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With the finalisation of the bankruptcy process for the Beach & Nelson building business in Melbourne in early March 1890, just weeks later in late March 1890, Milson Beach is recorded on shipping records as having visited the West Coast of Tasmania where many new mines and towns were being established. We can assume that his early visits would have been to assess the opportunity to establish a new building business in Zeehan and to understand the living conditions for the family to move there. Shipping records confirm Lucy travelling to and from Melbourne via Launceston to Strahan during 1892. Ultimately the family including Albert, daughter Lucy, Walter and Ernest spend a period living in the mining area of the West Coast of Tasmania. Given the prominence of mining in the Forest of Dean area in England, this may have been a natural attraction for them to seek out a living.The earliest record of them living in Zeehan relates to a court hearing involving Milson over a disputed payment for goods in 1892. Milson had started another building business with his eldest son Albert and in June 1895 there is a record of Hubert Beach, the second eldest son also working with his fathers building business in Zeehan despite his permanent residence in New Zealand in that period. Milson and Lucy were then operating the Beach Villa Commercial Boarding House in Zeehan (1898-1901) until Lucy’s health required the business to be sold.
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Milson, Lucy and their 18 year old son Walter appear to have moved to live in Hobart in February 1902. They are listed as passengers on the S.S.Mahinapua sailing from Strahan and arriving in Hobart on 27th February 1902.
Hobart Port ~1900
Milson had a trip back to England in 1902. He would have been some 64 years of age at this time.SHIPPING March 4. 1902 Medic, sv (White Star line), 11,985 tons, for Liverpool, via Capetown. Passengers - booked at Hobart: For Capetown - Mr. J. O. Gage, Mr. J. S. Thirley. For London – Miss A. Brent; Messrs. A. H. Fagg, H.M.Beach, T.Stevens, C. C. Goulding. Agents-.Wm. Crosby and' Co.
Milson & Lucy retire to Hobart
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The entrance to 5 Yardley St, North Hobart - the home is named "Naumai" - the Maori word for "Welcome". Hubert Charles the son who stayed on in NZ had purchased the home for his parents to live in on 27th Feb 1911 (Lucy the mother passed away on 17th July 1911); the ownership was transferred to his sister Lucy on 26th Sept 1923 (Milson the father passed away on 23rd October 1922). Elizabeth and her husband Joseph Hawkes appear to have lived with Milson and Lucy during their retirement years. Their daughter Lucy Elizabeth, her husband Joseph Hawkes and the parents of Joseph Hawkes are all buried in the same family tomb in Cornelian Bay cemetery, Hobart.
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In his old age Milson turned to religion and was known to have preached on a street corner in Hobart.
The inscription for Lucy was:“In Loving Memory – of – LUCY ANNIE BEACH – Born November 17 1838 – Died July 17 1911 - Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (A verse from the Bible, Psalm 116:15)For Milson the inscription reads:“Also – MILSON BEACH – Born June 30 1837 – Died Oct 23 1922 - The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places, Yea, I have a goodly heritage” (Psalm 16:6)
