Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/596

570 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Captain J, Xreloar tours in New Zealand was a practical knowledge of hydraulic sluicing. For a long time he studied the methods and effect of this highly successful treatment in a gorge four miles below Cromwell. He now returned to Adelaide. South Australia had made little advance in mining development since his departure, and for the time being he decided to turn to some other occupation. He procured a situation in the services of M(!ssrs. John Hill 6t Co., and the miner was entrusted with the driving of coaches in different country districts. Captain Treloar drove the second mail to Willunga ; and amongst other places in the Province to which he drove coaches were Angaston, Clare, Saddleworth, and Mount Pleasant. Gradually he felt that a little of this occupation was more than sufficient for a man of pluck and restless daring, and he retired from the driving-box and proceeded to the then newly-discovered Temora goldfields in New South Wales. His success there was very satisfactory, considering the short time he was on the field. He then repaired to Mount Brown, whither he had been preceded by some sanguine prospectors. But poor rewards met his skilful attempts at that place, and he retraced his steps to Adelaide. He ne.xt went to Mount Pleasant, and started mining on the Scots Gold Claim. When silver was discovered in the Barrier District of New South Wales, Captain Treloar proceeded to that quarter and made an (Exhaustive prospect all over the field. An influx of population followed the discoveries, and the Captain saw a lucrative opening in establishing a general store. Hay, corn, and an accommodation yard comprised his ventiu-e ; and the favorable results which he anticipated were agreeably reached, and even exceeded. For 1 6 months he remained in this line of business, and the profits of his industry were invested in the leading mines of the district. When gold was found at Teetulpa he closed his store at Silverton and journeyed to the new field. But disappointment greeted his anxious efforts, and the Captain had to content himself with puddling at 7s. ]5er load. To Captain IVeloar falls the credit of having been the first to take out a mining lease in this Province. This was for a prospector's claim at Mannahill. The development of it was attended with very moderate results. But by this time Broken Hill had become a promising mining centre, and Captain Treloar was quick to recognise unlimited possibilities in this new sphere. Repairing as quickly as he could to the silver centre, he at once utilised his experience to the best advantage. The management of the Blue Cap, the Crown Point, and the Great Eastern silver mines, belonging to English companies, was entrusted to his charge. Whilst in this responsible position he oj)ened up an extensive bismuth mine at Mount Gipps. After remaining for a long period on the Broken Hill fields, he repaired to Adelaide, and was made manager of the Mount Bryan Ranges Mining Association at Hallett. P"or 10 months he developed these properties, and then proceeded to Western Australia. In 1893, some months after the news of Bayley's find at Coolgardie was circulated. Captain Treloar arrived on the scene, having walked from Burracoppin. Travelling was extremely difficult at that early stage of the Colony's growth, for means of transit and conveyance were as rude as the country through which the incomers were obliged to pass. Some time after reaching the golden areas. Captain Treloar received an appointment as manager of the Agnes Mine at Kalgoorlie. He resigned when the fields began to be developed and more scope for profitable investment was possible, deeming that he had served a sufficiently long apprenticeship in the rough