As with Clear Hills and Favourite Flat there is no mining information until 1859. This, despite the fact that the initial influx of diggers in 1851, came through this area before reaching Araluen and Bell’s Creek. More people, provisions, help and the many finds of gold to the north could have been the reason this area was overlooked in the beginning by the bulk of the miners. Then as the alluvial gold petered out in the northern areas, these southern areas attracted the miners until new finds were found in Crown Flat.
From McGowan’s explorations in the late 20th Century1McGowan, Golden South, p 31. he describes the remaining evidence of habitation and mining at Upper Mudmelong …
Upper Mudmelong contains one of the few intact areas of pan and cradle mining from the earliest years. Pot-hole tailings are located in an elevated position west of the creek, overlooking an area of paddocking and ground sluicing. The paddocking areas or paddocking claims, was a method of mining carried out in a paddock away from a creek. These areas were excavated by hand, then carting it down to the creek to be washed using puddling tubs, cradles and tin dishes. Due to the labour involved the ground here had to be rich enough in gold to make the effort and processing costs worth while were fed from a water race which commenced at Favourite Flat. On the southern part of the tailing site, which is intersected by a gully, are two cuttings similar to those at Favourite Flat, in which at least four huts are located. Two other hut sites and a forge are located nearby. Four hut sites and a forge are located on the northern part of the workings, together with two small dams, overlooking the paddocking claims. These dams relied on storm water only and may have been used for domestic purposes as well as washing.2Paddocking areas, or paddocking claims, was a method of mining carried out in a paddock away from a creek. These areas were excavated by hand, then carting it down to the creek to be washed using puddling tubs, cradles and tin dishes. Due to the labour involved the ground here had to be rich enough in gold to make the effort and processing costs worth while. https://www.goldfieldsguide.com.au/blog/77/surfacing-in-the-victorian-goldfields
The workings at Lower Mudmelong are extensive and include creek frontage workings on the lower creek terraces and areas of paddocking on the flats west of the Araluen Creek. They are fed by a number of water races, one of which skirts the hills to the west, and two others closer to Araluen Creek, one of which emptied into a large but shallow area of paddocking in the centre of one of the flats…… there are a large number of cuttings containing hut sites …..
McGowan goes on to say that the townsite of Mudmelong includes the remains of a school house, hotel complex and hut sites located west of the track down to Lower Mudmelong. There are areas of pot-hole tailings and a larger area of paddocking on the lower creek terraces. There is also the remains of a Chinese cemetery, a national heritage site, in the area known as Jew’s Gully. This had about 26 graves most of which has been exhumed. One kilometre south of Mudmelong is a stone structure which may have been a battery site, but there is no evidence of tailings. Uphill to the west is evidence of auriferous drift workings consisting of small areas of paddocking and tail races. The hut site in this area possibly dates from the 1930s.
When Mudmelong started in earnest is a mystery, but by June 1859 it was noted that the drought that was affecting the valley was also making mining difficult3Empire, 2 June 1869. …
At Mudmelong many claims remain idle from the same cause that operates against the carrying on of works in other parts – namely, the long drought ; but should rain come now, and there is every prospect of it, the next escort will be a very heavy one, as there are piles and piles of stuff ready for the sluice boxes. Mr. Eaton, late of Bell’s Paddock, is about opening an extensive store here, and has just returned from Sydney with a large stock bought under advantageous circumstances. He will consequently be able to supply other store-keepers in the neighbourhood, as well as the diggers, at very moderate rates. The stock is being brought by the way of Broulee, and from thence conveyed to Mudmelong on pack-horses. Fifteen of these animals are now employed at this work, and the number will immediately be increased. The reason for using such an unusual mode of conveyance is that the road to the coast is extremely bad and very rocky.
If miners have a better option they cannot afford to stay in the one place if returns reduce for any reason, and we see one example of this in mid-June 18594Sydney Morning Herald, 18 June 1859. …
At Mudmelong, James Watts and party have sold the whole interest of their claim to Chinamen for £300, who have also purchased the right of water from the adjoining party for 15 pound.
McGowan comments that this is the first mention of Chinese in the valley.5McGowan, Golden South, p 54.
Once the rains came to relieve the drought and mining could start again, the number of miners increased6Sydney Morning Herald, 9 July 1859. …
The population here has greatly increased since our last visit. Extensive works have been opened up, the consequence, probably, of the late rain. Across the creek, near the Pack Saddle Store, the diggers are making more than wages, and from all appearance this place appears to be very prosperous.
The following week the Sydney Morning Herald reported7Sydney Morning Herald, 16 July 1859. The Pack-Saddle is located a mile south of Mudmelong. …
Gunston’s claim is turning out remarkably well, and is no doubt, the richest in this locality. There are two sluice boxes continually at work, and each of the party (four in number) makes £12 to £14 a week. Just below the ‘Pack-saddle’ Butts and Co. have erected a puddling machine which does the work of four horses per diem. It is the first of the kind erected here, and is so economical in its operation that we should like to see many more erected on the creek.
And in early August 18598Empire, 13 August 1859. …
At Mudmelong, mining operations are still in a prosperous condition, and we hear of no complaints amongst the miners. Below ” the Pack-saddle ” we noticed the erection of two new public houses, or rather buildings intended for such-: one is designated the “Doncaster” already noticed, the other the “Diggers’ Retreat” which is being put up by Mr. Burt, so well known to the diggers that he needs no word of commendation at our hands. As, no doubt, the prices of provisions will be a matter of concern to those who purpose visiting this gold field, we append a list of the retail charges for the chief articles of consumption ;—3 lb. loaf, ls. 6d.; beef, 6d. per lb. pork, 10d. per lb. ; potatoes, 16s, per cwt. ; onions, 7d. per lb. ; butter, (salt) 3s. per lb ; maize, 14s. per bushel.
But, as luck would have it, on 23 August9Empire, 23 August 1859. …
On proceeding to the Mudmelong, we. again heard great complaints of the dryness of the season, so much-so that three claims have stopped work altogether. Those parties however, who still continue in trim, are doing satisfactorily.
The next reports are after the catastrophic flood of February 186010Braidwood Dispatch, 18 February 1860. …
Down the creek, one mile below Mudmelong, we come to where once stood Burt’s house, the Diggers’ Retreat. In that locality the destruction was as severe (if not more so) than anywhere. I was myself a lodger in Burt’s house, and have a vivid recollection of Saturday morning, February 11th. We all retired tired to bed at 11 o’clock (with the exception of Mr. Burt, who did not go to bed until three, when he thought everything was safe) without any idea of danger. A few moments after daylight we were aroused from our peaceful slumbers by Mr. A. Lawley, who, by kicks and cries, informed us that the flood would soon sweep the building away and bury us in its ruins. There were at the time in the house, Mr. and Mrs. Burt and 4 children, together with seven lodgers. We only had sufficient, time to escape with our lives, but our loss is nothing compared with Burt’s, for he has lost all—house, kitchen, saloon ; all, all were swept away by the mighty flood, and where once stood a comfortable house for himself and family and for any traveller that asked accommodation, the ground is laid bare. I suppose Burt’s loss must be near £700 or £800. It is to be hoped that he will not long want, as he would never, when in business, see any man want, if in his power to assist him. Mr. R. Smith, the artist, lost about £70 worth of property. Burt only had sufficient time to save a few articles, hardly enough to cover the nakedness of himself and family. We have to thank every one for their kindness and assistance, for all on the point did everything in their power to help us. I omitted to inform you before, that the body of a little boy, between 12 and 13 years of age, was found in Mr. Waddell’s paddock. I dug the body out ; it was lying face downwards. Mr. C. Tindal made a coffin for him. He was buried in as decent a manner as if his own friends were present ; the funeral service of the Church of England being read over him. After the grave was filled up we fenced it in. Now, in drawing to a close, I have no doubt there are many that have suffered as much as ourselves, but in the whole course of my life I never witnessed such a scene, and I sincerely pray to God that I may never see the like again. In concluding this melancholy history of the flood of Araluen, it is our pleasing duty to have to record the names and deeds of those who distinguished themselves in acts of kindness, and commencing at the lowest point from which any news can be gleaned as yet, we are happy to state that Messrs. A. Waddell and McTavish out of their own scanty means, furnished food for all in want in their immediate neighbourhood. Mr. McTavish killed the only beast that he had, and, as far as it went, doled it out to all. Mr. Waddell’s potato paddock also furnished food to the starving, and right generously did he feed the hungry. Higher up, Mr. Atkinson, the store keeper, and Mr. Bruce, Messrs. Eaton and Co.’s storekeeper, also acted a generous and noble part. From this spot (Mudmelong) we have not heard of any prominent acts of kindness till we come to Vider’s store. Here Mr. Buckley, to his great credit, and without awaiting for his principal (Mr. L. A. Vider, of this town), told the poor starving people that he had a ton of flour in the place, and that he would supply it at the rate of 10 lbs. to each family as long as it lasted. Mr. Thomas North, also, to the best of his means, furnished food to all that called upon him, and the only stock he had (8 pigs) were killed to supply the wants of the sufferers. From North’s we pass on to Mr. John Gilligan’s Erin-go-Bragh, where man, woman, and child met with a real “cead milc failte,” [one hundred thousand welcomes] and many and loud were the expressions of praise in this generous man’s behalf.
By the end of March the Mudmelong diggers had recommenced washing with satisfactory results.11McGowan, Golden South, p 57. But by the end of August the population was migrating to Crown Flat.12McGowan, Golden South, p 58.
By September 1860, there was a significant population change in Mudmelong. Perhaps this was a consequence of the flood and the new discoveries at Crown Flat, an area that was further from the creek and would hopefully suffer less damage from any future flooding13Empire, 4 September 1860. …
At Mudmelong we learn that the Chinese now form the principal portion of the population ; and complaints are loud and deep against them for the unceremonious manner in which they have been digging up the road between Mr. Shoebridge’s store and Mr. Lawley’s public-house, and we believe that the matter will be at once brought under the notice of the resident Commissioner with a view to the prevention of similar encroachments for the future ; indeed the Chinese have done so much mischief that it is dangerous to travel ; their plan seems to be to dig a hole about three or four feet deep, then leave it open and dig another. We hear that at the bottom of Mr. Lawley’s garden, and on the spot where Mr. Burt’s public-house formerly stood, some most encouraging prospects have lately been obtained ; and lower down, report says, that Gaddell’s party are doing well. The people, however, are, as we noticed last week, leaving Upper Mudmelong for Crown Flat, where the diggers may now be seen in great numbers and as busy as a swarm of bees on a sunny day.14Empire, 4 September 1860.
In October 1860 some Chinese were in trouble for selling spurious gold, which had originated in Mudmelong.15McGowan, Golden South, p 58. Spurious gold looks like gold but contains added copper. Otherwise matters were reported as being quiet, apart from the occasional arrival of 150 pack horses with goods from the Moruya for different parties in the valley and elsewhere.16Sydney Morning Herald, 30 October 1860.
There were no further reports until February 186217Freeman’s Journal, 5 February 1862. …
Below Crown Flat, but few miners are at work, if we except some celestials at Mudmelong, but we learn that their numbers will be considerably augmented after the Feast of the Chinese New Year.
And in August 186318Freeman’s Journal, 5 February 1862. …
At Mudmelong the Chinese and also two or three Europeans claims are turning out well. The rush to Kiandra and other fields has been much against prospecting this part of Araluen. At the time Mudmelong was in favour, the Europeans began to sellout for next to nothing and be off with their swag. A general opinion, and are based, we believe, on no pretending ground, is that a large number of diggers will between Mudmelong and Sweeney’s Flat, be remuneratively employed.
Limited, but steady mining apparently continued at Mudmelong and we are advised in April 1867 and again in February 1868 that the works were disrupted by flooding,
Then in January 1869 there was much excitement with new discoveries south of Mudmelong at the confluence of the Deua and Moruya rivers. This excitement continued into February with the Sydney Mail reporting that19Sydney Mail, 6 February 1869. …
The accounts received from this gold-field are extremely satisfactory. We have been informed on the most reliable authority that there are several claims yielding at the rate of £25 a man per week. If reports speak the truth, we have every reason to believe that these diggings will turn out to be a standing gold-field.
The last report for this decade came in March 1869 when the Sydney Morning Herald reported20Sydney Mail, 6 February 1869. …
There is a large number of small claims being worked both by Europeans and Chinese about Crown Flat, Mudmelong, and all along the creek, most of which are paying expenses while many may really be called good paying claims. The proceeds of the yield of all these materially help to make up the amount of our escort, and tends to distribute the money among a large number of our population.
Reports of mining at Mudmelong continued into the next century, the last report being the re-opening of Waddell’s mine in 192721Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal, 18 February 1927. …
Work on Mr. Neil Waddell’s mine at Mudmelong, which has been hung up for some 12 months, has again been resumed. The main shaft is down 200 ft. where the reef is 25in. wide, carrying a large body of ore. Samples from this level have just been assayed by the Mines Department, and have shown a return of 10oz. to the ton. The ore is not retractory. The shareholders in the syndicate are necessarily elated at this fine return. It is certainly an encouragement for them to go on.