Herbert James Masterton (1903-1953)
Seaman and Petty Smuggler
Herbert James Masterton served in World War One as a boy seaman, and emigrated to New Zealand. He was however fined for smuggling a small quantity of opium in 1935.
Genealogy
Herbert James Masterton was the eldest son of James Frederick Masterton, seaman, and Elise Le Riche who had been married in Guernsey in 1902. This places him as part of the large group of Mastertons in Guernsey who originated from around Forfar and Dundee. A fuller genealogy of the extended family of Herbert James Masterton can be found at this link
The Evening Star, Dunedin
SEAMAN CAUGHT WITH OPIUM
[PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION]
WELLINGTON, April 9. Herbert James Masterton (35), a seaman, was caught by a Customs official coming off the Wanganella last night with six tins of opium on his person. He was fined £125, the minimum, this morning, in default three months' imprisonment. The opium, which is worth at least £60, was automatically forfeited.
Evening Star
9th April 1935
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus
Mr. Herbert James Masterton, of 37 Alfred -Street, - Woonona; died at the Bulli District Hospital on Sunday at the age of fifty years.
The late Mr. Masterton, who was well known in the Woonona area, was the husband of Mrs. Nora Masterton, and the father of Pat (Mrs. Perram) and Margaret.
Rev. Hobden, Bulli Church of England, conducted the funeral service at A. Coles' Bulli chapel on Tuesday afternoon, after which the cortege moved to the Woronora crematorium.
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus
20th August 1953