Cowra in Days Gone Bye by J C Ryall 3/ (Pages 17 to 28)

PART THREE

 

 

 

Published on 21 January 1922.

 

Progress Association Meeting Convened 

On March 30th, Mr. W.P. Mylecharane sold 40 of his high class merinos to Messrs. Watson and AlIen, Bald Hills Station, Grenfell. Another meeting has been convened for April 4th, to found a Progress Association.  Mr. J.E. Taylor intimates that he is prepared to undertake the instruction of a town band should the enrolments prove satisfactory. A fine fall of rain has considerably refreshed drooping nature and intensely relieved our farmers and graziers. The creeks and water courses have been running bank high, hence in many places our roads have been quite impassable. Attention is directed to a large sized log being allowed to impede traffic in Kendall- street. It is hoped that Mr. Single will take prompt measures to have the snag removed.

At a meeting of the Church of England committee, held in the Union Church on April 1st, there were present Messrs. F. Thompson (chairman), Stokes, T.H. West, Jas Ousby, R. Chivers, Lockyer, Quick, Ford, Chapman and Ryall. At the instance of Mr. Stokes, the Stipend Fund bond was signed by the guarantors present. Mr. F. Thompson was elected treasurer. The enrolment of a Parochial Association, suggested by Mr. Ryall met with their approval. Mr. Ryall undertook to procure a copy of the Grenfell Association. Communications were read from the Rev. J. Young re temporary Parsonage (a very old and out of repair weatherboard tenement) and Mr. A. Lynch re building site. It was resolved, on the suggestion of Mr. Ryall to adopt a system of deferred payments extending over twelve months in connection with building fund contributions.

Attention is directed to the very unreasonable delay that has taken place in offering for sale allotments in surveyed township of Goolagong. The present township is a portion of Mr. John West’s Binda Estate, hence is not regarded as a true business centre. When the Government town allotments are sold Goolagong will come into existence for the first time as a recognised township. The road between Cowra and Goolagong is said to be in a deplorable state and sadly in need of immediate attention.

A meeting of the Amateur Dramatic Club is called for April 3rd. At the Police Court, on April 1st, Frank Guerein was charged by W.M. Rothery with having driven sheep through the run of Gee. Lockyer, on December 28, without giving the requisite notice. Mr. Freehill for the defence, submitted that sheep being driven to a public pound were not travelling sheep within the meaning of the statute. The Bench held a similar view and dismissed the case, but refused costs.

 

Guilty of Furious Riding

James Lee, an octogenarian, pleaded guilty to furious riding, and was fined 5s [50c] and costs. A charge against Joseph Thompson of stealing three sheep, the property of Thos. Callan, was withdrawn by the police. Michael Costello, of Canowindra, was granted an auctioneer’s license, and T. Grant, of Belubula, a slaughtering license. On April 8th, in the Small Debts Court, Frank Guerein was sued by W.M. Rothery for £9 10s 7d [$19-70], alleged excessive poundage fees. Mr. Freehill for defendant, submitted that proceed-ings should have been taken under the Impounding Act, hence the Bench had no jurisdiction. Adjourned till next sitting.

The public meeting re establishment of a Progress Association took place at the Royal Hotel on April 4th, Mr. P. Murray being in the chair. After the chairman, and Messrs. Donnelly and Ford had spoken in favour of the project, it was proposed by Mr. Freehill, seconded by Mr. H. Dennis and carried, “That a Progress Association be now formed.” The subscription was fixed at one shilling per month. The meeting then adjourned until April 12th, when the election of a committee is to take place.

 

Lands Act Court of Inquiry

A court of inquiry under the Lands Act was conducted by Mr. Whittingdale Johnson at the Courthouse, when the following cases were called:–Francis E. Johnstone, non-residence on four c.p. ‘s, of 40acs each, at Warrangong; David Buchanan, non-residence on his c.p. of 100acs at Morongla. The parties failing to appear, proof of service of the summonses was given by Sen. Constable McCartie. Following selections were taken up at the Lands Office on April 4th:–John Chapman, 640acs, Cowra ; Thos Hyde, 4acs, Tintern; John Johnson 100acs, Canimbla; Thos. S. Harris, 40acs, Waugoola; D. O’Brien, 100acs, Tintern; P. Dwyer, l00acs, Billimari; Jas Dwyer, 50acs, Billimari; Wm. Bright, jun, 40acs, Waugoola; Joel Blasley, 40acs, Kenilworth. Mr. Arkins, Land Agent, has been directed by telegram to immediately withdraw all lands from selection which have been previously submitted to auction. It had been customary to dispose of all auction lands unsold at upset prices.

A lad in the employ of Lockett & Crawford had his hand lacerated and a finger fractured by a blow from his mate’s hammer one day this month. C. Stibbard reported the sale of 736 store bullocks on alc S.G. Alford to Geo. Campbell. On April 8th 14,000 mixed sheep belonging to A. G. Jones, and 7009 maiden ewes belonging to Mr. Osborne of Carsoline crossed Cowra bridge. Messrs. N. Connolly, T.R. Iceley, W.M. Rothery, Jas. Hall and S. G. Alford have been gazetted sheep directors for the Carcoar district, and Messrs. James Glazier, Thos Foote and Thos. Clyburn have been appointed trustees for the Anglican Church building site at Canowindra. Mr. George Green, of Bang Bang, sustained a fractured arm and some internal injuries by falling from the roof of a shed he was engaged in repairing.

Published on  25 January 1922

Local Manufactured Buggy and Cart Harness.

Messrs Share & Barry have on show at their establishment a number of sets of buggy and cart harness of local manufacture, which for elegance of design and workmanship, it would be dif- ficult to surpass. Amongst the town improvements noted are a brick cottage at the rear of Mr. Murray’s store, and Mrs. T. Rigaut’s brick cottage at the eastern end of the town. Workmen are again busy at Mr. D. Robertson’s re-modelled hostelry and with the exception of the tower, the masonry of the new Catholic Church has been completed. In addition all the rafters are in position on the main portion of the building, hence its completion at an early date is anticipated.

Last week 25 head of cattle were found dead in a paddock presumably from the effects of boven, through over indulgence in Soetah thistle. A notice in the “Government Gazette” having stated that Canowindra was in the Dubbo police district, Mr. Freehill has been advised that steps have been taken to correct the stupid error. Two articles appear in issue of April 10th from the pen of Dr. Cherry, one under the heading of “Esculapian Episodes,” and the other “Prospective Calculators,” the latter conveying a vivid picture of Cowra in 1888, (much of which can never be realised in the ten years limit mentioned). Mr. James Ousby requests people who have stock running on Mulyan estate to remove same forthwith and Messrs. Thompson Bros. intimate that stock found trespassing on the Neila paddocks will be impounded. Mr. B. Monaghan, road contractor, advertises for roadmen, and Mr. W.M. Murray, Canowindra, seeks carpenters. A race meeting is to take place near Mr. G. Lockyer’s Cross- Keys Hotel, Carcoar road, on Easter Monday.

 

Church of England Building Fund

Mr. J. W. West (Carcoar) and W.H. Hazelton (Grenfell) have been appointed agents for the “Free Press” in their respective localities. Mr. W.J. Quick, secretary, appeals for subscriptions towards the Church of England building fund, and he further announces that subscriptions to the stipend fund will be received by Messrs. W.A. Stokes, W.P. Mylecharane, S.G. Alford, J. Wensley, J.T. Week, Jas. Ousby, H. Ford, R. Chivers, F. Thompson, G. Lockyer, J.B. Fitzgerald, W.J. Quick and A.R. West. Rheuben Bros. have a quantity of first-class and wheat for sale, and W. Jones (Forbes) has 70 head of prime store cattle for sale. Porter and Turner, owners of Breakfast Creek station, want two good heavy draught horses.

J. Clinch, secretary to the School of Arts, invites residents to attach their names to the memorial to the Minister for Lands, asking for the dedication of half-an-acre of the Market Reserve as a building site. C. Stibbard announces that he has for private sale J.H. Rolfe’s Westville Hotel, six miles from Cowra, together with 640 acres of well improved land.

A largely attended meeting of subscribers to the newly formed School of Arts took place at the Fitzroy Arms Hotel on Thursday night, April 11th, Rev. J. Young being in the chair. A comprehensive code of rules was adopted. The subscription was fixed at 6d [5c] per quarter, payable in advance. The election of office bearers followed the formal business, the results being:– President, Mr. G. Campbell; vice-Presidents, Messrs. D. Donnelly and P. Murray; treasurer, Mr. W.A. Stokes; secretary, Mr. John Clinch; trustees, Messrs. Jas. Ousby, C.J. Austin and F.B. Freehill; committee, Rev J. Young, Messrs. I.J. Sloan, F.A. Thompson, S.G. Alford, J.C. Ryall, J. Arkins, H. Dennis, R.A. Austin, R. Daly, and C.J. Lewin.

 

Court Room for Library and Reading-room

The election was conducted by Messrs. Donnelly, Stokes and Austin. Mr. Campbell having been installed in the chair, expressed his appreciation of the honour conferred upon him. Mr. Clinch (secy) announced that the use of the court room for library and reading-room purposes had been secured and would be available to members between the hours of 4. 30 p. m. and 11 p.m. He further reported that the services of a librarian, at £10 [$20] per annum, had been obtained. It was decided that the first meeting of the committee should take place on the following Monday night

 

Published on 4 February 1922

Progress Association Meeting.

The public meeting convened for Wednesday night April 12th, at Challacombe’ s Royal Hotel, was largely attended. Mr. D. Donnelly having been voted to the chair on the motion of Messrs. H. Dennis and T. H. West, explained the object of the meeting, and reported that the section of the town canvassed by him highly favorable to the movement. Similar encouraging reports submitted by Messrs. Freehill and Dennis, a Progress Association having been duly formed with an enrolment of 64 members, Mr. F.B. Freehill was unanimously elected secretary pro tem., The chairman suggested that amongst the matters to be taken in by the Association would be the establishment of a Court of Quarter Sessions and District Court; better attention to the roads approaching town and throughout the district generally.; and bringing under the notice of the Government departments such items as might lead to improvement of the status of town and district. It was reported that a committee of twenty be elected, represent- ative of town and district. To fill these there were thirty-two nominees, from these the following committee was elected by a show of hands: –Messrs. D. Donnelly, P. Murray, H. Dennis, Jas. Ousby, J.C. Ryall, S.A. Rheuben, H. Ford, R.W. Hughes, W.J. Quick, A.R. West, G. Campbell, C.J. Austin, F.B. Freehill, W.A. Stokes, W.P. Mylecharane, Broander (Goolagong), Clyburn (Canowindra), A. McClymont, (Binni Creek), J.T. West, R. Chivers and P. Robinson (Back and Morongla Creeks). At a meeting of the committee held at the conclusion after the foregoing proceedings there were present–Messrs. Donnelly, Murray, Dennis, Freehill, Ousby, Chivers, Broander, Robinson, Ellis and Ryall.

 

The Election of Officers

The election of officers resulted as follows:–President, Mr. D. Donnelly; vice-President, Mr. P. Murray; treasurer, Mr. H. Dennis; secretary, Mr. Freehill; Rules and By-laws committee, Donnelly, Robinson, Ryall and Dennis. An adjournment for a week followed. (It may not be out of place to mention here the “Free Press” was largely instrumental in founding both the School of Arts and Progress Association).

A youth (18 and 19) named Hugh McSoeley, who was engaged in conveying the maiIs between Wheeo and Cowra, was committed for trial at the Bathurst Circuit Court by Messrs. J. Arkins and J.T. West, on a charge of having stolen two shillings from a stamped letter handed to him Mr. John N. Jordon, postmaster at Darby’ s Falls. Evidence for the prosecution was given by Sen. Constable Mccartie, J.E. Taylor, J.N. Jordan and R.A. Austin. The accused, who denied stealing the money, said he put the letter in his pocket, and the money must have dropped out.

Mr. C. Stibbard reports the sale of 100 store cattle on account of W. & A. Cummings; 26 store bullocks alc Jas Corby; 400 mixed sheep alc P. Flynn; and an allotment· of land alc S.G. Alford. Following selections were taken up at the local Land Office on April 11th:–W.A. Stokes, 250acs., Wood’s Flat; John Knight, 640acs., Binni Creek; J. Fraser, 53a 1r 24p., Cowra Grenfell road; Gerald Daly, 80acs., Wattamondara; Joseph Bottom, 60acs., Spring Creek; W.H. Nicholas, 40acs., Soldier’s Flat; H. Brien, 160acs., Binni Creek; W.H. Bishop, 100acs., Walli.

Our Canowindra correspondent reports an outbreak of opthalmia in that locality. The surrounding country, he says, looks really well. The fact of Canowindra having been appointed a place for holding courts of Petty Sessions, he regards as a tribute to the growing importance of that town. The court is to sit monthly.

Mr. Clyburn is making good progress with the erection of the public school and hopes to have some ready for occupation shortly. Another butcher (Mr. J. Sullivan) is about to commence business at Canowindra. The Anglican Church at Canowindra, is nearing completion, and promises to bear convincing testimony to the liberality of the congregation. . The Rev. J. Young, who is to visit Canowindra fortnightly, can look forward to good congregations on such occasions.

 

Published on 11 March 1922

 

Cowra’s First Church

Some doubts having been expressed as to which place of worship was first erected in Cowra, viz., the Roman Catholic or Presbyterian, the question was submitted to William Duggan and Cowra’s oldest native, now a resident of one of Sydney’s suburbs, and he maintains that the small building attached to St. Raphael’s Church and which is now used by the Convent High School was unquestionably the first sacred edifice to make its appearance in the town. Mr. Duggan says he has a distinct recollection of the church being erected, the date being about the time of the Crimean War, 1855-56, or 57; hence its age would be about 65 or 67 years. The Presbyterian or Union Protestant Church, he adds, was not erected until some years later.[From the “Free Press” 11 March 1922 on the Presbyterian Diamond Jubilee. In the same issue a contributed article, Historical Account of the First Church erected on the Lachlan Valley.]

 

 Published on 7 December 1923

A Retrospect of Fifty Years

When the “Free Press”, Cowra’s first newspaper,  was .Iaunched on the troublous sea, which  invariably besets journalistic ventures, by its present proprietor, on February 20th, 1878, Cowra’s proportions were very circumscribed, and its population was about 300 souls. The Carcoar “Chronicle”, controlled and owned by Messrs. Boyle and O’Brien, was then regarded as the local paper. The town \ proper did not contain more than one hUndred habitations, many of such primitive materials as slabs and bark being included. On the northern side, was a dwelling occupied by the late Mr. George Gillett and family. Nearer the town was the old police barracks, an unpretentious structure, with slab walls and shingled roof, which was later used as a place. for conducting Courts of Petty Sessions. Still later, after it had been deserted for some time, it was repaired under Dr. Bartlett’s direction and made to serve as the purposes of a temporary hospital.

 

The next tenement in the direction of Bridge street, was the neat weatherboard cottage of Mr. E. Fitzgerald, cordial and aerated waters manufacturer, whose factory then was in Bridge street, directly opposite the Australian Arms Hotel. Proceeding eastwards along the northern boundary came a brick cottage in Liverpool Street, belonging to Mr. Peter Murray, which was then nearing completion. Further north along Lachlan Street a weatherboard cottage belonging to Mr. Challacombe stood, now the site occupied·by Mr. H.H.S. Francis’ residence. The next building on the same side of the town was Mrs. Charles Moore’s brick cottage in Liverpool Street, which still stands. On the eastern side, the stone house near the Methodist Church, was the only edifice in that direction. Further out along the Carcoar road Mr. Andy O’Neill resided in the vicinity of his brick works. On the southern side, beyond Vaux Street, there were some dwellings occupied by Mrs. Martin, Mr. W. Mitchell, Mrs. Still, ·Mr. Steve Little, and Mrs. Cummings.

 

The Public School was a very diminutive brick structure with residence attached, both being relics of by-gone ages. A military pensioner, Mr. John Marmon, a little later erected a number of small tenements facing Vaux Street, which he termed “Paradise Row.” Some of these buildings are still in existence. The old mill was then in active work under the control of Rheuben Bros. (Sam and Phil). The Great Western Hotel being then unlicensed, was occupied by the workmen engaged in the erection of St. Raphael’s Church. The only structure of any kind on the western· side of the river was Pryor’ s smithy, where providing working bullocks with shoes was a speciality. The only public building in the town was what was by the merest stretch of courtesy termed the Court House. In this edifice one room was used for court, purposes, another was occupied by the Clerk of Petty Sessions and Land Agent, and the apartments at the rear provided residence quarters for the lock-up-keeper and family and cells for lawbreakers. The office of the officer in charge of the Police Station, now in use, was a portion of the old Court House.

To the end of 1897, Cowra had no official post office. Up to that period postal business was conducted, firstly by Mr. S.G. Alford at his store, where the Bank of Commerce and cafe now are, and later, on the transfer of the business to Messrs. Austin Bros., their sister Mrs. Jones as placed in charge, and we under- stand that in the capacity of postmistress that good lady acquitted herself admirably, having succeeded in winning the good opinion and confidence of the entire community. At that time Cowra was entirely devoid of telegraphic facilities. At the beginning of 1878 the status of Cowra was raised by its being considered of sufficient importance to be entitled to an official post and telegraph office. Some difficulty was at first experienced in finding suitable premises for a temporary office in a central position. Eventually a small tenement on the site of the recent addition to Messrs. Squire, Pepper and Co.’sbusiness establishment was secured, and therein Mr. John Clinch, Cowra’s first official post and telegraph master, was duly installed.. As the premises were wholly unsuitable for the housing of Mr. Clinch’s wife and family, he was naturally very much dissatisfied with his appointment, hence he petitioned for a removal, and this led to his transfer to Blayney, and the appointment of Mr. Frank Fowler as his successor.

At this juncture Mr. A.J.C. Single, Road Superintendent, vacated the premises now occupied by Mr. W.A. Stokes as a residence, and the opportunity was seized by the Postal Department to secure it as a temporary office and residence for the new post and telegraph master. The erection of the Department’s own offices was not completed until some years later.Owing to the temporary P.O. being so distant from the principal business portion of the town, on representations being made to the Department in respect to the inconvenience occasioned, a letter pillar was placed at the corner of Kendall and Lachlan Streets.

The only other building of a public character was the small cottage occupied by Sergeant McCabe, which was later demolished to make room for the State Bank. There were four stores, viz., Mr. Peter Murray’s, a rambling galvanised iron structure covering a large area, at the corner of Lachlan and Bridge Streets, where the Lyric Theatre now stands; Austin Bros., a two-storied stone building, which has since been transformed into the premises now occupied by the Bank of Commerce and Imperial Cafe, while the upper story belongs to the Imperial Hotel; Messrs. D.C.J. Donnelly and Co’s, an ancient weatherboard erection, which had been formerly occupied for business purposes by Mr. Dawson and Madame Rigaut; and on the opposite side of Kendall Street, Mr. Dan Neville had his establishment in the building now occupied by Messrs. Hammond and Lane.

In addition to the foregoing Charlie Nathong, a Christenised Celestial, who was married to-a European, conducted a small grocery business in a single-storied brick structure on the site now where Mr. McPhee’s pharmacy now stands. Some years later Mr. Murray erected the stone building at the corner of Kendall and Lachlan Streets, where Mr. H. McLeod’ s smithy was’ once located, and the Cowra Hall (now Lyric Theatre) where his first store once stood; and later still Messrs. D.C.J. Donnelly and Co. erected the store now occupied by Messrs. Reid, Smith- Ltd., and four adjoining shops. Prior to the erection of the store by D.C.J. Donnelly and Co., an old landmark, “The Green House” was demolished. This place was the hostelry conducted by Mrs. Neville (afterwards Mrs. Challacombe), prior to the erection of the Royal Hotel. This place for several years was the residence of Mr. Thos O’Shaughnessy and family.

 

Robert Daly’s Australian Arms

There were five hotels, and taking these in order we commence with Mr.. Robert Daly’s Australian Arms, in Bridge Street. While the old wooden Bridge, which spanned the Lachlan from the end of Bridge Street, existed, the hotel named was favorably situated for business. Before becoming a bonafice, Mr. Daly was Chief Constable at Carcoar .He was a good raconteur having retained a vivid recollection of the old convict days when flogging for trivial offences was in vogue. Many of his reminisces were of a blood-curdling nature, while others were of historical interest. In the prime of manhood Mr. Daly must have been a man of remarkable physique, being tall, muscular and very powerful. The Australian Arms hostelry in those far off days did not present a particularly inviting appearance, part being of brick, two storied, and the other part weatherboard, as it was constructed many years previously by the original owner, Mr. Kirkpatrick. The present fine building stands out in marked contrast to the former antiquated place.

 

The Fitzroy Arms

We next come to the Fitzroy Arms at the corner of Bridge and Lachlan Streets. On the date of our notice it was of brick, and single storied. It was formerly conducted by the Mr and Mrs Ousby, Senr., and when the writer first knew it, Mr Henry Dennis was the landlord. Previous . to coming to Cowra Mr. Dennis had a hostelry at Gulgong. He was a man of genial temperament who was inflated with the notion that he possessed oratorical powers of a high order, which entitled him to a seat in Parliament. He rarely missed an opportunity to air his eloquence, and when some of the local; choice spirits desired an hours amusement they used to hie to the Fitzroy and get Dennis on the stump dilating on subjects political and otherwise. On one occasion when a vacancy in the representation of the electorate occurred, out of a spirit of mischief, a townsman wrote out a requisition framed in most extravagant terms, in which an appeal was made to his (Dennis) overweening vanity by dilating on his personal appearance, and extolling his powers mentally as well as physically and concluding by maintaining that it was the duty of a man gifted

 

The Horse and Waggon Inn

Out about four miles from Cowra, on the Grenfell road, the Horses and Waggon Inn was conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Chivers. The former was a fine type of settler, who devoted his attention mainly to agriculture, and his early experience in that industry in England was turned to good account by him in the cultivation of what at that time was considered a large area in the vicinity of the hostelry. In the meantime Mrs. Chivers devoted her attention to the hostelry and the rearing of a large family. That good lady was an ideal hostess, her hospitality and kindness being proverbial.

 

The Cross Keys

At Bumbaldry, some 15 miles from Cowra, Mr. George Wilson, brother of Mrs. Chivers, was the licensee of an old established inn, which had been previously conducted by his wife, who was formerly Mrs. Hope. Along the Carcoar road, about three miles out, Mr. George Lockyer, was licensee of the Cross Keys Inn. No better hearted or finer type of manhood existed than the burly “old salt.”

 

The Great Western Hotel

His (Lockyer) first visit to Cowra was in the late fifties, and then after voyaging round the world, he settled down here. He erected and was first occupant of the premises now known as the Great Western Hotel, and was also its first licensee. There was no bridge across the Lachlan at Cowra at that time, hence, when a fresh occurred in that stream, Mr. Lockyer and his boat were frequently requisitioned. In 1860 and following year, while the rush to the Lambing Flat goldfield was in progress the traffic from the western goldfield through Cowra was very great, consequently the gains from the ferry at that period were considerable.

On one occasion, while the river was in flood and showed no signs of abating, Mr. Lockyer succeeded in conveying the coach, mails and passengers across the river in his boat without mishap. This at the time was regarded as an amazing feat, and in view of the large quantity of driftwood that was passing downstream at the time it must be conceded that the passage to and fro was attended with very great risk, it was a performance Mr. Lockyer in later years referred to with pardonable pride.

 

The Sheet O’ Bark Inn

We now come to the Sheet O’Bark Inn, about 12 miles along the Carcoar road, within a short .distance of Wood’s Flat. The licensee, Mr. James Lynch, was a cousin of Mr. Andrew Lynch, and his wife was a sister of the late Mr. Thomas Neville. Mr. Lynch was a great horseracing enthusiast. He was the proctor of many meetings which were runoff on the course contiguous to the hostelry, and he was also a liberal supporter of meetings held elsewhere in the district.

It was customary for Fagan’s mail coach to make a brief stay at this place when passing to and fro to enable the passengers to obtain liquid refreshments, and also give the coach horses a drink. Here visitors were-invariably met by a half-witted identity in a grotesque garb, which was ornamented with the plumage of various members of the feathered tribe in a most fantastic fashion.This poor creature was invariably possessed of a cheque book . or notebook, and from these he extracted cheques which had been drawn. for fabulous sums, and presented them to whoever took his fancy. He was seized with the very comforting notion that his wealth was practically inexhaustible.

 

The origin of Woodstock

Woodstock, was at that time non-existent. The origin of that place was due to the late Mr. Lawrence Purcell starting·a small store there and this led to other buildings being erected. Then followed the setting apart of an area for a village by the Lands Department. With the advent of the railway, a hotel was erected by Mr. T. A. Kelley, and then followed the establishment; of a post office, school and the erection of quite a number of buildings. .

 

Thomas Clyburn’s Victoria Hotel

At Canowindra, which was then within the Cowra police district, there were four licensed houses, viz., two in the village, one at Belmore and one at Nyrang Creek. Mr. Thomas Clyburn’s Victoria Hotel was a neat and compact weatherboard house which formerly belonged to Mr. Jas Flanagan, Mrs. Clyburn’s first husband. In addition to the hotel, Mr. Clyburn had a quartz crushing plant, where stone raised from the reefs at Belmore were treated.

 

Henry Dawes’ Travellers’ Rest Inn

Mr. Henry Dawes’ Travellers’ Rest Inn was also of weather- board, and Mr. Alfred Collis’ Inn at Belmore was built mainly of discarded quartz from the nearby mines. In portions of this stone gold was plainly visible. When the mines gave out, Mr. Collis erected a flour mill close to the hotel, and this was in active work for some years.

 

The Shauqhann Hotel

The Shaughann Hotel at Nurang Creek was run by Mr. Robert King, who also had a saw mill at work in the vicinity. Then Canowindra had a police station with Constable Alexander Mathieson in charge, and this officer in addition to his ordinary duties, was called upon to perform the functions of Clerk of Petty Sessions, Registrar of the Small Debts Court and Mining Court, also of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and so on. Courts of Petty Sessions were held monthly, when Mr. E.J.C. North, Police Magistrate at Carcoar, presided. Mr. G.W.H. Dry was the bailliff . On those occasions Mr. F. B. Freehill, solicitor, Cowra, and Messrs. Dodd and North, solicitors, Carcoar, were invariably in attendance.

Mr. George Green had a hostelry at Bang Bang, near Koorawatha, the latter place not being then in existence. It was a small wayside inn which sprang into prominence through a bloodless conflict having taken place there between the police and Hall’s gang of bushrangers. Evidences of the encounter could subsequently be seen on the wall and counter in the form of bullet marks.

 

 

……to Part Four.