Milparinka, New South Wales

Milparinka is a small settlement in north-west New South Wales, Australia about 250 kilometres (155 mi) north of Broken Hill on the Silver City Highway. At the time of the 2006 census, Milparinka had a population of 55 people.^[1]

Historic buildings at Milparinka

In 1844 Charles Sturt's expedition was stranded for six months at nearby Preservation Creek, owing to a lack of supplies. Gold was discovered in the 1870s and a rush commenced in 1880. The mostly male population peaked at 3,000, with William Henry John Slee (known as WHJ Slee) being appointed resident Goldfields Warden in January 1881. Cobb and Co coaches ran three times a week from Milparinka to Wilcannia, and by August 1881 the official gold escort had carried about 10,000 ounces of gold from the field, not to mention that which went privately.^[2]

In this arid region, water was so scarce that miners got their gold by dry blowing. Water was selling for one shilling per bucket and dysentery was rife, until in September 1881, on the recommendation of WHJ Slee, the New South Wales government authorised the drilling of a well.^[3] In December 1881 the government well struck water at 140 feet, which caused great relief to all.^[4]

Notes and references

1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Milparinka (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=SSC18069&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 30 October 2009. 
2. ^ Sydney Morning Herald, 11 February 1882, page 5
3. ^ The Argus, 22 September 1881, page 7
4. ^ The Argus, 30 December 1881, page 5

Coordinates: 29°43′55″S 141°52′05″E / 29.732°S 141.868°E / -29.732; 141.868