The Prince of Wales was said to be built by William Sidebottom in circa 1836. Karl von Steiglitz (1946) states that William Sidebottom came to Evandale in 1820 from England and “Soon after arrival he built a tannery and boot factory—which supplied Government and private contracts—with as many as 25 men working for him, on Fyfe’s Corner, as some of us still call it, opposite where Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Bean now live. This was a wooden building and later occupied by the Halls, who at one time tried to obtain a licence for it as an hotel, but failed. Later, Simon Fyfe had his stables there when he ran the coaches, but during his son’s (John) tenancy after Simon’s death, the old place was burnt down. William Sidebottom built a brewery at Evandale (William East was the last brewer), near the Clarendon Hotel. He also built the Prince of Wales Hotel and several other places from bricks made in the old brick kiln on Woodlands (now part of Andora), which were delivered on the site for 5/- a hundred.”)
At the annual licensing meeting in 1842, Miss Eleanor Perkins (who had been the licensee at the Patriot King William) and William Sutton both applied for licenses at Evandale. The Launceston Courier on 5 September 1842 reports “The sense of the meeting was taken as to whether another house was required in the district. Upon a division, there were six on each side, and the Chairman decided in favour of a second house. The respective merits of the two applications were then discussed, and a decision given in favor of Mr. Sutton by the Chairman’s casting vote.”
The Launceston Advertiser of 20 October 1842 carries the following advert from Mr Sutton: “PRINCE OF WALES, EVANDALE. – THE Undersigned, begs most respectfully to inform his friends and the public in general, that he has taken those commodious premises at Evandale, lately occupied by Mr. Sidebottom, which he has opened as an Hotel. The premises having undergone a thorough repair, will afford every accommodation to those who may favor him with a call.”
In 1843, Sutton was involved in a curious case reported in the Launceston Examiner 30 August 1843. “On Saturday week a novel kind of information was tried at the Evandale police office, before Robert Wales and James Cox, Esquires. The following is an outline of the case. A man named Peter Morgan, formerly in the employ of a settler at Norfolk Plains, went to the house of Mr. Sutton, who keeps the ” Prince of Wales” inn, at Evandale, and gave into the safe keeping of the landlady two promissory notes, one for £13 10s., the other for £51 10s. He remained at the house drinking for nearly a fortnight, representing himself (as there is reason to believe) as a man of property. As often as payment was requested he gave a cheque upon the bank, until having repeated this process three several times, Mr. Sutton thought it necessary to ascertain whether he possessed any funds at the bank upon which he so largely drew. He accordingly brought him in a gig to Mr. Henty’s, where he repeatedly said he had upwards of £300. Certainly the man must have been labouring under some hallucination of the kind, derived from the debauchery in which he had been indulging, for on arriving at the bank he walked in with all imaginable consequence, and asked for his £300! I The cashier, however, knowing nothing about him, he returned as he came, in company with Mr. Sutton to the “Prince of Wales” once more. He then gave the landlord a promissory note for £51, accepted by Mr. Mitchell, his former master. Morgan had previously taken away two colts, which, at his first coming to the house, he had left there. After giving Mr. Sutton the bill he went away, but returned soon afterwards and demanded back his two promissory notes. He was then informed that his account exceeded £110, and that both the notes would be retained as part payment, and that unless he gave up the colts summary proceedings would be adopted against him! The consequence of this threat was the present in formation against Mr. Sutton, for taking a promissory note in payment for liquor instead of the current coin of the realm, contrary to the act of council. The bench considered the case fully made out, and fined Sutton in the extreme penalty of £50, exclusive of costs. Mr. Douglass, who appeared in his behalf, gave immediate notice of appeal.”
It is quite likely that because of this case, Sutton lost his licence. We do know that Sutton owed money to Mr Sidebottom because The Cornwall Chronicle of 19 Aug 1843 advertised a sale “Sidebottom v Sutton. – BY MR. FRANCIS. – On the Premises, known as the Prince of Wales public-house, Evandale, on THURSDAY next, the 24th August, at 1 o’clock precisely, under distraint for rent, unless this execution is previously satisfied, – ONE Horse and Gig, two Colts, two Cows, and one Calf – also – The Household Furniture, consisting of horse hair bottom chain, tables, bedsteads, bed and bedding, kitchen utensils, etc. – Terms – Cash.”
In September 1843, the licence was granted to Patrick Walsh. “Some argument took place respecting the granting of this license, but it was ultimately carried, on the consideration that two licensed houses were
better than only one, to prevent monopoly” (The Cornwall Chronicle 2 September 1843). The following year, the licence to Walsh was renewed (The Cornwall Chronicle 7 September 1844). As owner of the establishment, this licence was transferred to Mr Sidebottom in May 1846 according to The Cornwall Chronicle Sat 9 May 1846 and Launceston Advertiser 7 May 1846. However, the Cornwall Chronicle of 1 August 1846 then states that an application was made to transfer the licence from Sidebottom to William Peck. The transfer was reported as allowed in The Britannia and Trades’ Advocate on 13 August 1846 on 3 August.
However, the Cornwall Chronicle of 2 September 1846 states that at a hearing before Justices, a certificate to apply for renewal of a licence as refused because “William Peck, Prince of Wales, Evandale.—Badly conducted house and a dealer in licenses.” (Peck had only one month earlier transferred his licence for the Plough Inn in Evandale to take up the Prince of Wales.)
Peck must have been able to overcome this set back because he did hold the licence for the Prince of Wales from 1846 to 1848.
John King was the next licensee, holding the licence until 1852. It is known that consideration of an application from Mr George Smith, for the Prince of Wales Inn, Evandale, formerly kept by Mr. King, was postponed until the 16th September 1852 but only after the clerk of the peace read a letter from the police magistrate of Morven, recommending the rejection of the applicant on the grounds that “had he been a man of respectable character, he might have obtained certificates of character from several gentlemen, residents on the Nile.”
“Mr. Douglas, solicitor, stated that the applicant had resided some years on the Nile, and by a course of frugality, and honest industry, had collected a sum of money sufficient to embark in the business of a publican; he was considered, however, on hearsay evidence and idle rumours, as unfit for that business; although there was nothing tangible against him. He (Mr. Douglas) begged an adjournment, in order that be might produce satisfactory certificates of Mr. Smith’s character.”
The Cornwall Chronicle of 18 September 1852, reports that at the re-scheduled hearing Robert Wales, the Assistant Police Magistrate for Morven was reported to have said — “My principal reason for opposing the license is because I consider the applicant incapable of keeping an orderly house; I have known Smith thirteen years, and in my opinion he is unqualified for the business of a licensed victualler; I have no documentary evidence against him, but could, if I were disposed, call up reminiscences anything but creditable to him. Besides, public opinion is against him, and the Magistrates of Morven have protested against his holding a license; applicant had recently conducted a tap nominally for Mr. King — but in his (Mr. Wales’) opinion, virtually for himself; the house since then had been badly conducted.”
But Mr Douglas, acting on behalf of Smith discharged his duty fearlessly; “even though Magistrates spoke under excited feelings, were he right he would not submit. Mr. Wales knew his client was being deprived of a license on idle rumour; it was usual for the police to bring forward data on which to condemn a man, not mere hearsay evidence; the fact of his client having resided fifteen years in one district, without having incurred the displeasure of any one — without even being known to any one — was prima facie proof of the unimpeachableness of his character. Mr. Smith had not been fairly dealt with, inasmuch as the sins of Mr. King had been visited on his devoted head. How, he would ask, was Mr. Smith accountable for Mr. King’ s neglect? If Mr. King had done wrong, why was he not punished? Surely they would not saddle his client with Mr. King’s imperfections.”
Mr. Douglas was “in possession of a number of certificates which he felt convinced would prove his client worthy of holding a license; they were from persons, who knew Smith personally, and must have more weight than an ipse dixet (an assertion without proof) of individuals entirely unacquainted with him; he would lay the documents before the bench, leaving them to make their own impression. Mr. Douglas contended that the bench should adduce tangible proof before they refused his client’s application.”
The newspaper then reports that Mr. Douglas then read favourable certificates from several people including George Collins, Jnr., Mr H Glover and John R Glover. The report continues “Mr Wales said, with regard to the respectability of the certificates, he only knew of two in which he could place reliance, Mr. H. Glover’s, and Mr. Collin’s; although he did not wish to reflect on the private character of individuals, in the discharge of his magisterial duty he felt it incumbent on him to state that Mr. John R Glover was too dissipated in his habits to render his testimony worthy of belief; and he would simply enquire, why did not Smith procure recommendations from the Magistrate of the district? The fact of there being no magisterial recommendations proved him unworthy to be entrusted with, a licensed house.
Mr. Douglas — The magistrates of the district were unacquainted with the man, and consequently could not recommend him.”
Despite Mr Douglas’ efforts, the panel was guided by Mr. Wales, and the vote was against Smith by a show of five to one – the application was refused.
In 1852, Mr Edward Davis advertises “Prince of Wales, EVANDALE. E DAVIS, late of Perth, begs to inform his friends and the public in general, that having taken the above spacious premises, and been to great expense to put them in complete repair, trusts by civility, attention and moderate charges, to merit a portion of their patronage. The beat of Wines, Spirits, and Malt Liquors, always on band, well aired beds, superior stable and an attentive ostler. Dinners provided for large or small parties on the shortest notice.” (The Cornwall Chronicle 18 September 1852)
In February 1855, Davis once again takes to the adverts to say that having been late of the Prince of Wales in Evandale, he has moved to the Australian Wine Vaults in Launceston, (The Cornwall Chronicle 17 February 1855). It is suggested that Davis transferred the licence to Mr Hall in 1854 because in December of that year, Hall had his licence “renewed” for 1855.
Mr Hall has been recorded in the press of the time as Arthur Samuel Hall and Samuel Arthur Hall. The family notice announcing the birth of a son in The Cornwall Chronicle on 31 January 1855 states that it was S A Hall. It is known that Samuel Hall held the licence until at least 1858.
It is not known by the compiler who had the licence from 1858 to 1862 but it is likely to have been Samuel Hall and William Sidebottom, Jnr. It is known that William Sidebottom Jnr held the licence in 1862 until August 1870, at which time, it was transferred to Robert Saunders (Launceston Examiner 18 Aug 1870). Saunders then held the licence through to at least 1874.
Edward Hardman held the licence from at least 1883 until 1891. On 28 June 1891, Edward’s wife, Jane Harriett, had a son. Just 16 days later on 14 July she died at the age of 31. This event must have had some impact of the decision to get out of the hotel, because in November of that year Michael Markey submitted an application for the licence. On 9 November 1891, a correspondent of the Launceston Examiner (12 November 1891) reports that “Mr Michael Markey, of the Prince of Wales Hotel, is suffering from severe concussion of the brain, the result of a fall from a restive horse, and is in a critical state. He died on 14 November at age 44. His widow, Elsie Markey took over the hotel and ran it until 1903.
Summary of Licensees of Prince of Wales
| 1842 – 1843 | William Sutton |
| 1843 – 1846 | Patrick Walsh |
| 1846 – 1846 | William Sidebottom Snr |
| 1846 – 1848 | William Peck |
| 1848 – 1852 | John King |
| 1852 – 1854 | Edward Davis |
| 1854 – 1862 | Samuel Arthur Hall |
| 1862 – 1870 | William Sidebottom Jnr |
| 1870 – 1875 | Robert Saunders |
| 1876 – 1880? | Abraham Banks |
| 1880 – 1881 | John Waldron |
| At least 1883 – 1891 | Edward Hardman |
| 1891 – 1891 | Michael Markey |
| 1891 – 1903 | Elsie Markey |
