On June 9, a group of local miners purchased dwelling #20. These included John Lynn, John Short, and Charles Ray. It may have been that Charles Ray and family lived in the dwelling but it was partly financed by his fellow miners. On July 16 a certificate of registration was granted to Charles Ray for encumbrance by way of a mortgage to James Horn, David Anderson Jolly and John Pryde over all his interest in extended claims No.12743-5/10/1888, No.4096-30/10/1874, Tailrace No. 12746-5/10/1888, Dam No.4926-(date?), Branch races No.3704-4/3/1880 and 3705-4/3/1880, and resident area no.3312-14/4/1869 (dwelling #69 possibly). The consideration was £379-4-10.

On 21 April, Mr Charles Ray transferred the ownership of dwelling #20 to the Colonial Bank. It is not clear if Charles Ray and his family continued to live in the house.

Annie Mildred Ray was born

Charles Ray appointed as secretary of the public hall - Athenaeum Committee

Charles Ray is listed as a miner in Stoned directory.

on june 12, Annie Mildred Ray died at the age of 3 years. She is buried in the Cromwell cemetery.

On Feb 1 1897 the ownership of dwelling #20 was transferred to the Bank of New Zealand.

At this time, Charles Ray and his family may have shifted from welling #20 to dwelling #67

John Lynn may have purchased dwelling #20 as he is recorded as transferring ownership onwards in 1900