Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Main street, Canadian Lead

Main street, Canadian Lead

1872
Glass photonegative

Only eight kilometres from Gulgong, the Canadian Lead was an alluvial field of deep washdirt and easy digging. The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 April 1872, recorded the rush.

… the Canadian lead where a month ago some four hundred people were, can now boast of a couple of thousands. The Gulgong diggings may be fairly said to be spread over eight square miles.

From 'Empire', 19 June 1872

GULGONG was the first gold-field in the Western district on which deep-mining, properly so called, has been tried. To work a claim at Gulgong requires a considerable capital. Six months, or even twelve, may elapse, during which from  three to six men may be constantly employed before it can be proved, and after all it may turn out a duffer. [Empire, 19 June 1872]