GOLD MINING AT NAPOLEON REEF
The “N.S.W. Gazeteer 1866" states that "goldfields in the neighbourhood (of Bathurst) are Glanmire, distant about 9 miles east; the Napoleon Reef about 11 miles S.E.... the mining population is as follows...Napoleon Reef 150, Glanmire 350." The "Bathurst Directory 1886-7" provides the following information:- "Glanmire, a mining township situated on St Anthony's Creek about 7 miles N.E. of Bathurst. The diggings were first discovered in June 1865.. from time to time a fair number of miners were employed. The principal reefs were the Napoleon and the Fontana." Many shafts were dug along about 300 yards of the main reef during these early diggings; the adjacent hills were mined and alluvial mining was conducted along the creeks. Mining continued in the area on a small scale for many years, culminating in a commercial mining venture using more mechanized processes in 1911. The old diggings have often been reworked by individuals, especially during the Great Depression of the 1930's. However, since the last commercial attempt in 1911, the site of the Napoleon Reef has remained a pock-marked hillside, a silent testimonial to the efforts of the miners of the late 19th century and the early 20th century.
Thanks to Jan Page for the information about Littleton and Gold Mining at Napoleon Reef.
1 Tip dray now gone - sorry
2 Littleton is now owned by your host John O’Connell.
A WEE BIT OF HISTORY
"Littleton" originally consisted of five two acre blocks owned by members of the Roper family - Dick, Dan, George, Bill and three or four girls. The original three roomed wattle and daub house still stands, together with the remains of a brick chimney which would have been a part of a separate kitchen. A second cottage stood on the opposite side of the gateway, providing the family with an additional two rooms of mud and slab construction.
The Roper family conducted the "Littleton Orchard" for many years, specializing in apples, pears and cherries. Two wattle and daub sheds and a cart shed complete with tip dray1, still stand as reminders of the property's orcharding days. "Littleton" remained in the Roper family until the death of Dan Roper in 1961.
It was then purchased by J.B. Bedwell who has since expanded the property by the incorporation of adjoining leases, one of which includes the Mosquito gold mine.2
