The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-08-29

story OF the Discovery of the Pres
oious MetA w Colonfst IN
New south wales.


The romance of Australian gold min-
ing is not inaptly illustrated by the
history Of the Wyalong gold field, in
New South Wales. Less than seven
years ago it was simply a grazing dis
trict, consisting largely.of crown lands
held on lease by pastoralists, the level
nature Of the country, covered with red
soil and scrub, causing il TO be neglect
cd by prospectors, although the Temora
gold field, with its busy population, was
only 40 miles distant.
In July, 1898, Victorian colonist
named Neeld, and his family, being de-
sirous Of obtaining a larger area Of
land for settlement than was possible
under the Victorian land laws, crossetA
the River Murray, and made their way
to WyaIong, 1888 miles south OF Sydney,
where a suitable area of land was Sc
cured. Mr.. Neeld, who had consider
able experience on the Bendigo, Bali
arat and other Victorian gold fields, was
speedily impressed by the auriferons
conditions Of the district, his attention
being attracted by numerous ironstone
nodules and loose fragments of quartz.
This was at the beginning Of August,
1898. and he at once commenced pros
Meeting. but did not succeed in finding
gold until about month after his ar
rival. when he discovered it in loose
piece of quartz
Other discoveries followed, and a few
days later systematic prospecting OPP
erations were commenced. Fresh finds
were made, and, ultimately, Mr.. Neeld
and his sons decided upon holding the
red flag, and pegging out their claims.
This was done on September IS, 1898,
and no sooner had the discovery been
reported than the news spread like wild
fire, numbers Of men riding the same
night toward the scene OF the gold dis
coyeries, in order to secure claims
wherever possible. In January, 1874
there were over 500 men on the field.
In the following March the first parcels
of ore were crushed at Barmedman, the
center of a quartz-mining district, l6
miles distant, when the marvellous rich
ness of the ore became ascertained.
The result was a great rush to the
ground. and about three weeks later the
population had increased to about lo,-
600. butt many subsequently left, being
unable to secure auriferous land. AT
the end Of 1894 the settled population in
the Wyalong and Barmedman districts
was between 1000 and 5000, the num-
ber of claims worked being about goo,
Of which between 20 and 80 were on
! payable stone. In 1898 the quantity OF
gold obtained was 25,497 ounces; IN
| 1896 it was 33,195 ounces, and in 1897
s4.37o ounces, being the largest aurifer-
Gus output of any gold field in the col
| ony. the next richest being Hillgroye
| with 31,ss6 ounces. The total yield
from the Wyalong gold field from its
discovery at the end of 1898 up to the
present has been estimated at 10000
ounces, worth more than half million
sterling.
The gold is extremely fine, and some
times not to be detected without the ait
of a pocket lens. No alluvial gold il
found, and in this respect the distric
| differs from most Of the large golf
fields of the colony. The number an'
extent of the reefs promise not only
steady increase in the rate OF produc
ton, but also furnish indications O
its permanency. The township Of Wya
long =hich occupies site PRACTICAL.
uninhabited in 1898, now boasts OF
population of about 7,ooo.-Chicag'
| Tribune