In this manner the reign of the Page dynasty came to an abrupt termination.  The baby heir-apparent grew up to man’s estate as a private citizen, and became a fisherman at Williamstown.

UNTIL THE GOLDEN DAWN.

After Mr. Latrobe’s short visit to Port Albert, Gippsland was for many years ruled by Mr. Tyers with an authority almost royal.  Davy, after his first rebellious outburst at the burning of the huts, and his subsequent appointment as pilot, retired to the new Port Albert and avoided as much as possible the haunts of the commissioner.  On the salt water he was almost as powerful and imperious as was his rival by land.  He ruled over all ships and shipwrecks, and allowed no man to say him nay.

Long Mason, the first overseer of Woodside Station, took over a cargo of fat cattle to Hobarton for his brother.  After receiving the cash for the cattle he proceeded to enjoy himself after the fashion of the day.  The shepherd knocked down his cheque at the nearest groggery and then returned to his sheep full of misery.  Long Mason had nearly 300 pounds, and he acted the part of the prodigal brother.  He soon made troops of friends, dear brethren and sisters, on whom he lavished his coin; he hired a band of wandering minstrels to play his favourite music, and invited the beauty an chivalry of the convict capital to join him in his revels.  When his money was expended he was put on board a schooner bound for Port Albert, on which Davis (of Yarram) and his family were passengers.  For two days he lay in his bunk sick and suffering.  As the vessel approached the shore his misery was intense.  He demanded drink, but no one would give him any.  He began to search his pockets for coin, but of the 300 pounds only one solitary sixpence was left.  With this he tried to bribe the cabin boy to find for him one last taste of rum; but the boy said, “All the grog is locked up, and the captain would welt me if I gave you a single drop.”

So Long Mason landed at the Port with his sixpence, was dismissed by his brother from Woodside Station, and became a wandering swagman.

The next overseer for Woodside voyaged to Port Albert in the brig ‘Isabella’ in the month of June, 1844.  This vessel had been employed in taking prisoners to Macquarie Harbour and Port Arthur until the government built a barque called the ‘Lady Franklin’; then Captain Taylor bought the brig for the cattle trade.  On this voyage he was anxious to cross the bar for shelter from a south-east gale, and he did not wait for the pilot, although the vessel was deeply laden; there was not water enough for her on the old bar; she struck on it, and the heavy easterly sea threw her on the west bank.  It was some time before the pilot and his two men could get aboard, as they had to fight their way through the breakers to leeward.  There was too much sea for the boat to remain in safety near the ship,