Cudgegong Valley History Project

MR. MARTIN LAVERACK. Another of Mudgee district's eldest residents, in the person of Mr. M. Laverack, passed away at his residence, Gladstone-street, at 2 a.m. this morning (Monday) at the age of 70 years. The deceased had been a great sufferer for many years with rheumatic gout, and had suffered severely since the beginning of the present year. Heart failure was the immediate cause of death. The late Mr. Laverack was twice married, and six grown-up children are left by his first marriage - Sydney (Dubbo), Ernest (Tramway Department, Sydney), William (Piambong), Mrs. Chivers (wife of Rev. Chivers, Rylstone), and Emily and Florrie (Sydney): and four daughters to his second marriage - Edie and Nellie (nurses, Sydney), and Rhoda and Lilly (Mudgee). The late Mr. Laverack, when he first came to Mudgee, was a builder, and worked for the late Mr. James Atkinson, who was a big contractor with works in Church-street, where Mr. C. H. Tomkins' shop now stands. Mr. Laverack acted as foreman for Mr. Atkinson. One of his first works was to help in the putting in of the “Rouse” windows at the Mudgee Church of England. He also took part in the erection of the Mudgee Mechanics' Institute, the "Guardian" office, and the Commercial Bank, of which Hon. E. Kater was an official. This latter gentleman is now an M.L.C, a director of the Commercial Bank, and a big station owner. Mr. Kater, it will be remembered, was stuck up by bushrangers while conveying several thousand pounds from Mudgee to Sydney in a spring cart, which at that time was the mode of conveyance. Mr. Atkinson relinquished contracting and went in for station holding, buying Bungy-Boomah, Cudgegong, and Grattai (now Mr. W. L. Atkinson's) and Slasher's Flat (now Mrs. R. Atkinson's). Mr. Laverack took charge of Slasher's Flat, and held the position for over 20 years. He told us that often Mr. Atkinson advised him to strike out for himself, he being such a remarkable judge of sheep. The deceased remained with Mr. Atkinson till his own family began to grow up. He then took up land at Piambong, where he built up a fine sheep station. He lived at Piambong for over 20 years. His wool always commanded a high price, be the market never so weak, a fact which repaid him for the infinite trouble he took with classifying his sheep. He was a hard worker and lived at Piambong till some 12 months ago, when his failing health compelled him to come and reside in a house, he purchased in Gladstone-street, Mudgee. The deceased was a man of high, and generous character. His word was his bond. Oftentimes he would hold himself bound by his passed word, even though it meant a considerable loss to himself. The funeral is to leave deceased's residence at 2 o'clock to-morrow (Tuesday) for the Mudgee cemetery. Mr. F. Jones will have charge of the mortuary arrangements. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 1 July 1912, p. 3. Obituary Martin Laverack

In our note of the death of Mr. Martin Laverack, we mentioned that the deceased had built the Commercial Bank and the ‘Guardian’ office. As a matter of fact he did, but the Commercial Bank at that time was held in the premises now occupied by the Guardian. This was in the sixties. Forty years ago the Commercial Bank ceased operations in Mudgee because of the fact that the volume of banking business was not great, and there were three banks after it, viz., N.S.W., Commercial, and the old A.J.S. The late Mr. B. Stacy revived the bank in Mudgee some years later. This gentleman had made such a success of the Oriental Bank at Gulgong that he was requested to revive the Mudgee branch of the Commercial. Operations were started in premises; on the site of Mr. J. Bryant's butchers shop. The bank, by careful management, made rapid headway, and some time later, moved into the premises they now occupy. During the time the bank was situated in the 'Guardian' Office premises word got about that the bushrangers purposed sticking up the institution. A detachment of police, under Superintendent Orridge, of Bathurst, was posted in the building on the night fixed for the raid, but the outlaws evidently got wind of the warm reception awaiting them, and did not put in an appearance. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 4 July 1912, p. 23. Bank Building Correction Martin Laverack

Local Brevities The remains of the late Mr. Martin Laverack were interred in the C.E. portion of the Mudgee cemetery. All the relatives were present, with the exception of Mrs. Chivers and Mr. Ernie Laverack, who missed the train. The deceased's wish was that he should be buried as close to the late Mr. J. A. Atkinson as possible, because they had been such close friends during life. His request was complied with. The funeral cortege was a very long one. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 4 July 1912, p. 23. Funeral Martin Laverack