Wollombi becomes major access point and the sole representative of government

Wollombi becomes a major access point and the sole representative of government in the district. The first Postmaster arrives in Wollombi and postal services commence once a week to Maitland. David Dunlop, arrives as the first Police Magistrate for the Wollombi and Macdonald Police District. The first court sessions are held in Dunlop’s bark hut. This district extends from the Hawkesbury River in the south to Broke in the north, and from Quorrobolong (near south of Cessnock) in the east to Howe’s Valley and the Colo River in the west. The Wolombi police establishment includes a clerk of court, chief constable, district constable, eight ordinary constables, two watch house [gaol] keepers and a scourger (whipping man).