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OBITUARY FROM AN UNIDENTIFIED NEWSPAPER

LATE MR. MASTERS

A Pioneer's Death.

In writing of the recent death of Mr. William Henry Masters at his residence in Raworth, a correspondent states that his death has severed another link with the past.

Mr. Masters was born in Hunter Street, Sydney, in 1844, and was brought two years later to Maitland, where his father opened up business as a bootmaker in a small house at the rear of Finedon's nursery. At that time the Hunter River ran past the house. Old residents will recollect the cutting of the channel to relieve the lower parts of the town.

At six years, young Masters was taken to Stroud where his father lived for some years. Here the lad was educated in what was then the Church of England parochial School. Here, too, he started work at Mr. Dark's flourmill (worked by a waterwheel).

His reminiscences of these early days are very interesting, and he told many thrilling stories of the adventurous life of the pioneers of his times, particularly with the blacks. He saw many war dances, corroborees and tribal fights.

From Stroud Mr. Masters removed to Bulahdelah in 1860 to manage a store for Messrs. Lotts and Larnic. Even in those days the Myall district had become renowned for its timber resources and the axe and saw were eating their way into the heart of the forest giants. The fruit of their labour was conveyed down the river to Port Stephens by the slow and laborious method of poling and sculling. In bad weather the water route was impracticable. Then store supplies and other necessaries had to be brought by bridle track over the mountains from Stroud. It is interesting to note that Mr. Masters brought to the district the first iron axle for the timber trucks, which before had huge cumbersome wooden axles. Amidst these scenes Mr. Masters did all he could for his church, the Methodist Church. After severing his connection with the store Mr.Masters worked at the first sawmill on the Myall Lakes, erected by the late D. McRae. He assisted in the official surveys of the forest lands from the Manning to Newcastle. He discovered the Mountain Maid gold reef at Coolongolook, which he floated into a company. For many years Mr. Masters managed the sawmill at Bulahdelah for the late Justin McSweeny, the railway and bridge contractor. Here he built on the riverbank near the mill four sailing vessels and two steam droghers. Mr. Masters' extensive and expert knowledge of timber and the timber country of the district was of great service to the Forestry Department established some thirty years ago by the Government.

He was twice married, and is survived by his second wife, twelve children, sixty-nine grandchildren, and twenty-nine great-grandchildren. He was buried at Morpeth.

Extracted from 2nd Quarter 1985 "Bulletin" Bulahdelah & District Historical Society