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Canadian Lead (Co. Phillip) 32°25’S. 149°35’E., 8 km SE of Gulgong; defunct; mining (gold disc. 1871) and farming; Cong. C.; mines: Gulgong Reef (Dietz and Trinity Reef Co.) 1866-76, 1883-84, 1889, Louisiana Reef 1875 and 1883; Magpie (incl. Springfield and Rapps Gully Leads) 1871-76, Three Mile Lead (Gulgong Alluvial Goldfields Co.) 1871 and 1891; PO 1872-1960, ruined; school 1879, additions and repairs 1883 by S. Thurgood, new one b. 1915, closed 1923, building moved 1930 to Eurunderee; telephone 1914; tornado 1901; TX 1936; pop. 175 (1911)1 .
1907
23 October 1907
SOME CHOICE AGRICULTURAL COUNTRY
Some of the most pleasing country around Gulgong lies at Wilbetree and Canadian Lead, almost due south from the town, and the latter distant some eight or nine miles. The country is undulating and, for the most part slopes towards Cooyal Creek, which empties into Wyaldra, or Reedy, Creek, which in turn joins the Cudgegong. But the pick lies on a sort of saddle, on the southern side of which the slope is direct to the Cudgegong. It is noticeable in this neighborhood that some of the best soil lies up the sides of the ridges, just under the steeper brows of the hills. It is eminently suited for mixed farming, maize, potatoes, wheat, vines, and various fruit trees being cultivated with success. There is a small butter factory at Wilbetree, and another at Canadian Lead, which allow of a still further variety of farming operations. The extension of the Mudgee railway has been wisely planned to intersect this district.
Turning towards Gulgong, one passes through the Canadian Lead, where the ground in places is riddled with alluvial diggings. Mr. Spence here has a holding of about 200 acres, and Mr. C. Scott 600 acres. An Italian, Mr. Andrew Pono, has a nice orchard and vineyard attached to his farm; while, strange to say, there is close by a farm which is quite deserted, apparently for no reason whatever, and there is said to be no idea of the whereabouts of its owner. Mr. Snelson has a great deal of land in this neighborhood, which has the appearance of being well farmed; while other holders are Messrs. Willard, J. Keogh, Noy, Tuxford, Crane, and Mrs. Atkinson2 .