Powder Magazine on Magazine Hill
Source: Parish Map, 1887, HLRV
A fire in Herbert Street in 1872 that burned down Asher's store was a wake-up call for Gulgong as these articles explained:
Great fears were entertained that the fire would prove a Chicago affair on a small scale owing to many of the stores keeping a large stock of blasting powder on hand for miners. Exaggerated rumors as to the quantity tended to keep the crowd at a respectable distance. We are strongly of the opinion that the Government should provide a small magazine in which all powder should be stored at a reasonable rental. It would repay its cost in less than a year, and the feeling of safety it would create would in the case of another fire would give fire fighters greater confidence in saving life and property.Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue 72, April 24, 1872
The keeping on the premises in many of the stores of a quality of blasting powder is a danger but of a limited kind if ordinary precautions are used. If the kegs are kept tied up in bags, and stored in a detached building not entered after dark, the danger from this source is in reality a remote one. In the absence of a magazine, storekeepers must keep power on the premises some-where, as on all the leads it is in daily use in every claim sinking. We have seen it in stores in this town exposed to the danger arising from the lighted pipes of customers; this was of course gross carelessness en-gendered from habit; but none but a lazy idiotic trader would be guilty of such a criminal act. It is the duty of the Government to provide a suitable receptacle for explosive substances. They do it in Sydney, and why not out of it? They extract a very large revenue from this goldfield, and stick to it very tenaciously; and as providing a magazine is only protecting the lives and property of the people, there cannot, we think, be any doubt whose duty it is to do so. If a magazine were built, all persons selling power would be only too glad to secure it and pay a rent. It is difficult to estimate the quantity stored in the town, but judging from the large general consumption it cannot be a small amount. We remember on a goldfield in another Colony the same danger existed as here - the Government built a magazine, and during the first five days it was opened, over 14 tons of power was lodged in it out of stores in the town. Gulgong, we think could make a good show if a magazine were provided. Will our paternal Govern-ment provide one and thus do its duty?Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue 72, April 24, 1872
FRESH TENDERS will be received from persons willing to contract for the erection of a KEROSENE OIL MAGAZINE on Magazine Hill. Plans and specification may be seen at the Colonial Architects Office Sydney or at the Court House, Gulgong - JOHN SUTHERLAND.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, August 13, 1873
1874 - THE MAGAZINE
The Magazine buildings are now finished and ready for handing over by the contractor Mark Smith, to the appointed officer of the Government. They are uniform in size and in external appearance, but the interior arrangements of the two are widely different. The kerosene magazine is without shelves, these being unnecessary. The floor of Portland cement; the brick made at Reedy Creek are excellent in quality and resist the dampness of the heaviest rains. The stone used was brought from the Talbragar and is beautifully white and fine in grain. Iron has been excluded altogether, save in the case of lighting conductor, which lead down into a deep well excavated from the solid rock. The door keys are of brass and all the apertures for ventilation are of the same metal; while the nails and spikes are of stout copper, and all the solid fixings of the interior of the powder magazine are of stout timber exceedingly well put together. The labour required for the construction was much greater than the contractor bargained for; the locality being difficult of approach from the height and steepness of the hill and the formation being of the hardest slate rock, split in huge junks and standing on end. But the execution of the work is nevertheless perfect, as far as we are able to judge of it, and reflects credit on the industrious and intelligent contractor, Mark Smith.
Source: GULGONG EVENING ARGUS - April 18, 1874A few months ago the powder and kerosene magazines were completed on the hill near the old Moonlight, since which they have not been made any use of, nor have the Government appointed any person to take charge of them. If our friends, Messrs. Buchanan and O'Connor, would give a reminder in the right quarter, no doubt this oversight will be soon rectified. On this goldfield a large quantity of powder, dynamite, kerosene, and other combustible matter is in constant use, and it was for the safety of the town which is built of wood that the magazines were erected, and it is a pity that these buildings, which have been constructed at considerable expense, should not be used for the purposes intended. Some time ago Samper and Co., storekeepers, were fined for having powder on their premises, and others my be subjected to the same fate. Surely when affairs are in this state immediate arrangements will be made for the opening of the magazines to the public.
1874 - The Magazine
Many weeks have now elapsed since the two magazines on the hill - the one for powder and the other for kerosene - were completed, but the doors are locked, no officer to take charge of them has been appointed and the storekeepers cannot make use of them. For what purpose were they built? It looks as if the Government merely intended to present the people of Gulgong with a pair of white elephants or to take the rise out of them. It must be remembered; however, that these magazines have already cost the country over 430 pounds and it is high time they were turned to profitable account.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, June 18, 1874
1874 - The Magazine
No one has yet been appointed to take charge of the powder and kerosene magazine on the Hill. They have been erected at an expense of about 430 pounds and they were finished months ago. We beg to drawn the attention of our members Messrs. J. G. O’Connor and D. Buchanan to this delay. It is ridiculous to blame the Government, for we have surely only have ourselves to find fault with. Surely Mr. Warden Browne can find some fit and proper person for the position. Large quantities of powder and dynamite are consumed here, in blasting quartz and basalt and in the still hours of the night we hear the dull booming of the exploding shots, some of them fired at a distance of nine miles. Let it be considered that this town is composed of wooden building and that in the summer weather when timber is as dry an inflammable as tinder extensive conflagration may be anticipated and if these take place in the neighbourhood of warehouses where powder, petroleum, dynamite and kerosene are stored, we may bid a good speed to the flames and pity all who go near them.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, August 11, 1874
1874 - The Magazine
Really these two buildings are a credit to the contractor, but they are no credit to the Government for they are of no use to the public. Why is someone not appointed to take charge of them and to store the powder and kerosene which is now harboured in town to the imminent hazard of the lives of the inhabitants. We have not had a general fire yet but the wood of which the buildings are composed is getting dry and old and the hot weather is approaching, and fires we are bound to anticipate. What can we do to stop a conflagration and if there is powder near the scene of a fire who will go close enough to try to stop it.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, September 8, 1874
1874 - The Powder and Kerosene Magazine
What is the Government thinking about that they erect two expensive buildings such as these and let them be idle for so many months. They were handed over to the Government in April last.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, October 20, 1874
1874 - The Magazine
It is now nearly twelve months since the powder and kerosene magazines were finished at a cost of about 450 pounds; but no use has been made of them; no keeper has been appointed and the money might as well have been flung down a shaft as expended in the way. If they do not want the building, the Government might as well raffle them for the benefit of the hospital, which is sadly in need of funds.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, November 28, 1874
At last we can congratulate Mr Sellman, the Government and the public that the buildings for the purpose of being used as a Kerosene and Powder Magazine are put to use for which they were originally intended. Mr Sellman has charge of the building and a reference to our advertising columns will show - people who have powder or kerosene oil - the charges for storing same.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, January 21, 1875
It is hereby notified to the public that the above Magazines are now open for the reception of Powder and Oil, subject to the following scale of rent and will be under the charge of Mr JAMES SELLMAN from whom all information can be obtained.
- 100lbs and over …2d per week
- 301bs " " … 1d per week
- 25lbs " " …l/2d per week
Six weeks Entrance Rent charged on all packages, after which charge will be made as to size per week. By Order AR Paton, Ordnance Storekeeper and Barrack Master.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, January 21, 1875
1876 - Snakes
Though it is rather late in the season, there are still a few reptiles about yet. Mr Lonergan on Thursday killed no less than three near the Powder Magazine.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, May 27, 1876
1877 - Another Gold Discovery at Gulgong. [By Electric Telegraph.]
GULGONG, Wednesday, 8.22 p.m.
An apparently new quartz reef was accidently discovered to-day by Charles Bell, near Jackson's tannery, on the slope of Magazine Hill. The stone shows gold freely. Several claims have been taken up.
1878 - RELUCTANT STOREKEEPERS
There is great complaint here of the Chinese store keepers being allowed to keep hundreds of cases of kerosene upon their premises. In the event of fire there would be no saving either theirs or the adjoining premises. We have here a fine magazine for the storage of powder, and a custodian with an assistant to guard the goods stored there; but it is a known fact that very little of anything is kept there, and the storekeepers seem more inclined to run the risk of explosion or fire than to deposit their stock for safe keeping in the Government building.
1901 - [RECYCLING]
Mr D Cooney is removing the old landmark by dismantling the old buildings on the Magazine Hill. The timber and bricks are in first-class condition.
Source: Gulgong Advertiser, 16 August 1901.
1901 - [BUILDING]
From the bricks which he obtained from the powder magazines, Mr D Cooney is erecting a comfortable cottage on his land in Mayne Street East [49 Mayne St].
Source: Gulgong Advertiser, 20 September 1901.
The death occurred on last Friday night under peculiar circumstances of an old identity named John Lamane, better known as Jack the shoemaker. Deceased lived in a hut on the top of Magazine Hill. On Friday afternoon he came into Gulgong to get necessary food but as it grew late and he did not return home another old man who lived in the hut with him became anxious and informed the police. A party set out with lanterns and the deceased's body was found on the side of the Magazine Hill. A 'tucker' bag was clenched in his hand. The deceased had been living in Gulgong on and off for the past 33 years. He was over 75 years of age. He was a boot maker by trade and for a number of years was in the employ of Mr Jno Appleyard.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, April 14, 1904
