In 1873, 275 people signed a petition to make Gulgong a Municipality. Only three of them were women. A further breakdown of the list of 275 shows:
- 78 were miners ( plus 1 puddler, 1 surveyor and 1 assistant mining registrar)
- 40 were householders and were 10 freeholders (some of the miners were listed as householders too but the majority likely lived in tents).
- 42 were storekeepers (and 5 of those were Chinese).
- 32 were publicans, innkeepers, hotelkeepers and the like.
There were 8 blacksmiths, 3 chemists and 2 medical practitioners. (We know there were more chemists than this. Clearly, some were too busy to sign!)
The most populated streets in order were Herbert Street (with 34 mentions); Queen Street with 28; Medley Street with 10 and Mayne Street with just 4! But not all participants provided street addresses.
The remaining occupations have been listed loosely in alphabetical order:
1 aerated water maker
2 agents2 auctioneers1 boarding-house owner2 builders4 carpenters3 carters1 clerk1 comedian1 confectioner1 cooper1 corn dealer1 dairyman1 fruiterer1 gardener1 gunsmith3 ministers (Congregational, Presbyterian, Wesleyan)1 painter3 photographers1 printer1 saddler1 stationer2 tailors1 tentmaker1 teacher and 1 schoolmaster1 undertaker2 watchmakers
The full list of signatories can be found at the end of this page.
SELECTED ARTICLES FROM 1873
After a brief stay in the interesting town, of Dubbo, I made a start for Gulgong. My route lay east for seventy-five miles over a thinly populated country and a road fearfully lonesome. On my way I crossed the Talbragar, that driest of all dry rivers or creeks, made Gillas's accommodation house, and there remained for the night. Right through to the diggings I did not meet with an object or an item of interest if I except one public-house, Falconer's, the only licensed hostelrie on the way. At one time there were three, but want of traffic made license paying unprofitable.
While on the subject of hotels I feel it would not be out of place in this extension of my jottings, were I to make a few suggestions anent public-houses and licenses.
[He goes on to describe the unfairness of a publican's licence costing £30 each year when wine shanties pay £1 and have none of the convenience of shelter, and a meal that the roadside inns provide.]
I will leave the subject of inns and shanties, and take to the town of Gulgong, where I found myself after a long ride a week or so back. The town looks as well as ever; the streets may not be so crowded as they were a few months back, still business seems good, and the leads continue to return a very fair escort. Gulgong is beyond a doubt one of our finest gold-fields. If one of its class would turn up once in every five years, mining would be really a profitable game to pursue.
I had a look below at No. 23 Black Lead, held by Messrs. Craigen and party. It shows a fine depth of wash from 3 to 5 feet, which averages 8½ dwts. to the ton. The wash dirt from this claim is crushed at a neat little mill on the creek at the rate of 200 tons per week. A cleaning-up takes place each fortnight, and the one I saw was of a most satisfactory nature, giving about £20 per share, clear of all expenses. Not a bad result, particularly when three years' constant work is in sight on the same sort of stuff.
I had also a dive below on the Canadian No. 2, where there exists a wonder in the form of a fissure in the bedrock filled by nature with, precious wash, which has given splendid returns. The run of the reef is N. and S., width about 10 feet. It has been traced down 50 feet, and still continues forming a reef of regular wash dirt, with a hanging and a footwall of slate well defined. The work done in No. 2 and the adjoining claims is of a most extensive nature, and the timbering quite a study.
In reefing the latest sensation is the Royal Mint, on the Louisiana line, where a remarkably rich surface blow has been found, a jumble of decomposed veins mixed, with clay, quartz, and sandstone, which yields splendid specimens and quantities of free gold. I am of the opinion that Gulgong; will turn out in time a fine reefing district; all that is required upon many of its lines is 'depth.' Pottering about on the surface will never find a reef in such a formation of country. Capital must be expended to sink and cross-cut at something below 300 feet, then a regular country and defined bodies of stone may be expected— it is only a work of patience after all.
The Old Gulgong Reef has recovered from the law, and I believe will soon set in to work again, under fresh management. No reef looks more promising or enticing.
Of all places in this our fair colony, commend me to Gulgong for law. Never is there a day but some fresh case of interest crops out — taking either the shape of a mining dispute, block v. frontage, or perhaps an action for slander. What a Paradise for the big wigs, it's enough to make one wish oneself a lawyer, or even a lawyer's clerk, for, by the way, the principal pleading and Court business in Gulgong is done by clerks.
T.A. Browne (Rolf Boldrewood) on the verandah of the Court House in the Police Compound, Gulgong
Click here to see full image
The Court-house has received a little touching up since my last visit; but what has its neighbour the Telegraph Office done? What fearful crime that its interior should suffer such neglect? There it stands, a bare shell, cold and cheerless, and winter coming; how I pity the poor clerk.
Telegraph Office in the Police Compound next to the Court House, 1870s
Click here for zoomable image
Telegraph Office Staff, 1870s
From the left is Harry Williams, telegram delivery boy, John Tierney Telegraph Station Master, Leslie Donaldson CPS, George Murray Dunn and Edward Clarke solicitors.
There is another remarkable feature in connection with Gulgong; it has one of the most erratic and slow mail services to be found in the colony. If a prize were awarded for lateness, I strongly should recommend Gulgong. Mails from Mudgee, that should arrive in the town at 7 p.m., often find their way to the office at about 11, too late for delivery. The distance from Mudgee to Gulgong is about eighteen miles, and strange to write, the mail car is the regulator of the road, for all other vehicles go by it. There is a screw loose somewhere. I should set a few more screws loose— in the latter case I mean some of the miserable hacks engaged in the present mail service.
While in the town I was invited to inspect a splendid lot of coarse gold from the shallow rush at Blackman's. Such a nice lot of pieces from 32 oz. down, quite tempting and of fine quality. I had a trip to the Home Rule there; I fancy there are more public-houses than customers, and the barmaids are not all what Mr. Trollope painted them in that portion of his work which refers to Gulgong—"Fit associates for a respectable matron at a public ball." Oh! no, Mr. T.— a mistake decidedly.
The Budgee rather seems out of repute. I heard a great many complaints from it, and the returns of the precious metal so far have been rather small from that particular locality.
Around Gulgong there is a fair share of prospecting going on and plenty of shepherding. I would not be surprised if a good field was shortly in its vicinity. Taken for all and all Gulgong is still prospering, and the business people there have no right to grumble.
1873 - MUNICIPALITY.
It is contemplated by the inhabitants here to petition for a municipality, which no doubt, would be a legitimate means of improving the township. The question at present to be considered is whether the revenue to be derived, with the Government endowment, would be sufficient to provide for the making and maintaining of the roads and streets intended to be included within the municipal boundaries. In about a month's time our new bridge will be finished, and it is of the utmost importance that leading into the township from its approaches to sound ground, three or four chains of metal should be laid down, as well as several works of pressing necessity in the town itself, and which sooner or later must be done in some way or other. For instance, the drainage of the streets and back ways is in a disgraceful condition, and on sanitary grounds alone, requires immediate attention. These abominable cesspits with the filthy exhalations, which are so prejudicial to health, should be first cared for. It is to be trusted that if the townspeople decide upon incorporating, they will not get into debt by extravagant expenditure. The municipal principle in itself is good, and we should not hesitate, if practicable, in adopting it, but whether we are ripe for it requires mature consideration.
__________________________________________
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Sydney, 6th October, 1873.
PETITION FOR MUNICIPALITY, GULGONG.
HIS Excellency the Governor with the advice of the Executive Council, directs the publication, in accordance with the Municipalities Act of 1867, of the substance and prayer of a Petition addressed to His Excellency, and signed by two hundred and seventy-five persons, praying that their locality therein described may be erected into a Municipality under the name of the "Borough of Gulgong."
HENRY PARKES.
The Petitioners state that they are desirous of the establishment of a Municipality under the name of the "Municipality of Gulgong." That upon incorporation they would be liable to be assessed for municipal rates. That the population of the district proposed to be incorporated is over four thousand.
That the boundaries proposed are as follow:—"On the south from the south-easterly point of Samuel A. Blackman's 40 acre lot No. 576, at Cooyal Creek, by a line bearing west to the eastern bank of the Cudgegong River; on the west by the Cudgegong River at Cooyal or Reedy Creek to the north-west corner of the Government Village Reserve; and thence on the north by a line bearing east to Cooyal Creek, west side; and on the east to Cooyal Creek to the starting." That the name proposed for the incorporated district is the "Municipality of Gulgong."
And the Petitioners pray "that Your Excellency may be pleased to take the premises into favourable consideration, and incorporate the district within the boundaries we have indicated."
L. Simeon S. Moses, householder, Gulgong
L. Dennis Driscoll, householder, Gulgong
L. George D. Lang, householder, Gulgong
L. Charles Zimmler, freeholder, Gulgong
L. John Scully, freeholder, Gulgong
Z. Michael Dillon, Gulgong, publican
Z. Thos. M'Donough, Gulgong, watchmaker
Z. T. H. Osborne, Gulgong, painter
Z. Thomas M'Brien, Gulgong, householder
Z. Ralph Wright, Gulgong, bootmaker
Z. Walter N. Blanchard, Gulgong, householder
Z. George Edwin Shettle, Gulgong, printer
Z. John B. Clarke, Gulgong, publican
Z. Owen M'Fadden, Gulgong, butcher
Z. Patrick Molony, Gulgong, storekeeper
Z. William Watts, Gulgong, storekeeper (X his mark C. Zimmler)
Z. Charles Gingin, Gulgong, watchmaker
Z. Thos. Nightingale, Gulgong, hotelkeeper
Z. Frederick Mehrenz. Gulgong, carpenter
Z. A. C. Cameron, Gulgong, householder
Z. Richard Marshall, Gulgong, householder
Z. Alexander M'Culloch, Gulgong, stationer
Z, Richard White, Gulgong, householder
Z. Edward Purchase, Gulgong, chemist
Z. Neil M'Kinnon, Gulgong, hotelkeeper
Z. Ernest Gurboch, Gulgong, storekeeper
Z. On Hing, Gulgong, merchant
Z. W. Deilz, Gulgong, householder
Z. Robt. Collins, Gulgong, householder
Z. W. H. B. Bennett, Gulgong, medical practitioner
Z. J. C. Dillon, Gulgong, teacher
Z. Richard Angove, Gulgong, publican
Z. G. Sharman, Gulgong, butcher
Z. P. W. Kelleher, Gulgong, householder
Z. Pk. O'Neill, Gulgong, householder
Z. Samuel Green, Gulgong, hotelkeeper
Z. Thomas Golden, Gulgong, storekeeper
Z. William John White, Gulgong, builder
Z. Frederick Francke, Gulgong, storekeeper
Z. Lester S. Donaldson, Gulgong, householder
Z. Morris Moses, Gulgong, storekeeper
Z. Michael M. O'Neill, Gulgong, freeholder
Z. A. Moses, Gulgong, spirit-merchant
Z. G. Hopkins, Gulgong, innkeeper
Z. A. B. Ferrie, Gulgong, agent
Z. James Sellman, Gulgong, householder
Z. Alexander Porter, Gulgong, householder (X his mark C.Z.)
Z. Christoph Gehrig, Gulgong, wine merchant
Z. Cam Baker, Gulgong, photographer
Z. Robert Graham, Gulgong, storekeeper
Z. Charles Bird, Gulgong, chemist
Z. Wm. Boyne, Gulgong, storekeeper
Z. E. Shipley, Gulgong, butcher
Z. James Hall, Gulgong, bootmaker
Z. Maria Seabrook, Gulgong, innkeeper
Z. John B. Stormer, "Argus" Office, Gulgong, freeholder
Z. Jacob A. Meers, Gulgong, spirit merchant
Z. John Lewis, Gulgong, tailor
Z. S. Samper, Gulgong, storekeeper
Z. Robert W. Heard, Gulgong, saddler
Z. Jno. A. Rodwell, Gulgong, storekeeper
Z. Thomas Saunders, Gulgong, householder
Z. Thomas Freeman, Gulgong, blacksmith
Z. A. L A. Forbes, Gulgong, medical practitioner
Z. Thomas Turner, Gulgong, storekeeper (X his mark. C. Zimmler)
Z. Henry Phillips, householder
Z. Patrick Gallen, Gulgong, hotelkeeper
Z. Henry Rossiter, Gulgong, hotelkeeper
Z. Edwd. Davis, Gulgong, carpenter
Z. W. Arrowsmith, Gulgong, tentmaker
Z. G. O. Davis, Gulgong, auctioneer
Z. John M'Cubbin, Gulgong, freeholder
Z. Robt. Robinson, Queen-street, householder
K. Peter H. Jamieson, Queen-street, hotelkeeper
K. William Hosking, Red Hill, householder
K. James Curran, Queen-street, householder
K. George Turner, Queen-street, storekeeper
K. Donald MacDonald, Herbert-street, householder
K. Timothy Moriarty, Camp-street, householder
O. Henry Tebbutt, Mayne-street, newspaper proprietor
O. John H. Cogdon, Mayne-street, theatrical proprietor
O. James Redmond, Mayne-street, freeholder
O. Robt. Brown, Herbert-street, storekeeper
O. Nicholas Cooney, Herbert-street, freeholder
O. James S. Ross, Queen-street, Gulgong, householder
O, W. Binder, Gulgong, freeholder
B. Nicholas Langdon, Herbert-street, storekeeper
B. Alfred R. A. Violet, Church Hill, householder
B. Patrick Brady, Herbert-street, publican (X his mark)
B. Sun Tong Lee, Herbert-street, merchant
B. M. M'Intyre, Herbert-street, shoemaker
B. G. T. Montgomery, Herbert-street, general dealer
B. Ah Pooey, Herbert-street, storekeeper (X his mark)
B. J H. Taylor, Herbert-street, baker
B. Charles Monk, Herbert-street, hotelkeeper
B. E. Sung, Herbert-street, storekeeper
B. M. Lazarus, Medley-street, aerated water maker
B. J. Brigden, Herbert-street, storekeeper
B. M. Arentz, Medley-street, carpenter
B. Sing War, Herbert-street, storekeeper
B. James Ryan, Herbert-street, innkeeper
B. John Dutton, Herbert-street, storekeeper
B. William Barry, Queen-street, carpenter
B. William Barnett, Herbert-street, blacksmith
B. William H. Walker, Herbert-street, butcher
B. B. Benjamin, Herbert-street, agent
B. E. Boggis, Herbert-street, storekeeper
B. W. M. Thompson, Herbert-street, gunsmith
B. C. L. Morris, Herbert-street, auctioneer
B. A. H. Jamieson, Queen-street, innkeeper
B. W. Booth, Queen street, storekeeper
B. F. W. Russell, Medley-street, clerk
B. Ambrose Kelly, Queen-street, hotelkeeper
B. A. Rodgers, Queen-street, storekeeper
B. Thos. Edwd. Miles, Queen-street, publican
B. James Trevor, Medley-street, Congregational minister
B. Thomas J. Curtis, Herbert-street, Presbyterian minister
B. B. Naughton, Queen-street, hotelkeeper
B. H. L. Potter, Herbert-street, confectioner
B. Hy. Woods, Gulgong, storekeeper
B. H. J. Downey, Queen-street, innkeeper
B. John Lee, Queen-street, innkeeper
B. Samuel M'Millan, Church Hill, schoolmaster
B. Edward Thomas, Medley-street, storekeeper
B. Henry Youngman, Medley-street, Wesleyan minister
B. Samuel Smith, Herbert-street, publican
B. P. Bergin, Herbert-street, butcher
B. Francis T. Bell, Belmore-street, resident
B. E. Holloway, Gulgong, comedian
B. F. M. Isaac, Queen-street, cooper
B. C. F. C. Juull, Gulgong, miner
B. John Kew, Gulgong, miner
B. William Sloane, Queen-street, blacksmith
B. James Bellamy, Medley-street, resident
B. Samuel T. Bishop, Medley-street, resident
B. John Tittler, Queen-street, resident
B. John Kirkpatrick, Bayly-street, tailor
B. A. Moses, Herbert-street, spirit merchant
B. Edward Arrowsmith, Belmore-street, photographer
B. Edgar Hilder, Belmore-street, photographer
B. John Emerson, Herbert-street, bootmaker
B. Henry Pickering, Herbert-street, builder
B. Richard Stear, Medley-street, assistant storekeeper
B. Thos. Honeysett, Baily-street, corn dealer
B. John Honeysett, Bailey-street
B. Wm. Green, Gulgong, miner
B. T. P. Hopkins. Gulgong, householder
B. William Watts, Queen-streeet, storekeeper
B. John A. Courtis, cabinet maker, householder
B. James Court, Bailey-street, freeholder
B. John Souter, Queen-street, chemist
B. John Burrows, Old Gulgong Reef, gardener
B. Jno. Barrett, Canadian road, store
B. John Williams, Canadian, miner
B. Patrick Halloran, Canadian, hotelkeeper
B. Miss E. Kennedy, Canadian, householder
B. Jas. O'Connor, Canadian, butcher
B. Peter N. Johnston, Canadian, miner
B. Robert Kirkpatrick, Canadian, miner
B. Edwin Gee, Cooyal Creek, puddler
B. Daniel Warmoll, Canadian, butcher
B. Edward Warmoll, Canadian, butcher
B. Patrick Flood, Canadian, hotelkeeper
B. James Walsh, Canadian, householder
B. F. Finch, Canadian, blacksmith
B. William Jarlanb, Canadian, householder
B. James Bent, resident
B. Mark Gless, storekeeper, Canadian
B. James Ross, Lowe's Paddock, storekeeper
B. Richard Johnson, Lowe's Paddock, miner
B, Henry Mour, Stott's Paddock, miner
B. Wm. Sneath, Stott's Paddock, miner
B. T. Rogerson, Lowe's Paddock, butcher
B. Wm. Cufley, Lowe's Paddock, storekeeper
B. Timoth Devane, Lowe's Paddock, miner
B. Patrick Macmarra, Lowe's Paddock, miner
B. John Moroney, Lowe's Paddock, miner
B. John Braseyer, Lowe's Paddock, innkeeper
B. Thos. M'Intire, Lowes Paddock, miner
B. Chas. S. Sterns, Lowe's Paddock, miner
B. Thomas Keeyn, Lowe's Paddock, miner
B. John Johnson, Lowe's Paddock, innkeeper
B. William Wesley, Herbert-street, innkeeper (X his mark)
B. F. S. Osborn, Little Belmore-street, assistant mining registrar
B. George Smith, Queen-street, blacksmith
B. Thomas Mathews, Queen-street, blacksmith
B. Jimmy Hum, Queen-street, storekeeper (X his mark)
B. John Tribb, Frazer's Lead, miner
B. George Shaw, Frazer's Lead, miner
B. John Corcoran, Frazer's Lead, miner
B. Peter Chevesick, Frazer's Lead, miner
B. Francis Sengline, Frazer's Lead, miner
B. Francis Wilson, Frazer's Lead, miner
B. Lorens Glock, Frazer's Lead, miner
B. James Cassiday, Frazer's Lead, miner
B. Gregory Lamb, Gulgong, miner
B. Edward M'Lone, Frazer's Lead, miner
B. Robt. Roberts, Frazer's Lead, miner
B. Robert Ferguson, Frazer's Lead, miner
B. Charles Klatt, Frazer's Lead, miner
B. Juluis Grube, Frazer's Lead, miner
B. H. Dickstall, Frazer's Lead, miner
B. H. J. Williams, Caledonian, store
B. Samuel Richards, Caledonian, store
B. George Stephens, Caledonian, store
B. Robert M'Lane, Caledonian, dairyman
B. Patrick Murray, Caledonian, boarding-house
B. Robt. Brown, Caledonian, miner
B. R. L. Brand, Caledonian, miner
B. John Howard, Queen-street, hotelkeeper
B. Henry Dennis, Herbert-street, householder
B. William Jacks, off Queen-street, householder (X his mark)
B. Peter Langbien, Black Lead, blacksmith
B. M. Mills, Black Lead, blacksmith
B. James Hughes, Black Lead, hotelkeeper
B. H. W, Folkes, Black Lead, surveyor
B. T. Sharrock, Black Lead, storekeeper
B. John M'Lachlan, Black Lead, miner
B. Margaret Keenan, Herbert-street, hotelkeeper
H. B. Robert Sims, Herbert-street, fruiterer
P. William T. Lewis, Herbert-street, undertaker
B. Robert Elliott, Queen-street, storekeeper (X his mark)
B. Mary M'Grath, Queen-street, storekeeper (X her mark)
B. Richard Mosgrey, Queen-street, storekeeper (X his mark)
B. Patrick Brennan, Queen-street, householder
B. Wm. Hy. Day, Medley-street, householder
B. Patrick Welch, Rouse Pak., miner.
B. Fred. Byer, Rouse Pak., Miner
B. Thos. St. John, Rouse Paddock, miner
B. George Wintor, Rouse Paddock, miner
B. Andrew Fyfe, Rouse Paddock, miner
B. Robert Porter, Rouse Paddock, miner
B. Louis Buckley, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. J. A. Morrow, Rouse's Pad., miner, householder
B. Thomas Anderson, Rouse's Paddock, miner, householder
B. Denis McKenny, Rouse's Paddock, miner, householder
B. Thos. Miller, Rouse's Paddock, miner, householder
B. Lar. Ryan, Rouse's Paddock, miner, householder
B. James B. Connor, Rouse's Park, miner, householder
B. John Hogan, Rouse's Paddock, miner, householder
B. John Ryan, Rouse's Paddock, miner, householder
B. George Stephens, Three-mile, miner, householder
B. Alf. Morris, Three-mile, miner, householder
B. Henry Wolff, Three-mile, miner, householder
B. John Mulhollan, Rouse's Paddock, carter (X his mark)
B. William Resker, Rouse's Paddock, carter
B. Edward King, Rouse's Paddock, carter
B. James Melbourne, Rouse's Paddock, miner (X his mark)
H. B. William Frost, Gulgong, butcher
B. Jas. Kerrigan, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. H. Kerrigan, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. John Branley, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. W. H. Faid, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. J. M'Arthur, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. J. Cooper, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. Patrick O'Brien, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. James Robertson, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. James Robertson, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. John Anderson, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. Alexander Bruce, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. William Burgess, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. F. G. Miller, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. Robert Mayne, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. James W. Moar, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. Stephen Thompson, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. Charles Campbell, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. James Coleman, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. Joseph Hughes, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. Richard White, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. Michael King, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. James M'Dermitt, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. Matthew Hayes, Rouse's Paddock, miner (X his mark)
B. David O'Brien, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. Lued. Meroitiez, Rouse's Paddock, miner
B. John Filip, Rouse's Paddock, miner
I, Charles Zimmler, do solemnly declare, that all the signatures affixed to the above Petition, initialled "Z," on sheets Nos. 1,2, and 3, are the genuine signatures of the sixty-eight persons whose signatures they purport to be; and that such persons are persons liable to assessment for Municipal taxes in respect
of property or household residence within the boundaries of the proposed Municipal District, as set forth in this Petition.
CHARLES ZIMMLER.
Declared before me at Gulgong, this 26th August, 1873,—Henry Tebbutt, J.P.
I, Robert Robinson, do most solemnly declare, that all the signatures affixed to the above Petition, initialled "K," on sheet No. 4, are the genuine signatures of the six persons whose signatures they purport to be; and that such persons are persons liable to assessment for Municipal taxes in respect of property or household residence within the boundaries of the proposed Municipal District, as set forth in this Petition.
ROBERT ROBINSON.
Declared before me at Gulgong, this 26th August, 1873,—Henry Tebbutt, J.P.
I, Cornelius Driscoll, do most solemnly declare, that all the signatures affixed to the above Petition, initialled "O" on sheet No. 5, are the genuine signatures of the seven persons whose signatures they purport to be; and that such persons are persons liable to assessment for Municipal taxes in respect of property or household residence within the boundaries of the proposed Municipal District, as set forth in this Petition.
CORNELIUS DRISCOLL.
Declared before me at Gulgong, this 26th August, 1873,— Henry Tebbutt, J.P.
I, Henry Beal, do solemnly declare that all the signatures affixed to the above Petition, initialled B on sheets 6 to 13 inclusive, are the genuine signatures of the one hundred and eighty-nine persons whose signatures they purport to be; and that such persons are persons liable to assessment for Municipal taxes in respect of property or household residence within the boundaries of the proposed Municipal District, as set forth in this Petition.
HENRY BEAL.
Declared before me at Gulgong, this 26th August, 1873,—Henry Tebbutt, J.P.
I, George Lang, do solemnly declare that all the signatures affixed to the foot of the Petition, marked L, are the genuine signatures of the five persons whose signatures they purport to be; and that such persons are persons liable to assessment for Municipal taxes in respect of property or household residence
within the boundaries of the proposed Municipal District, as set forth in this Petition.
GEORGE D. LANG.
Declared before me at Gulgong, this 26th August, 1873,—Henry Tebbutt, J.P.
1876 - [GAZETTED]
On Tuesday last the formal announcement per Gazette as to the municipal incorporation arrived here, and there was some little rejoicing among those who have used their best endeavours for the last three years to obtain this object. The proclamation was printed on slips and forwarded to the various hotels and storekeepers. The election of aldermen is fixed for the 12th of April, and Mr. Gerald Spring is named as returning-officer. Speculations are rife as to who is to be the first mayor; of course there is no telling who will have the honour thrust upon him, but time will show. On Wednesday last there was a large meet of the Progress Committee, at which several new members were enrolled. The object of the meeting seemed to be for the adoption of a petition to be presented to the Minister for Lands praying that the non-auriferous lands in the district may be thrown open for selection and conditional purchase under the 14th clause of the Land Act.
The petition was read by Mr. Charles Zimmelar, who proposed its adoption. The motion was seconded by Mr. C. Bird, and carried. On Thursday a number of copies of the petition were printed and left at the various business places for signatures. Several of the committee volunteered their services to canvass the outlying districts, which was accepted.
