Monday, November 29, 2021

CULLENGORAL

Cullengoral is a rural property on the Cudgegong River near Beryl, first owned by Mr Arthur Moore Rouse and later by the Foster family. There is also a house of the same name at 156 Mayne Street Gulgong.

Quiet scene on Cullengoral Station, 1907
Source: The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912) Wed 12 Jun 1907 Page 1513

NEWS ITEMS

1896 - [ACCIDENT]
A groom named Edward Hawkins, employed by Mr Arthur Rouse, of Cullengoral station, about six miles from Gulgong, was thrown from his horse on Tuesday and killed instantly. The deceased was 17 years of age.
Source:  Singleton Argus (NSW : 1880 - 1954) Sat 21 Mar 1896 Page 5

1896 - [WALLABY DRIVE]
A wallaby drive was held yesterday's Arthur Rouse's Cullengoral Estate, seven miles from here. There were a large number of visitors from Mudgee and Gulgong. Although it was a cold and showery day 140 wallabies were shot. A great number escaped.

1901 - MOTION FOR A MANDAMUS.
Re A. M. Rouse (W. B. Sharp and another respondents). Mr G. Harris, instructed by Mr. George Davidson, of Mudgee (by Mr. A. C. Gill), appeared for Arthur Moore Rouse, games, of Cullengoral, and moved for a rule turn calling upon Thomas Henry Wilkinson, P.M., and warden of Gulgong, and William Bethel Sharp to show cause why a writ of mandamus should not issue commanding the magistrate to hear and determine a certain application, No 3, made at Gulgong, by Sharp. It appeared that Sharp applied for a lease under the Mineral Dredging Act, 1899, of certain land, belonging to Rouse, known he G.L. 4, Cudgegong River, and the Minister directed an inquiry under the Act to be made by the warden. When the matter came before the warden, Itouso tendered evidence to show the boundaries of his land and the rent and compensation to which he was entitled He also contended that he was entitled to claim up to the centre of the stream and asked the warden to assess the rent and compensation on that assumption He was requested to be certain what sum by way of rent for the land to be included in the lease applied for should be paid by the lessee to the owner, Arthur Moore Rouse, in respect of so much of such land as was not Crown lands, and as to what sum by way of compensation for the damage which would be caused by the acts done in or incidental to the carrying on of mining operations intended, should be paid by the lessee to the owner of such lands included in the lease is were not Crown lands The warden declined to enter into the matter on the basis that Rouse was the owner of the land up to the centre of the stream, as it was Crown land, and he had no jurisdiction to decide a dispute as to ownership between the Crown and private individuals He therefore decided to recommend the lease, subject to certain conditions, and applicant now moved for a rule nisi for a mandamus to compel the warden to make the inquiry on the assumption that Rouse was the owner of the land to the centre of the stream, as the river was neither a navigable not a tidal one Rule granted, returnable before a Judge in Chambers.

1902 - [DEATH ADDER]
A man named Watson was cutting out a small stump on Mr. Arthur Rouse's Cullengoral station last week, when a death adder was struck by a working tool. The adder made a tremendous spring in the air, and was immediately killed. Mr. Rouse, who afterwards saw the reptile, states that it was the largest he has ever seen, measuring 2ft 6in in length.

1903 - A Veteran Cricketer.
South Australia has its Giffen, Victoria its Bruce, New South Wales its Bannerman, but we have our own veteran here in the person of the squire of Cullengoral, who donned the flannels in the Cullengoral-Gulgong match here on Saturday. Over a quarter of a century ago Mr. Arthur M. Rouse was regarded as a tip-top bat and excellent field, and even on Saturday he showed that he knew a lot about the game. The veteran is not as young as he used to be, but his re-appearance in the arena may make a few of our old hands don the pads, and give an example to some of the young 'uns who are too slow to play anything.

1903 - SYDNEY WOOL TRADE
Our Mudgee offer ings included the well-known Cullengoral clip, a splendidly bred wool from Beryl, belonging to Mr. Arthur M. Rouse.

1904 - The Spring Ridge Races
The racing throughout was interesting, and everyone was pleased to see that sterling sportsman, Mr. Arthur M. Rouse, of Cullengoral, capture the double with the Analyst mare Misfortune, who accounted for both her races in comparatively easy fashion.

1904 - [ADVERTISEMENT]
Wanted - YOUNG WOMAN as Cook and laundress. Small family. Apply Mrs. ARTHUR ROUSE, Cullengoral, Gulgong.

1904 - Gulgong Police Court. Charge of Horsestealing. The Accused Committed.
(From our Correspondent.)
Mr. O. A. Edwards, P.M., presided at the Gulgong Police Court on Monday, when Thomas Creig was charged with stealing five draught horses, valued at £160, on or about 3rd March, tho property of Frederick Ivers, of Forbes. Sub-inspector D'Arcy prosecuted for the police, and accused was undefended.
Constable Milling, of Gulgong, deposed: On 11th inst. I went to Cullengoral Station, and saw five horses in the plough; a man named Copelin was working them; had a conversation with Copelin, and took charge of the animals; the horses outside the court are the horses in question; at 11 or 12 o'clock that night, I went to the accused's camp at Beryl, in company with Constable Scott, of Leadville; the accused was asleep in his tent, and we woke him, and told him to come out side; he asked 'who are you, the police?' and I said 'yes;' he came outside and I asked him his name and he said Creig — Thomas Creig;' upon questioning him he said he came from Dubbo on horseback, and that he had a packhorse with him; he also brought five draught horses with him; he said the horses were all bays: accused said he bred all the horses in different parts of the Dubbo district; he said he did not have a registered brand; did not know how any of the horses were branded; accused said he did not sell them but had rented them to a man named Copelin at Tallewang; he said he had come along the main road through Wellington, and had never been on the other side of Wellington (opposite Dubbo); he said he never travelled on the opposite side of the Wellington-Dubbo railway; he did not know Bodangora or Spicer's Creek, but was never over at Forbes; Constable Scott then asked him had he bred all the horses, and he replied 'No,' that he had only bred three of them, and that he had not just previously said he bred them all; Constable Scott said, 'Who did you rent these horses to,' and accused said, 'To a young fellow at Cullengoral,' and denied having previously said he had rented them to a Tallewang resident named Copelin; I then arrested him on suspicion of having stolen live draught horses, which I described to him, the property of F. Ivers of Forbes; I cautioned accused in the usual manner; accused said the horses
he rented to Copelin did not bear the brands I had described to him; I brought him to Gulgong and locked him up; about 8 o'clock on Tuesday morning I went to Cullengoral and took over the five horses from Mr. Hawkins, and brought them to the Gulgong police station; accused had a look at them, and said they were the animals he had rented to Copelin; he said he had bred the three colts, and had bought the two mares about six months ago from a carrier in the Dubbo district named Jack Masters; he said he did not get any receipts, but there were witnesses present; I then charged him with stealing the five draught horses now outside the court, the property of Frederick Ivers, of Forbes, on or about March 3rd; he made no reply; Mr. Copelin was present when I took charge of the horses at Cullengoral.
Frederick Ivers deposed: I am a carrier and reside at Forbes; on the 2nd of March last I had the five horses now outside the court in my possession; I used to work them regularly; I missed them on the morning of the 3rd March; I had worked them the day before, and since then until the 10th instant have been searching for them, travelling about from town to town; I value the animals at £100; I never sold or disposed of them, or authorised anyone to touch them; I  saw accused but once previous, it was on the 2nd March, and he was camped on the road near Forbes; the animals had been taken off the Forbes common; the horses outside the court are my horses.
Thomas Copelin deposed: I am a farmer and reside at Tallewang; I know accused as Thomas McGregor; I saw accused at his camp at Beryl, and he agreed to rent me the five horses for thirty shillings, if I taught him how to plough, and I accepted his terms; the horses were left in my paddock until I started to plough with them a fortnight afterwards; I started to plough on Thursday week and continued to plough until Constable Milling took charge of the horses; the accused, was with me whilst I was ploughing at Cullengoral; the horses outside the court are the animals accused rented to me.
Walter Hawkins and Arthur Rouse gave evidence as to the circumstances under which Constable Milling seized the horses. The witness Hawkins also corroborated Constable Milling's evidence as to what accused said when he was shown the horses outside the court.
The accused pleaded not guilty. On the application of the owner of the horses, accused was committed to Forbes Sessions, bail being allowed— self in £80 and two sureties in a like amount. Bail was not forthcoming, and on Wednesday night Constable Kennedy, of Gulgong, passed through Mudgee with the prisoner, en route for Forbes.

1904 - [SOLD]
Trebeck, Son, and Co. report June 21.— Stations: ... We have sold for A. M. Rouse, Esq., his Cullengoral property, Gulgong, consisting of 11,772 acres, 6400 sheep, cattle, horses, etc., at a satisfactory price for cash.

1904 - [PROPERTY SOLD]
Mr. Arthur Rouse's many friends in the district will be sorry to hear that he will be shortly leaving the district for the Camden side, having sold his very fine Cullengoral estate on the Cudgegong river.

1904 - [NEW OWNER]
The gentleman, who purchased Mr. Arthur Rouse's Cullengoral station, is from the Walcha district, and is a relative of Mr. A. Hooke, of Turee.

1905 - A Nasty Accident.
Last evening Mr. George Gunnell was driving a mob of horses from Cullengoral into Mudgee, when he sustained a serious fall. It was an hour or so after sundown when Mr. Gunnell was the other side of Norris' Junction Hotel, and the horses left the road. Mr. Gunnell followed them and his horse stumbled into a digger's hole, throwing the rider heavily. With considerable difficulty Mr. Gunnell made his way to the Junction, and was subsequently brought into town, when Dr. Nickoll found he had sustained a fractured collar bone and severe injury to the elbow.

1905 - BIRTHS.
DENNE.— December 26, at Cullengoral.Gulgong, the wife of D. R. Denne, of a son.

1905 - 600 Ewes.
STEWART & SMITH have received instructions from D. R. Denne, Esq., of Cullengoral, to sell by auction at the Corporation Yards on THURS DAY, 16th March, at 11 o'clock, 600 Ewes, full mouth, station bred, rams now joined with them, pure Rouse bred.

1905 - [ILLNESS]
Mr. Denne, the proprietor of Cullengoral Station, is, we regret to record, in Sydney, under medical treatment.

1905 - [IMPROVED]
We are pleased to learn that Mr. D. R. Denne, of Cullengoral, is much improved in health. Mr. W. Hawkins had the entire management of the estate during Mr. Denne's illness.
Source:  Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 15 Jun 1905 Page 15

1905 - [FRAME FLETCHER]
At the Warden's Court, Gulgong last week, Mr. Frame Fletcher was granted an authority to enter Mr. Denne's property at Cullengoral under the provisions of the Mining under Private Lands Act. The rent was fixed at the rate of 5s per acre per annum for an area of five acres.

1905 - Accidents. 
An accident occurred to Bert Hawkins a few days ago at Cullengoral. He was out riding when, without warning, the horse commenced bucking, and bolted. The saddle girth broke causing Hawkins to be thrown violentIy against a tree. A companion, who witnessed the mishap, arriving on the scene found him unconscious. He was conveyed to the homestead, and then taken to the Gulgong hospital. Dr. McCreadie found Hawkins had sustained concussion of the brain. Careful treat ment has brought him well on the road to a complete recovery.

1906 - [SHARE FARMING]
Mr. Denne, the proprietor of Cullengoral Station, near Gulgong, has set apart a portion of his land for cultivation on the share system.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Mon 26 Feb 1906 Page 2

1906 - [SHEARING]
Upwards of 40,000 sheep will be shorn at Guntawang this season, including the Guntawang, Upper Bomley, Cullengoral and Biraganbil jumbucks. Eighteen shearers will be accommodated with machines at the shearing, which commences on 1st October.

1906 - [DEATH]
DENNE.— On September 29, at Cullengoral, Gulgong, David Richard, eldest son of the late Richard Henry Denne, of Tia, Walcha.

29.09.06
DAVID RICHARD DENNE, grazier of Cullengoral, aged 52 years, died from "ACU NEPHRITIS ARTERIC SELEROSIS" of 2 years' duration. Informant was A W Colla of Cullengoral, no relation. (NSW BDM 12672/1906). Buried at Waverley Cemetery (C of E) on 2 October 1906.
Born in Walcha, to RICHARD HENRY DENNE, a grazier, and CATHERINE STUBBS.
Length in Colony: 52 years
Married at age 46 to FRANCIS LEONARD HOOKE.
Children: CATHERINE B (4), DAVID R (1), NONE DECD
Source: CPS and Surrounding Area Deaths to 1910

1906 - Death of Mr. D. R. Denne.
On Saturday afternoon last the death occurred at Cullengoral station, Reedy Creek, near Gulgong, of Mr. D. R. Denne, a well-known New South Wales pastoralist. The deceased gentleman, who has been in
failing health for the past 18 months, held large station property on the Castlereagh, between Coonamble and Walgett, and in the New England district. About three years ago he purchased Cullengoral from Mr. A. M. Rouse, and by reason of his ill health has resided in retirement there ever since. The remains were conveyed to Sydney on Monday night, and laid to rest in the family vault at Waverley on Tuesday. He leaves a widow and two children to mourn their loss.

1907 - [AUCTION]
IN THE ESTATE OF THE LATE D. R. DENNE - AUCTION SALE of the well-known CULLENGORAL ESTATE. SITUATED 7 miles from Gulgong, and 20 miles from Mudgee Railway Station. TREBECK, SON, and CO., Sydney (in conjunction with CROSSING and COX, Mudgee), have received instructions from the Executors in the above Estate to sell by auction, at the ROYAL EXCHANGE SYDNEY, on WEDNESDAY, 27th FEBRUARY, 1907, at noon, the above Property, consisting of 3212 acres of Freehold and 8585 acres of Annual Lease.
CULLENGORAL adjoins those well-known properties — 'Birigambil' and 'Guntawang,' so long held by the Rouse family.
IMPROVEMENTS. — Good House of 12 rooms, with all modern additions, woolshed, shearers' huts, stables, sheep dip, etc.; all sheep-proof fencing, divided into 23 paddocks. The freehold land has all been ring barked, and the most part is cleared and well adapted for cultivation. 120 acres have been let on the halves system, and 200 acres further can be cultivated; and besides this there are good box and apple tree flats and Kurrajong on the hills.
WATER. — The property has extensive double frontage to the Cudgegong River.
STOCK.— The property is very lightly stocked, with 8300 sheep, and 800 lambs, 12 horses, 6 cows.
We have every confidence in recommending buyers toInspect this Property, as it is of a CLASS THAT COMBINES AGRICULTURE and GRAZING, which is so very much sought after at the present time. It is for Sale to close a deceased Estate, and inspection is cordially invited. Any further particulars can be obtained from the Auctioneers, TREBECK, SON, and CO., Sydney; or CROSSING and COX, Mudgee

1907 - [NEW OWNERS]
The Merriwa Farmers and Settlers' Association, which is presided over by Mr. T. E. O'Brien, has only been in existence about three years, and during that period it shows a very creditable record. It has been mainly instrumental in getting over 7000 acres of land thrown open for settlement which had previously been locked up under unnecessary reserves, and brought under the notice of the Government three estates, which they considered suitable for Closer Settlement, viz, Brindley Park, Collaroy and Cullengoral. The latter estate has been purchased within the last month for subdivision by a syndicate from Geelong.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 27 Jun 1907 Page 12
 
1907 - [IMPROVEMENTS]
A Merriwa correspondent writes to say that the new owners of Cullengoral estate are commencing extensive improvements, having just accepted tenders for over 7000 acres burning off.

1907 - A Library Establishment.
Mainly owing to the efforts of Mr E. W. Colls, of Cullengoral, a library of 100 books has been established at the Beryl Public School. Mr. Colls naturally has the sincere thanks of the teacher, Mr. P. H. Brophy, and the parents of the pupils attending the school.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 28 Nov 1907 Page 13

1908 - Mudgee Quarter Sessions
The Mudgee Quarter Sessions began on, Tuesday last, before Acting Judge Scholes. Mr Dawson acted as Crown Prosecutor.
MALICIOUSLY KILLING SHEEP.
Michael Henry Cunningham was charged with, at Cullengoral on 12th Nov., maliciously killing a sheep the property of Henry P. B. Bradley. Accused was defended by Mr. C. D. Meares.
The following jury was empanelled: A. C. Gaskin, Wm. Sawyers, W. J. McDiarmid, Edmund Pyne, A. E. Gentle, H. Hawkins, J. G. Wurth, C. H. Tomkins, Jessie Page, jun., Henry Mack, E. drivers and W. Bryant.
Arthur William Colls, manager Cullengoral Station, deposed: I remember 12th November last; a man named Smith was in my employ; gave him certain instructions; saw him at 1 p.m. the same day; then went to Gulgong and asked Constable Ferris to come to the homestead with me; we went two miles to the dip yards; there we saw Smith, and he showed us a sheep that was shot through the head; the sheep was alive then, and it was taken to the homestead and locked in a room; I took the key; at 6 a.m. the next morning the sheep was dead; the head was taken off and boiled; the skull is produced bearing bullet marks; the skin is also produced showing registered ear mark and tar brand; accused had no permission from me to kill the sheep; he lives about two miles away with his father; there are five or six children also; I have never known them to work in any way.
John Pearce Smith, boundary rider at Cullengoral, deposed: I remember 12th November; I went mustering, and while so engaged I saw the accused; he came out of his fathers paddock; he carried a gun and had two dogs with him; I heard the report of the gun and saw the sheep fall; I had seen the accused come through the fence and I watched him go up the creek; I saw him for about 20 minutes going up the creek, but I did not see him just as the sheep was shot, for he [was then] behind a tree; I did not see the [accus]ed after the shot was fired; I did ?? hear accused giving evidence at [Gulgong] police court; the accused had a ?? e the day before the sheep was ??e was shooting wallabies.
Smith examined by Mr Meares: He was walking on one side of the creek and I was riding on the other, and as far as I know he did not see me; it is reasonable to suppose that the horse would make more noise than the man; it does appear slow travelling to only go 300 or 400 yards in 25 minutes; I never saw him after the shot was fired, although I only had ride to 80 or 90 yards on horseback; there is no reward for giving information re killing sheep.
Constable Scott, of Gulgong, deposed: I know accused Cunningham; charged him with killing one sheep, the property of Cullengoral station, on 12th Nov.; he said, 'I was not there, I was up at Goodiman bees-nesting'; he said he got no honey and nobody was with him; he said he could not take me to where he got the bees' nest; I did not hear accused give evidence at the police court.
Cross-examined by Mr Meares: Senior Constable Ferris was in charge of the case; I knew nothing of the evidence given at the court. Mr Meares asked his Honor if he thought there was sufficient evidence ??ad the case to the jury.
His Honor: I do, Mr Meares. ??he defence.
??Michael Henry Cunningham, a ??labourer, residing at Goodiman Creek deposed: I have lived in this part of the district about four months; I have never been charged with any offence before; it is not true that I shot a sheep on the 12th Nov.; I was not in the paddock at all; I do very little shooting; I knew nothing of the charge till served with summons on the Thursday morning; I told Scott I was away bees nesting; I went for a bee's nest on the morning of the 12th; we left about 9 o'clock, got the honey and brought it home; I had no solicitor appearing for me at the Gulgong police court, though there was a solicitor against me.
By Crown Prosecutor: I am living in a tent; there are ten of us; Mick Lett went harvesting ; I have been
rabbiting while there; I earned 15s to 20s a week ; we got our meat from Gulgong; I was not shooting at all on the 12th November, but Michael Lett had a rifle with him in the afternoon; Lett fired eight shots at a tree near his house about 11 a.m.; the constable did not ask me to come and show him the tree.
Michael Daniel Lett, a general laborer, and brother-in-law of the accused, residing at Goodiman, deposed: On the 14th November accused showed me a summons charging him with maliciously killing a sheep on the 12th November; he was with me from 7 a.m. till late in the afternoon of 12th; in the forenoon we went bees nesting; we robbed a nest and got back to the house about 11a.m.; I then was fixing a sight on the rifle; after dinner we went wallaby shooting, and he accompanied me to do the skinning; it would not be possible for him to be in the paddock where the sheep was shot at the time it was shot.
By the Crown Prosecutor: We all assist to keep the family; I go digging when I have no work ; I have heard that sheep have been shot on Cullengoral estate; accused has a pea rifle.
By Mr Meares: Accused was present while I was firing eight shots to sight my rifle.
John P. Smith, re-called, stated: The sheep was shot about 9 a.m.
After Mr Meares had addressed the jury, his Honor summoned up.
The jury after a retirement of three hours found the accused guilty, and he was sentenced to 18 months, imprisonment in Goulburn gaol.

1908 - [RABBIT-PROOF FENCE]
[Correspondence with Pastures Protection Board] From S. E. Rouse, of Guntawang, applying for a certificate for four miles of rabbit proof fencing between Guntawang and Cullengoral estates, so as to enable him to make application for half the cost of erection.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 13 Feb 1908 Page 11

1908 - STATION HOMESTEAD BURNT. FURNITURE AND EFFECTS DESTROYED.
GULGONG, Tuesday. At half-past 9 last night, Mrs. Dennes' Cullengoral station homestead, a weatherboard house of 11 rooms, furniture, and valuable piano were burnt. Nothing was saved but bed clothes. Only Mrs. Dennes, her two children, and a boy were in the house at the time. The property was insured for £1500. 
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Wed 14 Oct 1908 Page 10

1908 - HOMESTEAD BURNED DOWN.
GULGONG, Wednesday.— A disastrous fire occurred at Cullengoral Station, six miles from Gulgong, on Monday night. The fire originated in the kitchen of the homestead. Mrs. D. R. Denne and her children were in bed, and hearing a noise at half-past 9 o'clock, she got up, and found the kitchen in flames. She rushed in, and got her little children out of bed, awoke a boy who slept near the stable, and sent him for J. Smith, a station hand, living a quarter of a mile away. On his arrival, Smith rushed in and saved the beds and Mrs. Denne's clothing; but had no time to save anything else, glassware, valuable silverware, piano, and other heirlooms being lost in the blaze. The manager, Mr. A. W. Colls, was away in Mudgee at the time. The place was insured tor £1500. Cullengoral was once owned by Mr. A. M. Rouse, who sold it to the present owner. The place was of pine and weatherboard, and the flames had no difficulty in getting a hold. The fire originated in the kitchen, and must have been caused by a flaring lamp or coals from the fire. The conflagration could be plainly seen from Gulgong.

1909 - CLOSER SETTLEMENT.
CULLENGORAL ESTATE. Messrs. Trebeck, Son and Co., Sydney, in conjunction with Messrs. Crossing and Cox, Mud gee will offer the well-known Cullengoral Estate, at Mudgee on January 12. If the property is not sold as a whole, it, will he submitted in lots to suit purchasers. Full particulars may be obtained from the agents.
Source:  The Sydney Stock and Station Journal (NSW : 1896 - 1924) Fri 8 Jan 1909 Page 8

1909 - CULLENGORAL ESTATE.
Messrs. Trebeck, Son and Co., and Messrs. Crossing andr Cox, state that they offered this property by auction, in Mudgee, on Tuesday last, as recently advertised in the 'Stock and Station Journal.'
The district looked very bad, parts of it being reported worse than the 1902 drought. There was a fair attendance of buyers, who showed very little inclination to do business at the auction sale, and the bidding did not come up to the reserve.
After the auction sale, Lot 1, of 458 acrcs, was disposed of privately to Mr. H. R. Denison, of Guntawong, and the agents are in treaty now for the balance of the estate.
Source: The Sydney Stock and Station Journal (NSW : 1896 - 1924) Tue 12 Jan 1909 Page 12

1910 - [REMAINDER SOLD]
Cullengoral Estate, near Gulgong, comprising 2710 acres of freehold land, together with the annual leased land, has been sold by Messrs. Trebeck, Son, and Co., acting with Messrs. Crossing and Cox, to Mr. J. Foster, of Upper Pyramul.
Source:  The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Wed 9 Feb 1910 Page 6

1912 - [MINING]
Our Gulgong correspondent states that applications for six dredging leases have been lodged for gold-dredging on the Cudgegong River and adjacent streams, near Cullengoral, about six miles from Gulgong.

1913 - [WATER DIVINING]
Mr. Harding, manager of Cullengoral station, is said by men of experience to be one of the best men in Australia, in the use of the divining rod. The results he achieves are almost miraculous. He can tell not only the spot, but the depth at which, the water will be found. He has been very successful in locating water in the Merriwa and Cassilis districts.

1915 - An Old Miner's End. - Dead Over a Month in a Shaft - Magisterial Inquiry Held.
An old man, named John Irwin, was found dead at the bottom of a shaft at Cullengoral on April 7th by Constable Jackson. The old man had been engaged in mining in a small way for many years. Although living at Two Mile Flat for a considerable time, he was not intimately known by any of the residents, as he practically lived a hermits life. Deceased had been missing for some time, and this caused the Police to make a search. From the state of the body it would appear that the old man had been dead for four or five weeks.
Mr. Arnott, P.M., held a magisterial inquiry at the Gulgong Court House on Saturday morning into the circumstances surrounding the death of the old miner.
Constable Jackson, residing at Gulgong, deposed: On the 7th instant I went to Cudgebegong in search of John Irwin, who was reported missing. I went to the hut and knocked, but got no reply. I went inside but Irwin was not there, and from appearances did not seem to have been there for sometime.
I inquired where Irwin was working and went to Mr. Foster's place "Cullengoral" about three miles from the deceased's residence. On top of a shaft which had been worked I saw a hat and food utensils. They seemed to have been there some time. I looked down the shaft but it was too dark to see anything. I came, back to Gulgong and reported to the sergeant. I went back to the shaft, accompanied by Mr. Dando, undertaker. James Crouch and Thomas Hughes. Dando went down the shaft with a candle and I could then see the form of a man lying on the bottom of the shaft. Deceased was lying on his back with his left hand across his chest. Mr. Hughes and Mr. Dando brought up the body to the top. The body was in a decomposed state and I could not see if there had been foul play or not. I did not know the deceased, therefore, I was unable to identify the remains. Deceased had no clothes except a singlet. I brought the body to the hospital morgue.
George Dando, undertaker, residing at Gulgong, deposed: I went to "Cullengoral" on the 7th instant with Constable Jackson. Went where there is an old mine on a hill and went down a shaft, which had been recently worked, and found the body of a man. The body was half in the drive and half out, and was lying on the back, with the left hand on the chest, and the right hand at the bottom of the abdomen. The body was on a bag, and everything looked as if the man went there to die. There were no clothes on the body except a singlet. The boots were in the drive. I did not see any other clothing. With the assistance of Mr. Hughes I bought the body to the top. The body was in a very decomposed state. I did not know the deceased. It appeared to me that the man went there to die. I saw, nothing to indicate any struggle or foul play. The shaft had a windlass and rope on it, and had been recently worked.
James Crouch, miner, residing at Beryl deposed to going to "Cullengoral" with Constable Jackson, and to the mine on the side of the hill. He knew that a man named John Irwin had been working there for some years. He was present when the body was brought to the surface, and he identified the body to the best of his opinion as that of John Irwin. Deceased was about 70 years of age. Witness often saw the deceased, who, from appearance, did not look more than 60. Deceased lived at, Two Mile Flat, and was a very quite man, living the life of a hermit. Witness did not know if deceased had any property, and as far as he knew, deceased was a very sober man.
Henry Joseph Harris, duly qualilified medical practitioner, and Government medical officer, residing at Gulgong, deposed: On; the 18th. instant at the request of the Coroner I visited: the morgue at the Gulgong Hospital, and there saw the body of a man apparently between 50 and 60 years of age, in a very much decomposed state. I could find no marks, of violence on the body, and, in my opinion he had been dead four or five weeks. I can give no opinion as to the cause of death. The body was badly affected by flies. The flesh of the face had disappeared, exposing the bones. Sergeant, Bleechmore said, from inquiries made by Constable Jackson, he learned that the deceased was at Yamble on the 27th March, and about a week afterwards was seen going towards the mine.
The P.M. said: It is hard for me to say how death was caused. I find that John Irwin was found dead at 'Cullengoral' on April 7th, but by how, when, where or why he came by his death, the evidence adduced does not enable me to say.

1934 - [DEATH OF ARTHUR MOORE ROUSE]
Arthur Moore Rouse, son of George Rouse and Elizabeth Moore, died 22 Jun 1934, aged 78. He is buried at Richmond Anglican Cemetery.
Source: Austcemindex

1945 - P. and C. Association
The sub-committee, appointed at the last meeting to inquire into the possibility of holding swimming classes near Gulgong for the local children, reported that permission was available from the Cullengoral Dredging Co. to use the weir, and that Mr. Chick had stated that he may be able to make one of his trucks available to convey the children, to the swimming pool as desired, but he wouldn't be able to do it for less than £1/10/- (this was considered reasonable by those present).
Mr. Playford reported having made enquiries from Mr. Tomlinson regarding cost of dressing sheds and lavatory accommodation, and he thought that, with the possible help of the shire council, this matter might be carried out.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 6 Dec 1945 Page 16

Cullengoral Station and the weir site
Source: John Stephenson

Former Cullengoral Dredging Works
Source: John Stephenson

Willow Vale Cottage
Source: John Stephenson

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