This cache is located at the lovely Botanical Reserve, commonly referred to as The Botanics, which is a very popular sports ground and place for families, friends and community organisations to have picnics, events and a bit of fun together.
When I first came to Nelson I played hockey on this ground. When my boys were growing up they played soccer and cricket here and it is still set aside for cricket and football. But way back in 1870 it hosted New Zealand's first rugby game although it took nearly 100 years for this to be recognised.
The College vs Town - Paul Wilding
The given coordinates will take you to a plaque and information board. Read the information on both sides to find the location of the cache.
The cache is at:
41 16.ABC 173 17.DEF
A = The number of games the Nelson Football Club played in 1869. (Be careful of this one - it isn't meant to be a trick but I think this is where a few cachers are going wrong)
B = The combined scores of the Nelson Football Club and Nelson College on 14th May 1870
C = The third digit in the year of the oldest painting of rugby football
D = Third digit in the year Nelson College and Wellington College played the first intercollegate game in New Zealand
E = Charles Munroe was 1E when he returned home from England and convinced the Nelson Football Club to adopt the game of rugby
F = There were F00 spectators at the game on the 14th May 1870
Checksum = 29
Watch for muggles they are everywhere!