NOMENCLATURE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
NAMES AND THEIR ORIGIN.
XVIII.—AN ALPHABETICAL REVIEW.
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—Of Spanish Origin.—
Mintaro is situated on land which was bought originally by Messrs. Joseph and Henry Gilbert and was laid out in 1854. The local correspondent of the Register wrote: “The word Mintaro pronounced (Min-tar-o) is of Spanish origin, and its meaning is ‘camping place’ or ‘resting place.’ The township is situated on the old coach road from the Burra to Port Wakefield, and in the very early days a large quantity of ore was carried through here. The Burra Mining Company imported a lot of Spanish muledrivers, with their mule teams, to cart ore. They landed at Port Adelaide with the animals in a very sorry condition, and on their way to the Burra they were so struck with the fertility of the land about where the township of Mintaro now is that they camped here for some weeks and rested, there having been plenty of good running water in the creeks around the village. After thoroughly resting their mules and putting a bit of condition on them they finished their journey; but ever afterwards they had a soft spot in their hearts for this place, and always made it a resting or camping place when on the way to Port Wakefield with ore. As many as 50 to 75 stayed over night with their mules, making the evening hideous with fighting and drinking”…
