GULGONG MINER
AND HOME RULE AND WESTERN GOLD FIELDS ADVERTISER
SATURDAY NOVEMBER, 29 1873
____________________
Of Presbyterian Manse GULGONG
PLANS and SPECIFICATIONS to be seen by applying to the Hon. Secretary, R. N. COLLINS, Herbert Street. Tender to be sent under cover on or before TUESDAY, the 2nd December.
THE AUSTRALIAN Joint Stock Bank Gulgong
[OPPOSITE THE COURT HOUSE]
Open Daily from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m.
Except Thursday from 10 a.m. till noon
for the transaction of
GENERAL BANKING BUSINESS
and the
PURCHASE of GOLD
A. P. STEWART
Manager
HILL’S HOTEL
[Opposite the Court House]
S. GREEN
TURF HOTEL
[Late Ward’s]
QUEEN STREET GULGONG
JOHN JOHNSON - BEGS to inform his friends and the general public that the has taken the above Hotel which he has opened. The Bar is replete with First class Wines, Spirits, Ale and Porter, of the best brands.
ROSSITER’S HOTEL
HENRY ROSSITER - Begs to inform patrons, that he is the sole proprietor and will carry on the business in the manner as when it was owned by Messrs. Rossiter and Frazer.
THE ORIGINAL SCOTCH PIE SHOP
O’NEILL BROTHERS
Bakers and Pastrycooks
ALEXANDER M’CULLOCH
Bookseller and Stationer
Sharebroker and Mining Agent
No. 1 Herbert Street, Gulgong.
Agent for the Imperial Fire Insurance Company and the firm of WHITE AND M’CULLOCH— Chemist and Stationers —–Main Street, Home Rule.
THE CHEAPEST HOUSE IN GULGONG
J. T. WOODS & CO.
DRAPERY — GROCERY—–WINE AND SPIRIT STORE
SYDNEY HOUSE—–GULGONG
JOHN HILL
TATTERSALL’S HOTEL
[LATE E. TARRANT’S]
HERBERT STREET, GULGONG
BEDDING WAREHOUSE
The undersigned has always on hand all sorts of bedding and Just Arrived a consignment of Willcox & Gibb’s Sewing Machines.
W. A. ARROWSMITH, Medley Street, Gulgong
MRS. and Miss Macnamara
Select Private School
Herbert Street, opposite the Belmore Hotel
SUN TONG LEE & CO.
Herbert Street, Gulgong And Main Street, Home Rule
O. L. On Hing & Co.
Herbert Street, Gulgong And Main Street, Home Rule
HENRY TRUMAN
Auctioneer, Herbert Street, Gulgong
STAR HOTEL
Queen Street, Gulgong
[late Binder’s]
Peter H. Jamieson
PLUNKETT & Co.
Auctioneers, Sharebrokers & Commission Agents
Queen Street, Gulgong [next Oriental Bank]
ANGOVE’S HOTEL
[opposite the Oriental Bank]
Queen Street
RICHARD ANGOVE
Mrs. Angove supervising the accommodation & meals
3d
GULGONG CHRISTMAS RACES 1873
Under the Management of the Gulgong Turf Club
Friday & Saturday
December 26th and 27th
President - R. Rouse Esq. J. P.
Vice President - R. Rouse, Junior, J.P.
Judge - S. A. Blackman Esq.
Stewards - Messrs. J. F. Plunkett, H. J. Woods, M. O’Neill, B. Stacy, M. Downey, W. Craigen
Starter
Clerk of the Course - Mr. John Downey
Treasurer - Mr. William Binder
Secretary - Mr. Henry Beal
Editorial
In presenting the first number of the Gulgong Miner to the public of Gulgong and the surrounding districts, we deem it necessary to state the reasons which have induced us to publish a second newspaper on the Goldfield and also to lay before our readers a statement of the principles which shall guide us in conducting this paper.
We desire at the outset to disclaim any hostile or unfriendly feelings towards our local evening contemporary but we feel assured that there is ample room for both a morning and evening paper and that in establishing this journal we are only supplying what has long been felt a very great want on this Goldfield’ nor would we now undertake such a grave responsibility, if we were not fully satisfied that this paper will be hailed, very generally throughout the entire district, as a desideratum. There is, we believe, no business to which the homely adage that ’Competition is the trade of life’ is mere applicable than that of the Newspaper Press— a fact which is abundantly proved by a reference to the degenerate state to which newspapers generally descend when relieved from or removed beyond the wholesome stimulus of unchecked competition. Nothing can conduce more to the public interest then the full and ample discussion of all the public questions and such discussion and questions can be best promoted and its ends best secured by increasing the means of communicating to the public the various phases and aspects of debatable subjects.
When it is borne in mind that this goldfield contains a population six or eight times as numerous as that of any gold producing district in New South Wales; that our miners are producing on an average over thousand ounces of gold per month which is equal in value to about half a million pounds sterling per annum and that we are in the midst of an extensive Pastoral and Agricultural district; we believe it cannot be denied that a second newspaper in Gulgong is not only required but imperatively demanded.
At no period since the discovery of gold in this colony has the honest zealous and unflinching advocacy of the just rights and interests of the miners become of such paramount importance as at the present juncture.
At this moment the Legislative Assembly is busily engaged in discussing an enactment upon the character of which the future prosperity of the mining community and through them, to a considerable extent the prosperity of the colony at large—depends. Should this measure become law a subordinate body, the Mining Board will be brought into existence and by the same enactment a mode of legal procedure entirely new to this colony will be established in connection with mining disputes. It will be our unceasing aim while the Goldfields Bill is under the consideration of either branch of the legislature to point out in unmistakable language the many defects of the existing system and proposed remediable measure; and also to suggest such amendments in both as may be best calculated to establish mining on a sound, permanent and prosperous basis. The importance and variety of subjects with which the Mining Board will have to deal— affecting, as they will, the miner in every stage of his operations from the cutting of his pegs till the final abandonment of his claim—renders the deliberations and proceeding of that body of vital importance to the mining community; but it is to be feared, at least for a considerable time, that out miniature mining legislative body will be largely composed of person who possess a very slight acquaintance with goldfields legislation.
We will therefore, anxiously watch the proceedings of that body and give them the finest publicity in order to aid, as far as possible in rendering the regulations o be framed by the Board as perfect as circumstances will permit. It is also more than probable that the administration of justice on the goldfields will be, to a great extent entrusted to persons with a very slender knowledge of mining law, or, indeed, of any other law; so that the columns of this paper will not only contain full and authentic reports of all important mining cases but also well considered criticisms on the decisions of the various Courts of mining ad judicature. The important question of Mining on Private Property, we are assured by the Minister of lands in his place in parliament, is only postponed until public opinion is ripe for its due consideration and ultimate legalisation; and as the settlement of this all-important question, on just and equitable terms, presses sorely on all or pains spared to ventilate the subject in such a manner as will keep it constantly before the public with the view of its speedy and satisfactory adjustment.
To the preparation and publication of full and reliable mining reports we will devote particular care and attention so that miners and others interested in mining pursuits may rely with confidence on the information contained in these reports.
It will be readily acknowledged by all persons at all acquainted with the subjects herein alluded to, that the proper treatment of these questions in the columns of a public journal will require not only the ordinary literary acquirement's requisite to produce a paper in large towns or cities, but special technical knowledge embracing a thorough acquaintance with practical mining in all its valued forms; local legislation, as framed by Mining Boards and local Courts; legislative enactments as passed by the various Parliaments of these colonies and perhaps above all a complete mastery over the principles and details of that large mass of mining decisions which have been given by the Commissioners, Wardens, Judges of Courts of Mines, Chief Judges of Courts of Mines and Judges of the Supreme Courts of these colonies since these decisions became subjects of record.
The Editor and Proprietor of this journal does not deem in becoming to parade the opportunities he has had during the last twenty?? years of acquiring a thoroughly competent…………..these subjects; but he rest the claim of the ‘Gulgong Miner’ to popular support and its ultimate success or failure on the degree to which he has utilised the advantages which circumstances have thrown in his way. While the ‘Gulgong Miner’ will be essentially a Mining Journal, subjects of general interest will also receive due attention.
In politics we belong to no exclusive party; we will firmly but temperately censure malpractices wherever we find them, without distinction of political party, religious sect, or local clique. We despise the ‘Trimmer’ who is ever trying to please all parties. Our course will be straightforward and over and above board. We pander to no man or set of men. If our paper possesses intrinsic merits, it will succeed and deserve to succeed and if it does not possess these merits it will fail and deserve to fail.
To silence once and for ever, all surmises and rumours that may have been circulated regarding the proprietorship of this Journal, we take the opportunity of stating in the most distinct and explicit language that the person whose name appears in the ‘imprint’ as proprietor is the SOLE OWNER, no other person or persons being connected with him directly or indirectly in the proprietorship of the ‘GULGONG MINER.’
Local Intelligence
German Association —Anniversary Ball
The German Association gave a magnificent ball and supper on Wednesday evening last at Jamieson’s Star Hotel, in communitarian of the formation of their Society two years ago. The large room of the hotel was tastefully decorated by Mr. Charles Brown. The Odd Fellows attended in full regalia. Although the ball was given by the German Association there was a large intermix of other nationalities. The Royal Family was toasted. Mr. William Binder gave a neat toast to ‘Kindred Societies’ and was responded to by Messrs Trounce and Jenkins of the Odd Fellows. Too much credit cannot be given to Mr. Jamieson for his excellent arrangements.
To Correspondents—Mr. Simeon Moses’s letter in re the last fracas between the Evening Argus and the miners is intentionally held over till next issue so that I may appear simultaneously with our leader on the same subject.
Crowded Out—In consequence of an excessive pressure on our space we are obliged to hold over till next issue, our sub-leader on the recent attacks contained in the Evening Argus on the miners and public in general of this district also Mr. George Durham’s letter.
Mr. William Lonergan —The numerous friends of this veteran miner and politician, will be glad to hear that he is fast recovering from the very serious accident which befell him through the falling of some ground in the No. 3 Paul’s Paddock, Canadian. This accident occurred in the latter end of August last and for some considerable time the life of the patient was far from being considered out of danger. We are happy now to state that Dr. Bennett, who has assiduously attended him from the commencement and to who he feels deeply indebted for his recovery has declared him completely out of danger and states that he will be able to resume his occupation as a miner early next year.
Public School—We yesterday visited this institution which we are happy to state is fast approaching completion. This school when finished will not only be an inestimable blessing to the inhabitants of the district—by providing an elegant, commodious and healthy seminary for the use of the young—but it will be a great ornament in an architectural point of view to our rapidly improving town. The building is of wood, on stone foundation and will cost nearly £1000. It is intended to accommodate 270 children and is of the following dimensions:— Two schools rooms, one for boys and the other for girls, each 24 feet by 17 feet; class room 17 feet by 12 feet; an infants room 23 feet by 17 feet. The walls are 11 feet high in the clear. The building is being erected with a highly creditable manner by the contractor, Mr. Charles Lillington, under the superintendence of our local Architect, Mr. Arthur Hartley. The only matter of regret in connection with this school is that although this district has contained a very large population during the last three or four years, a requisite a building is only now at the eleventh hour, approaching completion. Had this township, with its extensive population been situated in any of the North American States hundreds of children would have received over three years of tuition under that roof which is not yet quite covered in. Verily a little extra steam wouldn’t hurt us.
Serious Accident—On Sunday, Messrs. Alexander Porter, well know puddler, William Lambert miner and another man went about thirteen miles in the Tallewang ranges for the purpose of killing kangaroos. They had no difficulty in sighting the game and giving chase the hunters came to grief. Lambert while in pursuit was thrown and suffered a severe fracture of the right leg above the knee and after lying insensible four or five hours, was brought towards the town to the hut of some charcoal burners; and this morning was brought into the hospital where the fracture was reduced by Dr. Bennett. The patient is now doing well. Sandy the Scotchman, was also thrown and after lying insensible for some time, awoke to find himself and horse surrounded by kangaroos which appeared docile. Couldn’t find his mates but found his way to town late in the evening and reported that he had lost them. Mr. Porter came very near to being thrown but being a superior horseman escaped. This party have been in the habit of going out kangarooing on the Sabbath and have almost invariably met with mishaps. On one occasion one of their dogs broke its leg and they were obliged to kill it. On another, a beautiful and valuable hound ran with such spirit that he dropped dead within a few yards of a fleet doe. Such warnings should certainly have some effect upon the minds of those who avail themselves of the Sabbath to go forth on excursions of pleasure and excitement.
The Sons of Temperance—at the Canadian, are promulgating the excellent principles of their order most effectually throughout the district and we are happy to find that as a result on every meeting day their ranks are largely increased by persons who having seen and felt the baneful influence of intemperance are convinced of the inestimable blessing of total abstinence.
Back Again—A four horse coach arrived at Gulgong on Monday evening bringing passengers who recently left this goldfield for Currajong. They report a very unfavourable state of things at that place. There is an immense population gathered there and only a few claims on gold. Money is very scarce and only those arriving daily have any. The place has been prospected for many miles in almost every direction and this prospecting has been going on over a period of twelve years. Under these disheartening circumstances the miners hardly know which way to turn. Many are going in the direction of Carcoar and Orange to procure jobs at harvesting and many others are returning to Gulgong wiser and sadder men than when they left. After all the escort is the only true criterion by which to judge the value of a goldfield. The miners would be wiser if they looked into this before starting for an old diggings that has been prospected and worked for a period of twelve years. Gulgong is comparatively a new goldfield; many of the leads have proved remarkably rich. More gold had been sent fro it during two years than from any half dozen other goldfields. But little of the immense area of auriferous ground has been prospected. Then why leave it for such doubtful chances as other goldfields offer!
Angling—Several gentlemen visited the Mudgee river last week upon an angling excursion and were rewarded by very good sport. The distance from the town in a north westerly course is only about four miles. The route is to pass down Adam’s Lead, pass Fraser’s and so on over the hill. The river is very low and the water clear at present and the cod and bream take the bait freely. One of the party landed four fine fish in a couple of hours, one of which weighed three and a half pounds and the others were sizeable. It is quite refreshing to pass a few hours on the banks of a pleasant stream and we should advise those who are fond of the ‘gentle art’ to take rod and line, provide themselves with bait and to the river for an afternoon’s sport.
An Eye to Business—During an evening’s walk about the confines of Gulgong we were particularly struck with the difference spots selected for depositing the filth and rubbish carted from the back premises of the town. We discovered upon investigation that the sport so selected was the water shed of some dam. Most of those who reside near the dams selected their places as residence so as to be as near water as possible. This was an excellent idea on their part because life and health cannot be maintained without the aid of this element. A bountiful supply is an excellent thing and the water in the dams, when allowed to settle, is much superior to water taken from the earth because it contains less mineral and decayed vegetable substances. On account of the thoughtlessness of those who cast away and deposit the filth, they occasion sickness and death in the families of many poor persons. We could not for one moment suppose the thing to be done from mercenary motives but it is a curious circumstance that it is more trouble and cost to get the filth landed in these places than it would be to take it where it would do no harm and not be a continual source of unsightly annoyance to the people in the township.
Gulgong Mining Report
Perseverance Lead—There are now on this lead about eighteen claims on gold; and present appearances indicate that it will be one of the best leads opened in the neighbourhood for some considerable time. Peter the German washed out of No. 10 49 loads last week which yielded and average of 19 dwts per load. No. 9 South crushed 31 tons this week which produced 1 oz 12 dwts per ton which was considered a handsome return. The lead of gold is fast tending directly into Mr. Richard Rouse’s private property. No. 5 in private ground, as soon as they opened out, got as high as 2 grs. to the dish. No. 1 in the paddock has been rather unfortunate having bottomed who duffers and are about starting a third shaft but from favourable indications they are sanguine that the third time will have the charm. There are apparently several runs heading towards the private property; but from the great extent of claims their exact character cannot be determined for some considerable time. Mr. Rouse has promised claimholders on Frazer’s lead that as the claims are not payable, he will move them over as soon as it is ascertained whether the Perseverance lead runs into his ground. It is to be regretted that Messrs. Morris and Murphy, the indefatigable prospectors of this lead have had but very indifferent fortune and it was generally expected that as it was generally expected that as it was solely through industry of these men that the lead was discovered and consequently traced into Mr. Rouses’s private land, this gentleman would have given them No. 1 as a reward for their industry, but, we believe this expectation was not realised.
On the Lilly May here are five and on the Cat and Dog three parties, who have lately set to work and are busily raising and washing payable stuff.
On the Red Lead four parties are sinking off No. 9 block. The party in No. 1 North Periwinkle are actively engaged in raising the wash dirt and the other claims on the lead are sinking.
The unavoidable pressure on out time in preparing the first issue of this paper has precluded the possibility of our furnishing a proper mining report in this number.
Correspondence.
These columns are open alike to one and all but in inserting letters we do not bind ourselves to agree with the vies of our correspondents.
To the Editor of the Gulgong Miner
Sir—In asking a small space in your maiden issue to reply to some of the scurrilous attacks upon our citizens which lately graced the columns of your contemporary, the Argus, I indulge in the hope that if the favour be granted me, I will not be found to drift into the gutters and pick up the filth to throw at opponents as they have done. Indeed so thoroughly have they besmeared themselves in the contest that they have become offensive and a long pole and not the ‘grey goose quill’ would be the proper implement to touch them.
First in order are the effusion's of the of the Editor of the Argus; they are distinguished by a rabidness of style and vulgarity of sentiment which invariably accompanies the labours of the literary hack. Indeed, his remarks touching the character of those who signed a petition for the removal of Mr. Henry Tebbutt from the Commission of the Peace, if borne out in the slightest degree by facts would have been a serious censure upon us as a community. Happily the large and influential meeting at Jamieson’s has vindicated the honour of the our citizens and the Editor of the Argus who dared to libel the gentlemen who patriotically came to the front to denounce him. I need not, I am sure point out to your readers how unblushingly he designated that meeting a ’failure’ and the persons who composed it ’ a disgrace to be identified with’ upon this the public of Gulgong will have their own opinion and take his after assertions for what they are worth. He tells us, forsooth [and the sentiment is echoed by one of his compeers, ‘Peter Pick’] that he did not convey an insult to the miners as a body. If the following extract from his leading article is not an insult, what in the name of commonsense is it?
‘But the miners are not gregarious as far as politics are concerned. In this country they will neither work no pull together for the common good. But if at any time and outcry is to be raised against any particular individual or class of individual they will readily roll up to raise it. We defy contradictions to this statement and we make it because we have long felt it to be true in every particular; they prefer harm to others to benefit to themselves and the infliction of an injury has more real relish about it than the conferring of a boon.’
Surely the intelligent miners of this goldfield are competent to judge for themselves and if the foregoing statement is truthful and complimentary to them, then, indeed, the Editor of the Argus has been misunderstood and his hoary-headed venerable friend ‘Peter Pick’ may embrace him.
Next in order is the autobiography by Geo. D. Lang, as published in the Argus of the 25th inst. I would willingly drop a veil over the whole of that did not his utter want of delicacy in parading it before the public prelude me. I know not the facts but true or false I can lament over them. I will concede for the sake of argument that the twelve men who were sworn to try him gave a wrong verdict; that the Judge and Attorney General were corrupt; that his friends outside, who were not sworn, including fifteen hundred at Geelong, gave a correct one, what does it show? Simply another illustration of ‘what may happen to a man in Australia and that his misfortunes were only equalled by his good fortune in having an illustrious parent able to obtain his release; had it been any other person’s son, ‘Peter Pick’ for instance, probabilities are that he would have to serve his time like any other felon.
Happily for Mr. Lang the meeting at the Lyceum in Sydney, numbering 200 was not composed of miners, for according to his dictum quoted above, that class ‘would readily roll up to raise harm to others to benefit to themselves and the infliction of an injury has more real relish about it than the conferring of a boon.’ He defies contradiction to that statement. How they would rejoice had they been at the meeting in yelling? Why should it be wondered that they cannot appreciate him here. Brave George! You have loaded your pop-gun and fired off your contempt and by an interposition of providence none of the enemy are killed or wounded, not even little George Durham—you have only succeeded in scratching yourself.
In conclusion I have a word for ‘Peter Pick’ this old man who everybody knows has strangely forgotten himself. He mounts a pedestal and glibly talks of an ‘unholy alliance’ points to the trades and calling of men as if a trade or calling was a disgrace!
Surely, old man ‘the tent maker’ in quite the equal of the ‘waiter on Providence.’
CAUSTIC.
Special Notice
THE Gulgong Miner - WILL for the present be issued TWICE A WEEK—on WEDNESDAYS and SATURDAY and circulated by runners on every part of the goldfields on the days of publication.
As soon as the arrangements now pending can be satisfactory completed, it is the intention of the proprietor to issue ‘THE MINER’
THREE TIMES PER WEEK
WANTED
Employment by a respectable steady Woman who understands Dressmaking and has a Sewing Machine. For further particulars apply office of this paper.
WANTED to hire by the week or month a Good, Strong, Upstanding SADDLE HORSE. Apply to ALFRED A. O’CONNOR
Office of this Paper.MR. E. CORY
Attorney, Solicitor
AND PROCTOR
Queen Street
Gulgong
MR. ARTHUR HARTLEY
[Member of the British Institute of Architects and late of the Public Works Department, Victoria]
QUEEN STREET —GULGONG
PLANS and Specifications prepared of every description of Buildings.
Prepare for Christmas
SUMMER DRAPERY NOVELTIES
Wm. BOOTH & CO.
IMPORTERS
[Direct form England]
WAREHOUSEMEN
Queen Street, Gulgong and Main Street Home Rule
FOR SALE
A BUGGY and PAIR of PONIES, either together or singly. Any trial given. Apply to:—N. M’KINNON
Robert Burns Hotel
Positive and Unreserved Sale
Valuable Freehold Property
ANNUAL RENTAL £200
WARD’S TURF HOTEL
AND Theatre Royal
PLUNKETT & CO. HAVE received instructions from Mr. M. WARD [who is about to leave for England] to sell by auction at their Office, Queen Street on SATURDAY the 22 Instant at 2.30 p.m.
The TURF HOTEL, together with the Freehold Allotment of land upon which the same is erected.
The premises are not let on lease to a respectable tenant at four pounds per week, free of all taxes.
The Hotel contains:—
BAR
10 BEDROOMS
2 PARLOURS and
LARGE BILLIARD ROOM
Attached to the Hotel is the substantially built
THEATRE ROYAL
100 feet long by 30 feet wide, comfortably fitted up to seat 800 persons.
The Out Premises Consist of a large and commodious Kitchen and Store-rooms, the whole being in keeping the adjuncts of a first class establishment.
The Auctioneers invite special attention to this IMPORTANT and BONA FIDE SALE, which affords Capitalists an opportunity of making a safe and profitable investment.
Terms at Sale
BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES GULGONG
THIS BANK IS OPENED DAILY
for the
PURCHASE OF GOLD
And the transaction of
Ordinary Banking Business
Office House:-
From 10 a.m. till 3 p.m.
Thursday………………10 a.m. till 12 noon
Saturdays……………..10 a.m. till 5 p.m.
C. BERESFORD CAIRNES
Manager
A. MOSES & Co
Wholesale Wine and Spirit
MERCHANTS
Herbert Street, Gulgong
MR. E. CORY
Attorney, Solicitor
AND PROCTOR
Queen Street
Gulgong
Prepare for Christmas
SUMMER DRAPERY NOVELTIES
Wm. BOOTH & CO.
IMPORTERS
[Direct form England]
WAREHOUSEMEN
Queen Street, Gulgong
And
Main Street Home Rule
THE GREATEST SLAUGHTER
OF
Men’s Clothing
And
Men’s, Women’s & Children’s
BOOTS
Is not on at the
Greatest Wonder of the World
QUEEN STREET GULGONG
S. S. MOSES
ROBERT BURNS HOTEL
Herbert Street, Gulgong
NEIL M’KINNON
Proprietor
FOR SALE
A BUGGY and PAIR of PONIES, either together or singly. Any trial given. Apply to:-
N. M’KINNON
Robert Burns Hotel
NOTICE
MR. ROBERT BOBINSON, Bookseller, Gulgong, having been appointed SOLE AGENT for the sale of the Gulgong Miner all persons desirous to obtain sub Agencies will please communicate with him.
MUDGEE AND GULGONG
Tarrant’s
FOUR HORSE COACHES
Passenger’s and Parcel’s
__________________________________
Printed by F. LAWRENCE, Market Street, Mudgee and published by ALFRED ARTHUR O’CONNOR, Sole Proprietor, at his Office Herbert Street, Gulgong, in the Colony of New South Wales.
