Thursday, June 17, 2021

C R YOUNG

See also: Flour
John Mahoney, Cornelius Driscoll and CR Young (three men in waistcoats) in front of second store on Mayne Street

Christopher Reid YOUNG married Mary SLATTERY in Sydney in 1856. Their children included:
  • Agnes Mary Young - b 1855, Gulgong (NSW BDM 941/1855 V1855941 142A); married Charles Giugni in 1876
  • Bridget - born 1856 (NSW BDM 942/1856 V1856942 142A)
  • Catherine - born 1863 in Forbes
  • Christina - born 1866 in Wellington
  • James H - born 1867 in Wellington
  • Helen - born 1869 in Mudgee
  • Emily Victoria Young - b 1872, Gulgong
  • Adelaide Mary R Young  - b 1873, Gulgong
  • Bathurst Young - b 1876, Gulgong
  • Christopher Reid Young - b 1877, Gulgong

Mr C R Young, described as the "commercial lion of the west", owned the original steam-roller flour mill in Gulgong along with a General Store. Both businesses were later taken over by James Loneragan.

CR Young's store, circa 1895
Source: John Esber

... A Century of Storekeeping in Gulgong

The title is not strictly accurate for it is not possible to list all the retail and merchant establishments which traded in Gulgong from 1870 onwards. Those that appear on the [then] $10 note tell their story so well. The Holtermann collection tells it even better.

But one thing is well established and that is that one of the most successful merchants and retailers of Gulgong's very early days was Mr. C. R. Young. His business was in Mayne Street and there was an associate flour mill at the rear of the premises. 

Mr Young must have had tremendous faith in the future of the Gulgong district because his store (built long before the turn of the century) was a substantial brick building which is as sound today as when it first opened its doors to the public.

For people with a sense of history, it may be of interest to record that one of Mr. Young's daughters was the grandmother of Mr. J. J. Dowd Snr of Gulgong.

But soon another man was to make his mark as a retailer and merchant in Gulong. He was James Loneragan. Born in 1845, he had established himself as a storekeeper in Mudgee by 1870 at the age of 25. His business prospered and most of his contemporaries seemed to think that James Loneragan was both a good businessman and a gentleman. Perhaps this had something to do with it. By 1902 he was able to persuade Mr Young to sell the Gulgong store. So began what is now Loneragans Gulgong.

Source: Clipping from 1970 newspaper from John Esber.

NEWS ITEMS 

1871 - TOWN TALK
In keeping with the epidemic of improvements now raging, Mr. Young of the ‘Gulgong Stores’ is about making very extensive alterations to his premises that will completely transpose them, and in order to facilitate their completion he intends to have a ‘great clearing sale’.
Source:  Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 6, 25 March 1871.

The “Great Clearing Out Sale” still continues at Young’s Gulgong Store, where real bargains can be obtained. 
Source:  Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 7, 1 April 1871.

Young & Co.’s great clearing sale is still on to make room for alterations to the business premises.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 8, 1 April 1871

Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 4, March 11 1871

1871 - TOWN TALK
RUSH OH! Has been the cry almost every day during the past week and from all appearanc-es there is every likely hood of there being golden grounds for cry.
Rushes are in shallow ground and proceeding to Rouse’s paddock. The occurrence of these rushes, and their value is not known, but it has created a wonderful change in the temperament of our business people.
Mr. James Sellman proposed the first regulations as follows:
'That it being highly desirable some systematic effort should be made to thoroughly prosect this goldfield, this meeting is of the opinion that a pro-specting committee should be appointed whose duty it will be to collect donations and subscriptions and ex-pend the same by assisting approved parties of pro-spectors on such terms as the Committee shall deem best’.
The mover [a miner] said that he did not think there would be a dissenting voice that the goldfield should be extended. Many of the men present were miners in good circumstances, who should all help in having the surrounding country thoroughly prospected, as they would likely gain as much, and possibly more, than the prospectors.
He believed in the future of Gulgong and in giving help, that much good would be done in extending the area of golden ground. It was of vital importance that the busi-ness people help so as to extend the goldfields and re-tain the population. Mr. Booth [draper] seconded the resolution. Mr. Browne supported the resolution. Mr. Scully also approved and would like to see a Mining Association formed, with a fee of sixpence.
Robert Adams and Mr. Jacobs [miners] moved and seconded: That in order to carry out the previous res-olution a committee be appointed, consisting of Messrs. W. booth, C. Young, James Redmond, C. Driscoll, James Sellman W. Wesley, R. Adams, J. Scully R. Angove, with the power to add to their number.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 10, 22 April 1871

1871 - POLICE COURT
James McGee broke into Mr. Young’s house to sleep, he had neither hat nor shoes on, he was drunk, said he knew Mr. Young, he went to sleep at the foot of Young’s bed. The witness then seized him and hit him with a loaded whip.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 13, May 13, 1871

1871 - [LOCAL HOSPITAL]
...Mr. McLennan moved “That a Hospital be erected on the Gulgong goldfields”. Mr. Moses in seconding the motion, pointed out the necessity there was for a purely local Hospital. Gulgong ought to be able to support a local institution judging by its population. The motion was carried unanimously and a provi-sional committee was appointed. The following gen-tlemen were elected, Angove, Young, DeC. Browne, Driscoll, Redmond, Selman, Booth, Samper, Langdon, Ferguson, Coghlan, Deitz, McLennan, Moses, Selff, and the Chairman.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 20, July 1, 1871

1871 - Presbyterian Church Committee
Messrs. Walker, Wilkinson, Russell, Lamrock, Fraser, Martin, Dennis, McCubbin, Booth, Young, Adams, Lewis, Ross, Collins, McLennan, Campbell, May, Pind-lay, Davidson and Barry. Moved that Mr. Russell act as secretary and Mr. Wilkinson as Treasurer. Rev. A. McEwen occupied the chair.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 34, October 7, 1871

1871 - Commissioners Notice
The following persons are informed that their allotment request have been granted —T. A. Browne.
C R Young
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 34, October 7, 1871

1871 - Public School Meeting
Public School Meeting held at Binders hotel, for the purpose to take steps to procure a public school un-der the auspices of the Council of Education. TA Browne in chair. Those present – Messrs. Russell, Benjamin, Young, McLennan, Naughton, Driscoll, Stacy, Stewart, Sellman, Deitz, Moss, McCulloch, Ferrie, Scully, Hewitt, Donaldson, McDermott, Dec. Browne, Plunkett, Booth, R. Jones, Keating, Cairns, Self, Tissington, Adams and J. Hill.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 42, December 2, 1871

1872 - Accident
Yesterday while Mr. B. Brown storekeeper of Black Lead, was driving his spring cart on the Home Rule road, when at the top of Queen Street, near the pound yard, one of the wheels came in contact with a stump causing the vehicle to upset. Mr. Brown was pitched out, the cart fell on him breaking his leg. Mr. C. Young conveyed him to his residence.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 106, August 21, 1871

1872 - New Buildings
A strong proof of the confidence felt in the perma-nence of the town of Gulgong, is afforded by the num-ber of new buildings that a now being erected. During the past couple of months quite a stir has been made in this direction. ... Mr C. Young's new store in Queen Street is rapidly progress-ing, and when finished will improve the appearance of that end of Queen Street in which it is situated.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 116, September 25, 1871

1872 - TOWN IMPROVEMENTS
Mr. C. Young of Queen Street is erecting a large and handsome store on the site of his old one. The new building will be commodious as well as ornamental and will cost about £1,000, a proof that Mr. Young believes in the permanency of the field.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 121, October 12, 1871

Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 121, October 12, 1871 

1873 - ADVERTISEMENT
WANTED - A FIRST CLASS DRAPER. Apply Immediately to C. YOUNG, Queen Street.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 176, April 23, 1873

1873 - Governors’ Reception Committee
A meeting of this Committee was held on Saturday evening and another on Monday at Selff’s Hotel. Mr. Plunkett in the chair. Messrs. Lang, DeCourcy Browne, Plunkett, Donaldson and the Rev. W. S. Newton were appointed to draft the address. Messrs. Cairnes, Stacy, Benjamin and Medley were chosen to make arrangements for the dinner; Messrs. Bird, DeC. Browne, Samper, Holloway and Plunkett were elected as a Programme Committee. Messrs. Stacy, Cairnes, Stewart, Benjamin, Palmer, P. O’Neill, Bird, Samper, Binder and C. Young were appointed a Finance Committee to canvass for subscriptions towards defraying the expenses of the Committee...
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 178, April 30, 1873

Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 180, May 7, 1873
 
1877 - MUDGEE
To LET, for a term of years, those large commodious and modern-built premises, situate opposite the Court House, and known as THE BELMORE HOTEL, lately occupied by Mr. Tuckerman, with extensive stabling and stockyards. From the situation of this hotel, in the hands of a business man it would command a business second to none in the district. Neither furniture nor stock to be taken. For particulars, apply to Mr. E. Clarke, solicitor, Mudgee; Messrs. Teale and and Curtiss, solicitors, King-street, Sydney; or Mr. C. R. Young, Gulgong.

1878 - [GULGONG HORSE STEALERS]
During the past week the weather has been intensely cold, the frosts at night being harder than has ever before been known. Sunday and Monday were in every way lovely, and an early spring is expected.
A few years since a regular organized gang of horse stealers prowled about this district, and it was only by heavy punishments that the mob left us. They, however, seem to have returned. A miner resident can scarce venture to leave his horse grazing for fear of it being stolen. I could mention fifty instances where valuable horses have been taken from within twenty yards of the owner's door, and it is a singular fact that those stolen horses are rarely ever recovered.
These gully rakers, as our worthy Police Magistrate terms them, seem to be emboldened by their success, and to have taken a liking to blood horses. Some time since one of Mr. Richard Rouse's valuable mares was stolen from his paddock at Guntawang, and about a fortnight since Mr. E. Aldridge's racehorses Locket and Friendless were stolen from the stable and up to the present time nothing is known of their whereabouts. On Wednesday last some of the scoundrels paid a visit to the stables of Mr. C. R. Young, draper, Mayne-street, and stole therefrom the valuable racehorse West Lynn.
To effect an entrance they raised a wicket-gate off the hinges and thus obtained access to the yard and forced the stable door. I presume for case and comfort they also took with them a splendid saddle and bridle.
The police, of course, as soon as information was given, were started in pursuit. The police, so far as patrolling the streets is concerned, do a portion of their duty, but their vigilance in bringing such depredators as the above to justice is a nonentity. The police stationed here are, without exception, a sluggish lot, and have good easy times of it, and if they will not bestir themselves they should be superseded by better and more efficient officers.
Source: 
  • The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Sat 6 Jul 1878 Page 6
    •   

    1878 - [FIRE]
    Shortly after 7 o'clock a.m. on yesterday morning (says Saturday's Gulgong Advocate) a fire was discovered in a back shed upon the premises of Mr. C. R. Young, storekeeper. The fire-bell having been rung, the gallant Fire Brigade were promptly at their post of duty with their engine, and extinguished the flames just as the adjoining premises belonging to Mr. Hunter were catching fire. The timely efforts of the firemen upon this occasion no doubt had the effect of preventing what otherwise would have been a serious, conflagration; as it is, happily, no loss beyond the burning of a few pieces of timber has been sustained. An enquiry touching the cause of the fire was held during the day, before the Coroner and a jury of twelve. Considerable evidence was taken, and a verdict recorded that the fire originated from the sun's rays being concentrated upon inflammable material exposed in the shed.

    1881 - [DIAMONDS]
    A parcel of diamonds - were purchased by Mr. C. R. Young, of Gulgong, last week. The gems were found in the vicinity of the old Diamond Mines at Two Mile Flat. They are all remarkably pure stones, the largest weighs nearly five carats, and the smallest half a carat.

    1891 - [MILL PLANS]
    Mr C R Young intends erecting a largo steam steel-roller flour mill here, and tenders have been called for the building, which will be an immense benefit to the farmers in the district.

    1891 - [LAND PURCHASED]
    Mr. C. R. Young, of the Commercial Stores, Gulgong, has completed the purchase of a roller flour mill plant, to be erected on the spare allotment in Queen-street, adjoining his store. Mr. Young contemplates erecting the mill at once.

    1891 - [NEARING COMPLETION]
    The new steam roller flour-mill is nearing completion under the supervision of Mr. Dovoy, representative for Messrs. G. H. Rhodes and Co. It is being erected for Mr. C. R. Young, who has shown enterprise and energy in constructing a mill of the modern type. It is adjacent to his stores, will supply a long-felt want, be a boon to the farmer, and a benefit to the general public in giving them flour, less the cost of carriage to and from Mudgee, a distance of 18 miles. Electricity is to be the lighting power for both mill and stores, thus bringing Gulgong in touch with modern times.
    Source: The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 - 1909) Mon 28 Sep 1891 Page 6

    1891 - [FINISHING TOUCHES]
    The finishing touches are now being given to Mr. C. R. Young's new roller flour mill at Gulgong. It is expected that milling operations will commence in eight days. The contractors are pushing on with the Farmers' Co-operative Mill at Mudgee. When this is finished we will have about half a dozen flour mills in full swing in our midst.

    Source:  The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 - 1909) Mon 12 Oct 1891 Page 6

    1892 - NEW FLOUR MILL
    The formal opening ceremony in connection with Mr. C. R. Young's roller flour mill, Gulgong, took place on Friday night.

    Mr. Young is now offering a reward of £100 for information that will lead to the conviction of the person who entered the mill one night recently and maliciously tampered with some of the electric light machinery.

    C. R. Young's Commercial Roller Flour Mills, Gulgong, 1897
    Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 13 Feb 1897 Page 28

    A hole across the road from the mill was a dam that supplied water for the steam boiler that ran the flour mill. Some of the pipework is still under the road.
    Source: Col Evans

    Mr C R Young's General Store, Mayne Street, Gulgong, 1897
    Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 13 Feb 1897 Page 28


    1893 - An Old Mining Town.
    ITS PERMANENT PROSPERITY. (BY " BATTLEDORE.")
    Situated in the midst of rich and fertile country some 18 or 20 miles from Mudgee, the town of Gulgong stands as a monument to the industry of men, who finding that everyone could not make a living from gold mining, turned to see in what other way the earth would support them, and so established a steady and solid agricultural district. Doubtless in the days when Gulgong was a canvas town, and its population was smitten with the gold fever, money flew round pretty loosely, but to use the words of the leading business man of the locality, Mr. C. R. Young, "I would rather have a year of my present, steady, sure business than a year of the speculative rushes we had when Gulgong started." Mr. Young is a splendid example of the class of men who have made Gulgong the prosperous and thriving town it is to-day. His hotel is a large and comfortable one, his spacious and electrically-lighted store is the largest in the district, and in his well-built flour mill he has a small, but perfect plant of modern milling machinery. An explanation of the lines on which his business is worked describes the business of every store and workshop in "Union Gulgong."
    He buys the farmer's wheat and sells the farmer his stores. He buys the producer's produce and sells the producer flour. And so the world wags on, as far as Gulgong is concerned. Each man helps his fellow, and in helping him makes a living.
    Mr. Fremlin, late Marks and Company, has another very large store in Gulgong, where business is worked on the same mutual lines, and to the mutual advantage. Messrs. Brown and Company are very old business people in the district, and as general storekeepers give satisfaction to all. Mr. T. W. Russell, late Booth and Company, is another leading storekeeper, and his business is an extensive one, he being a particularly strong believer in the " mutual and unity " system.
    Mrs. Barrett carries on her late husband's drapery business on the best lines; and Mr. C. A. Russell, as boot and shoe maker, stands well in Gulgong business circles. Mr. P. Connolly was for some time the only tailor in the town, but now has to face a little friendly competition from Mr. S. New, recently established. Mr. G. White has started a tinsmith's and plumber's business there, and gives every sign of prosperity. Mr. J. Smith and Mr. J. Gudgeon are the local wheelwrights and blacksmiths, and find their time pretty well occupied with district work. Mr. R. Stear, of the "Times Bakery," has for many years been established as a baker and produce merchant in Gulgong, and does a large trade there. He is also well known in Sydney. Mr. Souter, the chemist, has lately brought out a specific for the cure of foot rot in sheep, which is gaining him a big reputation, and from all accounts is a wonderful preparation. Mr. Harris has a fine chemist's shop in the main street, where special attention is paid to the skilled branches of the business. Mr. R. W. Heard, the saddler, is at present Mayor of the town, and, besides being a prominent business man, is a most popular and respected citizen. Mr. W. J. Dobbs, of the Albion Hotel, is a favorite host with travellers, and Mrs. Powell, of Tattersall's Hotel, is quite a Gulgong identity. Kelly's Family Hotel, now owned by Mrs. Piper, is another favorite hostelry in Gulgong. As showing the prosperity and good standing of the town, it may be mentioned that its agricultural show is always a big success, and the society boast over 20 more members than the Mudgee Association. As showing its good fortune and honesty, Mr. Young has been known to assert that no business man in Gulgong ever went through the bankruptcy court, and no insurance office ever had to pay insurance on buildings burnt in Gulgong.
    Between Gulgong and Mudgee lies the little mining town ship of Home Rule, where Mr. Wells has a comfortable little hotel; and Mrs. Maroney, agent for the TOWN AND COUNTRY JOURNAL, has a good-sized store.

    1894 - GULGONG, FRIDAY
    At a specia1 meeting of members of the Agricultural Association last night Mr C R Young (the vice-president) being chairman, it was resolved that the usual show be held next year. Great anxiety is expressed at the present low prices of wool which means a loss of thousands to the district.
    The thermometer stood at 92 today. Serious apprehension is felt from the drought. There is not the slightest appearance of a change. Most of the town tanks are dry, and water has to be carted from a factory well two miles away.

    1895 - [NEW WAREHOUSE]
    Mr. C. R. Young, of the Commercial Warehouse, has invited tenders for 120,000 bricks wherewith to build a new warehouse on the ground lately occupied by the Albion Hotel. This means employment for a number of our local tradesmen.

    Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Fri 20 Dec 1895 Page 19

    1896 - [DRAMA]
    A dramatic entertainment recently given in the Prince of Wales Theatre, Gulgong, in aid of the Catholic presbytery fund, attracted a crowded audience. The programme was opened by a very fine concert, in which the artists included Misses Loneragan, V. Young, Giugni, Rouse, F. Driscoll, and Bessie Cox; Messrs. E. and F. Loneragan, E. and J. Driscoll, E. J. Redmond, and Masters Percy Kennelly, A. and C. Young. The concluding portion of the entertainment was devoted to a comedietta, 'The Lottery Ticket,' so well performed under Mr. Young's management as to quite 'bring down the house.' The various parts were taken by the Misses Young, Messrs. C. Young, E. J. Driscoll, and E. J. Redmond. The Rev. Father Long during the interval thanked the artists, and especially Mr. C. R. Young, for the excellent entertainment, and the audience for their large attendance.

    Source: Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932) Sat 11 Jan 1896 Page 18

    1896 - MUDGEE - A BIG LOAD OF WOOL.
    Archie Enwright arrived at the Mudgee railway station on Thursday afternoon with 56 bales of wool, weighing 10 tons 5 wct., this being the largest load so far. The wool was from Mr. C. R. Young, of Gulgong.

    Source: Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal (NSW : 1851 - 1904) Wed 11 Nov 1896 Page 2

    1898 - THE AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES OF GULGONG.
    (By ' St. Magnus.')
    Gulgong is not only a rich, auriferous region, but it also possesses large areas of fertile agricultural land. The extensive alluvial plains and valleys which lie interspersed among the hills, extend for many miles in every direction, and nearly all of them comprise good agricultural land. The soil in most instances is a red chocolate loam or clay of great depth, which, in fair seasons, will produce abundant crops of cereals, fruits, vegetables, and roots. The district has been long famous for its pastures of nutritious natural grasses, and some of the finest sheep and wool in the colony are produced in this and neighboring districts. The average annual rainfall for the past fifteen years is set down at 29in, which, from the complaints of drought I heard in the district, is probably an over estimate.
    Of late years Gulgong has come forward as a good wheat-growing district, as much as thirty bushels per acre being produced in good seasons. The wheats grown in the district are mostly of the more hard and flinty varieties. These wheats, however, make an excellent flour, and a sample sent to the Sydney Show from the mill of Mr. C. R. Young, the enterprising storekeeper and miller of Gulgong, won the national prize. Mr. Young speaks highly of those flours. He has a fine store, 100ft square, of brick and stone, and a roller flour mill of the latest improved type, capable of turning out four bags of flour an hour. 
    The great want of Gulgong seems to be a railroad to carry its produce to market. It is distant from the railway station at Mudgee about twenty miles, and while this it not a great distance to cart wheat and other produce, yet the distance is a handicap to the farmer. Good farming land in the Gulgong district, so far as I could ascertain, is worth from £3 to £5 per acre where available, and while the districts about the Canadian Lead and other places are fairly well dotted with farms, yet the greater portion of the fertile lands of the district are still used as pastures. The Gulgong farms are mostly small, and, until the areas are enlarged and a system of combined sheep and wheat farming introduced, the best results in farming will not be obtained. The valleys of the Cudgegong and of Cooyal Creek are remarkably well situated for dairy farming. There is a neverfailing supply of water, and the rich flats along the river and creek banks would produce an abundance of food for stock. It is, however, useless to talk of anything like an increased production, or of an extended development of the resources of this great district until a railroad is constructed to carry, the produce to the sea at living figures. A railroad that would open vast areas of this and neighboring districts could be easily brought in from the Great Northern line, at, say, Maitland, Singleton, or Muswellbrook. Such a line would open some of the fairest portions of New South Wales, and would largely conduce to the development of our manifold national resources. It could be made to traverse the coal-bearing measures for probably 200 miles, and would open vast areas of good agricultural land.

    Source: Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931) Thu 2 Jun 1898 Page 7 

    1899 - Gulgong Agricultural Society.
    Mr. C. R. Young has been unanimously re-elected president of the above society, and Mr. Richards M. L. A. has been elected patron. The balance sheet and report read at the annual meeting on Tuesday last disclosed a most satisfactory state of affairs. It was decided to hold the show on Friday and Saturday 7th and 8th April, which is a few days before Mudgee. The prize schedule is most liberal, and we hope to see a successful show.

    1899 - Gulgong Hospital. Annual Meeting.

    The annual meeting of subscribers to the Gulgong Hospital held at the Town Hall on Friday, 8 p.m., 27th January, 1899. Mr. E. M. Bowman (Vice-president) being in the chair....

    The following gentlemen were appointed trustees :— Mr. Richard Rouse, of Guntawang, Mr. Richard Rouse, jun., of Biraganbil, and Mr. C. R. Young.

    1899 - [FEDERATION]
    Mr. C. R. Young of Gulgong has declared for Federation.

    1899 - Gulgong Federalists.
    When the figures of the Gulgong voting were read from the 'Guardian' balcony there was great cheering. The majority for the Bill was splendid, and was largely due to the energies of Mr. C. R. Young, Mr. S. T. Bishop, and Mr. Croft, the editor of our contemporary, the 'Advertiser.'.

    1899 - Railway Matters
    As previously announced the members of the Public Works Committee will be in Mudgee on Sunday, but it is not yet definitely known whether they will take evidence here or not. Mr. C. R. Young wires us from Gulgong today stating that the town was unanimous in its desire for the railway and that evidence will be given there by the Mayor and other prominent townsmen.

    1899 - [LOSSES]
    Mr. C. R. Young lost two useful horses during the week. One dropped dead during a trip in the country, the other ' threw the seven' after a few days' suffering.

    • 1899 - Bravo, Gulgong!
    Mr. C. R. Young, of Gulgong, is shipping to London a 20-ton parcel of his famous Silver Dust flour, and the product may be safely relied upon to hold its own.

    1899 - THE RAILWAY.
    The Public Works Committee consisting of Messrs. Perry, (chairman), Shepherd, Dick, Watson, Trickett, with Mr. C. Lytic as secretary, held a meeting in the Town Hall, Gulgong, on Saturday evening. The attendance was very large. The Chairman explained that the Committee were taking evidence as to the best route for a line of railway to Coonamble.
    ...
    Mr. C, R. Young said that if it was never intended to construct the line further than Mudgee there was no reason to show why the line had been made, as it came to the edge of the good country and stopped there. The district had advanced since the committee last took evidence hers. Last season was one of the best he had known, the wheat yield being as high as 40 bushels to the acre. The population was increasing, and settlement and extra area under cultivation was being made every year. He had bought 100,000 bushels of wheat this year and was still buying. The quality was splendid, and he had obtained the national champion prize for flour. He was sending flour to Fiji and London. The surplus supply would have to take its chance in the world's markets.
    He was giving 2s 6d a bushel this year. The grower with proper appliances would make it pay at 2s. It cost 6 ½ d per bushel (including commission) to send the grain to Sydney. The bulk of this charge went between Gulgong arid Mudgee. The freight between the two towns was 10s per ton, but if return loading was given it would cost about 7s 6d per ton. The mining industry fluctuated, but a revival was now setting in...

    1902 - Mr. C. R. Young's Farewell
    The date of Mr. C. R. Young's farewell will take the shape of a banquet to be held on Monday night next, at the Gulgong Town Hall. The affair is certain to be a success, as the committee are most enthusiastic in giving their old townsman a good 'send-off.' We understand that a few Mudgee residents have decided to be present at the banquet.

    1902 - [GULGONG ADVERTISER ARTICLES]


    Brown’s Store

    June 20 1902

    To Let those Commodious Premises known as Brown’s Store, Mayne Street—contact CR Young, Commercial Hotel


    Commercial Warehouse

    CR Young


    April 18 1902

    The Commercial Warehouse has changed hands—the new proprietor is Mr James Loneragan—he has a splendid business.  What a clearing out there will be when the Young Family depart from Gulgong.


    April 25 1902

    THE COMMERCIAL WAREHOUSE is now closed.  The new proprietor and his many employees are taking stock of the immense and well-filled departments.  This work will probably take a couple of weeks.  When that part of the business has been finished the Warehouse will re-open under the new management. Many of the hands to be employed are from Mudgee and bear excellent names as salesmen.  We hope Mr Loneragan will be as successful at the Corner as Mr CR Young, the late holder of the reins.


    May 2 1902

    Commercial Enterprise—The somewhat unexpected development in connection with the proprietary of the Commercial Warehouse goes to show what an immense industry or trade may be built up by any man who is possessed of sufficient vitality.  Thirty  two years ago Mr CR Young came to Gulgong and erected a stringybark building on the land in Mayne Street where the ironmongery and agricultural implement department now stands.  His next venture in store building was in wood.  In these premises he built up a great concern,  In 1896 he purchased the corner containing the old Albion Hotel and very shortly afterwards commenced the erection of the present magnificent Warehouse.  Notwithstanding the fact that the floor space is something enormous, the building is so constructed that new floors may be added without the smallest interference with the daily routine of the place.  About the time that Mr Young commenced to extend in this town Mr James Loneragan was setting a similar example in Mudgee.  About three years ago Mr Loneragan turned his business into a registered company with a limited liability. Since then he has reached out in a brilliant manner. By his purchase of the Commercial of Gulgong the firm at once becomes the greatest universal provider west of the mountains. To the general store-keeping portion of this mammoth business must be added the flour milling, wool, skin and grain buying departments.  In these alone many tens of thousands of pounds are turned over every year.  These businessws in themselves are a tribute to the solidity and progress of the district

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    1917 - Mr. C. R. Young.
    The many friends of Mr. C. R. Young, of ''Avoca,'' Randwick, will regret to hear of his death which took place rather unexpectedly on Wednesday, the 5th inst., at the age of 85. Mr. Young was an old identity of Gulgong and district, where he successfully carried on business for a number of years; but latterly he lived in retirement at his Randwick home. Mr. Young had the happiness of being received into the Church on his deathbed by the Very Rev. Father P. Treand, M.S.H., who administered to him all the consolations of our holy religion.
    He is survived by a widow and grown-up family of sons and daughters, most of whom were present at his deathbed. A few months ago he experienced a great sorrow in the death of two of his sons — Private James Young and Private Alick Young — also two grandsons, all of whom were killed in action in France. 
    In accordance with the wishes of the deceased his funeral was strictly private, the remains being taken to the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Randwick, and thence to the Waverley Cemetery, when the prayers at the graveside were recited by the Very Rev. Father Treand, M.S.H. — R.I.P.

    C R YOUNG Jnr 

    Christopher Reid Young Jnr
    Source: Glen Innes Examiner

    1954 - Late Mr. "Chris" Young Brought enjoyment to his Fellow Beings
    The death of a Gulgong native, Mr. Christopher Reid ('Chris') Young, at the age of 77, lowered the curtain on the career of a man whose principal aim in life was to bring enjoyment to his fellow beings.
    Through his musical accomplishments, he made a name for himself not only in every State of Australia but in a host of overseas countries as well.
    In Glen Innes he was known as a kindly gentleman and a good citizen, always ready to help a person or an organisation in any way he could, says the 'Glen Innes Examiner.'
    Entertaining Abilities.
    The late Mr. Young was born in 1877 at Gulgong (north of Mudgee), where his father conducted a general store. Devoted to music, he became an accomplished pianist at a very early age.
    In 1904, while living in Dubbo, Mr. Young's entertaining. abilities deeply impressed Professor Corrick, leader of the then renowned 'Marvellous Corricks' family troupe of entertainers. The Professor invited Mr. Young to join the troupe, and he accepted.
    Toured the World.
    As pianist and comedian, he toured the whole of Australia and went on to meet with outstanding success in Ceylon, India, Burma, Singapore, Italy, France and England.
    His popularity can be judged from newspaper clippings and programmes included in a scrapbook he kept for almost half a century.
    When the Corricks played before the Governor of Singapore and the Sultan of Johore in 1908, the 'Straits Times' said: Mr. Chris. Young excelled himself in his humorous sketches . . . and kept the audience in roars of laughter.'
    'Distinctly Comic'.
    Closer to home, Mr. Young's appearance with the Corricks in Adelaide prompted the following, comments from C. J. Dennis, of 'Sentimental Bloke' fame, then a reporter on a magazine: 'Chris Young, the comic relief, unlike most of his ilk, succeeded in being distinctly comic . . .'
    Another Adelaide publication said: 'Mr. Young's comic songs are of unusual merit. He is refined in his humour. There is no thing approaching vulgarity in his selections, and they are all the more entertaining.'
    Of his brilliance as a pianist, it is perhaps sufficient to say that Mr. Young at one time was accompanist for Dame Nellie Melba, Australia's most famous prima donna.
    While on a tour of Queensland in 1911, Mr. Young was stopped in the street at Maryborough by a man who asked him to go with him and hear his daughter sing. He accompanied the stranger to his hotel, where he heard a girl of 15 or 16 who had a most beautiful voice.
    Found Gladys Moncrieff.
    Mr. Young was so impressed with the girl's voice that he advised the father to take her to Sydney and approach somebody connected with the J. C. Williamson Company. This the father did. That 'teenage girl singer was Gladys Moncrieff, later known affectionately to millions of Australians as 'Our Glad'.
    As well as the Corrick family, Mr. Young spent some time with the Stanley McKay Company, also well known.
    After some years spent at Tweed Heads, Mr. Young came to Glen Innes about 15 years ago and quickly established himself in the community by his eagerness to assist in anything for the benefit of the town.
    Musical Revues.
    He gave invaluable assistance to all Church and charitable functions and produced many musical revues over the years.
    Perhaps his greatest success in this field was the writing and producing of pantomimes, which were staged in many other towns in Australia and popularly received. He was a keen disciple of Gilbert and Sullivan and played the lighter music as only Chris Young could. His four-piece band was always a feature of his shows.
    Community Service.
    He was a worthy member of the Roman Catholic community and was organist at St. Patrick's Church, a position he was compelled to relinquish about a year ago because of ill-health. He was a member of the Glen Innes Rotary Club for 14 years, during which time he was honorary pianist.
    Mr, Chris Young will be remembered for his kindly disposition, his keen sense of humour and his devoted community service in many fields, especially that of music.
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