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PARTS SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
9.0 Introduction
The historical research has established that in 1880 an hotel was built on
flat land beside Milparinka waterhole by Duncan M'Bryde, then the owner
of Mount Poole run. Construction was completed just prior to the discovery
of gold in the general vicinity, and with the resulting influx of diggers the
township called Milparinka developed along the higher ground on the
western bank of the waterhole. Apart from a short period in 1881 when the
population was perhaps 700 persons, the township never comprised more
than 150 to 200 persons. But it serviced additional small groups of goldseekers
in surrounding locations. Three hotels, stores, the police station,
a newspaper, post and telegraph office, coaching offices, and the
waterhole were the main features of the town. The waterhole was not an
adequate source of water.
Arriving with the first influx of gold diggers were a number of Chinese.
9. 1 Summary of the Historical Record
9. 1. 0 Introduction
The information obtained from the historical record regarding the Chinese
at Milparinka suggests their initial rejection and forced exclusion from the
goldfield. The Chinese retreated to Milparinka and commenced to grow
vegetables and fruit. This produce was perhaps partly for their own
consumption, but certainly was also sold 'at reasonably remunerative rates'
to the European community which evolved a mile and a half away. This
Chinese 'camp' may, in the mid-1890s have been similar in form to
Chinese 'camps' at Hay, Narrandera, Wagga Wagga, Deniliquin and
Albury, but much smaller in size.
Oral history has suggested that at Milparinka there was only ever one
Chinese Garden. The written record supports this assertion and identifies
the site as that of Chinaman's Garden Well. However, contrary to the
written record, one source of oral history (Blore: 1986) stated the site of the
garden was Chinaman's Well. Certainly the archaeological evidence
strongly suggests the presence of Chinese at the latter site in addition to
Chinaman's Garden Well.
Accounts of structural methods and materials used in China, and by
Chinese in New Zealand, the United States, and at several locations
elsewhere in Australia, suggest a variety of materials which may have
been used in constructing Chinese dwellings at Milparinka.