b'An era of growth On 22 May 1851 the government announced the discoveryat the firm was brief, as he died just four years later at the of gold at Ophir near Orange in New South Wales. Soonage of twenty-eight. When Bowden died in 1879, Wigram more gold was discovered in Ballarat and Bendigo, and theand Arthur were left as the only partners, and the firm gold rushes that followed brought a period of enormousbecame Allen & Allen.change to the colony. Thousands of people abandoned their jobs in the city to try their luck on the goldfields andAs business grew, more office space was needed. A building hundreds of thousands of prospectors arrived from all overwas constructed at the rear of the Elizabeth Street cottage, the world, eager to find their fortune.replacing the stables and makeshift cricket pitch. In 1884the firm moved into the new building, which became As the demand for goods and services increased and newknown as Wigram Chambers. industries emerged, the Australian economy expanded and so did the firms client list. To help manage the workload,New industries developed and the partners took on more George Wigram Allen took his cousin Thomas Kendallcorporate matters in addition to the firms traditional estate Bowden into partnership in 1856 and renamed the firmand property work. A particular growth area involved acting Allen & Bowden. They were soon joined by Wigramsfor clients engaged in exploration for gold, copper and coal. younger brothers Walter Bourne Allen and Arthur MansfieldThese companies began with high hopes, but the industrys Allen, who had completed their articles under Wigram.exposure to economic cycles and speculation meant the When Walter became a partner in 1863, the firms nameendeavours of many were short-lived.changed again to Allen Bowden & Allen. Sadly, Walters time Gold!!! Gold!!! Gold!!! Whoever may say nay, it is an undeniable fact that large fields of gold exist in our country,and almost at our own doors. Who then would stay at home?Sydney Morning Herald, 22 May 185146'