Western Mail Perth 30 January 1941, page 9 – The Dollypot
Over the Plates – A Lucky Shot.
by Big Jim Allanson.
All sorts and conditions of men were to be found on the Murchison goldfield in 1893. A number of prospectors were camped at a rocky pool on the west side of the Cuddingwarra Ranges, then called the Dead Finish, 10 miles west of Cue. Pleasant memories rise before me of those who gathered around the campfire after the labours of the day were over, and in fancy, I can again see Capt Harry Hay, of the Royal Navy, who a few months previously had been Commander of H.M.C. Childers, then stationed in Sydney harbour; Dick Seetin, a solicitor and the champion amateur boxer of N.S.W.; Jim Officer, ex-bank manager of Collingwood, Victoria, and a brother of Dr Officer, of Perth. Afterwards, Jim was the Mining Registrar in the Warden’s Court at Cue for many years.
The Camp Fire by Edward Sorenson
Then there was Jim O’Brien, afterwards mayor of Cue and a member of the Legislative Council for many years; later he was well known in Perth as the genial host of the Court House Hotel. In addition there were Fred Fairfax, Jack Murray, and Harry Pepper, all of whom had been station owners in Western Victoria; Jack Simpson and Bert Hollingsworth who a few years ago was elected to a seat in the Perth Council and Richard Amphlett, an English gentleman with a peculiar haw-haw style of speech.
Exciting Specking.
One day Mr Amphlett was looking over a stony rise with a big jasper outcrop and a strong body of quartz running into it. Numerous floaters were laying about and he broke many and in several got nice specks. So, he pegged out a 12 acre lease. The next day we had a very heavy thunderstorm. The thunder seemed to strike the hills and echo from one to another. It was like a lot of cannons going off. After the storm, all hands went out specking. Robinson, a prospector, found a 12oz. nugget among the floaters Mr Amphlett had broken. Ted Millbank had got a job on the Light of Asia mine and had borrowed a horse and cart to shift camp. Going over a sandy flat something, fell off the cart and Ted got down to pick it up. Into the sand the wheel rut had fallen off a 17oz. slug.
All hands were soon out with dishes and though we worked hard for several days not one of us raised a colour. So, we came to the sad conclusion that the 17oz. nugget was an orphan with no little brothers or sisters. Mr Amphlett, like the rest of us, had only little experience in mining, so he engaged three practical miners to sink a shaft on his lease which he had called the West Australia. Just before reaching the water level a strong body of quartz came into the shaft and a drive north was started. It was put in for a considerable distance and all stone raised was put into a paddock and frequently sampled and although showing gold, owing to the high cost of crushing and carting, was not considered payable.
One Monday morning just before the men went below Mr Amphlett and Dick Austin went over to the shaft and Mr. Amphlett said: “Well, boys, I went Into Cue yesterday, and got my mail. There was a letter from my bankers, Messrs. McMeekan and Blackwood (a big shipping firm in Melbourne) who do not want me to do any further work on the lease. I thank you all for the hard work you have done and am very sorry for your sakes, as well as for my backers that we have not met with better success. If any of you hear of a job next week take it, and if not, just take it easy.” One of the miners, Paddy Mingham, said: “Boss, I would like to put a shot down where Robinson picked up that nugget.” “Do what you damned well like. Paddy,” replied Mr. Amphlett, and he and Mr. Austin went back to camp.
Ore Body Located.
Paddy got some drills and fracture and put down a hole about three feet and fired out. After a hurried look, he ran to his camp and returned with a prospecting dish, which he filled with specimen stone, and took it to Mr Amphlett’s camp and said: “Look at this boss!” Mr. Amphlett was delighted. “By Gad, that’s splendid Paddy,” he said. Alec Wilson drove Mr. Amphlett into Cue, where the stone was placed in the bank. Mr Amphlett wired Messrs. Meekan and Blackwood:
“Fired out this morning, have brought over 20oz. gold into the bank; plenty more in the face. Advise continuing operations.”
The reply quickly came: “Congratulations. Carry on by all means.” The stone was followed down right through the drive. A crushing of 50 tons was put through the Victory United battery for a return over the plates of 309 oz, a little over six ounces to the ton. The gold sold at the Mint for £4/2/6 per oz, top price in those days.
Charlie Mathews, the feeder, was breaking open a boulder and inside it was over 10 oz. of solid gold and Mr Amphlett took that specimen to England when the lease was sold. While the stone was going through the battery, Harold Martin, the storekeeper, came to me with a handkerchief of mullock and said: “Jim, when you have time will you pour that off for me?” “Sit down,” I said, “and I will do it now.” When I had done it and looked at the result, I was so surprised that I said: “Where the devil did you get that Harold? Have a look.” There was a splendid tail of fine gold. “I got it on that flat north of the West Australia. Someone must have found a specimen and sunk a pothole. Well, I think it’s a lode formation, and if of any width will be very valuable.”
“I’ll get some pegs and help you to peg it out, Harold.” “Well, Jim, I hardly know what to do for the best. My mate, George Morrison, went with a party of prospectors east of Mt. Sir Samuel. They took six months supply of stores and have been gone five months, so he may be back any day, and if they have found anything it might require the money to go with them.”
“Well, Harold, that hole is not likely to be taken up, it’s been there for months probably, so wait until George comes.” He did so, but a week later came to me wearing a very worried look. “What do you think, Jim,” he said, “Paddy Mingham has pegged out two leases, which includes that pothole where I got that sample.
“I am sorry, Harold, I’ll go over to Paddy and see what’s in the wind.” Paddy always had a smile: “You’re just in time, Jim, the billy is on the boil. It’s the strongest I have to give you. I did have a bottle a few days ago, but bad luck, I forgot to put the cork back.” “I have just had an argument with my friend Harold Martin; he says you have pegged out a couple of leases and are going to start a camel station.”
“Well, it’s like this. Jim, the boss wanted to do me a good turn. A big London syndicate has offered him a big price for the ‘West’, but they wanted more ground so he shifted out and gave me the tip to take up a couple of block claims while he showed them around. I’ll get a few pounds for them.”
He did! In less than a week he got £1,000, and Mr. Amphlett got £10,000 for the West Australia. George Morrison came back broke. The party had no luck. Harold Martin sold his business and he and George went to the Island, Lake Austin where they ‘struck it rich’ on a lease called the Orient.
So all’s well that ends well!!!
Moya Sharp
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A great old yarn when prospectors had a great run. 👍