History with Brian James: Lambing Flat Gold Rush continued

During the second half of 1861 many of the gold miners deserted the Lambing Flat Gold fields to try their luck on the Lachlan Diggins and also in New Zealand. Many of the business of Lambing Flat failed and this can be illustrated by the number of For Sale notices in the local paper.

The Kiandra Hotel, Lambing Flat, the insolvent estate of Elias Moses and Benjamin Benjamin was offered for sale by private tender. All the goods of Messrs. J. Joseph & Co. were for sale and  all of G. Forsyth’s stock from his store at Tipperary Gully. 

Newell and Co. were selling on behalf of the owner, David Smith, “The Cricketers’ Arms, situated at Lambing Flat. There is attached to the building a bakehouse and good stableing. 

For Sale. Mr. John Cunninghame of Burrowa Street Lambing Flat, opposite Dr .Clarke’s Medical Hall, selling his stock in trade, also at his store at Tipperary Gully. Also the lease of his new iron store, opposite Clarke’s.

Although there were closures new business continued to open. Thomas Day opened a Tailing Yard below Carer’s old tailing paddock. J. Blackshaw opened the Goulburn Brewery at the back of Douglas’s public house, Lambing Flat.

In September1861 the officials launched a crack-down on the illegal selling of liquor. Some of those effected were as follows; Thomas Heffernan, licence to be cancelled, for running a disorderly house. Francis Goddard, fined for selling liquor on Sunday. Thomas Solomon, sly grog selling at Chance Gully. Joshua Clift, sly grog selling in his calico house at Chance gully. Benjamin Howarth, Storekeeper, Blackguard Gully, for selling sly grog.

On October 23, 1861, a complaint was published in the Miner regarding the condition of Lambing Flat. It went as follows ,”We think that it is nearly time that something was done to repair the streets in the township. Main Street in particular is in a most disgraceful state, and very dangerous, particularly at night. We expect that some bad accidents will occur, and then the matter will be taken up. Opposite Mr. Armstrong’s Chemist, there is a small lake, or rather pond, full of holes and dangerously treacherous. The want of a bridge over the creek is severely felt, as it is impassable; and drays, carts, in fact vehicles of every description find a great difficulty to cross, and many horses are brutally used before they can do so.  

Mentioned in the Miner of 2 November, 1861 was the intention of a gentleman to erect Baths for the accommodation of the residents . It was believed that they are already commenced and arrangement has been made to keep a constant supply of water. The charge we understand will be two shilling. A small room will be allowed for each bather, with towels, combs and brushes. This will be a great benefit to the public in the hot summer months. 

The hot weather also brought out some of the districts less welcome residents. Mrs. Reed, of Burrowa Street,  narrowly escaped being stung by a death  adder. ( to be continued).