3-082-098 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Coolgardie Goldfields: a battery in course of construction, 1895. '"Coolgardie" has become as musical a charm as "Mesopotamia" was considered by Robert Hall's hearer. It has exercised a wonderful fascination over seekers after gold; yet the absence of pure water has made any prolonged stay well-nigh unendurable. The Government of Western Australia is strenuously endeavouring to supply this defect. Coolgardie was discovered in 1891 by a Victorian [ie from the state of Victoria] miner, who gave his name to his claim, calling it "Bayley's Reward." Since that date the amount of ore discovered shows that Coolgardie is one of the richest goldfields in the world'. From "Illustrated London News", 1895.