1892 - IN AND AROUND GULGONG
1. The New Town Hall. 2. The Police Barracks. 3. Herbert-street, looking North. 4. Post Office. 5. Mayne- street, looking West.
The township has a very interesting history, as will be gathered from the following: —
The township of Gulgong was brought into existence through the discovery of gold by Saunders and party, who in the year 1870, obtained some 60oz. of gold on Old Surface Hill, and subsequently found gold on the famous Red Hill, supposed to be the fountain-head of the goldfield. This caused a rush of miners to the field, who shortly discovered the famous Black Lead, Happy Valley, and Standard leads. This was followed by a rush of 20,000 people to the field, who opened up no less than 25 payable leads, some of the claims yielding more than £10,000 per share per man. It is estimated that the total yield for the first five years of the field was 18 tons of gold, and up to the present 25 tons have been raised, a really magnificent yield. A large township sprung up as if by magic, and for years business of all descriptions flourished, until the claims began to get worked out. The fortunate ones then decamped, leaving the less fortunate ones to pick up the remnants, such as is left on all declining goldfields. And who is the miner that was on the field some 18 years ago who will not heave a sigh over the memory of the good old times when the grand washing of a 1lb. weight of gold to the load was echoed, and the thoughts of life on a new goldfield, such as Gulgong was in its palmy days.
Like many of our old goldfields, there is, however, much in Gulgong at the present time that is of interest. The old leads were most of them very rich —viz., the Black Lead, the Standard, the Happy Valley, the Caledonian, Rouse's Paddock, and the various leads at Home Rule, Stott's Paddock, and Canadian (the last mentioned with its great dykes of pug in the limestone), and were left by the miners on account of the gold running out, as it seemed, in some, and in some because the lead ran into deep and wet ground.
Although it may be that this deep and wet ground is as good or better than the shallow and dry, it takes money to open up such claims, and the individual miner could not cope with it without capital. Of late, however, Mr. Frame Fletcher, a mining engineer and practical miner, impressed with the great probability of , there being large deposits of gold left in these old leads, has been to England twice, and induced London capitalists to invest to give the far-famed deep leads of Gulgong a thorough practical trial. He formed three, different companies, and all registered in London with ample working funds. Mr. F. Fletcher, who is now the lessee and managing director, is to be congratulated on the success achieved. Great interest is now being manifested in the work, as on the successful issue or otherwise of the venture the mining future of the deep leads of Gulgong may be said to depend for at least this generation.
The township of Gulgong is situated on high ground, a continuation or graduating spur of the Red Hill, with a gradual slope bearing to the surrounding, gold-bearing and fertile flats. It is notably a clean town, and is considered to be the healthiest place in the district.
Viewing the surrounding mountains from the hill, it appears like one grand amphitheatre. The business places comprise two banks, eight hotels, six general stores, two produce stores, two bakers, three butchers, two saddlers, two barbers, two chemists, one doctor, two stationers, one watchmaker, one tailor, four blacksmiths, one cordial manufacturer, one printer, one draper, one billiard saloon, two Flower [sic] mills (one roller and one stone), and several minor places.
The. resorts for amusements comprise a theatre, Star Hall, and Oddfellows Hall. Places of worship—Church of England, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and two Salvation Army barracks. Gulgong has a hospital, library, public school, and Convent school. Societies — Agricultural, building, Oddfellows, and Orange. Industries — The Butter Factory commenced operations in October last, and is considered one of the completest buildings, and the machinery the most improved, in the colonies. It is erected on a most favourable site, 10 acres, purchased from the Government in the centre of the common, which is 40 square miles in extent. It is well watered and grassed, and provides water for the public at 3d per cask. The demand, however, is small, unless in an exceptionally dry season, as there is a bountiful supply in the whole of the surroundings.
Recreation grounds comprise a racecourse, Victoria Park, a people's park, and agricultural showgrounds. There is also a courthouse, police camp and lock-up, post and telegraph office, savings' bank, and money-order office. The population is about 1600, as taken last census.
In the vicinity farming operations are carried on to a large extent. The land, with its fine chocolate soil, is considered second to none for wheat-growing. Fruits of all descriptions will grow in abundance, and it is beyond question that all the land around Gulgong only wants tickling with, the hoe to produce almost any crop.
Source: The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912) Sat 13 Feb 1892 Page 361
