Bathurst

Bathurst, a name applied to various localities in honour of Earl Bathurst, Colonial Secretary (1812-28).—(1) BATHURST in New South Wales, the first county settled beyond the Blue Mountains (q.v.), which were long believed to be impassable. It was not before 1813 that a practical route was formed. Bathurst was still further distinguished as the seat of gold-fields, discovered in 1851. The county is bounded on the NE. by the Macquarie, and on the SW. by the Lachlan; it is well watered, and has a moderate temperature. The whole district is admirably suited for pastoral pursuits. Besides the gold-fields, slate-quarries and copper-mines are also worked, while silver mining has become the leading industry. The chief town, Bathurst, on the Macquarie River, 144 miles W. of Sydney, is the principal town in the western district of New South Wales, and is a handsome city with numerous elegant public buildings. Erected into a municipality in 1862, it is connected with Sydney by rail, and contains government railway workshops, breweries, tanneries, coach-factories, and flour-mills; soap, candles, glue, and boots and shoes are also manufactured. It is the seat of an Anglican and of a Roman Catholic bishop. Pop. (1891) 9170; (1893, with suburbs) 10,000.—(2) BATHURST ISLAND, off North Australia, about 12° S. lat., and 130° E. long. It is included in the northern territory of South Australia, and is close to the much larger Melville Island, and is partly wooded, partly barren.—(3) BATHURST, the principal settlement of the British colony on the Gambia (q.v.). It is situated on St Mary's Isle, a sand-bank at the mouth of the river. The stores of the European merchants face the river, as well as the government house, barracks, and hospital. Pop. about 8000.—(4) An island in the Arctic Ocean, intersected by the 100th meridian, and situated immediately beyond the 75th parallel.—(5) BATHURST INLET, an arm of the Arctic Ocean, projecting due south for about 75 miles into the North American continent, just touching the Arctic circle and 110° west longitude.—(6) A division in the east of Cape Colony, formed from the district of Albany, contains Port Alfred, Bathurst, and other small towns.