TRAPPITT Harry   NEW  

Compiled by Gordon Freegard based on research by Merilyn Stewart

Prior to the building of the post office by Bert Mugg, a railway goods shed had been completed, and sometimes meetings were held there.

The following year, 1923, Mrs. E. M. Wellstead's sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Trappitt, came from England with their family to the Wellstead property, 'Petersham.'

The news soon spread that Trappitt was an experienced blacksmith. This was the trade most needed at the siding, landowners being forced to send away for replacements or repairs.

Only a few, like Colly Moir, could work a forge and mend broken parts or make substitutes from any suitable metal.

Frank O'Meehan and his sharefarmers were continually being delayed in their work because of breakdowns and the absence of an efficient blacksmith in the area.

On hearing of Harry Trappitt, Frank O'Meehan agreed to finance the erection of a blacksmith shop on one of his blocks in the Borden townsite.

However, a misunderstanding occurred, and Harry Trappitt erected the building, not on one of O'Meehan's blocks, but on one owned by Andrew Muir of Albany, who was within his rights to claim it and had a mind to do so.

When Frank O'Meehan arrived for the official opening, it was to find many of the assembled guests at loggerheads.

Finally, Muir agreed to the building being removed to the correct block.

The leather-aproned Trappitt was in demand immediately.

At one stage, he had as many as six strikers employed making axles, shoeing horses, and relaying shears and picks for settlers as well as the road board.”

 MONGUP BLACKSMITH HOP DRAWN BY PETER ROHAN        #1
 

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