Cudgegong Valley History Project

Death of Mr. E. Readford, Sen.

It is with regret we record the death of Mr. E. Readford, sen., which occurred at his residence, West End, on Saturday morning, from heart failure. Deceased, who was 76 years of age, was in the act of sawing a piece of timber, and a momentbefore his death had been talking to his daughter. Miss Readford, who is blind, heard a groan immediately after he had spoken to her, and spoke to him again but got no aNew South Waleser. She then called in several neighbors, who at once found that life wasextinct. Dr. Nickoll was summoned and pronounced death to be due to heart failure. At one time Mr. Readford followed pastoral pursuits both in Queensland and New South Wales, and for many years lived at Warren. During the past twelve months hehas made Mudgee his home. He leaves five daughters - Mesdames R. H. Smith, W. Bardsley, J. Groat and J. Nevell, and Miss Readford, and also and two sons. Two brothers, Mr. James Readford, of Westwood, Ilford, and Mr. William Readford, ofCudgegong, the latter being 84 years of age, survive. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon at Carwell cemetery, near Rylstone, where his wife was buried about 30 years ago. (Mudgee Guardian and North Western Representative, Monday 19 March1906, p. 2).

SMITH.-September 15, Robert Lyndon, second son of Robert Henry Smith, late of Putta Bucca, Mudgee (Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 16 September 1932, page 8).

FUNERALS: SMITH. - The Relatives and Friends of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. SMITH and FAMILY, late of Putta Bucca, Mudgee, are Invited to attend the Funeral of their beloved son and ber, Robert Lyndon Smith, to leave Wood Coffill's Mortuary Chapel, 3 Missenden Road, Camperdown, THIS SATURDAY, at 2.30 p.m., for Church of England Cemetery, Rookwood. WOOD WOOD COFFILL LIMITED, Motor Funeral Directors (Daily Telegraph, Saturday 17 September 1932, page 4).

MR. ROBERT HENRY SMITH. By the death of Mr. Robert H. Smith in Sydney at the end of last month, a link with the history of New South Wales and Queensland is severed. In 1892 the late Mr. Smith was managing Danganally Station in Northern Queensland and later also managed Savannah Downs, for the late Mr. Mcintyre. Deceased, who was 68 years of age at the time of his death, was a native of Mudgee, New South Wales, being the eldest son of the late William Smith, Esq.. of Carleon. As a young man he went to Perth, Western Australia. where he was on the staff of one ci the leading banks. Later, leaving that institution, he joined up with Alexandra Forrest (later Sir Alexandra Forrest, for many years Premier of Western Australia), in an exploring trip to the central part of that State. After that he returned to Mudgee for some time, before coming to Queensland to live, and many were the exciting stories he could relate of those days spent on the stations. Owing to the climate not suiting his wife, Mr. Smith gave up the management of the stations and, returning to his home town, he established an auctioneering business in partnership with the late Mr. George Stewart, who was also a most well-known man in both States. The firm of Stewart and Smith was a most flourishing one. He and his wife, who also belonged to a pioneer family of the Mudgee district, made their home at the renowned "Putta Bucca," one of the most beautiful and oldest homes in the Mudgee district, which was built in the early part of last century, by the late William Lawson, Esq., whose family did so much pioneering work in the Mudgee district and Blue Mountains. Failing health ultimately brought about Mr. Smith's retirement from business. The deceased gentleman, who had legions of friends all over Australia, rightly earned the good will of his fellows Those who knew him best loved him best, and many will deplore his passing. His benevolence was a real, a very real, thing, and many hearts were made lighter for it. His memory will be cherished in many hearts through the land. He leaves a widow, three sons and one daughter. One son (Lyndon) predeceased him less than twelve months ago. The interment took place in Mudgee, the funeral moving from the Methodist Church, and despite the pouring rain the cortege was one of the largest seen in Mudgee for many years. Two of his greatest friends. Very Wor. Bers D. H. Spring, M.L.A.. and E. Hume, recited the Masonic service at the graveside (Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette, Saturday 15 April 1933, page 12).

LATE ROBERT SMITH Member of Pioneer Family By the death of Mr. Robert Henry Smith the Mudgee district has lost one of its best known men. Deceased, who was a member of a pioneer Mudgee family, spent the greater portion of his life in this district. Very many years ago he entered the stock and station agency business in town, and, with the late George Stewart as a partner, carried on successfully for a lengthy period. Open handed and generous hearted, he naturally formed a large circle of acquaintances, among whom he was held in the very highest regard. After relinquishing business in town he travelled fairly extensively in the back country of this State and in Queensland, and his expert knowledge of stock was largely availed of by many interested in the grazing industry. Some years ago he returned to Mudgee and recommenced business, with offices in the Town Hall building. Failing health, however, brought about his retirement, and some months ago he took his departure for Sydney, where he remained until his death, which occurred at Marrickville on Saturday last. He was 68 at the end, The late Robert Smith rightly earned the goodwill of his fellows, and many of the old brigade will deeply deplore his passing. His great delight was in doing a good turn to those who were most in need of it, and many a heart has been made lighter as a result of his benevolence. he has gone from amongst us, but his memory will be cherished in homes right throughout the land. To his widow (also a member of a pioneer family) and three sons and one daughter the deepest sympathy is extended. The remains were brought to Mudgee on Monday morning and, despite the pouring rain, many old friends attended the funeral, which took place to the Methodist portion of the cemetery. Two of his bosom companions, Very Wor. Bers D. H. Spring, M.L.A., and E. Hume recited the impressive Masonic service at the graveside (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 30 March 1933, page 6).