Monday, August 9, 2021

COURT HOUSE

The original courthouse located in the police compound, Gulgong 1872
Source: SLNSW

NEWS ITEMS

1871 - [FURNITURE]
A somewhat strange announcement appears in the Sydney papers, to the effect that a tender has been accepted for the supply of furniture for the Court House at Gulgong. As there is no Court House at Gulgong, though the lock-up, the Commissioner’s office and Cogden’s theatre are miscellaneously used for the purpose, we fancy that some other town is the recipient of this ministerial favour.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 28, 26 August 1871

1871 - [TEMPORARY COURT HOUSE]
A special petty sessions of justices will be held at the temporary court-house, Gulgong, on Tuesday, the
14th March next, for the purpose of granting publicans' licenses.
Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 11 Mar 1871 Page 6

1871 - THE NEW COURT-HOUSE.
This edifice is rapidly approaching completion, and it is said will be finished within one month. From the quality and dimensions of the timber used, and the manner in which it is being put together, we judge that permanency as well as convenience are the leading ideas of the builders.

1871 - DESTROYED
On Thursday the town was visited by a heavy hurricane, accompanied with rain and lighting. The latter struck the new Court-house, completely straining it, and splitting the upper and lower plates on one side, which it shattered, and then threw the fragments a distance of forty feet, completely levelling the building to the ground. The damage is estimated at £50.

1872 - [COURT HUT]
The Court-house, or rather Court-shed, is at last occupied, and reflects unbounded credit on the worthy official who so ably designed this — another "Government job." He ought to come to Gulgong and take lessons in "hut" building.

1872 - A COURT HOUSE ON THE DIGGINGS
The new Court-house (says the 'Gulgong Argus') was opened for business, for the first time, on Tuesday. It is a mere shed, entirely unfurnished. The desk for the Police Magistrate has an incline which reaches to his knees, and the affair is so inconvenient that the Justices will have to hold their ink bottles in one hand while they take notes with the other. There is no dock for the prisoner, no box for the witnesses, no table or chairs for the lawyers or their "fair cherubs", no desk for the clerk, and no place for a water bottle.

1877- [IMPROVEMENTS]
Our Court-house is about to undergo some material alterations. This is not before it was wanted. The tender of Henry Bennett at £262 being accepted therefor.

1877 - [DETAILS]
Mr. Henry Bennett, the contractor, is busy making the alteration and improvements in our Court-house; the whole building is being lined with grooved and tongued Baltic pine, surmounted with architraves. New windows are to be put in, and the whole place painted inside and out. When this contract is completed the place will assume something like a Court of Justice, and it is to be hoped there will be little or no more grumbling.


1877 - [OPEN]
The Court-house was opened on Wednesday last — the first time since the alteration. It is now neat and comfortable, without an ostentatious show.

1896 - GULGONG. (Advertiser.)
Sign of the Times.— There is great evidence that mining in and around Gulgong is looking up and that there will be some sensational developments shortly. The notice boards at the Court House and Post Office are crowded with applications to mine.

Gulgong Court House, Herbert Street
Source: Barbara Gurney


1899 - Gulgong Mems.
The new Court House is now finished, and is a very nice building, and has a very natty appearance. Mr. Hill, the contractor, is to be complimented upon the manner in which he has carried out the work.

1899 - Gulgong Court House.
On Friday, Mr. T. H. Wilkinson, P.M., formally opened the new Court House, at Gulgong. The building is a capacious one, and should serve public requirements for many a long day. The old building will now be used as a Mechanics Institute.

Gulgong Old Court House. Works Department. Sydney, August 9, 1899
Sir,—I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, asking that the old Court House at Gulgong be removed and re-erected as a reading room for the Mechanics' Institute, and to inform you that a further communication will shortly be made to you on the subject. — R. Hickson
A report, which I have seen, in reply to a former application, states that the old building at one end is only a step or two off the new one, and white ants being in hive in the old, it is not advisable to leave the old structure as at present. Hence my further request. An officer in the Department assured me the
ants are to be got rid of from the timber

1900 - The Gulgong Court House.
The other day we inspected the Gulgong Court House, which is a most ornate building, with marble mantle pieces, elaborate cedar fittings and doors. There is extensive accommodation, and we cannot help thinking that too much money has been spent. We do not make this remark in any spirit of hostility to our neighbor, but when we think of the wretched accommodation provided at bush schools, both for scholars and teachers, the conclusion is forced upon us that some of the money spent on the very elaborate building referred to might have been better spent on providing better schools for the children who dwell in the country.

1901 - GULGONG OLD COURT HOUSE.
The Under-Secretary for Public Works at last replies to frequent representations on my part, intimating that the Departmental head has approved of the removal of the old Court House at Gulgong, and a buggy shed and loose-box being erected in connection with the police station at that place.

1912 - Telephone at Gulgong Court House.
The Justice Department has granted an application made by the Gulgong Council for a telephone at the
Court House.
Posted by at