The marvellous richness of the Hill End mines was the great topic in mining exchanges, hotels, clubs, and stores. All Sydney caught the gold fever. (Sydney Morning Herald, July 4 1892, p3)

The western slope of Hawkins Hill may be said to be a mountain permeated with gold. The deeper the workings, tho richer and more numerous have the veins become. The country north and south for many miles is being prospected with an energy that shows that the Anglo-Saxon race has lost none of its robust vigour in this austral land ; and should the workings prove profitable, as at present there is every reason to expect, this mountain country will soon be thickly peopled by a hardy race, which will perpetuate, under better conditions, those traits of, courage, strength, and intelligence which have pre-eminently distinguished their European ancestors. [The Sydney Morning Herald, 27 May 1872, p 2]