The first licensee was John Morrison. Colonial Times of 9 Nov 1844 stated
that Mr Morrison had applied for a licence (22 September 1844) to keep an inn
at Evandale but it was refused “on
account of not being wanted, in the opinion of the Justices”. That report
goes on to say the case came on again on
but the decision was “deferred until the 22nd, when no doubt, having
heard the decision on this side in Mr. Bonney’s favour, their Worships will
grant the applications.” While
details of the decision on 22nd have not been found, we know that
Morrison held the licence in 1845 so we can assume it was granted. He held the licence until 1852 when he died on 11 May 1852 at the age of 44. His
wife, Eleanor Morrison took over the licence that same year. Mrs Morrison is known to have transferred the
licence to Mr Abraham Banks in February 1853 (Launceston Examiner, February 10,
1853).
Mr Banks held this licence until 1871, at which
time “Richard Hood was granted permission
to sell liquors in the Royal Oak hotel under the licence held by Abraham Banks,
until the next licensing meeting”.
In 1855, Mr Banks was involved in an interesting
case, one considered of considerable importance to all public house licensees,
had it been successful. It was “an information” laid by A. T. Collett Esq.
against Mr. Banks, at the Police office in Evandale. “It
involved having refused to receive the horse of a traveller, not being a guest
at his inn, on Sunday last, the 7th January. The circumstances were these: Mr.
Collett, who resides about two and a half miles from the township, drove to
Evandale in his gig for the purpose of attending divine service, when he found
Bank’s yard gate locked and secured, and was refused admission by Banks, and he
was compelled to put up his horse at a friend’s place. There was a full
attendance of magistrates (six), who unanimously dismissed the information,
contending that Banks was perfectly justified in refusing to receive on Sunday
any but travellers, and that persons coming to church could not be so
designated. Another information against Banks for refusing to admit Mr. Collett
into his licensed house on the Same day, in his capacity as a Justice of the
Peace, arising out of the former case, was withdrawn by Mr. Collett.”
Upon obtaining the licence from Mr Banks, Mr
Richard Hood soon set about leasing the business to someone else. On 9 October 1871, he advertised “To BE LET BY TENDER-That well known business
public house known as the Royal Oak Inn, Evandale. Tenders to be sent in on or
before November 1st , 1871. Not bound to accept the highest or any
tender. Apply to Mr R. Hood, near Trafalgar, Evandale.” It is not known how successful this attempt
was but we do know that Hood remained licensee until August 1874 at which time
he transferred it to Elizabeth Hanney.
The Hobart Town Gazette of 18 January 1876 shows that Hanney was granted
a licence until 31 December of that year.
The following year, the Hobart Town Gazette of 16 January 1877 states
that a licence was now granted to Thomas Trant until 31 December that
year. However, The Tasmanian 15 December
1877 carried an advertisement that stated “WANTED TO BE KNOWN. – THAT I, the
undersigned, have taken the Royal Oak Hotel, Evandale, lately in the occupation
of Thomas Trant, and I beg to solicit a fair share of patronage. Good
accommodation, stabling, etc. The best wines and spirits always on hand. –
HENRY VINEY, Proprietor.”
Viney held the licence until 29 May 1880 and the
Hobart Town Gazette states that the licence was transferred from Viney to
William Banks (1 June 1880). That
licence was renewed for 1881.
Mr Hood took back the licence in 1881 and held
it till 1886. In September that year he
advertised to let or sell the Royal Oak and records show that George Herbert
Wills successfully applied for licence and initially permission to continue
selling liquor from Hood’s Royal Oak. Mr Wills continued as licensee until July
1887, at which time, Mr. Benjamin Cutler made an application to transfer the
licence. Cutler was then granted
permission to sell under Wills’ license until next licensing day (normally
December).
It seems that Mr Cutler was very quick to get
himself into the community by making his hotel available for many social
events. For example he hosted a pigeon
shoot in 1889 and used his licence to set up booths at various sporting
events. For example, in 1887 he provided
a scoring board for the pigeon shooting match at Longford and then “At the
Evandale Races in May 1888, Mr. Benjamin Cutler, of the Royal Oak, Evandale,
had a booth on the ground and did a brisk business, and also provided an
excellent luncheon.” (Launceston Examiner 3 May 1888). In September 1889 Cutler is also reported to
have provided an excellent refreshment and luncheon booth at a ploughing
competition of the Evandale Ploughing Association. Something he repeated in 1889. He did not confine himself to sporting
events; in 1889 he provided dinner and refreshments to the Morven St. Andrew’s
Benefit Society at the Council Chambers and then in 1890 he hosted a dinner for
the anniversary of the Benefit Society at his hotel.
Mr Cutler held the licence until 1892. The Launceston Examiner of 14 Oct 1892 states
that a solicitor, Mr J J Rumpff of Patterson Street Launceston had “for sale the tenant rights, furniture,
goodwill, and effects” for the Royal Oak.
In November 1893, Samuel Colgrave applied for a
Justices’ Certificate approving of him receiving a public-house licence. This may or may not have been granted. The Mercury newspaper of Hobart on 6 December
1893 records that “Evandale Licensing Bench has decided to close Royal Oak
Hotel, on the ground that it is not required for public convenience.”
Karl Von Stieglitz (1946) suggests the Imperial Inn was the
first “inn” in Evandale but was never licensed.
This author states that it was owned and built by John Williatt (1792 –
1875) who subsequently established the second licensed establishment in the
town, the Patriot King William IV in 1832.
Von Stieglitz asserts the Imperial Inn was later called
Ingleside. It had been a comfortable
home in its day but had fallen into disrepair and was eventually demolished and
only the stables remain. Von Stieglitz
reports that during demolition, “reminders of its original use, including
the Imperial Inn sign, were found, and among the litter under the floor was one
of the old fashioned, square, black gin bottles, still corked and full to the
neck with gin. In his surprise at this
discovery, the man at work on the job dropped his hammer on to the bottle, and
then to his horror saw its contents slowly gurgle away in the dust, leaving
behind only a tantalising aromatic smell.”
New evidence now casts doubt on the existence of the Imperial
Inn. Mr Williatt did not own the land
encompassing Ingleside Homestead until after the Patriot King was established
and if the Imperial Inn was operated by a previous owner, then it would have
been nothing more than an opportunistic sly grog shop and likely not to have
been as brazen as to display an advertising sign. Licences to operate a public house were
required from at least 1816 (The Hobart Town Gazette and Southern Reporter 6
Sep 1817).
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.
Thomas Fall built the Clarendon Hotel, starting in 1847,
while he held the licence for the Patriot King. In
September 1849, Mr Fall attempted to transfer the licence he held for the
Patriot King over to “premises lately erected by him”. This application was refused on the ground
that the transfer would be injurious to the proprietor of the Patriot King, Mr.
Williatt. The impasse was solved by
considering Mr Fall as a new applicant and allowing Williatt to apply for
transfer of Fall’s licence for the Patriot King back to himself.
Thomas
Fall held the licence until his death on 4 September 1888. The Colonist of 15 September 1888 reported
the following: “The remains of the late Mr Thomas Fall were interred in the
Church of England cemetery, the service being conducted by the Rev. J.
Chambers. The funeral was well attended, notwithstanding that the day was cold
and wet. The Rev. Archdeacon Mason, the Hon. W. Dodery, Messrs. W. Atkins and
Maurice Nathan acting as pall-bearers. The deceased gentleman will be greatly
missed on the township, as he was a resident of 50 years. There were very few
houses here when he came to make Evandale his home, he was a large property
holder here and in Launceston, and having only had two in family, they are left
well provided for. He arrived in the colony in the barque Portland in 1832, the
late Mr and Mrs J. Cox, of Clarendon, being also amongst the passengers. The
vessel, it will be remembered, was wrecked at the Fourteen Mile Bluff. The
deceased succeeding in saving Mrs Cox from a water’ grave, but her son was
lost, the remains afterwards being interred at George Town. Mr Fall lost all he
possessed by the wreck, but he commenced business in Launceston, and removed to
Franklin Village, and finally settled at Evandale. After being in the colony a
few years, he married a Miss Russell, cousin of Henry Russell, the celebrated
composer and song writer. Although deceased had reached the age of 89 years, he
could read without spectacles and write freely within a few days of his death.
He never took an active part in politics, but was a shrewd observer and
criticiser of passing events, and was charitable in his disposition.”
After Fall’s death, and the rather long occupation of a
single licensee, there was a succession of short tenure publicans.
Oscar Bottcher became the next licensee. However, his tenure at the hotel ended
abruptly when he died in 1889. William
Atkins, acting executor to Mr Bottcher, applied for renewal of the licence on
24 October 1889.
Walter Smith followed and he lasted only to 1892 when, in
November 1892, Kate Nichols applied for a Justices’ certificate to allow her to
apply for the licence to run the Clarendon.
However, the Launceston Examiner of 30 March 1893 carried the advert “TO
LET-The Clarendon Hotel, Evandale, lately occupied by Mrs Nichols. This well
known hostelry, partly furnished, is now being thoroughly renovated, and will
be let to a suitable tenant on liberal terms. Apply W. ATKINs, River View,
Evandale.”
Launceston Examiner 6 April 1893 reported that an application
to transfer the licence was made by William Atkins to Michael John Ryan and
this was later granted in May 1893.
Michael Ryan held the licence through to the turn of the century.
The first recorded use of the current name “Clarendon Arms”
located is in The Cornwall Chronicle of 26 July 1854. However, there are many later recorded
occurrences where the term “Arms” was not used.
In 1834, plans were finalised and St. Andrew’s Church of England was
officially opened in 1837 by the Governor of Van Diemen’s Land, Sir John
Franklin. The building was used as a place of worship on Sundays and a
school room during the week days. The new building was constructed with bricks
which were obtained from the abandoned works of the Evandale-Launceston Water
Tunnel. In addition the roof was covered in shingle.
There were two rooms, the chapel/school room and the master’s room. The
building was situated at the end of Church Lane in what is now the back of the
Rectory. The initial building was later used as a Sunday School before being
demolished around 1910.
In October 1838, a larger Church of England was required with a petition
requesting the Government assist in the erection of a more suitable building.
Consequently work began on a new church in 1841. It was a red brick building
with a square tower and the building was completed about 1844.
In 1869, discovery of large cracks were discovered which was caused by faulty foundations, and the church was finally demolished in 1871. The foundation stone for the present church was laid down on 30 November 1871 and building commenced using many of the original bricks. In May 17, 1872 the new church was consecrated and dedicated to St. Andrew.
