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

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