Pioneering days of Miriam Vale and district', Queensland by W. G. Blomfield, 1946-1947 - Page 38
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buildings draw the town their way, & FRIENDS (H & J) realised there was enough land in Gladstone without building over the water & moved up. HENRY FRIEND SEN. had a small store out towards the valley in the very early days, & my father declared he was the best business man he ever dealt with. He would get anything you ordered, even if he had to send to ENGLAND or even to GERMANY for it.
Many years before this Gladstone had its first visit from a bishop, it was Bishop TYRREL of NEWCASTLE, Gladstone being in the dioces(e) of Newcastle. A Mr COBCROFT had the best house in Gladstone, so it was up to him to entertain his Lordship. Not being a highly educated man, they wrote a speech for him to learn by heart, he did not have a retentive memory, & so said "Oh Lord my God will you come into my house, we are only plain people, but we will be Damn glad to see you". Let us hope the Bishop was entertained