1891
Mr. Young's new roller mill at Gulgong, with electric light attached, is now in full swing, working splendidly.
Source: The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 - 1909) Wed 28 Oct 1891 Page 51892 - A SENSATION AT GULGONG
At the Police Court, Gulgong, last week, Alfred Davis, a machine fitter, was charged with maliciously destroying machinery in connection with the electric light in C. R. Young's roller mill. The evidence showed that in February last, it was discovered that about four inches had been cut out of the 'Shunt' wire conducting the electric light.
Mr. Young offered £160 reward for the discovery of the perpetrator, and this was the offence with which the accused was now charged. The peculiar feature of the case was the evidence of James Brunelle Beard, a marine engineer, who alleged that he and accused, Davis, had been working at Mr. Young's mill for Mr. Rhodes the contractor, and he was dismissed without any reason being given. He then went to Mr. Young and told him that the machinery supplied by Mr. Young was defective. After some talk between them, Mr. Young offered him (Beard) £150 and authorised him to promise accused (Davis) £70 if they would prove that the machinery was defective, and that Rhodes and Davis knew it at the time. This was done, and Rhodes supplied a new engine and dismissed Davis. Mr. Young then gave Beard £5 and a £2 cheque, and refused to give him any more, but told they could sue him if they had any further claim. They then consulted about taking revenge, and Davis said he "would do the Forbes trick" the same as he served old "Goggle Eyes"— Paul Collett, explaining that he would nip the shunt wire out of the electric lighting apparatus. Beard objected that he (Beard) would get the blame and be "lumbered" for it, but eventually, lent Davis some clothes which would not show in the moonlight and some tools. In about 20 minutes Davis returned, showing a piece of wire which he said was piece of the shunt wire. The next day Davis told Beard it was "all up" as "the girl" felt the nippers in his pocket and had "rucked" on him, and he offered Beard £20 to "square it " so as to take the blame off him (Davis) and to clear out. Beard took the money and "cleared out," but did not square it as agreed. He received from Mr. Young through Mr. Rhodes, a written offer to pay him (Beard) £75 in the event of Davis being convicted on the present charge. (Mr. Young admitted making the offer). Several other witnesses gave evidence of threats made by Beard against Young, and other matters indirectly bearing on the case, and Davis was committed for trial.
Medley Street
The building on the left (above) was the original power house supplying electricity to Gulgong. It was operated by Les Norris. It produced power from 6am till midnight.
Source: Colin Evans
In the 1970s the building was known as the Phonograph Parlour and housed a collection of phonograph players and a small collection of silent movies.
Tricia and Colin Bromley, Christmas Day, 1967
Source: David Bromley
David, Jennie, Colin and Tricia Bromley. Margaret and Muriel (mother) are in the background.
Christmas Day, 1967
Source: David Bromley
The Bromley family arrived in Gulgong from London at the end of May 1967. They moved into 53 Mayne Street Gulgong after spending a few weeks at the Commercial Hotel because the house was still under construction.
The house at 53 was built and owned by the Ulan County Council, the providers of electricity to the region. It cost $13,000 which was more than double the value of most houses in Gulgong at the time. It was opened to the public on one occasion to show what could be done with electricity. It had a heated towel rail, electric oven (most people had a wood stove at the time) and indirect lighting in the lounge. Florescent lights were located behind a reflector and aimed at the ceiling in the lounge. The house had a Westinghouse air conditioner on the side. This was a noisy unit and it vibrated so much the house shook and it was unusable. It was soon installed away from the house with two canvas ducts connecting it to the air vents on the inside wall so the house didn't shake.
