Hello gogilvie,

In January 1871 Philip Boyd was one of many Electors who signed a petition that Edmund Barff stand for election in the Hokitika County

Philip's wife died in August 1885
FUNERAL NOTICE leaving 5 small childre... more below

Philip was in Hokitika in January 1887 when he and Christian Neilson applied for an
EXTENDED CLAIM

In October 1887 he lost everything in a fire at the Rimu district, all his household furniture, 2 watches, gun etc. This article mentions he had 5 small children when his wife died 2 years previously. Three of the chidren were cared for at Woodstock, one child stayed with a relative at Back Creek and the oldest, probably William, stayed and worked with him.

His son,
William Boydwas born in 1876 at Back Creek and was educated at Woodstock (a mile from Rimu). He had been employed on the goldfields in the Rimu district since his youth, and joined Messrs Neilson and Party in August, 1897. - That link has a photo of William and of Rimu and a very interesting article

In January 1890 Philip is still working in Hokitika and granted an
EXTENDED CLAIM on Black Creek (Back Creek ?) road

In August 1896 he was granted a
Water Race extension at Arch Creek

In October 1896 his son William was helping him work the claim at Back Creek. William lifed a large stone into the trolley, the stone slipped and fell on his leg, breaking his leg midway beween the ankle and knee

He was there in November 1898:
WARDEN'S COURT

In April 1899 he and his party applied for and was granted a Tunnel at Back Creek

He was still there is February 1900
WARDEN'S COURT

There were quite a number of BOYDs who were mining on the West Coast late 1800s - early 1900s who no doubt were descendants of Philips