distance away from the main European settlement. Similar location patterns can still be identified at Lawrence and Arrowtown.
Location
List Entry Information
Overview
Detailed List Entry
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7550
Date Entered
6th June 2004
Date of Effect
6th June 2004
City/District Council
Waitaki District
Region
Otago Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes part of the land described as Sec 67 Blk I Highlay SD (RT OT13B/336), Otago Land District and the building known as Gay Tan’s Cottage plus associated outbuildings (mud brick dairy, sod outhouse and privy, a corrugated iron workshop and an iron garage) and a gate thereon. Extent also includes the surviving plantings of the garden and windbreak. Refer to the extent map tabled at the Board meeting on 27 June 2019.
Legal description
Sec 67 Blk I Highlay SD (RT OT13B/336), Otago Land District
Location Description
The house stands at the junction of the main Macraes-Dunback Road and Gifford Road, Macraes Flat.