Sweet Nell Gold Mine, Erilstoun Creek Area, Erilstoun Goldfield, Laverton Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Sweet Nell Gold Mine	Mine
Erilstoun Creek Area	Area
Erilstoun Goldfield	Ore Field
Laverton Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

Many faint tracks exist in this area and care should be taken not to get lost. The nearest human habitation is the Mulga Queen indigenous community, 20 kilometres to the south-east.

Where the Bandya Banjawarn Road reaches the Erilstoun Creek and associated well, it turns from north west to west (if travelling from the east). Just before this point a faint track heads off the road to the east paralleling the Erilstoun Creek. Take the left fork at the first intersection, then the right fork at the second intersection. After crossing a small creek bed and travelling a couple of kilometres in total from the main road, is a small collection of shafts (maybe about 3) and tailings- the Sweet Nell mine. There are several small groups of shafts scattered widely in the area.

The original prospectors were Millar and Campbell (surnames) who discovered it around 1903. About three small crushings emanated from the mine to 1906. The shaft was down to the water level at 40 feet on a leader averaging 6 inches wide.

The lease appears to have been abandoned and taken up by Arthur Kelly around 1908. Laumont (surname) was also an owner, and Kelly's son Thomas was also working at the mine. A boiler, winch and poppet legs were installed. Robert Lawrence, a blacksmith and fitter from Laverton, said he did the work but Kelly never paid him. When he asked for the money, was told there wasn't any, and would have to wait until the first crushing. Kelly then dismissed him, accusing him of thievery.

Six months later Kelly was accused of the same crime. He allegedly gave a rolled up note to a storekeeper Albert Eastman at Laverton, stating it was a tenner. Change was given and after Kelly left, the storekeeper realised it was a five pound note. Kelly then boasted to all and sundry how he had fooled Eastman, which did not help his cause at the resultant trial. The first trial the two Justices of the Peace could not agree, so it went to a second trial. This determined a basic case was valid, and it was sent to the Supreme Court at Kalgoorlie. In this trial the jury could not agree on a verdict 11 to 1, and as a result Kelly was released.

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