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See Book 1130 Number 268 Schedule re Lots 14 and 15 Section 11 Town of Mudgee
1904
29 June 1904
In the year 1870, at Wallerawang, a small town on the Western line, Mr. James Loneragan, the senior partner of the well-known firm of James Loneragan, Limited, general merchants, of Mudgee and Gulgong, commenced business in an unpretentious way. Previous to starting on his own account, he successfully managed the large forwarding business of Wright and Co., afterwards the well-known firm of Wright, Heaton, and Co., Limited. Wallerawang at the time was an important centre, being the railway depot for all goods coming from Sydney or West for the Mudgee district. Some extent of the quantity of goods sent through Wallerawang can be estimated by the fact that the Mudgee, Hill End, and Gulgong goldfields were in the height of their prosperity, and thousands were flocking thither to seek their fortune.
Mr. Loneragan, after conducting a successful business at Wallerawang, chiefly in produce, of which he handled immense quantities, opened an important branch at Lithgow. When the railway was finished to Mudgee he foresaw the possibilities of the place, and opened business there, selling out the Wallerawang and Lithgow branches. By dint of great energy, and an indomitable will to face the difficulties of repeated droughts and consequent commercial depression he managed to forge ahead. In 1868 fine and commodious business premises were erected in Church-streets and with these extra facilities for the conduct of business the volume of trade continues to grow rapidly. In 1898 the business, which by this time had assumed considerable proportions, was floated into a limited liability company, all the shares being taken up by the members of the family, with the senior as managing director. Shortly after this Mr. Loneragan took a trip to the old country, chiefly as a well-earned holiday, his son, Mr. Edward Loneragan, taking up the management during his absence2
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1930
25 January 1930
FOUND IN SYDNEY
PROPERTY FROM MUDGEE
MUDGEE, Saturday.
Information was received from Sydney this morning that a large quantity of goods stolen from the shop of James Lonergan and Co., storekeepers, had been recovered in Sydney.
The store was robbed on December 26 and January 18. Among the things stolen were seven revolvers, over 1000 rounds of ammunition, boots, clothing, jewellery, and fountain pens3
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1971
22 December 1971
LONERAGANS TO OPEN IN MUDGEE CHRISTMAS EVE
Mudgee will get its first taste of late night shopping on Friday.
Mr. E. H. Loneragan of Jas. Loneragans Pty. Ltd. announced on Monday that his stores would remain open until 9 p.m. on Friday instead of closing at the regular shopping hours.
Santa Claus will arrive at the store at Church St. Mudgee at 6.45 p.m.
Coles Pty. Ltd. and Kelletts Pty. Ltd. told the Guardian that they have decided to close at the regular closing times.
A meeting of shopkeepers other than Loneragans decided at the Town Hall yesterday not to open for business on either Thursday or Friday night this week.
After working flat out all day in the stores no one feels like coming back until 9 p.m. one businessman said.
The Mayor of Mudgee Ald. E. G. Moufarrige said the indecision shown with regard to closing hours in Mudgee pointed out the need for the businessmen of the town to get together and form a Chamber of Commerce.
He said he did not wish his council to be considered the Chamber of Commerce for Mudgee.
The meeting at the town hall yesterday afternoon was chaired by Ald. R. A. Roth, Deputy Mayor.
At Gulgong all stores will remain open as it has done for many years on Christmas Eve.
Shops at Gulgong will trade until 9.30 p.m. and will close with the drawing of Loneragans Christmas Bonanza of prizes.
Dunedoo will not have late night shopping this Christmas as it did in the past two years.
A spokesman for the Dunedoo Chamber of Commerce said no interest had been shown by business people this year and shops would close at the normal times.
There will be no late night shopping on Christmas eve either in Coolah, Rylstone or Kandos4
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