Hi Joan, This by chance any connection to you. If so I have another article as well. No records of isabella on mine either. Cheers Bev 73 YEARS A PIONEER. Mr. CHAD SKINNER. DEATH YESTERDAY AT COOLANGATTA. (From the Daily News July 1935) At the age of 83 years Mr. Charles Henry “Chad” Skinner died at Coolangatta yesterday morning. He was one of the most notable pioneers of the Tweed with which he had been acquainted for 73 years. From a historical viewpoint, the most outstanding aspect of the late Mr. Skinner’s life was his founding and conduct in conjunction with his brother, the late Mr. George Skinner, of the Firm of G. & C. Skinner, now Skinner Lowes and Co, Ltd., which through its river steamboat service was responsible in an immense degree for the rapid development of the district. Perhaps no other single agency controlled by one family has figured so largely in the expansion of the Tweed prosperity. To such an extent did the business Of Messrs. Skinner Brothers grow, that in their heyday , during such occasions at the Brisbane Exhibition no fewer than 2,500 passengers on the river boats in one week. The Skinner Brothers service was maintained continuously for well over 40 years, and despite severe floods and other difficulties, not a single trip was missed. For some years prior to his death, the late Mr. Chad Skinner had lived in retirement at Coolangatta. For the past three years he had experienced failing health but despite his advanced years, he took to his bed only a fortnight ago. Though his condition worsened and he slowly sank, he retained his faculties to the end, which occurred about 7am yesterday. The late Mr. Skinner possessed a very retentive memory and, for an old man, his hearing was remarkably good. THE FAMILY. He was married twice. His first wife was Miss Elizabeth Gilmour whom he married in Brisbane and who pre-deceased him by 40 years. Issues of that union were, Mr. Leslie Skinner (Murwillumbah) Mrs. Doris Rivett (Kingaroy) and four children who died in infancy. His second wife who survives him, was Miss A. L. Behm, the marriage taking place at Tweed Heads. The children are Mr. Charles W. Skinner (Coolangatta) Mrs. Mona Nicklin (Cedar Creek) Mrs. R. Kemp (Toowoomba) and Miss Hazell Skinner (Coolangatta). Sisters of the late Mr. Skinner were Mrs. F. Clarke (who died in Sydney last year), Mrs. H. Wells Senior. (died at Tweed Heads some years ago) and Mrs. Pat Smith (died at Murwillumbah about 9 years ago). Stepbrothers were Messrs. Harry Skinner (died at Bangalow) George Skinner, (died at Murwillumbah in 1933) William Skinner (died at Mackay), Benjamin (resident in Brisbane) and Albert John Skinner (resident at Piggabeen). Step-sisters were Mrs. Sarah Roberts (died at Ballina), Mrs. Emily Dickinson (died in Murwillumbah last October), Mrs. Lottie Smith (died at Murwillumbah) Mrs. Ada Lowes, (resident at Tweed Heads). Mrs. H. McKenzie (resident in New Zealand) and Mrs. Florence Richardson (resident in Brisbane). EARLY LIFE. The late Mr. C. Skinner was born at Mudgee in 1852 and his mother died when he was of a tender age. His father Mr. Henry Skinner, married again and in 1862 came to the Tweed, being a sawyer, to cut timber for the late Messrs. Joshua Bray and Samuel Gray at Kynnumboon. The remainder of the family, including Mrs. Skinner and Charles and George took up residence on the Tweed, a year later. The late Mr. Chad Skinner thus was 10 years of age when he came to the river on which he was to prove such a valuable pioneer. Even at that early age he was wont to accompany his father in cedar-cutting work. At this time the wilderness of dense scrub and forest was almost untouched and the sole means of transport was by punt along the various waterways. The cedar-getter led the way however, to the gradual opening up of communication by land. FOUNDATION OF A FIRM. Messrs. George and Chad Skinner subsequently interested themselves in the business of cordial making, having a factory on their father’s farm at North Tumbulgum, and it was from this enterprise, commenced in 1880, that the larger sphere of activities of the firm developed. The cordial making side of the business was to outlive the important river trade, however, the latter having ceased when the SS Mebbin completed its last regular trip on February 1 1934. In 1913, the firm became Skinner Lowes and Company, Captain Frank Lowes, brother in law of the founders, being taken into partnership. Under this name the firm traded until 1920, when it became a limited liability company, as which it has carried on since. Mr. Les Skinner, son of the late Mr. Chad Skinner, is secretary of the company. FIRST RIVER STEAMER. In the infancy of the firm, the cordials were conveyed to the various hotels and business premises of the Tweed by rowboat. Subsequently, the contract for the delivery of the mails between Tumbulgum and Tweed Heads and later Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads were secured, and this development led to the acquisition of the SS Florrie, the first purely river steamer to plough the Tweed waters. Thus was laid the foundation of what was to prove a history-making service. In 1891, the firm took and important step by removing its headquarters and factory to Murwillumbah premises behind the Skinner home in Commercial Road being used. In 1925, the present commodious brick building in Tumbulgum Road was built and there the firm still conducts its aerated water and cordial manufacturing business. The late Mr. Chad Skinner was a foundation member of the Loyal Tumbulgum Lodge of the Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows, which recently celebrated its Jubilee, his association with the Lodge recalling that at the time of his enrolment Tumbulgum was the chief centre of the Tweed. The funeral will take place today, the cortege being timed to leave St. Cuthbert’s Church of England, Tweed Heads, for Tweed Head’s cemetery.