Hi Marg & Gwen I have been trying to find the URL for the 1832 Post Office Directory, which is an online book, but have been unable to find it, instead I will quote some of the text for you, but if you want a copy I can send it to you, but it is 1,441 kbs much easier for you to download if I can find the URL. Quote; 1832 Post Office Directory To the west of the Inlet, the land is rocky and useless, and remains unlocated. To the east, between the Inlet and the Sea, are numerous locations on bits of the finest alluvial soil; the country being much broken up by secondary inlets from Brisbane Water and the sea, known as Cockle Creek Broadwater, Cockrone, and Bulbararing, as well as by some navigable Creeks, known as Erina, King-Cumber, Egan Creek, &c. The road commences at the head of the inlet, about a mile east of the mouth of the Narara, a navigable Creek. From this neighbourhood is the track westerly to Twelve-mile Hollow, at 59 ½ miles, and that to the north-west, along the continuous range to Mt. M'Quoid, at 79 miles from Sydney (see great North Road, page 124). To the east is a track passing through Bean's farm, and by Tarrigul Lagoon, along the coast to Holden's farm, at a place called Tuggarah, the mouth of the Tuggarah Lakes. Tuggarah as is well known, means "cold" in the native dialect, and the points there being low and exposed to the sea breeze and southerly gales, are cold and bleak, whence the name. ¼ On the left is the Watch -house, 1¼ Enter the estate of F. A. Hely, Esq. 2 On the left is Mr. Hely's residence, situated on the east bank of Narara Creek, which is navigable thus far. 2 On the left is Newrabung, a high hill, in the grant of Mr. Robert Cox. 5 Enter the estates of J.E. Manning and T. M'Quoid, Esquires, further to the right is the grant of Matcham, to the left is that of Holt. 8 ½ Cross Tuggerah Creek; to the south-east, towards the sea is a track of the richest land heavily timbered, and quite unlocated. MargaretB Lake Macquarie NSW Australia

Hi Marg Don't know if you have been to this site Online Books http://www.geocities.com/toby_meares2/019.htm Extract; HUNTER RIVER DISTRICT. SEVENTY-FIVE miles north of Port Jackson, the Hunter River finds its outlet to the sea. Eighty-nine years ago Lieutenant Shortland, when hunting some runaway convicts, saw the inlet north of Nobby’s, and very cautiously entered. He found no convicts, but he found coal, which was far more important. He called the stream Coal River, and Coal River it remained for some time, though before the close of the eighteenth century the settlement had been formally christened Newcastle, while the main river had received the name of the Hunter, after the Governor. MargaretB Lake Macquarie NSW Australia

----- Original Message ----- From: "G Dundon" <gdundon@bigpond.net.au> To: <AUS-NSW-CENTRAL-COAST-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, November 21, 2005 8:05 AM Subject: [ANCC] FAGAN was the early mail contractor > Hi Marg, > > Re your query about the contractor for the weekly > overland Mail between Sydney and Brisbane Water, via > Wiseman's Ferry..... > > In October 1838 the Colonial Secretary approved the > tender of Peter Fagan for conveying mail between these > places. It is believed that this overland mail to > Gosford was discontinued about 15 December 1842. Hi Gwen That IS interesting . As you know we were only down at Wiseman's Ferry last week . Even in 2005 that road via Spencer is just OK . What must have been like back in 1838? > Gosford and the Hawkesbury district was re-established in 1859, an extension > of the Wiseman's Ferry-Mangrove Creek service on to > Gosford". > > It was discontinued the following year, and it was in > that same year 1860, that a weekly horseback service was > opened between Sydney and Gosford, a distance stated to > be 48 miles. > I wonder which way that was ? I have a Robinsons NSW 1925 Road Guide and that states Sydney to Gosford, via McGraths Hill, Wiseman's ferry, Somersby to Gosford was 103 1/2 miles > and from Aug 1879-80. In the latter year the route is > known to have been from Sydney to St Leonards, > Chatswood, Gordon, Hornsby, Peats Ferry and Gosford. > That is more 'as the crow flies' > Peter F. Fagan, another son, had the contract for Peat's > Ferry - Gosford from 1882-84. > > At various periods the mails came and went by sea. > All part of the ' how things used to be done' > I had the opportunity some years ago to walk over part > of the old bridle track which crosses Mooney Creek and > Pile's Creek.....what hilly terrain for man and horse! > What about the steep hill down to Wiseman's Ferry ! There must have been staging posts for both horse and rider ? >> > As they rode along with the mails, did they ever dream > about the advent of email I rather doubt that ! > > By the way, the Fagans also had the contract to manage > the punt which took travellers across Narara Creek, > roughly in the vicinity of the present road bridge on > the Pacific Highway (near McDonald's). > Just as well a bridge was built ............... Bye MargM Beautiful Central Coast of NSW

Hello Sandra and David, Re your posting on the subject of how those early bits of mail were paid for, prior to the "lick and stick" era: There is a comprehensive section in the "Australian Encyclopaedia" under "Post Office" which looks at each state in Australia and its postal matters. Just had to reply to that, post haste! Would women have been safe by themselves on the lonely roads, carrying the mails in those times? It would probably have been scandalous as well....no, I think the blokes had the contracts. Gwen

Gwen, Marg and others, I've enjoyed reading the postings about early mail services. I'm curious though. How was mail paid for in 1838. I think we're looking at a mail service long before the postage stamp system. Another thought - were any mail contracts for overland travel ever officially given to females or was the service purely via hemail? In my wife's family I know of one where the husband held the licence for a very small post office service near Mudgee. He was never home long as he mainly was a drover into Qld and the Northern Territory so his wife was the unofficial post master. There were no overland delivery wth this licence though. (Read Lawson's story "The Drover's Wife" for what I think may be a link to my wife's family although nothing mentioned of postal services) David

Hi Marg, Re your query about the contractor for the weekly overland Mail between Sydney and Brisbane Water, via Wiseman's Ferry..... In October 1838 the Colonial Secretary approved the tender of Peter Fagan for conveying mail between these places. It is believed that this overland mail to Gosford was discontinued about 15 December 1842. This information comes from notes on the establishment of the mails, researched by the old GPO Historical Section in Sydney (closed down many years ago, unfortunately). According to the notes: "Direct communication between Gosford and the Hawkesbury district was re-established in 1859, an extension of the Wiseman's Ferry-Mangrove Creek service on to Gosford". It was discontinued the following year, and it was in that same year 1860, that a weekly horseback service was opened between Sydney and Gosford, a distance stated to be 48 miles. The Fagan family features largely in the continuing history of the horseback mails. Peter's son Charles had the contract for the Gosford-Kincumber mail service on horseback in 1862, and the Sydney-Gosford-Kincumber service in 1869-79 and from Aug 1879-80. In the latter year the route is known to have been from Sydney to St Leonards, Chatswood, Gordon, Hornsby, Peats Ferry and Gosford. Peter F. Fagan, another son, had the contract for Peat's Ferry - Gosford from 1882-84. At various periods the mails came and went by sea. I had the opportunity some years ago to walk over part of the old bridle track which crosses Mooney Creek and Pile's Creek.....what hilly terrain for man and horse! The Fagans were the generous-hearted people who cared for the Australian poet Henry Kendall in the 1870s at their home "Cooranbean" at West Gosford (Henry Kendall Cottage Museum), and employed him in their business at the Camden Haven River on the north coast before he was made Inspector of Forests. As they rode along with the mails, did they ever dream about the advent of email?! By the way, the Fagans also had the contract to manage the punt which took travellers across Narara Creek, roughly in the vicinity of the present road bridge on the Pacific Highway (near McDonald's). Regards, Gwen

From 1838 NSW Government Gazette NOTICE is hereby given, that the Lord Bishop of Australia has appointed the Rev. Edward Rogers to be a Surrogate for granting Marriage Licenses for the Colony of New South Wales, under the Act of Council, 7 Wm. IV, No. 6; and that henceforth the affidavits required previously to the issue of any such Licenses for the District of Brisbane Water, are to be sworn before him. H. KERRISON JAMES, Deputy Registrar. Bishop's Registry Office, Sydney, October 6, 1838.

From 1838 NSW Government Gazette 27th July, 1838. General Post Office, Sydney, 14th August, 1838. NOTICE is hereby given, that His Excellency the GOVERNOR has been pleased to announce the establishment of a weekly overland Mail between Sydney and Brisbane Water, via Wiseman's Ferry, leaving Sydney every Tuesday at 5 P.M., for Brisbane Water. JAMES RAYMOND, Postmaster General. Anyone any idea who undertook this mammoth task ? and how it was done and how long it took ? Bye MargM Central Coast List Admin

GT 15 Nov 1917 For Sale Orange and lemon trees , strong & healthy all good commercial stock £3.10 per hundred . contact TAWYER, McDonald Rd Lisarow Dressmaking To the ladies of Gosford and District Miss DENHAM ( formally of Sydney & Yass) has commenced business in Gosford . Dresses, coats, suits, all well fitted and made Address: Miss DENHAM next to Presbyterian Church Mann St R C CLARKE ( late S Y HOLMES) Hairdresser and Newsagent Mann St Gosford 2 chairs No Waiting Agent for all newspapers and magazines Bye MargM Central Coast List Admin

Lindsay Allen at State Records advises that his FREE talk re "FEMALE FELONS" at State Records, Kingswood to be held on 17th November, 10.30 - 12.30 might be cancelled due to lack of numbers. Maybe not enough people know about the talk ??, He has extended the closing time for applications to 5pm on Monday 14 November. If you wish to attend please phone Lindsay, Senior Archivist, at 82478613 or email LindsayA@records.nsw.gov.au bye MargM List Admin

OOPS! In my posting today re the Eaton-Coull wedding report from Marg, I stated that Alexander Olsen had the first oil powered launch operating in Brisbane Water at Gosford. Well he did, but he bought it from a local storekeeper who had it built to deliver goods around the estuary and for some reason found it unsuitable for his needs. Olsen used it though, for public outings. Alex was licensee for a time of the Fern Tree Hotel in Mann Street, Gosford, and when he left to take up residence with his family at Stockton, Newcastle, he kept the Royal Hotel there. Regards, Gwen

Marg, there were some well-known names in that report on the Eaton-Coull wedding you posted. I have a special interest in one of the Olsen family of the Gosford area, because I am researching the district's early ferries and launches. Alex Olsen owned the first oil driven launch in Brisbane Water in the early 1900s (there were earlier steam launches) and ran it on pleasure trips for the paying public. He later moved with his family to Stockton, Newcastle, where he became a hotel licensee. Miss Coulter who played the organ in the church was almost certainly one of the descendants of Irvine Coulter, school teacher of Hexham and formerly of Ireland, who brought his family to live in Gosford in the 1850s. He was one of the early postmasters in the town. When he died in 1880 at the age of 70, he was described as court bailiff and mail contractor. He was buried in Point Frederick Cemetery at Gosford (Pioneer Park). Father Donovan was the priest who wrote the little red-covered booklet on the history of Holy Cross Church at South Kincumber, printed in 1942. Best wishes, Gwen

GT 12 Nov 1925 A nuptial mass celebrated by Father DONOVAN at the Gosford Catholic Church on 7 Nov when Irene Kathleen ( Kitty) COULL ,younger dau of Mrs MA & the late Mr DJ COULL of Narara married Walter James EATON of Waratah. She was escorted to the alter by her nephew , Mr O OLSEN. Miss COULTER played the organ in the church Wedding breakfast was held at Gregory's Cafe Happy pair will be honeymooning on the North Coast Mr R MILLIKIN has offered £100 reward for information leading to the conviction of vandals who damaged his car Wyong Park Races this Saturday . First race starts at 1.30 MargM Central Coast List Admin

Dear Listers > Does anyone know, please when this opened for business ? > > Memory says 1972 > Google doesn't know ! And the lady who answered the phone when I rang up this morning was unsure . They think it was April 1972. Will look up the CC Express next chance I get Bye MargM Central Coast List Admin

Does anyone know, please when this opened for business ? Memory says 1972 Google doesn't know ! Many thanks Bye MargM Central Coast List Admin

Dear Listers Tripped over http://www.manly.nsw.gov.au/Page.asp?z=2&c=64&p=524 while Goggling and found a selection of Sands PO dirs for Manly on line from 1890 - 1930 Bye MargM List Admin Sydney, New England, Hunter Valley, Central Coast , Australia lists

gollan1982@bigpond.com

Nov 12 1925 Mr Alf JAQUES announced in a breezy fashion that he will contest D riding in the forthcoming shire elections as an independent The Brisbane Water District Pioneers will meet for their annual dinner at Gregory's Cafe, Gosford 28 Nov Mr Bert MOORE has joined the ranks of local wireless fans and installed a 4 valve set in his home at Wyoming MargM Central Coast List Admin

----- Original Message ----- From: "Kenneth EDWARDS" <tenedw2@hotmail.com> To: <AUS-NSW-CENTRAL-COAST-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 1:21 PM Subject: [ANCC] Inquest in Taree 1939 Hi Ken > an EDWARDS family member who was murdered ? at Taree > with an inquest held there on 10 Jan 1939. > Would it be possible for someone to copy it from the > local paper I dunno if the Gosford Times would have a report of a coronial inquest re 1939 Taree murder ??? The NSW Central Coast mailing lists covers the area from the north bank of the Hawkesbury River to the southern tip of Lake Macquarie. Taree would be close on a 200 kms further north Suggest you repost on the AUS-Manning River or the Sydney list .......... NSW State library has films of Taree newspapers State Records out at Kingswood might have a coroners inquest file ? Bye MargM Central Coast List Admin

Hi all. Only new to the list and am asking for a favour already ... I have an EDWARDS family member who was murdered ? at Taree with an inquest held there on 10 Jan 1939. Would it be possible for someone to copy it from the local paper and forward the same to me in Brisbane. Appreciate any help .. Regards .. Ken Edwards.