Mossgiel

History

In about 1864 the Desailly brothers (Francis and George) established 'Mossgiel' and 'Booligal' stations. 'Mossgiel' run was a back block station so a great effort was required to provide water for stock. The Desaillys employed a large cohort of men to fence, dig tanks and sink wells, "and imported the first centrifugal pump and steam engine in the Riverina". Water raised by whims and by the steam-driven pump was fed into iron troughs at each well. In about October 1868 Thomas Grace and John Kilbride began a coach service between Booligal and towns on the Darling River, extending as far as Mount Murchison township (Wilcannia). In late 1868 Robert Riordan built a hotel at Mossgiel (on the coach route to the Darling). He was granted a publican's license for the Mossgiel Hotel in February 1869. At about the same time it was reported that George Williamson, the proprietor of the Post-office Store at Booligal, was "about to put up a large general store at Mossgiel". In December 1869 William Carter was granted a hotel license for the Wool-pack Hotel at Mossgiel. In January 1870 a post-office was established at Mossgiel with J. Herbert Taylor as postmaster. By December 1872 a blacksmith, William Barns, and a saddler, J. J. Allen, had started businesses in the township. In April 1873 the Hay Police Court refused an application by Henry Jonsen for a publican's license at Mossgiel on the grounds that "there are two [hotels] already there and no town whatever, only the Mossgiel station". It was added: "The drinking there is said to be fearful". In 1878 Isadore Galland opened a "large and commodious store" at Mossgiel selling "Grocery, Drapery, Boots, &c., &c.". Galland also had "two hawker's waggons constantly on the road with a large and varied supply of goods". A…

Most-observed species

• African Boxthorn

  Lycium ferocissimum Miers · Magnoliopsida
  15
• Australian Kestrel

  Falco cenchroides Vigors & Horsfield, 1827 · Aves
  13
• Gray Teal

  Anas gracilis Buller, 1869 · Aves
  12
• Magpie-lark

  Grallina cyanoleuca (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  11
• Emu

  Dromaius novaehollandiae (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  11
• fairy grass

  Sporobolus caroli Mez · Liliopsida
  11
• Australian Magpie

  Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  10
• Black Kite

  Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783) · Aves
  10