Title: Gold Escort Conveying £50,000 from Mines to Bank
Excerpt from an article titled: Mining; published in the Handbook of South Australia, 1908.
In a valuable compilation, "Record of the Mines of South Australia," compiled under the authority of the Hon. L. O'Loughlin (Minister of Mines) by Mr. Lionel C. E. Gee (General Assistant and Recorder, the Government Geologist (Mr. H. Y. L. Brown, F.G.S.) supplies a sketch of mining, from which the following is taken:-
What is believed to have been the first authentic discovery of gold in Australia, to which public attention was called and from which actual mining operations resulted, was made in January, 1846, about 10 miles E. from the city of Adelaide; but although the precious metal has been found at many places over large areas, yet as a gold-producer South Australia ranks last of the States of the Commonwealth. The principal auriferous districts are in the main range from its S. portion through Echunga, Talunga, Barossa, and Ulooloo to Wonna, about 140 miles N. from the city; thence N.E., Mount Grainger, Waukaringa, Mannahill, Wadnaminga, and Olary districts. The best find of alluvial gold yet made was in the saltbush and low hills country of Teetulpa, about 200 miles N.E. by N. of Adelaide; this was discovered in October, 1886. The area was small, and the ground was soon worked out, but it is estimated that about £300,000 worth of gold has been obtained from an area not exceeding one square mile. An immense district of similar country surrounds this place, and much desultory prospecting has been done, but so far Teetulpa remains the solitary rich patch unearthed here. Rich gold reefs have been discovered at Tarcoola, about 300 miles N.W. from Port Augusta. Gold has also been found in the Peake and Denison ranges, and near Yudnamutana, in the N. portion of the main range. To compensate for the lack of gold.
What is believed to have been the first authentic discovery of gold in Australia, to which public attention was called and from which actual mining operations resulted, was made in January, 1846, about 10 miles E. from the city of Adelaide; but although the precious metal has been found at many places over large areas, yet as a gold-producer South Australia ranks last of the States of the Commonwealth. The principal auriferous districts are in the main range from its S. portion through Echunga, Talunga, Barossa, and Ulooloo to Wonna, about 140 miles N. from the city; thence N.E., Mount Grainger, Waukaringa, Mannahill, Wadnaminga, and Olary districts. The best find of alluvial gold yet made was in the saltbush and low hills country of Teetulpa, about 200 miles N.E. by N. of Adelaide; this was discovered in October, 1886. The area was small, and the ground was soon worked out, but it is estimated that about £300,000 worth of gold has been obtained from an area not exceeding one square mile. An immense district of similar country surrounds this place, and much desultory prospecting has been done, but so far Teetulpa remains the solitary rich patch unearthed here. Rich gold reefs have been discovered at Tarcoola, about 300 miles N.W. from Port Augusta. Gold has also been found in the Peake and Denison ranges, and near Yudnamutana, in the N. portion of the main range. To compensate for the lack of gold.
Provenance: "Handbook of South Australia". By David J. Gordon. Issued by the Government of South Australia. With over 280 Illustrations
Arthor: David J. Gordon
Date of Publication: 1908
Publisher: C. E. Bristow, Government Printer, North Terrace
Place of Publishing: Adelaide
Copyright status: This work is out of copyright
Courtesy: Cornell University Library via the Archive Org.
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