Goldmine Hill

Statement of Significance

Goldmine Hill has the archeological potential to reveal information about late 19th century gold mining techniques. Goldmine Hill has the potential, if appropriately interpreted, to inform visitors about a key aspect of North Dandalup's and the State's history. Goldmine Hill is associated with prominent prospector, Leslie Rober Menzies.

Physical Description

Three Shafts (two vertical, one horizontal), in addition to a number of tunnels.

History

In 1869, more than twenty years before Bayley and Ford found gold at Coolgardie, one
newspaper excitedly reported on gold finds in the ‘Range near Pinjarra’.
In October 1869, Christie and Norton wrote to the Colonial Secretary and claimed the
reward for finding a goldfield ‘two miles east of Pollard’s farm at North Dandalup’. A
prospector inspected the alleged find and reported that six men were working the field at
North Dandalup, and were sinking to a depth of three metres. The gold found gave them the
impression that nuggets would be located in the area.
When no large finds had been made, interest in the goldfield died down, although Christmas
1869 still saw four men continue to prospect.
After the gold discoveries of the early 1890s, there was renewed interest in North Dandalup.
In October 1895, Joseph King found quartz containing fine gold two miles southeast of the
North Dandalup siding. King stated that the reef was 30 foot wide, and outcropped for about
three miles.
King was associated with a mining agent, George Lovett, who took up two prospecting
areas of 66 acres, along the line of the supposed reef. Lovett looked to England for the
capital needed to work the reef.
Lovett was associated with Leslie Robert Menzies an American prospector, who learned his
mining on the Sacramento fields, and reaped rewards in New Zealand. The town of Menzies
was named after his discoveries there. On the basis of his reputation, Menzies was a
respected prospector, whose opinion was to be taken seriously.
By March 1896, the Dandalup Gold Mining Syndicate had sunk a shaft to a depth of 30 foot.
A meeting of shareholders was told that there was a large reef, and the gold promised to be
sufficiently rich to pay ‘handsome dividends’.
The newspapers eagerly reported almost daily about the exciting finds at North Dandalup.
Even so, some were beginning to express doubt about the project. Specimens on view at
Menzies’ Perth office were said to be ‘too good for the Range’, and possibly brought from a
distance. However, the newspapers brushed aside the sceptics by noting that Menzies
himself had vouched for the specimens and that this ‘should place the reality of the
discovery beyond question’.
Increasing numbers of people took up ground in the vicinity and prospecting was ‘going on merrily along the range’. Several syndicates were formed to finance the prospecting. Shares
in the Dandalup Gold Mining Syndicate were hyped by the media, and claims of 500 per
cent increase in value were touted.
Continuing daily reports on the exciting finds had an impact on Western Australians. For
those who had missed out on the Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie finds, this goldfield was their
chance to make their fortune. On Saturday 28 March 1896, more than 200 people left Perth
by train for North Dandalup. It was noted that, although the majority looked to be
experienced miners, not a few were ‘amateur or picnicing [sic]’ prospectors.
It was also possible to make a profit from the finds without being a miner. Some retailers
advertised gold pans as Dandalup specials, and the Exchange Hotel in Pinjarra was
refurbished, with the landlord running twice-daily coaches between the pub and the
goldfield.
By the end of March, Menzies claimed to be offering English investors a half share in the
syndicate for £20,000. At the time nineteen areas were being prospected and a restaurant
was erected near the Mount Lovett claim. A large general store was being constructed
along with a blacksmiths and, naturally, applications were made for hotel licenses.
At the beginning of April, a reception was held for Lovett by the Mayor of Perth, who
presented him with a gold watch for his contribution in the Darling Ranges finds.
On the 15 April 1896 the West Australian, up until then the keenest supporter of the
goldfield, admitted that there were now doubts as to whether payable gold could be
uncovered, going so far as to speculate that the North Dandalup field may be a ‘duffer’. This
did not, however, seem to discourage potential prospectors from applying for licenses. A
few days later the Government Mining Inspector, Captain Fowler, finally visited North
Dandalup. His report took seemingly forever to come out. Finally in mid-May, Fowler’s
report was made public. On Saturday 22 May 1896 the North Dandalup Goldfield was
officially proclaimed. A Warden’s Court was established and William Hugh Jones, later a
solicitor in Perth, was appointed.
Prospectors continued to seek for gold, and in early August, the West Australian reported
that ‘the pioneers of North Dandalup are at last reaping their reward, and have the
satisfaction of seeing their much despised but consistent efforts the means of making
Dandalup flourish into a goldfield second to few in the colony’.
The most northerly claim was Hart’s, comprising a well-timbered shaft, with a manager
expecting to strike the reef ‘in another 10 feet’. Near this was the Lady Jane, which looked
one of the most promising looking claims of the group. Then came the principal mine, the
Mount Lovett, which had a tunnel, a main shaft and a monkey shaft. Other claims included
Daisy, Lilly Bagot, Lady Forrest, Kilminster, Aplin, Grants, and Mainwaring.
A visitor who went to look at the Western Australian Eldorado in August would have still
found a group of canvas tents. However, other buildings included Aplin’s ‘North Dandalup’
store, where one could obtain everything ‘from a needle to an anchor’, as well as receive
accommodation. Courtlang and Woodfield ran a butchers, while Marsh operated a shop and
bakery. In addition there was a blacksmiths and stables.
In late September, two hotel licenses were granted for the goldfield, one to Woodfield, and
the other to Aplin. These were named the North Dandalup Hotel and the Mount Lovett
Hotel. Both premises were erected on the rise at the back of the camp. They were built of
wood and iron, and comprised about twelve rooms, including large dining rooms. Both
licensees staged grand opening parties, where champagne was dispensed, with
entertainment delivered by the genial hosts.
Such was the enthusiasm for the future of the goldfield, that a sports day was held in
October, with a special train laid on to bring spectators from Perth.
This is nearly the last that anyone heard of the North Dandalup goldfield. By November
most of the men working there had vanished. The 1897 Mines Department Annual Report
could only note: ‘After many vicissitudes and the expenditure of a great deal of money and
labour, no returns of any importance have been realised from the Dandalup goldfield’. The
goldfield declaration was rescinded by the Government in 1898.
The North Dandalup Hotel closed quickly after the miners had left, although the Mount
Lovett attempted to struggle on. Curiously, after going through a number of owners and
failing to make money, the Mount Lovett Hotel burnt to the ground in January 1898.
Early in May 1915, it was again rumoured that gold had been struck in North Dandalup. A
government geologist was sent and reported the find as being situated in Kronin Brook, just
above its junction with the North Dandalup River. The gold was to be found in the bed of the
creek for a 100m stretch. It was described as being thin and flat, with the majority of pieces
being less that a centimetre, and most were mere specks.
Even so, claims were still staked, with Gustus Luber and Edward Ernest Hart seeming to
believe, against all the evidence that North Dandalup could provide payable gold. What
became of these claims is unknown.

Archaeology

Goldmine Hill has the archeological potential to reveal information about late 19th century gold mining techniques.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good (as site)

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.