Main Street, Home Rule, 1870s
On the left: butcher shop; On the right: Home Rule Hotel, Prince of Wales Hotel and boarding house
Main Street, Home Rule, 1870s
HOLTERMANN PHOTOS OF HOME RULE
HOTELSBUSINESSES
NEWS ITEMS
1872 - New Gold Rush [The Birth of Home Rule]
On Monday last Mr. Commissioner Browne visited the new rush at Cooyal Creek, near Chapel’s crushing machine, in order to decide whether it should be occupied on the frontage or the block. On his arrival he ordered two disinterested miners to descend the shaft and “knock out” a prospect. This was done, and the result was 2½ dwts for two dishes. The depth of the shaft was 87 ft., but as Reg. 22 requires that three shafts must be bottomed in order to test the depth, the Commissioner ordered the claims either side of the prospecting shaft to sink. As the sinking is good, a week should decide if the locality will be alive with working miners, occupied by the halt, the lame, and the blind, the young and tender as shepherds.
The prospectors have called the rush ‘Home Rule’, a name significant in many ways, one being home rule for the goldfields – ie, that the miners should have a direct voice in the making of the laws. About 1200 visit the locality daily, and tend to give the Canadian a lively, and bustling appearance.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 76, 8 May 1872
1872 - At Home RuleWe visited the Home Rule on Monday and found it in a seething state of excitement consequent on the presence of the Commissioner and some Police, in order, we assume, to enforce his decision with regard to the laying down of a line from what was called No. 8 North. The miners mustered about 1,000 or 1,200 strong, and determinedly refused to allow the base line to be laid, and hooted and jeered the Commissioner until he and the Police rode out of sight. When the mining surveyor came they good-humouredly but earnestly prevented him from laying down the base line. He as good-humouredly and earnestly took the hint, and packed up his tools and retired. Consequent on this extraordinary blundering of the Commissioner, work has been practically at a standstill for a week past, and it is difficult to say when it will be resumed.
Buildings are being run up in all directions. We saw many number Gulgongites re-erecting their hotels and stores. Owing to the Commissioner having forgotten to carry out the regulations with regard to laying off a street for business people, the places are scattered all over the rush, and speculative holders of miner's rights have marked off the likely business sites as claims, and gammon to work while waiting for a purchaser. This species of "black mail" could all have been avoided if the regulations had been administered decently. Owing to this conflict of interest, many substantial buildings are at a standstill, pending the hearing of the dispute as to title. We noticed that the popular provider -
Mr Leggatt - of the Smithfield Butchery, true to his motto of "down with monopoly and feed the hungry," has opened a branch shop, as also has his rival Mr Frost. Amongst the most prominent vendors of suction is Joe Moss, of the "
Ring of Bells," who has almost completed a snug house, in what will be the main street, where we hope he will be as well patronised as his merits deserve, and his friends wish him. David Wright, of the
Queensland Hotel, on the Black Lead, is also re-erecting his house. In fact not less than a dozen public houses are now in course of erection, as are scores of other buildings too numerous to mention. Dr Lewis, and
Souter the chemist, have erected a snug branch, where all "ills that flesh is heir to," will doubtless be cured at a moderate figure. No Police have yet been located on the rush, and as a natural result, these cold nights, blankets and coats disappear from tents most mysteriously, and the "hard heads" generally have jolly times of it. The favourite amusement is "heading them," and from the number of rings formed by the followers of this profitable pastime (to some) it appeared the only amusement, except when the Commissioner appears on the ground. Judging from appearances, and from "information received" we think that the Home Rule will be a large and permanent rush.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 88, June 19, 1872
JULY 1872 - THE HOME RULE TOWNSHIPDuring the past fortnight there has been a great improvement for the better in the appearance of the township at the Home Rule. Large and costly buildings are springing up in every direction and being fitted up for almost every trade. In hotels there is a great change for the better, as in several of them notably Messrs
Wright, Moss, and
Oliver, the accommodation is almost equal to any on Gulgong; so visitors need not fear that they will suffer hunger or thirst.
Mr Chas. Bird, the chemist, of Herbert-street has almost finished a natty branch establishment, where customers will find a full supply of the pure drugs; chemicals, and the other &c. which has earned for the parent shop so large a share of the public favour; and as the branch will be under the management of a qualified dispenser there will be no fear of the wrong bottle being used.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, 13 July 1872
1872 - [RESTAURANTS]
The irrepressible
Chinese have taken the lead in providing restaurants, and are well patronised especially on Sunday, when the patrons have to wait their turn outside. In another month when the litigation is ended and all hands wire into work the Home Rule should be a lively place. Already it is the favourite resort on Sunday for Gulgongites who take an outing; and as schools and churches loom prominently in future this populous suburb will no doubt become a town. A post-office has been applied for, and will probably be granted. It will be a convenience to the residents.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, 13 July 1872
AUGUST 1872_____________________
HOME RULE - Our population is about 7000, and daily increasing. The township extends over two miles. We have fine hotels, stores, &c, and a
large theatre is being erected by Mr. Manton, which Miss
Joey Gougenheim has leased for twelve months.
...buildings are being erected in all directions, tending to show that business people have every confidence in the place.
We have completed since my last the new Congregational Church, a very creditable edifice indeed, and one that would not reflect any discredit upon some of the older townships in the colony. A Church of England is in contemplation, and its members are invited for that purpose to attend a meeting to be held at Moss' Assembly Rooms, on Monday evening, the 19th instant, upon which occasion the Bishop of Bathurst will preside. The Rev. Mr. Allworth, who has been officiating at Gulgong and here, will also be present. The Rev. Father Donovan, of Mudgee, has paid us a visit once or twice, but I do not think that he has decided upon the erection of a chapel at present. The Wesleyans contemplate building at once, but have not fixed on a site.
New stores are in course of erection by Messrs.
Booth and Co. of Queen-street Gulgong, but the well-known firm of
Sun Tong Lee, did not allow us Europeans to take the initiative, but commenced building a fine store in Commercial-street, opposite
Wright's Queensland Hotel, which will be completed by the end of next week. The new theatre, owned by Messrs. Manton and Smith, is progressing fast, and is expected to open in a fortnight under the able management, of
Miss Joey Gougenheim, who has secured a first class company from the principal theatres at Melbourne, Sydney, and New Zealand. It is to be hoped that she will be handsomely rewarded in catering for the public amusement of the inhabitants at Home Rule.
With reference to the Government improvements, I have very little to say, certainly the surveyor has settled upon the locality for the police camp and lock-up, but nothing more has been done the officials all visit us, but if they are satisfied to come and see we certainly hare not any right to complain, but return the compliment and lose the principal part of a day in going to Gulgong, for the purpose of initiating any proceedings that may be necessary to take when our rights are violated, We anticipated ere this that post office accommodation would have been allotted us, but like all transactions where red tape is used must for some time be a post-office only in future.
We nave been favoured within the last few days with a nice sprinkle of rain, and the farmers in and surrounding here are making the best of their times in getting their crops in, and if the present prices of colonial and farm produce only continue, they will be well rewarded for their industry.
A WELL attended meeting of the members of the
Episcopalian Church took place at
Moss's Assembly Rooms, on Monday evening last. His Lordship the Bishop of Bathurst presided. It was unanimously decided to erect a church forthwith, and subscriptions were entered into for that purpose. The Rev. Mr. Allworth was present and addressed the meet ing. Since my last, the Rev. Father Donovan has determined on the erection of a church, and tenders are invited to carry out his intentions.
A public meeting was held at the
Miners' Home Hotel on the 17th instant, to organise a Miner's Literary Association. A number of persons were present, and all the resolutions were adopted without opposition. For the purpose of carrying out this laudable object, a committee was appointed who purpose canvassing for subscriptions, and, no doubt the miners, with their usual liberality, will contribute freely to so desirable an institution. I am informed that several persons have promised contributions of books, &c.
The
Royal Shamrock Theatre opened on Saturday evening last, under the able management of
Miss Joey Gougenheim, who delivered a managerial address. The house was crowded and the performers acquitted themselves in a very creditable manner, the theatre-going people being much pleased with the entertainment given.
For the information of your readers I give the following as a correct report of the Home Rule markets. Draught horses are in demand and find ready sale from £8 to £20; a mob of good unbroken colts would find quick sale. Saddle hacks are worth from £3 to £6; spring carts £14; tipped drays, £11; oaten hay, £11; lucerne, £9 per ton; straw, £10 per ton; potatoes, £14 per ton; bacon, 8d per lb.; butter, 6d per lb; onions, 14s per cwt; cheese, 9d per lb.; eggs, 1s 6d per dozen. Produce of every description is very scarce. Land frontages in the main street have been sold at £1 5s per foot.
Share-market.—Nothing is doing owing to the disputed claims not being settled.
Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 31 Aug 1872 Page 7
SEPTEMBER 1872_____________________
1872 - [POSTMASTER]
The appointment of Mr. Dwyer as postmaster, at Home Rule, is looked upon as a strange proceeding, the Postmaster-General having written to the postmaster at the
Canadian lead, offering the billet, which was accepted. The Canadian postmaster, Mr. Byrne, subsequently removed his building to this place, at some considerable expense, after which he found to his surprise that Mr. Dwyer was appointed. Mr. Byrne receiving from head-quarters a letter, informing him that the Postmaster-General had not any fault to find with him whilst acting in the capacity of postmaster at the
Canadian Lead. I have seen the official letters and the case is one of hardship; some compensation should certainly be awarded. No one complains of Mr. Dwyer holding the position; both gentlemen are much respected.
Another matter has caused some dissatisfaction—the making of our post-office only a branch of the Canadian, our population at Home Rule being 7000 and that of the former place only a few hundred.
We have lately forwarded a petition to the Government praying for a police camp here, life and property is anything but secure, and persons have frequently to suffer insult and injury rather than travel to Gulgong for justice on this goldfield. Considering the population, everything is pretty peaceable, still there are always a number of rowdies who take advantage where there is not a lock-up or camp. Truly there are two police stationed here, who are always ready and willing to do the best they can in a case of emergency, but they are quite inadequate to our requirements—a police camp is much needed.
Within the last week the Chinamen have completed their, two large stores, which would reflect no discredit to your city. Mr. Booth has also completed and opened his fine store, but we are very much in want of a bank, nearly all the business at present being transacted at Gulgong. A branch bank would answer, and be well supported, as the people are not pleased at the manner in which the banks established in the other plaec have treated them.
1872 - LETTER RE POSTAL SERVICE
The Post Master General &c &c Sydney
Sir,
In Reply to yours of the 17 inst per delivery of Branch Mail at the “Home Rule” via Canadian, the amount I can do the service for will be the sum of £100- One Hundred Pounds Sterling for the remaining term of my Present Contract.
I beg to inform you that I shall have to keep a Man and Horse expressly for this service in consequence of the “Home Rule” being distant 4 four miles out of the direct line and cannot be done by Coach.
I am Sir, Your Obdt Servant
Peter Anderson, Contractor
Submitted. The price asked by the Contractor of Mail in the Home Rule (as well as via Canadian Lead as at present) is so exorbitant that I see no other alternative than to defer the establishment of a Post Office at the Home Rule until some more reasonable arrangement can be made for the conveyance of the mails.
Contractor only receives £105 per annum for carrying the mails between Mudgee and Gulgong via Canadian Lead. His contract will terminate on 31 Dec next.
Tenders might be at once invited for conveyance of the mails between Canadian Lead & Home Rule - which places appear to be only 2 miles apart. 28-8-72
1873_______________________________
HOME RULE RACES ...As it turned out Home Rule is anything but a pleasant place for racing at; the racing itself was badly managed, a concatenation of circumstances which did not reconcile the visitors to too much of a good thing; and after the Gulgong fields were terribly shorn of their fair proportions by the racing at other places, the array of lame horses at the last meeting of the three was pitiable to look upon.
Leaving Mudgee on Monday morning, so as to reach Home Rule in plenty of time for the races; and assured by everyone to whom we applied for geographical information that if we kept all right-hand roads, we could not possibly lose ourselves, my travelling companion and I commenced the pilgrimage; and, after pulling up to find ourselves, first on the direct road to "Gulgong," then going straight to the Canadian, and again on the rather uneven road to nowhere, we at length, an hour later than we should have been, drove up the main street of Home Rule, and found our friends who had preceeded us, quartered at what we were given to understand was the principal hostelry.
There was no accommodation for horses except an open yard, and we should have fared but for the owners of poor old Warrior and Cyclops, who suggested the locking up of our coats and portmanteaus in the box of the celebrated "Gunner," and the similar treatment of the ponies in the box of Warrior when the old hero went out to run. Those good-natured and wholesome suggestions being carefully attended to, I have only to say that we came out scatheless. Poor old Warrior returned not to his box, and the ponies and luggage remained there in safety till our return from the course, whither and back we walked. Some visitors were not so fortunate, for out of the same yard the buggy horses of Mr. George Mathews, and Mr. Silberburg dissappeared while their owners were at the races, and when I left Gulgong no tidings of the missing equines had been received.
The Home Rule Course was pretty good going, except where the trees had been grubbed out; and as far as I can learn, it was in one of these stump holes that the accident occurred which caused the death of Warrior, and very nearly of his rider, Ashworth.
The great fault on all these country courses is the prevalence of timber, which quite prevents the horses being seen in front of the stand, and when this is supplemented by such clouds of dust as we have here at Home Rule and Gulgong, it is simply impossible to gain sufficient information about a race, to enable one to give a true and faithful account of it afterwards. This disability I have felt more during my just-concluded trip than ever before that I can remember; and I hope when next I visit these places, to find the middle of the courses, at least partially cleared of timber; an improvement which might also be made with much benefit at Mudgee. [some horse commentary omitted]
Presently, Ashworth was brought in on a hackney, and then it was discovered that the horse's shoulder was broken. Mr. Glenister, for whose misfortune much regret was felt, at once gave orders to have his old favourite shot, and this being done, Home Rule saw the last of this good old horse, who literally died in harness, like so many good ones have done before; such as Strop, Exile, Gulnare, Sir William Don, &c. On being attended to, Ashworth was found to have sustained severe injuries about the head and face, as well as to his arms, hands, mid-neck; but it was hoped, there were no bones broken, which hope I believe was happily well-founded.
After such a sad finale to the big race of the meeting we felt little inclined to wait for a Hack Race, or the runoff of the Shorts, and so started away for Gulgong. Here again, to miss the way was said to be impossible if all right-hand roads were taken; but I notice that after obeying these instructions implicitly, we found ourselves, when we thought we should have reached Gulgong, careering along the road to Talbragar. Turning to the left, and keeping going, we eventually reached our destination, and at
Selfe's comfortable quarters didn't long think of our past difficulties, though we determined not to "do" Home Rule on the following day.
Stolen, on the morning of the 3rd instant, from the "Golden Bar Hotel,” Home Rule, Gulgong, the property of Anthony Gorman,—A new pair of striped chocolate tweed trousers, spot of grease inside right knee, pair braces marked “ J.B,” and £2 7s. —Identifiable.
1874_______________________________
1874 - ROADS AND BRIDGES.
The contractor Mr. Ramsay, who we were suspicious about a little time back is quite up to the mark in mending the ways of the Minister for Lands, as within the last ten days, like magic he has performed wonders. The main street in Home Rule, has been formed and partly mettled, the bridge repaired and improvements made towards its approaches. On the Mudgee road from the Red House to the boundary of the Mudgee municipality beyond O'Donnell's Line, the road has been formed and everything is in a most progressive way to repair this part of the route which is so much used between Mudgee and these gold-fields.
1875_______________________________AUSTRALIAN ALMANAC - HOME RULE.
Home Rule is distant about 7 miles from Gulgong. The bulk of the miners in this district are now in the neighbourhood of Home Rule. The Mining Registrar of Gulgong visits Home Rule every Thursday to register claims, &c.
- Banks — Bank of New South Wales, the Australian Joint Stock, the Oriental Bank
- Police —Officer in charge of Police — Sergeant Keenan, Constable O’Flaherty
- Principal Hotels— Graham, Hawkins, Osborne, Maguire, Kirkpatrick
- Principal Storekeepers— Booth, Woods and Co., Brown and Co., Byrnes, Jones, Sun Tong, Lee, and Co.
1876_______________________________
MOORE'S ALMANAC - HOME RULE.
Home Rule is distant about 7 miles from Gulgong. The bulk of the miners in this district are now in the neighbourhood of Home Rule and Log paddock.
The Mining Registrar of Gulgong visits Home Rule every Thursday, to register claims, &c. ,
- Banks—Bank of New South Wales, the Australian Joint Stock, the Oriental
- Police—Officer in Charge of Police— Sergeant Keenan, Constable O’Flaherty
- Principal Hotels— Graham, Hawkins, Osborne, Maguire, Kirkpatrick
- Principal Storekeepers— Booth, Woods and Co., Brown and Co., Byrnes, Jones, Sun Tong, Lee, and Co.
- Bonded Storekeeper— J Selmann
1879_______________________________
MOORE'S ALMANAC - HOME RULE.
Home Rule is distant about 7 miles from Gulgong.
The Mining Registrar of Gulgong visits Home Rule every Thursday, to register claims, &c.
- Banks— Bank of New South Wales, Australian Joint Stock, Oriental
- Police—Officer in Charge of Police—Senior-constable Oliver, Constable Foster
- Principal Hotels— Graham, Hawkins, Osborne, Maguire, Kirkpatrick, W. Kellett
- Principal Storekeepers— Booth, Woods and Co., Brown and Co., Byrnes,
- Jones, Sun Tong, Lees and Co. Bonded Storekeeper— J. Selmann
Source: Moore's Almanac, 1879
1881_______________________________
MOORE'S ALMANAC - HOME RULE.Home Rule is distant about 7 miles from Gulgong.
The Mining Registrar of Gulgong visits Home Rule every Thursday, to register claims etc
- Police—Officer in Charge of Police—Constable Thorndike
- Principal Hotels—Kirkpatrick's Queensland Hotel, W. H. Sawbridge's Hotel, Hatton's Victoria Hotel
- Principal Storekeepers— On Hing Jang and Co.
1882_______________________________
MOORE'S ALMANAC - HOME RULE.
Home Rule is distant about 7 miles from Gulgong.The Mining Registrar of Gulgong visits Home Rule every Thursday, to register claims, &c.
- Police—Officer in Charge of Police — Constable W. Bowery
- Principal Hotels — Kirkpatrick’s Queensland Hotel, W. H. Sawbridge’s
Source: Moore's Almanac, 1882
1889_______________________________
MOORE'S ALMANAC - HOME RULE.
A money order, postal, and savings bank township, is distant 7 miles from Gulgong. During the gold fever of 1875 Home Rule had a large population, but is now a mere village.
Source: Moore's Almanac, 1889
1909_______________________________
HOME RULE DIRECTORY
Allan & Garland, store
Allen Wltr, leaseholder
Austin Hy, shp farmer
Buckman & Chapman, saw mill
Cafiero Frank, orchdst & btchr
Callaghan Jas, farmer
Chapman S (Buckman & C)
Donoghue Jno, farmer
Donoghue Johanna, farmer
Drew Arth T, farmer
Drew Carl F A, farmer
Drew Hy, rd contractor
Drew Jno, blksmth & frmr
Drew Jno H, farmer
Duigan Michl, farmer
Duigan Thos, farmer
Egan Mrs Alice, farmer
James Ernest, leaseholder
Lucas Jno, grazier
McNalley Patk, farmer
May Herbt, grazier
Morony Catherine, store & p m
Morony Jno B, P O Hotel
Paine Edwd, farmer
Perry Amelia, fruiterer
Raisin Frank, leaseholder
Randall Wm, farmer
Rogers Peter, farmer
Rowbotham Isaac, btchr & grzr
Schneider Jacob, farmer
Schneider Martin, farmer
Schneider Phillip, farmer
Sharrock Robt, farmer
Sharrocks Thos, leaseholder
Smith Geo, grazier
Webb Wm & Edwd, farmers
Williams Geo, farmer
Williams Jno, farmer
Williams Jos, jun, farmer
Williams Mrs Sarah, farmer
Home Rule, 1895?
Source: SLNSW (special order)
1934_______________________________
Home Rule, Deserted, 1934
This Hamlet of Home Rule, near Gulgong, formerly a busy mining centre, is now practically deserted.
Cows in the main street, 1954
Home Rule, a few miles from Gulgong, was once a thriving mining town with a population of 25,000, three theatres, permanent wax works, two banks. Cows now graze in the streets.
