William Selff was the first owner of the block at 102 Mayne Street (Section 3 Allotment 7). He purchased it from the Government on 26 September 1872 for three pounds and sixteen shillings. He also purchased the adjacent block where he established the Sportsman's Arms Hotel and a separate triangular block at the back on Queen Street.
This photograph [below] is of particular interest for three reasons: Firstly, it is considerably earlier than the Merlin series [Beaufoy Merlin, Holtermann Collection], pre-dating Anthony Trollope’s visit of October, 1871, as the rebuilding of the hotel was already well advanced by that date; secondly, the open window of that building is almost certainly T. A. Browne’s combined bedroom-office, for we know that at first he (and no doubt his clerk) had to issue the Miners' Rights through his hotel bedroom window; and, thirdly, the police officer to the left may well be the popular and respected Sub-Inspector Medley, who appears in "The Miner’s Right” in the guise of Inspector Merlin. (Original loaned by A. J . Brigden)
Barnes’ Mudgee Drug Store in Gulgong
Top photograph by C. H. Tullett, pre-1871
2nd photograph, Holtermann Collection, 1872 Source: SLNSW
McCulloch's Booksellers and Stationers, 1870s and 1881
Source: Kris Jacobsen, descendant
Souter's Corner, year unknown
1914 - McCULLOCH
Mr. Alexander McCulloch, a pioneer colonist, died at his residence, at Darlinghurst. Sydney, recently. He arrived in Melbourne from Scotland in 1852 and joined in the great rush to the Ballarat gold diggings. Later he went to Lambing Flat, and with varying fortunes afterwards, followed the occupation of a miner at Bendigo, Fiery Creek, Ararat, and Rutherglen, in Victoria, and Gulgong, Young, Gundagai and Parkes in this State.
He was in business for some years at Gulgong. He has left a widow and two sons and three daughters. Deceased was a brother to Mr. E. McCulloch, of Mayne street. Gulgong, and will be remembered by many of the old hands. He conducted the first newsagency business in Gulgong in the old days, and owned Souter's Corner, which he sold for £90.
The Department of Lands wrote asking council's final approval of the alignment of that portion of Mayne-street near Souter's Corner, and stating that the half cost of same was £3/9/, and asking Council to forward the balance of £1/1/6. Council decided to forward the account on to Tooth and Co for payment.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 24 Dec 1914 Page 30
1924 - MAYNE STREET REALIGNMENT
"Wait Till I Get You in a Quiet Corner" - Alderman Have Violent Verbal Duel POLICE SERGEANT'S SLUMBERS DISTURBED, BUT FINDS ClVIC PEACE RESTORED—MAYNE STREET REALIGNMENT CAUSES THE TROUBLE.
Municipal polemics reached their limit at the last meeting of the Gulgong Council. Aldermen had many heated exchanges, and when an interjector. Mr. H. A. Porter, refused to retreat from the room the Mayor sent for the police. Sergeant McDonald arrived later, but the offenders had left the building. The display of aldermanic fireworks was enjoyed by a number of ratepayers.
...
ALIGNMENT OF MAYNE-ST.
Mr. H. Porter's application to build business premises in Mayne Street, and request for alignment and levels were incorporated in the new alignment of Mayne Street.
The Mayer warned the aldermen that although he was not going to apply the gavel he would only give each alderman reasonable time to debate the question. They seldom had an opportunity to widen the streets, and now one had arrived they should grasp it. The street was not only crooked, but had a carriage way of 30ft which was not safe for vehicular traffic. The committee recommended that it be widened by 10ft, with an 8ft. footpath. It would be an expense to ratepayers, but they would get something for their money. It would ensure safety, and there was no probability of it inflicting hardships on anyone. He hoped that the discussion would be free from personalities.
The report was taken in sections. No. 1 section including the new alignment for the southern side of Mayne Street. Ald. Souter, referring to the Mayor's statement with regard to having the opportunity to widen the streets, said that a previous council had the opportnhity of widening that part of the street in front of Messrs. Loneragan's, and the A.B.C. Bank, which was the narrowest and liveliest part of the town. Ald. Souter, who had raised his voice to a high pitch, said he believed there was a motive behind the proposal, and if there was it should be kept out.
"You," he said, addressing the Mayor, "say it is not going to cost much. It is a bait in a mouse trap. We are short of money, and previous councils with more money, did not attempt to widen the streets because, the members of them had more sense. Where does the motive come in—to stop another man from building a shop? No sensible man would build a business house if he was going to be shut in behind another shop?"
He moved that the whole recommendation be thrown out, adding that it was a disgrace to the men who introduced it here. If it were, carried he would challenge the aldermen to resign and see if the ratepayers would put them in again. The motion was not seconded.
Ald. Williams said that if other councils made mistakes it was no reason why this Council should do the same thing. He moved that the alignment, as recommended for the southern side, be adopted. Ald. Snelson seconded, and the motion was carried.
Ald. Stahl said that Ald. Souter had stated that there was a motive behind the proposal. Unfortunately the matter had cropped up when an application to build was received, and the application was one to build on the northern side, which was most affected.
Ald. Brigden: In the event of the proposal regarding the southern side being adopted and that for the northern side being thrown out, where are we? Ald. Bensley: We cannot deal with one side unless we deal with the other.
Ald. Souter: I own a piece of land on the southern side, but if I want to build on it I do not want to go half way up the back yard. The motion referring to the southern side was carried.
No. 2 section dealt with the alignment from Souter's corner to the intersection of Mayne and Medley streets.Ald. Williams moved that the recommendation for the new alignment be adopted.
Ald. Souter: Without knowing anything of the cost?
Ald. Williams: Never mind about the cost.
Ald. Souter: It is all very well for Ald. Williams to move a motion, but his rates will not be touched. The town ratepayers will have to pay.
Ald. Williams' motion was not seconded.
Ald. Souter moved that the proposal be thrown out, but he, too, failed to find a seconder.
Ald. Bensley said they had to consider that possibly they would be hindering the progress of the town. If they could resume the whole lot, and had money, he would say do it. Personally if he was a speculator, he wold not build if he had to go in behind some one else.
Ald Bensley wanted to move that the previous motion dealing with the southern side be rescinded but the Mayor disallowed it.
Ald. Stahl moved that the matter be referred back to the committee for further consideration.
He declared that the council decided to resume land on the northern side before Mr. Porter decided to build in Mayne Street. There was no motive as far as he was concerned. It was generally agreed that they would take into consideration anybody who might be going to build.
Ald. Stahl met with the same fate as movers of previous motions. There was no seconder.
Ald. Bensley then moved, and Ald. Souter seconded, that the proposal be thrown out, and that the previous resolution on council to take a piece off the corner be adhered to.
Ald. Brigden: If this resolution is carried it only touches Mr. Woods' block.
The Mayor: Be quite willing to penalise Mr. Woods but no one else!
Ald. Bensley: The man who builds on Mr. Woods' block has the corner, and is not going back.
Ald. Souter (to Ald. Bensley): Move that a little piece be taken off Mrs. Rilev,'s block.
Ald. Bensley: Just a little piece.
Ald. Souter : Yes, an inch if you like. (Laughter.)
Ald. Brigden said that when the A.B.C. Bank bought the land on which the bank now stands, they gave the council enough land to widen that part of the street, which was now a safe corner. The proposed new alignment would go back three feet from Watts' butcher shop. The motor traffic was getting so acute that they wanted all the width possible. He would favor anything that gave relief.
Ald. Souter: Ald. Brigden's statement in reference to the bank is misleading. The bank notified the council that they wanted to go back and the council offered £20 for the land they cut-off. The bank would not accept the £20 because it would depreciate the value of their own land. He did not think the bank ever gave the council the land.
Ald. Williams said that Ald. Brigden was inconsistent. He was in favor of the proposal but he would not second the motion. They had a chance to put Ald. Souter's building back.
Ald. Souter: I will bet you £100 I am on the line. Will you bet? No; you haven' t the pluck to bet.
Ald. Williams. If I get you in a quiet corner I will show you. You talk to me outside like that not at the council table. Your building is not further out than I would have it if I had my way. I am in that happy position that I have no axe to grind. The general ratepayers are as anxious to have it done just as much as the town ratepayers.
Ald. Bensley: It is with a view to the future that I moved my motion. Are we going to hold up the progress of the town for __ years to widen the street at __ place now? We cannot widen it all. We would still have an angle in the street. There is nothing to stop the council making it one way traffic.
Ald. Bensley's motion was put to the meeting and was defeated.
The Mayor, exercising his right to a casting vote.
Ald. Stahl then moved and Ald. Williams seconded, that the matter be referred back for further consideration.
Ald. Bensley: I fail to see where we are going to have any greater brains if we meet again. If we cannot decide it tonight, we certainily cannot decide it next week.
Here Mr. Porter interjected and Ald. Stahl protested it.
The Mayor: I will have you removed, Mr. Porter.
Mr. Porter: I challenge you to.
Ald. Stahl to resign and I will contest the seat against you.
Ald. Stahl's motion was defeated.
Ald. Bensley, to reach finality, moved that the recommendation for the northern side be accepted. Ald. Williams seconded.
Ald. Souter: It is a lapsed action.
The Mayor: You did not object before. I am going to accept the motion anyhow.
Ald. Souter : I will raise an objection.
The Mayor: Raise it if you like.
Ald. Souter: I want my objection recorded.
The resolution was then carried.
No. 3 section referred to the part from Medley to Crown street and on the motion of Ald. Bensley, seconded by Ald. Snelson, the scheme was accepted.
Ald. Brigden moved, and Ald. Bensley seconded that steps be taken to have the new alignment put into effect straight away and that Mr. Gormly be asked to carry out the work.
It was moved by Ald. Brigden, seconded by Ald. Allen, that the department be asked to send along a suryeyor to direct the official alignment of Mayne Street as passed.
Ald. Williams moved, and Ald. Brigden seconded; that Mr. Porter's application to build be granted subject to his building on the line as laid down by the council.
The meeting terminated at 11 5 p.m.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 4 Sep 1924 Page 2
1946 - NEW CHEMIST FOR GULGONG
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This week will see the opening of the new and modern chemist shop and pharmacy at Souter's Corner (next to the Commercial Hotel). Mr. K. J. Smith has made many alterations to this corner shop, and on completion, should prove to be one of the brightest and most attractive premises in the town. We wish Mr. Smith every success in his new venture.
Frank Halloran had a shop at Souter's corner from 19xx to xxxx. Councillor, Josh Davis used to sit on the gutter in front of Frank Hallaron's shop and meet with many men of the district, talking of the things happening in and around Gulgong and how he could get things done for them! After a couple of years, a seat was built at the wall of Frank's shop for him and his mates to sit comfortably on.
Source: Jennifer Hogden (daughter of Josh Davis)Ted Tayler had a fruit and veg shop on the corner, possibly around 1965.
Don Maclean's Gulgong Electrical Centre, 1967
Photo by Richard Stringer
Source: State Library of Queensland
Shop signage and bus top, 1967
Old shed (stables?) in back yard
Don Maclean's Vespa parked outside the shop, 1967
