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Later in the same year, 1853, G. Butler Earp published another edition entitled The Gold Colonies of Australia, Their History & Progress, With Ample Details of the Gold Mines, How To Get To Them, and Every Advice to Emigrants, Routledge & Co., London, 1853 (The Fortieth Thousand) and the following extracts are taken from this edition. It was essentially the same as his The Gold Colonies of Australia, and Gold Seeker’s Manual, Routledge & Co., London, 1853 (The Thirty-Five Thousandth) but with additional information on new gold fields, etc.
p. 138-145.
“The Turon. - Gold abounds on this river all along the various bars from Choenarang Creek to its junction with the Macquarie. This is the principal gold field as yet discovered in New South Wales, and is believed to be inexhaustible. The gold district is, however, subject to heavy floods, which render mining impracticable, except upon the banks, during a considerable portion of the year. As we shall have occasion hereafter to allude to the Turon mines at considerable length, we shall not further notice them in this place. The diggings most noted are those of Sofala, Little and Big Oakey Creeks, Stockyard and Sawyer’s Creeks, Cunningham Creek, and Deep Creek, together with some of minor importance.
“Winburndale Creek. - In the county of Roxburgh, flows into the Macquarie. Gold is here found in considerable quantities, and gives every prospect of permanence. It is chiefly imbedded in quartz. There is also here a never-failing supply of water. The gold is found in the river at Gum Swamp, and in the Mullamurra Creek. On the banks it is sometimes found imbedded at a depth of more than twenty feet.
“Tambaroura Creek [Tambaroora Creek] is another tributary of the Macquarie, which it joins just before the junction of Summerhill Creek with that river. Considerable quantities of gold are now being obtained from this locality. Beyond the junction of the Tambaroura Creek [Tambaroora Creek], with the Macquarie is -
Pyramul Creek, which has of late become noted for its surface-workings, gold being found in a decomposed state at an inconsiderable depth. Beyond the Macquarie has not been properly explored; but it is evident that gold will be found along its course, as it has been obtained at Dublin, in the Bligh district, at a considerable distance below the ascertained gold fields. Nearly parallel with Summerhill Creek and the Macquarie, is -
“Molong Creek, which rises in the Canobolas in the Wellington district, and flows into the Bell River, which borders the county of Wellington on the western side, and forms a junction with the Macquarie near Montefiores. There are indications of gold all along this stream, which has not yet been explored.
“To the eastward of the Macquarie is the Cudgegong River, which rises on the Coricudgi [Corricudgy] mountain, and flows into the Macquarie at Wellington Valley. A tributary of the Cudgegong River is the Meroo Creek, on which the famous diggings of -
“Louisa Creek. - These diggings are thirty miles from Mudgee, a township on the Cudgegong river, one hundred and fifty miles from Sydney. The gold is found in nuggets of all shapes and sizes, and the auriferous soil is nine inches beneath the surface. The country is an elevated flat table land, somewhat marshy on the surface, and thickly sprinkled with quartz, boulders, and pebbles. Gold is also found in rocks of slaty formation, and in indurated clay. It was here that Dr. Kerr’s large nugget of a hundredweight of gold was found, since when Brennan’s nugget, which sold for 1,155l., was found not twenty-five yards from the former. Since then several nuggets, varying in weight from one hundred ounces to upwards of three hundred ounces, have been picked up here.
“The diggings before unumerated as being the principal ones, are all to the northward and westward of the town of Bathurst. There are others to the southward and eastward, of which the following are the most noted. The nearest of these are the Coombing Creek, which falls into the Belabula River [Belubula River], a tributary of the Lachlan. These diggings are near Carcoar, and are not of any great extent, as at the present known; but from the number of watercourses and gullies which abound, there is no question but that one day a rich gold field will be discovered in the vicinity.
“To the eastward of these are the O’Connell plains, situated in the counties of Westmoreland and Roxburgh, on the road from Sydney to Bathurst. Gold is here found on the Fish and Campbell’s Rivers; the Fish River divides the counties of Cook and Westmoreland, and is crossed by the Bathurst road at the distance of ninety-six miles from Sydney. It flows into Campbell’s River, forming the head of the Macquarie. This locality is upwards of 3,000 feet above the level of the sea, and presents indications of gold in numerous places which have yet to be explored.
“The remaining gold fields of this district are those of the Abercrombie River, which is a tributary of the Lachlan, and rises on Mount Werong, flowing through the county of Georgiana. The principal encampment has been named Tarshish, as that on Summerhill Creek was named Ophir...
“Other diggings of less note are Isabella River, Mulgunnie Creek, Grove Creek, Copperhama Creek, &c. &c. Besides the above enumerated diggings in the Bathurst district, as it is termed, there are many others of less note.
“Some diggings in the preceding districts have been comparatively deserted, the alluvial soil not yielding sufficient to satisfy the miners, though from the nature of the rocks in the vicinity, and from the tests which have been applied, it is probable that when science and mechanism shall combine in search of the precious metal, a rich reward is yet in store for those who search for it. Amongst these localities are the following : -
“Gilmandyke. - One of the creeks on the Campbell River just alluded to. The land on this creek differs from that of most other gold localities, though the usual metamorphic and sedimentary rocks abound in the vicinity. Rich alluvial flats bound the creek on both sides, the ridges only rising to a slight elevation. Gold was found here in plenty on the surface, but on account of the liability of the spot to floods, and its generally marshy character, the miners abandoned it without searching for dry diggings on the banks and high land. The diggers here appear to have been a rude and enterprising set of men; it having since become apparent that a renewed effort, with means to keep down the water, would be well rewarded. Gilmandyke is twenty-five miles from Bathurst, and close to the Summerhill copper mine. The country abounds with minerals.
“Bell’s River, in the county of Wellington (see Molong). - The lower part of this river has been ascertained to contain gold, which has been worked at Newbriggan Creek, and at one or two other places, but has not yet been properly explored, though rich fields are supposed to abound.
“Proceeding southward, we come to the Braidwood diggings and others forming a gold district of themselves, lying between Sydney and the Maneroo [Monaro] Plains. They are variously known as the Shoalhaven, the Braidwood, the Arauluen, and other diggings. We will first glance at the localities themselves.
“The Shoalhaven River rises in the Maneroo [Monaro] district at a hill called Corrumboroo, 100 miles from Sydney, and divides the counties of Murray, Argyle and Camden, from the county of St. Vincent. It flows into the sea at Cooloongatta [Coolangatta], below Woolongong [Wollongong], passing through one of the Shoalhaven gullies. These gullies are ravines of great depth, from 500 to 1,200 feet, and are distant about twenty-six miles from Lake Bathurst.
“Braidwood is a town of St. Vincent, and is the centre of one of the most important of these gold fields. It is 164 miles from Sydney. Here are situated some of the most productive gold fields of the colony. Here are situated some of the most productive gold fields of the colony. The diggings are on a creek called Araluen Creek, one of the tributaries of the Duah [Deua] and the Broulee Mounyas. This spot is sixteen miles from Braidwood, a town in the county of St. Vincent, 164 miles from Sydney, and seventy-two from Goulburn, in Argyle. The banks are black soil to the depth of six inches, with substrata of clay and sand, intermixed with particles of quartz. Mount Ebrington [Elrington], six miles from Araluen, is also productive of gold, which is found in small nuggets.
“With above localities we may include Goulburn, 125 miles from Sydney, to which place a considerable quantity of gold finds its way in the course of transit to Sydney. The principal gold fields in this part of New South Wales are the following : -
“Bungonia, on a creek of the same name, about 125 miles from Sydney. This creek is a tributary of the Shoalhaven, and the gold is found mixed with emery and sand. These diggings are sometimes called the Shoalhaven diggings, from their vicinity to that river.
“Mongarlo [Mongarlowe], or Little River, twelve miles from Braidwood. The gold found here is in schistose rocks, and is of a nuggety character, one of 54 oz. having been found. The river or creek is a tributary of the Shoalhaven, and gold is found to its source in Budawang mountain, one of a range which divides the waters of the Shoalhaven from those which flow into the sea. This mountain is 170 miles from Sydney.
“Major’s Creek is a tributary of the Duah [Duea], near Araluen. The auriferous soil here is decomposed granite, which is found at a depth of from ten to twenty feet, but the top alluvial soil also yields gold in abundance. At the first discovery of gold here a boy got half an ounce of gold from a small hole not a foot square, and considerable quantities are still obtained from this locality.
“Lake George. - Gold is found at the Big Creek. This lake, 2,000 feet above the level of the sea, is about sixteen miles long by seven broad. The western shore has a steep ridge of hills rising from the water’s edge; but the country to the eastward and northward of the lake, consists of open plains. It is in the plains that the precious metal, washed down from the hills, is found.
“Carraway Flat. - The diggings here, though at one time considered of little value, have turned out very rich, as have those also at Black Swamp, in the vicinity. Carraway or Carawong Flat is near Lake George.
“Mulwaree Ponds, in the same vicinity, from a branch of the river Wollondilly, receiving the waters of the Merijah rivulet, at the southern extremity of the county of Argyle, near Lake George. They flow northerly towards the town of Goulburn.
“Wattle Forest Creek. - A tributary of Major’s Creek, which has yielded a considerable quantity of gold.
“Shelley’s Flat, near Marulan, a mountain in the county of Argyle, 114 miles from Sydney.
Bell’s Creek is another of the Araluen diggings, and has yielded a large amount of gold. Bell’s Paddock, Bell’s Point, and Bell’s Gully, are names of different localities on this gold field.
“There are many gold fields in this district, which may be thus briefly enumerated. Meringo Range, bordering a lagoon of the same name, about 150 miles from Sydney. Pigeon-house Creek [Boyne Creek], at the base of the Pigeon-house Mountain. This river flows into the Clyde, which rises in the above-named mountain, and disembogues into the Macleay River [Buckenbowra River] at Bateman’s Bay. Burrill Creek, about three miles to the southward of Ulladulla, 139 miles from Sydney. Arnprior, in the county of Murray, 152 miles from Sydney. Boro Creek, 145 miles from Sydney. Dividing range of Argyle, a mountain chain extending from Burra Burra to Lake Ceorge, including the Bredalbane Plains. The greater portion of this district forms an immense gold field, many parts of which are being worked to advantage.
“Many of the Moruya diggings we have classed with those on the Shoalhaven, the whole country between these two rivers being productive of gold. The Moruya is 190 miles from Sydney, and 20 from Bateman’s Bay. It divides the county of St. Vincent from the Maneroo [Monaro] district. Other diggings on the Moruya, are Kiora, and at other places of less note.
“The Manerro [Monaro] Plains, still further to the southward, have been fully noticed in a former portion of this work, so that there is no occasion to refer to them in this place. The diggings which have been discovered on this district are chiefly on the Snowy River, which rises in the Australian Alps, a range of mountains which divides the district of Gipps’ Land from that of Murray and Western Port. Gold has been discovered in many of the branches of these. Amongst those feeders of the Snowy River which belong to the Maneroo [Monaro] are the following : - . Stony Creek. Nimitabel, on the east side of the coast range. Mowamba River. Maclachlan River [MacLaughlin River]. Jindehem. Jacob’s River, on the west side of the table-land. Ironpot Creek. Bombalo Creek. Calkin, on the Mahratta Creek. Berrima, on the west side of the district, amongst the Australian Alps. Bendee, about sixty miles from Twofold Bay, with many others.
“The Delegat [Delegate], a tributary of the Snowy River, contains several gold fields, some of which are enumerated above. Others are Slaughter-house Creek, Quedong [Quidong], &c. The Moambo, Bendoc and Woolwye rivers also contain gold.”
pp. 150-153.
“The northern diggings are chiefly in the vicinity of the Peel River, Hanging Rock, Bingara, &c., and when fully explored, it is surmised that they will be second to none in Australia. The Hanging Rock diggings especially have lately been yielding largely in proportion to the few hands employed. The last accounts bring numerous instances of parties realizing from fifty to twenty-five ounces of gold per week. The following account of the geology of this district will show its character. It is from the pen of the Rev. Mr. Clarke [Clarke had visited the area in November to December, 1852] : -
“ ‘Peel Gold Mines. - I do not consider myself sufficiently acquainted yet with the gold field of the Peel to report fully upon it, but, so far as I have seen, the quartz veins are numerous, though of no great magnitude. They are not all auriferous, but those which are not appear to alternate with such as are. Invariably, so far as I have seen, they are associated with dykes of trap, generally a greenstone, and range east and west, or within s degree or two of these points.
“ ‘They are, therefore, transverse to the quartz veins of Maneroo [Monaro], and probably occupy s similar relation to them as the transverse veins of Cornwall. They are evidently younger than the baked conglomerate, shale, and grit, which they traverse, and by fragments of which the hills which they pass through are strewn.
“ ‘Beds of the Goonoogoonoo rock, highly inclined, traverse Cann’s Plains, crested by conglomerate; and between the plains and the Peel the veins of auriferous quartz lining the trap rise at a high angle from the southward. It is on the south side that gold is sprinkled most abundantly, and it seems, as it were, electrotyped in little hollows upon the surface. Black cubical auriferous pyrites occur next the gold rock in some places, and there is abundance of epidote in portions of the quartz.
“ ‘Mr. [E.W.] Rudder, the Australian Agricultural Company’s commissioner, has very obligingly conducted me to various points on the Company’s land, and shown me his collection of rocks from the district. I detect amongst them no true granite, no slate, no well-defined porphyry, but there are transmuted rock and trap in abundance, some manganese and micaceous iron ore, jasper, agates, &c.
“ ‘I cannot imagine such rocks as chiefly compose the country to be otherwise than auriferous. In a collection shown to me on the river, from a ‘long tom,’ I saw small rubies, corundum , magnetic iron ore, titaniferous iron ore, and that peculiar species so common in all gold diggings, which at first sight appears to resemble the ends of the mining tools.
“ ‘I doubt not, that if followed to the eastward the quartz veins will be discovered on the government side; but from what I have heard and seen, these gold washers are not a sufficiently prospecting people.
“ ‘Hanging Rock. - As noticed by me in the other portions of the Coast Range, the declivity to the westward is comparatively gentle compared with what is to the eastward. I need only refer to previous reports during my southern journey to point out the consistency, in this respect, of the features of the range forming the ‘divortia aquarum’ [watershed]. Everywhere precipitous to the sea-board, and to the interior swampy and gradually inclined, the aqueous forces which have been employed in distributing the gold from the cordillera have necessarily left it on the table lands or carried it towards the westward. Moreover, as the outburst of the peculiar igneous rocks in connection with the existence of gold has taken place, in this part of the colony, by wedging out towards the north and west, the planes of contact between the transmuting and transmuted formations are cut off by the eastward or southward escarpments, and, consequently, the production of gold has necessarily been greater on the opposite fall. These remarks afford an answer to the question which is frequently asked respecting the more general distribution of alluvial gold on the interior side of the continent.
“ ‘The more I see of the great backbone of this continent, the more I am impressed with the high probability of the extension of the gold fields far beyond the present limits of search.
“ ‘Oakey Creek. - Here, at the head of the Oakey Creek, one of the Peel waters, and of the Back River, flowing down the Gulf to the Barnard, I recognise the same narrow separation of a few paces in width, which I mentioned as distinguishing the head of the Mahratta Creek, falling to the Snowy River, and the heads of water falling to the coast of the county of Auckland.
“ ‘The elevation of the whole territory in immediate contact with the igneous rocks that form the culminating points for so many degrees of latitude, and the subsequent and consequent denudation, appear to have left unmistakable evidences impressed upon the physical conformation of the surface, which may justifiably be adduced in support of the opinion which I have advocated above, as well as on other occasions. It is very unlikely that gold, associated so frequently with certain superficial as well as with structural conditions, should suddenly be dissociated from them in their prolongation to the north.
“ ‘I report also, on more direct knowledge, that, as regards the Peel and Hanging Rock fields, the opinion I have already expressed has been strengthened by my more recent examination of the district.
“ ‘There are a few persons at work on the head waters of Nundle Creek; and there are still some on the Cockburn River. And although they may not be doing much, the general success of the workings on Hook-anvil Creek, and Oakey Creek, and on the Peel, and the fact that I have found gold in various spots superficially distributed, and in quartz veins not yet opened, * [Footnote - * Respecting these veins I must observe, that they are all of small calibre. The widest has a breadth of less than twelve inches; but narrow veins often produce considerable supplies of gold, as well as other metals. In the Limousin tin veins half an inch thick are worked. (Ansted II, 243.] lead me to conclude, that for some time to come these diggings will maintain, if not a large, a moderate number of persons. I ma further convinced that if the diggers were a more active and intelligent class of persons, more satisfaction would be expressed by many among them, who seem to me to be ready to flock to any spot proved or asserted to be valuable, although they will not for themselves search the ranges and ravines for the indications which undoubtedly exist. The present supply of gold is certainly considerable for the number of persons engaged in supplying it. The system of operation is, however, quite unequal, in my humble judgment, to the capability of the country.’ “
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