New Zealand Gully gold area, Southern Cross, Yilgarn Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
New Zealand Gully gold area	Area
Southern Cross	Town
Yilgarn Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

New Zealand Gully is a name that was historically given to a small area 2 kilometres south west of Southern Cross. It borders either side of the Southern Cross South Road, immediately north and west of the Maori Lass open pit. Little remains other than a cleared area, and an old concrete lined dam.

Some minor prospecting leases are noted in the area. The Eureka (formerly the Exchange), and Maori King owned by Risley and Thompson (surnames) is noted before 1895. The Southern Cross Gold Mining Syndicate sank a 60 foot prospecting shaft in 1902. Further, a gold discovery in the area was made in 1931 by two prospectors employed by E.J. Pearce.

The place is mainly noted historically as a water supply to Southern Cross. The area borders on semi arid, and a lack of water was a great hindrance to the early miners and settlers in the area. In 1894, 300 acres were reserved, and a concrete lined dam was built next to what is now the Maori Lass open pit. A tank was also erected, and water carted from it into Southern Cross. Heat evaporation, dry winters after 1895, cracks in the concrete dam, and finally the arrival of the goldfields water pipeline from Mundaring Weir near Perth in 1903, spelt the end of the dam's usefulness.

In the 1980's, the dam was sold to a local farmer, who re-conditioned the dam, and stocked it with marron, with moderate success. He subsequently sold it to a mining company. From 1892-1894, clay from the gully was used to make bricks which can now be seen facing the exteriors of the post office and court house in Southern Cross.

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