This municipal township is distant about twenty miles from Mudgee, and is the centre of the once- famous Gulgong goldfield, now a large and increasing agricultural district,
- Magistrates— R. Rouse, R. Rouse, jun., C. M. Lowe, J. F. Plunkett, S. T. Bishop, S. A. Blackman
- C.P.S., Mining Regist., Regist. of Births, &c., Curator's Agent, Regist. Small Debts, Comm, for Affidavits — H. De Boos
- Warden— W. D. Meares Wardens Clerk — H. De Boos
- Sergt. of Police — G. Steele Post and Telegraph Master— A. W. Kelly
- Surgeons— B. B Floyer, also Government Medical Officer; R. H. K. Bennett
- Hospital Surgeon— R. H. K. Bennett Sec.— T. Matthews
- Municipality: Mayor — R. Stear. Clerk—-Ft. McCulloch
- Agricultural Association: Sec. —S. T. Bishop
- Chemists — Zimmler and Souter
- Stores — C. R. Young, F. W. Russell, M. Marks, R. Brown, J. Barrett
- Hotels— J Powell’s, Moverly’s, Shannon’s, Mary Powell’s, Hewitt’s, Young’s, O’Brien’s, Smith’s and White’s
- Banks :
- A.J.S.— W. R. Bentzen
- N.S.W.—H. D. Voss
- Steam Flour Mill.— William Lee
- Newspaper— People’s Advocate
- Auctioneers — Plunkett and Co., S. T. Bishop
Source: Moore's Almanac, 1889
AUGUST
MINISTERIAL VISIT TO. THE MUDGEE DISTRICT.
Upon their arrival in Mudgee on Sunday morning, Mr. Carruthers, Minister for Education, and Mr. Sydney Smith, Minister for Mines, who were accompanied by Messrs Black and Haynes, members for the Division, were received by Mr Rouse, jun, of Biraganbil, and Mr Mears, Mayor of Mudgee. They were driven out via Manah Flat skirting the Cudgegong, past Wilbertree Crossing, where it is proposed to erect a bridge, through Wilbertree, Gooree, and Cullenbone Estates, by Greenswamp, over Bellinfante Bridge, through Beaudesert Estate, and Biriganbil. Sunday was spent at the residence of Mr Rouse. On Monday morning, taking the main road to Wellington, the Minister journeyed past Guntawang to Gulgong.
From a neighbouring height they viewed a charming panorama of the rich agricultural district, bounded in the distance by thickly wooded mountains, which hem in Gulgong. Afterwards the Ministerial party, having been welcomed to the township by the Mayor, Mr R. W. Heard, paid a visit to the Public schools, and the hospital. In honour of the event a half holiday was granted to the school children. A deputation introduced by Mr Black, M L A , waited upon the Ministers. Mr R.W. Heard, the Mayor, was the chief spokesman. It was pointed out that extensive leases bad been locked up against miners. This land was the fountain head of the goldfield, but it had been leased by a company who would not fulfil the labour conditions and it was asked that either the leases should be cancelled or the labour conditions complied with. The miners asked further that the granting of mining leases should be expedited, and the prospecting votes increased Mr Smith, in reply, said he had always taken an interest in mining and he had succeeded having the vote for prospecting increased. The matter of the leases had been brought under his notice by the representatives of the district, and he had it under his consideration He had called for a report and had given directions that if the labour conditions were not complied with at once, the leases would be forfeited He was anxious to see these mines worked, and it was a cruel shame that a large number of leases should be locked up from the bona-fide miner. It was his intention to make an alteration with regard to the prospecting vote, by establishing a system under which miners applying for the vote would be able to ascertain when the board visited their districts. In the new Mining Bill, which he hoped to introduce early next session, provisions were inserted giving greater encouragement to working miners; indeed, many alterations in the existing system would be made tending largely to improve tho position of the mining population of the colony. Under the new Land Act opportunities wore offered to miners to take up small tracts of land for homesteads. He thought the wardens should have more power, and he had endeavoured to bestow it upon them; and he also intended to have plans prepared of each mining district, showing at once the leases applied for, granted, or refused.
A luncheon at Powell's Commercial Hotel followed in the order of proceedings The Mayor presided, and Mr Stear occupied the vice-chair. Among the many gentlemen present were Messrs R Rouse, Guntawang, R. Rouse, jun, F W Russell, J Smith, Mayor of Cudgegong; Meares, Mayor of Mudgee; J F Plunkett, S G Bishop, R White, J. Curran; H D. Ross, Mansfield and C Lowe. After the usual loyal toasts had been honoured, Mr R Rouse of Guntawang, proposed "Our Guests," and in doing so heartily welcomed the Ministers to Gulgong.
Mr CARRUTHERS replied, and in the course of his remarks conveyed a piece of information to those assembled, which was received with cheers. Speaking of the railway proposals of the Government, and of the important works about to be submitted to the Parliamentary Committee, he said that some of the promoted works would materially benefit the Gulgong district one in particular which the people watched with considerable interest — the construction of a railway from Mudgee to Gulgong — had not been overlooked. Some weeks ago the Commissioners visited the locality, and made themselves familiar with its requirements and its resources. They had just presented their report, and it was of a highly satisfactory character. They said in the whole of their travels they had not seen any district to compare with that district, or which better deserved a railway. A Cabinet meeting was being held that day, and he thought he might fairly announce that before the day was finished the Government would have agreed to the construction of this line (Cheers )
Mr. SYDNEY SMITH, commenting upon the proposal, said he felt sure, after having seen the richness and capabilities of the district, that when the railway was constructed it would be a successful one, and a great boon to the people.
Mr BLACK, in replying to the toast, said it had always been his aim to point out the real wealth of that portion of the Mudgee district, and to advocate the construction of the railway, for in so doing he believed he was doing his duty not only to his constituency but to the country at large. The expenditure upon the work would give employment to large numbers of men and would act as an impetus to every phase of commercial life. Mr Haynes also responded.
Mr Black proposed the prosperity and welfare of the Gulgong district. The toast was replied to by Mr. Zimmler who, after commenting upon the advantages which would accrue from the railway, referred to the necessity in the interests of settlement of throwing open some 50 miles of a goldfield reserve, and 20 square miles of commonage which existed in the vicinity of the township. The final toast was that of the "Press," which was submitted by Mr C R Young.
The Ministerial party subsequently were driven to Mudgee through the districts of Springfield, Canadian, Pipeclay Creek, and Bombira — districts of rich alluvial lands now covered after the recent floods and rains with luxuriant herbage, and held almost entirely by small settlers. Just outside the town they were met by a number of gentlemen, and headed by a band the party formed a procession into Mudgee. In the evening a public meeting presided over by Mr C D Mears, the Mayor, took place in the town hall. The hall was crowded, and much interest was evinced in the proceedings. Mr Carruthers delivered a vigorous address in advocacy of the advantages of free trade, which was received with enthusiasm. Mr Sydney Smith and Mr Haynes followed. Towards the conclusion of the proceedings some opposition was manifested towards the views enunciated and after a vote of thanks had been accorded to the Minister, an attempt was made, unsuccessfully to pass a counter vote. Three cheers for the Queen terminated the proceedings.
