A gold-field about 20 miles from Mudgee. Population, about 6,000.
- Police Magistrate— T. A. Browne
- Clerk of Petty Sessions— L. S. Donaldson
- Warden— T. A. Browne
- Government Vaccinator— William F. Ewington
- Mining Registrar— A. H. Stephen
- Storekeepers— Woods, Young, Hunter, Booth, Clifton, On Hing and Co.
- Principal Hotels— Selff’s, Greens, Tarrant's. Driscoll’s, Nightingale's
- Newspapers—“Evening Argus,” “ Mercantile Advertiser”
Country Attorneys
- Dunn, George Murray - Mudgee and Gulgong - Agent: W Teale
- Walker, John A - Gulgong - Agent: J Russell Jones
- Roman Catholic, Teacher: G Copas
- Public School, Teacher: H Farr
Source: The Australian almanac. (1875)
GREVILLE'S INDEX 1875-76
Gulgong – a township in the police district of Mudgee, electorate of The Western Gold-fields, is 192 miles west from Sydney. Route: Rail to Wallerawang, thence by coach via Mudgee. Offices: Post, Telegraph, Government Savings Bank, and Money Order. Mails close at G.P.O. daily at 4 p.m., and arrive at post town daily (Mondays excepted), at 5 p.m.; leave for Sydney daily (Saturdays excepted) at 6.45 a.m., arriving daily at 7.20a.m.
The township is 18 miles distant from Mudgee, and is the centre of a still important alluvial mining district, extending over an area of 64,119 acres. There are about seventy public-houses in the township; the principal ones are Selfe’s, Tarrant’s, Tattersalls, and Driscoll’s (hotels), and there are also branches of the leading banks and insurance companies. The places of worship represent the Church of England, Roman Catholic, and some dissenting bodies. There are three papers published in Gulgong – the “Argus”, the “Guardian”, and “Advertiser”.
The immediate locality of the township is a hill-side, descending into the alluvial flat where the principal workings are. The surrounding country is undulating, with occasional hills, well grassed, lightly timbered, and well adapted for pastoral or agricultural purposes, the soil being generally deep and rich. This is the general characteristic of the country in the valley of the Cudgegong, the scenery in the vicinity of which is very romantic.
Source: Greville's Index 1875-76
GULGONG, a mining township, 192 miles west from Sydney, and 18 from Mudgee, between the Cudgegong river and the Wialda [sic Wialdra], or Reedy creek. Communication with Sydney by coach to Wallerawang, thence the rail. It is mainly an alluvial gold-field, extending over an area of 64,119 acres, being 8 miles east and west, and 9 miles north and south, the leads lying under basalt, but the average sinking does not exceed 84 feet.
There are supposed to be 11 different leads, the principal being Black and Happy Valley: from the former large quantities of gold have been taken. There are estimated to be about 1,250 miners at work, the total population nearing 10,500. The newspapers are the Guardian, the Argus, and the Mercantile Advertiser.
The town consists mainly of two thoroughfares, running at right angles to each other, nearly north and south, and east and west. In Queen Street are the three banks—Oriental, New South Wales, and Joint Stock. The hotels are Selfe’s, Tarrant’s, Tattersall’s, and Driscoll’s, with between 60 and 70 smaller ones.
The township is quite in its infancy, and should the yield of gold still continue, it must take a leading position among the inland towns of New South Wales. In January, 1873, it was officially described by the Commissioner of the Western Gold-fields as “the most important gold-field in the colony.” At that time 9 quartz crushing machines of 150 horse-power and 89 head of stamps were employed. The yield of gold for the year 1873 was 140,538 oz.
AUGUST____________________
Town and District of Gulgong - For more that twenty four years the fact has been known to some, that this district contained rich golden deposits. It was formerly apportioned of into large blocks as sheep and cattle runs, being most favourably situated for pastoral pursuits. The Messrs Rouse of Guntawang and Birganbil, were the pioneers of this section and exhibited much foresight in selecting these runs which now rank amongst the richest estates in this colony. The stations are situated only about five miles from Gulgong, and great pains and expenses have been devoted to improvements. These have not been confined to the breeding of stock but extended to horticulture and agriculture; and it is well worth a visit to witness rare trees, shrubs and flowers that have been accumulated. A moderate size river, affording abundant irrigation, runs through these properties. There are other properties, owned by these gentlemen of taste and culture, adjoining those mentioned. We believe that some of these gentlemen own estates of freehold land of at least thirty thousand acres, and some of Crown grants but most is purchased, at the rate of one pound per acre. The dwellings are mostly of a costly description and a considerable architectural description display is exhibited.
Agriculture - The town is surrounded by agricultural areas, taken up under the Land Act of 1861. Upon most of these selections vines and fruit trees have been planted, and produce luxuriant crops; but these industries do not appear to have reached the state of perfection seen in some parts of the world. It is evident however, from the supply brought into market and the quality of fruit in the land is as good as any part of the colony. It is not unusual to see crops of wheat that yield forty-five bushels of the acre, and maize seventy bushels, and other valuable crops in proportion. Constant with most of these farms are dairies and from the sale of butter, cheese and milk the selectors have derived material advantages, particularly since the influx of population occasioned by the discovery of rich leads, as there has been a constant demand for these articles at remunerative prices.
Supply of Markets - The staples consist of flour, beef, mutton, pork and vegetables. The principal supply of flour comes from Mudgee, Wellington and Orange, although in some instances it has been introduced from Adelaide, Chile and California. The average wholesale price has been about 15 pounds per ton. The beef, mutton and pork has been collected by drovers from one hundred to one thousand miles and for most part comes to the dealers through the firm of Messrs Crossing and Cox. The average number of oxen and cows disposed of during the past four years has been about seventy per week, sheep three hundred and pigs thirty. As a general thing the supply of these articles has been abundant and of good quality. The vegetable supply comes chiefly through Chinese gardeners, who display great aptitude in this branch of industry. In mining operations many horses are employed, and the feed necessary for their sustenance is furnished mostly by the surrounding farmers.
...
Charitable - The Gulgong Hospital now opened for more than four years is an institution that has been the means of doing a great deal of good and it speaks volumes for the inhabitants that it so generously supported. The comforts provided are everything that can be desired. The committee display every instinct of humanity and other officers appear to be equally interested. The number of patients is no so large now as formerly and the care of the officers has shown an improvement. Dr R H K Bennett is medical officer and Dr Wilson Ramsay secretary.
General Health - The climate is undoubtedly favourable to health and from the advantages offered this district will probably be attractive to people of all nations who seek to make new homes for themselves and estated for their families. There have been cases of fever, but most, fatal have been from accidents. The district is surrounded by a range of hills, about two thousand feet in altitude and the properties and districts we have alluded to are lying in a basin included within these ranges. The Eucalypti, a species of tree, now been favourably introduced into many parts of Europe and America, grow abundantly and the general state of health has been good. But it must be admitted that a malignant type of fever has recently made its appearance and several death’s occurred.
Geological - The whole country for miles around seem to have been formed by volcanic action, but, of philosophically considered, there is no reason to doubt the theory of Dr Darwin—who visited NSW several years since as scientific officer on Her Majesty’s ship the Beagle—made a critical examination and an interesting report to this Government. In this connection we would like to put in a word of commendation for the faithful services so distinguished a philosopher and scientist rendered to this country and her dependencies, by giving truthful descriptions to the world that had escaped the observations of all others. For thirty miles in every direction the geological formation indicates immense wealth. It is not the gold alone, but other minerals, of great value, that gives the district importance. We have quarries of sandstone and freestone available when communication with the centres of population is secured. Those who examine the monuments in the cemetery can see how
beautifully these can be wrought and embellished. It is also a remarkable fact that the copper lodes that have been tested contain a percentage of gold and silver unknown in other quarters of the globe. No doubt samples of this ore will be forwarded to the great Exhibition and will be put to scientific tests. Iron, limestone and marble are also abundant. In regard to gems, such as diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies and others, it is well known that the district abounds in them.
Education - The subject of educating children commanded much attention and every means afforded for the object. This has been a common feature upon every goldfield opened in the colonies. There are now two schools the cost of which are supplemented by Government appropriation, and two others supported by contributions from tuition. The public school under the superintendence of Mr Farr, has been in existence about two years and the number of children attending has averaged five hundred. Mr Farr is a thoroughly qualified gentleman and has accomplished assistants. The school house is located in a healthy place. The Catholic School is situated in the northern brow of the hill reaching to the town. It is under the charge of Mr and Mrs George Copins. This has about the same number of scholars attending as the Public School. There are other schools in the town that deserve mention than appears in our advertising columns. We allude to ‘Carlton Cottage’ and the one recently opened by Mr Parker.
Official - The first Commissioner appointed here was Mr Macarthur, a very good man, who had previously been well know by miners and others upon the Lambing Flat diggings, where he had been in office the head of affairs with Messrs Clarke and Shadforth. But he did not long survive the appointment here. Since his decease, Thomas Alexander Browne, Esq., has been and is now, the Police Magistrate and Warden on the goldfield; and is also Coroner. The Court is conducted with propriety, and we would also state in connection with this subject, that other magistrates appear upon the Bench and exhibit fair degree of ability. The police department has been under the control of the Police Magistrate and Inspector Medley until six months ago. We may say, with propriety and much justice that Senior Sergeant John O’Donnell has exhibited much judgement and skill in this department. We mention the named of Mr Stephen, who has been Warden’s clerk for some time, he is the nephew of the former Chief Justice and he is a worthy member of this family. Mr L S Donaldson is the Clerk of Petty Sessions and it is through him being a Justice of the Peace, that, influence? laid?, warrants and summonses issued and cases generally come before the court. The police force is very active in their effort to suppress crime and ensure the morality of the township. There have also been surveyors and other gentlemen connected with the Government in various ways who have visited the district.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, August 7, 1875
SEPTEMBER____________________
Like all large goldfields, Gulgonge has for the past many months, been suffering the vicissitudes, of a reaction from activity and bustle to that of quietude.
During the days of the heavy finds at the Blacklead and Happv Valley, everybody imagined, or seemed to imagine, that the heyday of prosperity would never have a termination. Thousands upon thousands flocked to this field, and readily obtained employment. Storekeepers erected large and expensive stores, and all went happily along; but many of the best claims became worked out, and those who had made fortunes took to the city, or fled with their gold to foreign parts. Many new leads were opened, but not equal in richness to those first discovered. Many became unemployed, or dissatisfied, and only waited for the sound of a new rush—good or bad to pack up and seek fresh fields and pastures new. The rush to Charters Towers, the Palmer, and Currajong, each took large numbers from our population. Hundreds have stopped away, while many have returned determined to give the old spot another trial. In this exodus many ran away from a certainty to seek a shadow among the many claims abandoned. I may mention that of No. 24 Blacklead, the original claimholders became dissatisfied, and considering their last washing not sufficiently remunerative abandoned the claim, and left this district. This very claim was retaken up by Messrs. Lachlan and party, who are raising payable dirt, and have traced a vein of gold for more than 500 feet across the flat. I mention this to show that in many cases shafts have been left which would give profitable employment for years to hundreds of hands.
The fact of M'Lachlan and party working this claim with profit, will lead to many more claims being worked on that lead towards the Star head. The fortnightly escort left on Tuesday with 1532 ozs. 1 dwt., which is a considerable improvement upon the previous one. But in mining matters there is nothing very new to report. The Welcome reef have just finished crushing a lot of 100 tons of stone, yielding 103 ounces. The stone at this reef is comparatively easily got, and can more than keep the battery supplied. Arrangements have been made with Mr. John Scully for erecting the company's new battery, and his engine and boiler upon the ground of the claim, which when completed will in every way be a great saving, and instead of carting as at present, nearly six miles, it will as soon as raised be landed into the engine-house. Upon this line of reef a great many shafts have been put down, but up to the present time none have been fortunate enough to strike the reef.
Some start distance from the reef, upon the three-mile, Twins and party, at a depth of 100 feet, came across a good prospect, alluvial. A few days since a well-defined reef was discovered, about two miles from Glazier's paddock. Gold was plainly to be seen in the stone. The consequence is that leases have been applied for by Dickie and party and Levy and party, in all 14 acres.
At the Moonlight the lease claims including 4, 5, 6, are still busy clearing the old drives which is 180 feet of the silt, and accumulation of dirt, while laying idle for two years, and are about commencing drives east and west, at 133 feet from the shaft where good prospects were obtained, before the party were washed out. For two years and upwards these claims have been kept idle, most of the time from the fact of the lease not being forthcoming from the Government. However, Mr. Selff's engine is doing its work well, and I hope in my next to be able to report that the shareholders have that which will reward them for all their labour and perseverance.
Mr. John Macdonald, private postman, secretary, and librarian of the School of Arts, assistant secretary of the Progress Committee, and one of the committee of our local hospital, has been missing* for a week, and some anxiety respecting him is felt.
Trade of every description is dull. There is at present a good demand for horses, draught and saddle.
Amusements. — On Saturday at the Home Rule, and Monday at Gulgong, a benefit was given to Mr. W. H. Sawbridge, Mr, and Mrs. M'Donald. The attendance at each place was small. On Wednesday, the 15th, a benefit is to be given to Mr. F. Sharp, upon which occasion a number of gentlemen amateurs from Mudgee will appear.
Source: Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931) Sat 11 Sep 1875 Page 5*1875 - [MISSING]Since the sudden departure of John Macdonald, secretary of the School of Arts, several meetings of the committee to have been held to inquire into the state of their affairs, and the defalcations are found to exceed by far what was it first supposed. The matter, after due investigation, has been left to the trustees, who, I understand, are all at issuing a warrant for the apprehension of the late secretary.
INSOLVENCIES
INSOLVENCIES OF THE QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1875.
|
|
Estimated |
|
|
|
Liabilities |
Assets |
|
Ludvig Hasenkam, Gulgong, miner |
73 7 4 |
5 6 0 |
|
James Inglis, Gulgong, miner |
260 8 6 |
6 0 0 |
|
Spiro Muscuri Bennetato, Parkes, miner
(Spiro Bennett) |
186 15 6 |
10 6 6 |
|
William Pitt Kitchen, Gulgong miner |
190 15 0 |
5 0 0 |
|
William Rayner, Mudgee, drover |
45 0 0 |
5 0 0 |
|
William Jex, Gulgong, miner |
154 5 0 |
5 0 0 |
|
Thomas Bowman Scurrah, Gulgong, barber |
445 6 2 |
4 15 6 |
|
Herbert Farr, Gulgong, teacher |
47 13 3 |
11 17 6 |
OCTOBER____________________
GULGONG. October 13. Business of every description is still very dull here, with no chance at the present of improving. The refusal of the Government to open for selection the non-auriferous lands around this district will be the means of making things considerably worse, and will drive away many who have accumulated a little capital to seek other places to invest, and those who depend upon labour to following, to seek employment. By the falling off in the yields of the mines, a large population cannot be supported in the district, its sole dependence being mining. A few years since there were hundreds of claims working, paying and giving employment to all. But now that the larger portion of them have either been worked out, abandoned, or found not to be payable the mass of the people must find other employment, and the opening up of the lands would have filled that vacuum. At the present time there are not a dozen dividend-paying claims, nor fifty wages-paying claims in Gulgong.
NOVEMBER____________________
GULGONG. To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
Sir,—We the undersigned, beg of you to allow us space in your valuable journal to bring before the public of New South Wales, and the representatives of our district especially, the grievances we have laboured under for the last four years, with the view of having them redressed, although we have agitated the matter and petitioned the Government month after month and year after year, only to be put off with promises.
When we consider that the Government has received from this goldfield a revenue of nearly a quarter of a million sterling (which can be proved by statistics) for the last four years, we think every right-minded man must admit that we are entitled to a fair share of expenditure, to which every district is entitled at the expense of the public Treasury. Unfortunately, we have been altogether neglected by our Government, as only the sum of £225 has been expended on our streets during the last four years.
We applied for a municipal district as long ago as 1873, and although we have continually been agitating the same, we were always being told it is under consideration with the view of its being gazetted, and at last receive a letter from the Colonial Secretary's office, stating that the municipality could not be gazetted as the area applied for larger than the Act allowed. Now the matter of fact is that we applied to the Government surveyor, who resided here then, to map off the boundaries of fifty square miles before we submitted them to the public meeting; and because the surveyor made a mistake we are told that we must lose our rights as colonists. This was plainly pointed out to the Government, and the Colonial Secretary was asked to instruct the Surveyor-General to reduce the area so as to bring it within the limits by law allowed, with the view of having it speedily gazetted. The Government will not even allow us to tax ourselves for our own benefit, and for sanitary purposes.
Your remarks in your leader of Friday last come very apropos, in which you speak of the marvellous ramification of the American system of local government, namely :—
"The whole public domain is surveyed and divided by parallel lines into townships of thirty-six square miles, with sections of 640 acres intervening between the adjacent townships. Within the boundaries of every township two sections of 640 acres each are reserved by law for the establishment and support of common schools. Thus the very first settler finds a municipality mapped out ready for his hand, and a set of well-digested and well-tried regulations prepared for his adoption."
What a difference and contrast between America and New South Wales—the one giving all facilities, and the other, by red tape, all obstruction possible, to new settlements.
We applied for a bridge on Reedy Creek some two years since, and were told by the Minister for Works, that the road superintendent did not think it necessary, as the bridge over the Cudgegong at Slasher's Flat would, answer all the purpose; although one is seven miles south, and the other four miles north of Gulgong, and all the traffic from Talbragar, Denisontown, Coolah, Mundooran, Coonamble, and Coonabarabran have to cross Ready Creek before reaching the Slasher's Flat Bridge.
We applied to have a sum of money placed on the Estimates for the water supply of Gulgong, the same as had been done for Hill End, but have never heard whether it has been done or not; although it is of the utmost necessity to the district both as regard to health and also in regard to fires, as the water for the town has to be carted two miles from some old abandoned shafts that may give out at any time during a severe summer, and the inhabitants cannot think the water wholesome when, on standing for half an hour, a scum half an inch thick is to be perceived on the surface of the cask. We hope that our representatives will see that this promise is fulfilled, and the money placed on this year's Estimate.
We have applied for a Land and Survey Office for this town several times, but have never received an answer. We have to go into Mudgee first to see which allotment it is that is advertised, and then go again and bid for it at the Mudgee Court House 20 miles away, necessitating a journey twice to Mudgee. The inhabitants of this town are quite as numerous as in Mudgee, and we cannot see why this boon should not be granted to us.
We applied for a District Court here, and were told that the Judge did not think it necessary, although the Judge could come here from Mudgee at a trifling expense, hold his Court, and proceed on to Wellington, whereas now hundreds of people are obliged to go into Mudgee at great expense of time and money.
Seeing the way all our petitions get shelved, we determined to have something done to drain and repair the streets, and our Progress Committee was asked to petition the Minister for Works to have £500 placed on the Estimates for this year for said purpose. The answer received was that there was no money out of an unexpended vote available, but that this matter would be taken into consideration in connexion with the municipality. Had the Government granted us our wishes there would have been no necessity for appointing a medical commission to inquire into the sanitary condition of Gulgong, and the lives of four and three in several families who died from typhoid would not have been lost, the money of the commission would have been saved, and our town improved. Really the system of penny wise and pound foolish is literally the truth here.
We applied to have the non-auriferous lands thrown open for free selection, and the reply is that the Minister for Mines is opposed to it, and it cannot therefore be granted. Really the more new Government offices are opened, the more the circumlocution of these offices try how not to do it. There are thousands of acres lying idle which have been prospected for years, and it is well known are not auriferous, but cannot be made useful to anybody, and therefore must lie valueless for years; while all our miners, who have made their capital here, are leaving this for other districts where they can select, being unable to do so here, to the ruin of our business men, who have invested their all here. Surely such thickheadedness and stupidity at an incompetent Government cannot be allowed to go on for ever.
Now after having stated our grievances, we hope that the publication of this letter in your valuable and impartial journal will have the effect of opening the eyes of our representatives, as it cannot be a matter of indifference to them that they have not been able to do a single thing for us the last four years past. We were under the impression that if we sent representatives to Parliament who were firm supporters of the Robertson Government our grievances would be at once redressed; but alas! the result has proved that election promises go for nothing.
We hereby call upon our representatives to make their voices heard, both in the Ministers' room and in Parliament; and if they should not succeed in getting redress we will strengthen their hands by holding mass meetings, and go in a body to Parliament house with the petitions in our hands, and demand as our rights what we cannot succeed in obtaining by humble petitions.
We remain your obedient servants,
JOHN SCULLY, W. LUFF, JOHN HUNTER, ALEX. McCULLOCK, G. SHARMAN, PATRICK O'NEILL, ROBT. ROBINSON; WOODS, BROTHERS, and CO.; C. DRISCOLL, CHARLES SMITHERS, THOS. McDONAGH, S. SAMPER, C. R. YOUNG, WILLIAM BOOTH and CO., ROBERT BROWN and CO., CHAS. BIRD.
Gulgong, November 9.
DECEMBER - ACCIDENT. - An accident occurred to James McKenna, shoer, at Smith's forge, Mayne-street, on the morning of Thursday, 25th ult., about 10 o'clock. While shoing a rather restless horse, he was violently kicked in the pit of the stomach, which rendered him perfectly insensible for a time.
Medical assistance was at once called for, and when I last saw him he had almost recovered. The trade is certainly a dangerous one, and I need not say that those engaged in it can not be too careful. The young man has been known to me for some years, and I can speak of him as being a good tradesman.
DECEMBER - WOOL.- Teams are almost daily passing on their way to Sydney from stations on the Castlereagh and the Darling, with tons of wool, clean or in grease.It was only to-day that two teams passed with 32 bales, the property of Mr. J. Bonnar, of the Castlereagh. Three heavily-loaded horse teams with wool, the property of Mr. Watt, of Pine Ridge, went through the township, en route for the city, a few days ago. Teams with wool belonging to Mr. George Hoskins, of Moblar, and to Mrs. Richardson, of Murrygon.
