The National tribune., 1899-07-13
WYALONG GOLD FIELDS.
Stcry Of the Discovery Of the rreeious Mctai ty
Coon:s,.

Stcry Of the Discovery Of the Precious Mctai ty Q
Colon:s,.
The romance Of Australian gold-mining
is not inautly illustrated by the history OF
the Wyalong goldfieId, i'll New South
Wales. Less than seven Years ago it was
simply n grazing district, consisting largely
of Crown lands held Oh lease by PASTORAL
lists, the level nature of tine country, COW
cred with red soil and scrub, causing it 10
he neglected by prospectors, although
lation, was only 40 miles distant.
In July. 1893, Victorian colonist
named Neeld, and his family. being de-
sirous OF obtaining larger area of land
for settlement than was possible under the
Victorian land laws, crossed the River
Murray, and made their way to Wyalong,
33S miles south of Sydney, where suit
able area of land was secured. Mr.. Neeld,
who had considerable experience on the
b Id'%o, Baiidrat, and other Victorian
go'ifeldS, was speedily impressed by the
auriferous conditions OF the district, his
attention being attracted by numerous
irolstone noIules and loose fragments of
quartz. This was at tie beginning Of
August. 1893. and he at once commenced
prospecting but did not succeed in finding
gold until about a month alter his arrival,
when he discovered 1t III loose piece Of
quartz.
Other discoveries followed, and a few
days later systematic prospecting opera
tiols were commenced. Fresh finds wers
made, and, ultimately Mr.. Neeld and his
sons decided upon hosting the red flag,
and pegging ont their claims This was
done on Sept. Is, 1893. and no sooner had
the discovery been reported than the news
spread like wildfire, numbers of men riding
the same night towards the scene of the
gold discoveries, in order to secure claims
wherever possible. IN January. 1894,
there were over 500 meii on the field. In
thn fntlpuInlr March tho alc. ,f
were crushed at Barmedman, the center Of
quartZ-minng district. IS miles distant,
when the marvellous richness of the ore
became aScertained
The result was great rush to the ground,
and about three weeks later the population
had increased to about 10000. but many
subsequently left, being unable to secure
auriferOuS land. At the end of 1894 the
settled population in the Wyaong and
Barmedman districts was between 900 and
5000. the number of claims worked being
about 300, of which between 20 and 30 were
on payable stone. In 1895 the quantity of
gold obtained was 25,497 ounces: in 1896 it
was 80, 19o ounces. and in 1897. 34.310
ounces, being the largest auriferous output
of any goldfield in the Colony. the next
richest being Hiligrove, with 81, sS6 ounces.
The total yield from the Wyalong gOldfield
from its discovery at the end of 1898 up to
the present has been estimated at 10000
ounces, worth more than half a million
sterling.
The gold is extremely fine, and some
times not to be detected without the aid Of
a pocket lens. No alluvial gold is found,
and in this respect the district differs from
most of the large Go!dfieldS of the Colony.
The number and extent of the reefs prom
Use not only a steady increase in the rate Of
production, hut also furnish indications Of
its permanency. The township of Wya-
long. which occupies site practically un-
inhabited in 1893, now boasts population
of about 1000.