The Kimberely Goldfields.-A Glance at De…

Very rare colonial engraving of the Kimberley goldfield town of Derby, Western Australia made only three years after it was officially named a townsite. The town was provided with a Government Resident and a police detachment.

1883 Several stations existed by this time and Yeeda stations wool, awaiting shipment, was swept away by a tidal wave resulting from the Krakatoa volcanic explosion in Indonesia.
1884 First lot sold in Derby. A start was made on a jetty and tramway. Road Board elected.
1885 Wooden 102 foot jetty built  costing ‎£3,000. Floods caused heavy stock losses for some settlers. Fencing commenced on stations and the Kimberley’s first hotel opened in Derby.
1886 Halls Creek gold rush occurred. Town residents established a cricket club, and camels were introduced as beasts of burden.

From the original edition of The Town and Country Journal.