The Old Gulgong Reef.
Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 1 Mar 1873 Page 16
1873 - THE OLD GULGONG REEF.
THE reef sketched in our issue of to-day, called the " Old Gulgong" had for some time, in the eyes of Sydney speculators and brokers, been considered almost defunct, but is now again being looked upon with favour by capitalists who are able to discern that safe investments can be gone into here as well as else where. This revival of the Old Gulgong, it is to be trusted, will be a prelude to other revivals of still greater magnitude. It appears that the legal disputes which have been some time pending, are likely to be decided shortly by the "powers that be." When that is the case, any amount of capital will be forthcoming to test one of the most promising reefs in the district.
This well-known reef is situated on the dividing range, and most elevated part of the Gulgong Gold-fields, and is considered by experienced miners to be one of the principal sources from which the surrounding district has received its large deposits of gold, and gained for itself the reputation of being the richest gold-bearing district in the colony.
The reef was discovered about three years ago, and worked by parties holding miner's rights, but the want of capital compelled them to suspend operations, and subsequently Mr. Chappell of Mudgee, took up a ten-acre lease, as thought, under the Goldfield Regulations; the lease then became abandoned, and some portion was occupied and worked by Messrs. Samper and Levy or their representatives. Some 30 tons of stone were brought to grass and carted upwards of ten miles, which turned out highly remunerative. A petition was thereupon drawn up, and signed by all occupiers, and forwarded to David Buchanan Esq., M.P., praying that the lease might be cancelled, and requesting him to bring the matter before the Assembly. This request was acceded to, and the affair now begins to assume a promising appearance.
Possible "horseshoe bend" on Reedy Creek near "Old Gulgong"
Source: HLRV
1875 - [EARLY PROSPECTING]
The Old Gulgong Reef had been discovered in 1866 by a German prospector encouraged by a Mr Albert, licensee of a public house owned by Mr Charles Lowe. Mr Joseph Deitz and Mr Chappell afterwards held interests in the reef, Mr Chappell made arrangements in which he erected a crushing machine near the reef in Cooyal Creek which is now standing. The property has now passed into other hands and there is a fair prospect that active operations in the way of development will soon be commenced.
Source: GULGONG EVENING ARGUS, August 7, 1875
