A man who had not seen Coffs Harbour since it was a little village 50 years ago returned last week. He was Mr. G. W. Marles, who [sic] father Mr. James Marles, played a prominent role in the pioneering days in the latter part of last century.

Mr. Marles said his fatherwas paymaster for the British and Chinese Governments, both of which operated large timber contracts. He was also responsible for distributing rations to the blacks, of whom there were many in the town.

"They used to camp on the hill where the Catholic Presbytery now stands and they lived under very primitive conditions in little shanties," he said.

Mr. Marles recalled the death of one of the blacks, who was buried on the hill.

"He was buried wrapped in a sheet of bark and an old green tablecloth porvided by my mother. The only white people present were Miss Nina Yoole, a music teacher from Ulmarra, and myself," he added. 

Back at Coffs Harbour After 50 Years, Coffs Harbour Advocate, 19 January 1956, p.1