Pittwater Online News

May 22 - 28, 2022: Issue 539

Narrabeen Hotel: Some History About The Licensees

Charles William Prowse, a coach proprietor who provided local transport from the ferry wharf in Manly Cove was the first licensee of what was then called the ‘Narrabeen Inn’ in 1886: 

A publican's license was granted to C. W. Prowse, for premises situated at Pittwater-road, Narrabeen. LICENSING COURTS. (1886, January 22). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13609631

Mr. Prowse and his wife Margaret were also running The Pier Hotel at Manly Wharf from 1883 to 1886 and later had 'Prowse's Refreshment Rooms' on the west side of Manly Corso. A keen cyclist, he was part of the Manly Cycling Club and later the Ferndale cycling club of Manly, as well as being active in the community. His son, 'Ossy' Prowse was a well known champion cyclist of that time as well - a few notes from the pages of the past are under Extras. 

Mr Prowse transferred the licence to Robert Norris in 1887, a Narrabeen local, although there were clearly others who also had been given a publican's licence in the vicinity:

Narrabeen Hotel, Pittwater-road, from Charles W. Prouse to Robert Morris ... LICENSING COURT. (1887, March 11). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236754960

There is a stopping place at the Narrabeen Hotel, kept by Mr. Norris-a most charmingly situated hotel facing the road, the picture of which will give you a good idea of the number of travellers who frequent this place. Close to the hotel are the celebrated Narrabeen Lakes, where there is splendid fishing, shooting, and boating, to be had within a half-a-mile of the hotel. Mr. Norris makes a specialty of providing boats, camping outfits, lunches, etc., for parties coming from town to spend a day or two in this lovely district.: A Christmas Holiday Trip Narrabeen Hotel Picture: [No heading]. (1893, November 25). Illustrated Sydney News (NSW : 1853 - 1872), p. 15. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page4846491

TWO MEN DROWNED AT NARRABEEN. SWEPT OUT TO SEA WHILE SURF BATHING.

A drowning accident, by which two young married men lost their lives, occurred at Narrabeen, at 10 o'clock yesterday morning. The drowned men were Henry Thom, aged 25, of Booth-street, Balmain (a grandson of Sir Henry Parkes), and John Montagu Folkhard, aged 29, who resided with his wife and family at Gladesville. The families of the deceased have been residing at Narrabeen for about a fortnight, and on Saturday Folkhard and Thom went down to join them. The latter had only been married about two months. Yesterday morning, in company with Folkhard's father and a younger brother, they went down to the ocean beach to bathe in the surf close to the old Ocean View Hotel. Mr. Folkhard, sen., went home again shortly before 30, and the boy left the water because he was affected by cramp. He looked back in the direction of the other two men, and saw a heavy breaker go right over them. They disappeared beneath the roller, and were seen no more. The lad gave the alarm, and help was soon obtained, but it was of no avail, nothing at all could be seen of the two men. Owing to the south-east wind which had blown all night, a heavy sea was rolling in on the beach, and the strong undertow had evidently swept the bathers out with irresistible force. The police at Manly were communicated with, and all day they, with a number of friends of the drowned men, lined the beach in tho hope that the water would wash the bodies up. At night-fail, however, their search had not been rewarded with success. Folkhard was employed by Elliott Brothers, and had one child. Thom was in the Public Works Department. TWO MEN DROWNED AT NARRABEEN. (1895, January 21). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1923), p. 5. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236006881

Renewals of publicans' licenses were granted to Robert Norris, Narrabeen Hotel, Narrabeen, ...WATER POLICE LICENSING COURT. (1899, January 12). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14195068

Mrs. Norris [Morris ?] and family group outside Narrabeen Hotel Circa 1890, by Perier, A. J. (Albert James), 1870-1964, Image No: Home and Away – 34425, Courtesy State Library of NSW Licensee, Robert Morris (Sands 1890); Robert Norris (Sands 1900) - [see also ON 260/423 with "Robert Norris' Narrabeen Hotel" shown over the front door] 

NORRIS—WELLS.—April 16, at St. Barnabas' Church, by the Rev. Joseph Barnier, Robert, third son of Mr. W. J. Norris, of Forest Lodge, to Emily Jane, eldest daughter of Mr. G. Wells, of Forest Lodge. Family Notices (1878, April 25). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article107935552

NORRIS.—June 21, at Narrabeen, the wife of R. Norris, of a daughter. Family Notices (1887, July 2). The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), p. 48. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165222147

BURGLARY AT NARRABEEN.

THE NARRABEEN HOTEL ENTERED.

There seems to be a boom just now in hotel robberies. On Tuesday night a box, containing some £20 In money, and other valuables, was stolen from the Federal City Hotel, at the corner of Bathurst and Sussex streets; and the Narrabeen Hotel, Narrabeen, was burglariously entered between 11.30 last night, and 1.30 this morning. Entrance was effected by means of a side window, which had been left unfastened, and a sum of £34, comprised of cheques and gold and silver, was stolen from a safe, together with a canvas bag, containing a bank deposit-book. The safe, it appears, had been left unlocked and the movements of the thief were such as' to lead to the assumption that he was not altogether unfamiliar with his surroundings. Mr. Robert Morris is the licensee of the hotel. The police have the matter in hand.

BURGLARY AT NARRABEEN. (1899, February 25). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1923), p. 10. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236794069

NORRIS.—September 18, at her residence, Narrabeen Emily Jane, dearly beloved wife of Robert Norris, and daughter of George Wells, auctioneer, of Sussex-street, Sydney. Family Notices (1899, September 19). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14248725

Advertising (1900, February 3). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 17. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28247734

NORRIS. -In sad but loving memory of our dear mother, Emily Jane Norris, who departed this life on the 18th September, 1899, aged 43 years. Lost to sight, but to memory dear. Inserted by her loving family.

NORRIS.-In sad but loving memory of our dear daughter, Emily Jane Norris, who died at Narrabeen, September 18,1899. inserted by her loving parents, G. and S. Wells, Boulevard, Strathfield, Leaves may wither, but memory never. Family Notices (1902, September 18). The Sydney Morning Herald(NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14510128 - This IN Memorium Notices continue until 1908 - soon after:

NORRIS - December 9, 1910 at Sydney, Robert Norris late of Narrabeen aged 60 years. Family Notices (1910, December 10). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 14. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15184934

Mrs. Florence Gertrude Moore.

The death occurred in Carlyle Private. Hospital, Wingham, on Friday afternoon, 10th October, 1947, of one of Wingham and district's best known and mast highly respected residents, rude Moore. Mrs. Moore was ill for three weeks, having been stricken down suddenly by a stroke. She was conveyed to Carlyle Private Hospital promptly after this sad happening, and there received the best and kindliest of attention. However, it was all to no avail. The late Mrs. Moore was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. R. Norris, of Narrabeen. She was first married to Mr. K. E. Mclntyre, and they settled at Strathfield. The result of that' union was two sons — Mr. K. M. Mclntyre and Mr. John Edwin Mclntyre, both of whom were with their mother before she passed away. Later on she married Mr. James Manning Moore. They lived first at Chatswood, and later at Bobin. It was at the latter place that Mr. Jim Moore died. Prior to coming to Bobin, Mr. and Mrs. Moore lived for about 12 months in New Zealand. Mrs. Moore leaves one sister and one brother. The sister is Miss Stella Norris, of Leyim. (New Zealand). The brother is Mr. R. Norris, of Drummoyne. The late Mrs Moore was a kindly hearted lady, and she had many sincere friends throughout town and district. She was one who was ever charitable 'and generous whenever it came to h^pin7 a deserving case or cause, no matter from what organisation the 'appeal came, and for her kindness of heart she will ever be remembered. Death at the finish came as a happy release. She was 57 years of age. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon last, after a service in St. Matthew's Church of England, Wingham, conducted by Rev, W. Griffith Cochrane, who made feeling reference to the passing of deceased. Obituary. (1947, October 14).The Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Observer (NSW : 1898 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168525687

In 1900 Robert Norris transferred the licence to Ralph Stennett who was there for just over a year:

WATER LICENSING COURT.

The weekly meeting of the Water Licensing Court was held yesterday, when the following transfers of publicans' licences were granted:

Robert Norris to Ralph A. Stennett, Narrabeen Hotel, Narrabeen; WATER LICENSING COURT. (1900, March 1). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article117032457

CLAIM FOR HOTEL COMMISSION.

In the District Court on Thursday, Clement Layton Ramsay, of Ferry-road, Glebe Point, sought to recover from Ralph Stennett, licensee of the Narrabeen Hotel, Narrabeen, the sum of £19 15s, alleged to be the balance due' for work: done and commission as agreed between him and the defendant in connection with the purchase of the lease, licence, goodwill, and furniture of the Narrabeen Hotel. The plaintiff stated that on February 5 last the defendant agreed to give him £25 if he secured a three, years' lease of the hotel for him, together with the goodwill, licence, and furniture. 

He worked in the defendant's interest, and secured the lease from the Perpetual Trustee Company for £225, the defendant shortly afterwards going into possession. The 'defendant paid him £5 5s in two' sums on February 5 and 12 last respectively, and, when asked for the balance, which he admitted owing, said he was not in a position to pay the amount just then. The defendant, for whom Mr. N. Montagu appeared, pleaded that he had paid the plaintiff sufficient for what he had done in connection with the purchase of the hotel. The defendant, it was explained, was not in attendance,- evidently not being aware that the case was down for hearing yesterday. His Honor said he found in favor of the plaintiff for the amount claimed, together with costs, and that if the defendant's solicitor paid the amount into court, he could apply for a new trial on the following day. Subsequently, it was agreed that the defendant should pay the amount of the verdict by monthly instalments of £3 each, the first to be paid on Monday next. CLAIM FOR HOTEL COMMISSION. (1900, September 7). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article112586877

A DISHONEST LODGER.

A young German named Frederick Trantwein, visited the Narrabeen Hotel, Narrabeen, about a week ago, and made arrangements with the proprietor, Mr. Ralph Stennett, to take up his residence there at the rate of 25s per week. He explained that his week would-be up where he had been staying on the following day, when he would go for his trunk. The trunk never came, and, when asked why he had not gone for it, Trantwein said that he had done so, but it had been sent away from the place without his authority. Mr. Stennet thought it rather hard on the young fellow to lose his property in that manner, so he brought him to Sydney, and took him to the German Consul to lodge a complaint.

From the information received from the Consulate concerning his boarder, Mr. Stennett was not at all satisfied, and subsequently he accompanied him to No, 4 Police Station, where he was searched. To the landlord's astonishment, a bronze- medallion, a pince-nez, a pencil case, part of a gold ring, set with pearls, and a purse, of a total value of £2, his property, were found on the German. 

The medallion, Mr. Stennett said, had been presented to him by Lord Beauchamp for life saving, and he would not have lost it for £1000. Trantwein pleaded guilty at the Water Court yesterday to stealing the above articles, except the pince-nez, which he stated he had been using, and had forgotten to place where he had taken it from. He was sent to gaol for two months. A DISHONEST LODGER. (1901, July 20). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114034038

One of the livelier characters Pittwater had roaming its tracks at the turn of last century is Belgian born Charlotte Boutin. It is difficult to determine exactly when she landed in Sydney but a Madame Boutin, Miss Boutin and child Boutin arrived from New Caledonia on the Egmont in late August 1873. Madam Boutin then appears to have then departed to Galle (France) in early September 1873 but without ‘Miss’ or ‘child’. We may wonder of the ‘miss’ is Charlotte, left behind to make her own living with Boutins already in Sydney.

By 1888 she seems to be established at the Rock Lily Hotel at Mona Vale, named for Dendrobium speciosum, an Australian orchid that was widespread  around the premises at that time. Famed for her fare and large menu, sometimes rumoured to be disguising possum or snake, Charlotte was also appreciated for an ‘earthy sense of humour’ and was sometimes called the wife of Leon Houreux, although no marriage  between the two seems to have taken place. 

George Ellis, a botanist, and guest in 1895 states: "We are quite prepared on reaching Rock Lily to do justice to the good things provided for us by the burly host of the Rock Lily Hotel. The menu is extensive and varied and quite equal to the best of our metropolitan cafes, and after luncheon there are quoits, skittles, swings, and other aids to digestion in the recreation ground over the road, to which many of the visitors make their way. The landlord and his wife hail from La Belle France. He is somewhat expert in the use of the brush, and visitors to the hotel cannot fail to notice the evidences of his skill in the numerous sketches which ornament the walls of the rooms.

There were also tales of unattached ladies who would allow gents to buy beer for them in the bars and vine-covered trellises of a grape arbor to one side of the building around this time. Risqué and attractive to artists and statesman became the Rock Lily’s reputation. 

By 1901 Charlotte had purchased the license for the Narrabeen Hotel although she continued to be on hand at Mona Vale until at least February 1907. 

WATER LICENSING COURT.

The weekly sitting of the Water Licensing Court was held yesterday before Mr. Payton, S M., Mr. Smithers, S.M., and Mr. Penny, L.M. The following transfers of publicans' licenses were granted: ... Ralph A. Stennett to Charlotte Boutin, Narrabeen Hotel, Narrabeen.

WATER LICENSING COURT. (1901, October 3). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14413483

HOTEL ROBBERY.

The police have been Informed of the theft of from £18 to £20, which took place at the Narrabeen Hotel on Friday. The money was put in a place where It was supposed to be safe, and was not missed for some time. HOTEL ROBBERY. (1902, December 22). The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 - 1909), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228950652

NARRABEEN HOTEL, Tel. 152 Manly-Madame C. Boutin. Close to beach, rod fishing, shooting-, etc. Advertising. (1904, September 20). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14624820 

NARRABEEN. — SUNDAY MORNING TROTTING MATCH.

At the Water Summons Court today, before Mr. Donaldson, S.M., James Hetdrick, of Oakville-road, Willoughby, and George Taylor, of Narrabeen, were proceeded against on a charge of furious driving on the Narrabeen road on Sunday, January 15. Both defendants pleaded guilty. From a statement made by Sub-inspector Mitchell, it appeared the defendants engaged in a trotting match on the Narrabeen-road, near the Narrabeen Hotel. The match took place about 11 o'clock in the morning, and it drew an immense crowd to the place, including a large number of people in buggies, sulkies, etc. Previous to the match coming off, Senior-constable Taylor, of Manly, warned the defendants, who were both in sulkies, that they would be committing an offence if they held it. They however carried it out, the distance being, in the senior-constable's opinion, about a mile. All along the route they were followed by people in vehicles, and the highway was made very dangerous for travellers of every kind. The defendants were each fined £5, with costs of court. FURIOUS DRIVING AT NARRABEEN. (1905, January 25). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article112748474

Charlotte Boutin is associated with the hotel in one way or another until around 1920

From Narrabeen Lakes Estate, 1906 / Arthur Rickard & Co. Ltd Auctioneers.  1906. MAP Folder 114, LFSP 1695 (Copy 1). Part 2. (sales brochure) Image No.: 22704748, courtesy National Library of Australia.

On April 24th 1907 the Narrabeen Hotel, an edifice of some 22 rooms at the time, burnt to the ground at 5am in the morning.

DISASTROUS FIRE

NARRABEEN HOTEL DESTROYED

NARROW ESCAPE OF THE INMATES

DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT OVER TWO THOUSAND POUNDS

A rather sensational and disastrous fire which resulted In the destruction of over two thousand pounds worth of property, occurred at Narrabeen, near Manly, early this morning. The Narrabeen Hotel. which is distant about seven miles from Manly, and on the road to Pittwater, of which Madam C. Boutin is the licensee, was the scene of the conflagration. The building was a weatherboard one, and consisted of 22 rooms. It was built on a square, all the rooms being on the one floor. All the rooms were destroyed, including several small structures which stood away from the house, and all that now remains to remind travellers of what was once an exceedingly popular house Is a small building at the rear of the hotel, which .managed to escape the flames, and a heap of charred and smouldering wood. 

It was shortly after 4 o'clock that Madam Boutin who had secured the building late last night, was awakened, and felt a smothering sensation. She immediately jumped out of bed after donning some clothes warned the other people who were asleep in the house. The building was filled with smoke, and after some little difficulty they got out of the building. The alarm was Immediately given to the neighbours, but fortunately there was little need for alarm, as the wind was blowing from the west. A few minutes later the hotel was in flames, which, fanned by the stiff breeze, devoured the woodwork in a very short space of time. 

The Manly branch of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade was notified by telephone of the conflagration, but on one of the firemen asking whether assistance was needed— the hotel Is situated outside the brigade area— he was answered In the negative. In the meantime Madam Boutin and the other people were sheltered in a neighbouring house. The occupants of the house and a number of others watched the building burn, as any efforts they might have put forth would have been useless. The flames had a hold of the building, and as they were assisted by the wind the light structure made excellent food for them. As the fire spread from room to room the furnishings were devoured, and all the crowd could do was to watch helplessly and see the building gradually destroyed. In about an hour after the first intimation of the fire was received the hotel had been razed to the ground, and it was then found, that a rather valuable little dog belonging to Madam Boutin had perished in the flames. 

The licensee of the hotel, who is suffering from shock, and the effects of the smoke, is being cared for by one of the neighbours. The damage Is estimated at between £2000 and £3000. It Is not yet known whether the building or Its contents were covered by Insurance. DISASTROUS FIRE (1907, April 24). The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 - 1909), p. 4 (FIRST EDITION). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229525734

FIRE AT NARRABEEN. BRIGADE DID NOT ATTEND.

Shortly before 5 o'clock yesterday morning the Narrabeen Hotel, at Narrabeen, which is a few miles from Manly, was discovered to be on fire, and before the flames could be checked the building, which contained 20 rooms, was entirely destroyed. Madame Boutin, the licensee, and the barman, named BATTISTELLA, each heard a crackling noise, as if the ceiling was falling. They rushed from their rooms to the back of the premises, and cried out, "Fire!" Battistella awoke the cook and other inmates, and they had just time to escape in their night attire. 

Fortunately there were no boarders in hotel at the time. A valuable dog was, however, burnt, and Mme. Boutin's birds were rescued from the front verandah under difficulties. The fire, which had broken out in the front portion of the hotel, burnt with great rapidity, and within an hour there was nothing left but smouldering ruins. 

As soon as the fire was discovered Mr. Donald M'Lean, at the local post-office, telephoned to the Manly fire brigade, but as Narrabeen is outside the municipality of Manly the Manly brigade replied that the scene was outside their jurisdiction. Consequently no brigade was present, and the neighbours were left to do the best they could. The hotel-a large cottage-was the property of Mme. Boutin, and was insured in the Australian Mutual Fire Insurance Company for 800 pounds. FIRE AT NARRABEEN. (1907, April 25). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14836988

Charlotte had plans drawn, for a better hotel, which was subsequently built.

Hotel Narrabeen, Plan of proposed hotel, front and back elevations, side elevations and sections, Applicant/owner, Madame Boutin, Architect Charles St Julien, 82 Pitt Street, Sydney, Signed 17 May 1907, Charlotte Boutin, Narrabeen Hotel, Narrabeen, written on back of plan  Courtesy NSW Records and Archives.

Front façade of the Narrabeen Hotel after the rebuild, circa 1910

METROPOLITAN LICENSING COURT

THE NARRABEEN HOTEL -

The Metropolitan Licensing Bench sat yesterday (.Messrs. Smithers, Macfarlane, and Donaldson), and adjudicated In the following business as under:...

Charlotte Soutin, of Narrabeen, applied for leave to carry on the bar business In a building put up temporary. The hotel had been recently burned down and the proposed bar for temporary service was 12 x 14ft. It was explained that this was quite large enough for all requirements until the building could be rebuilt. Mr. Donaldson, S.M., did not consider it to be sufficient, and put some queries to the applicant as to the rental of a house in the vicinity. She explained that she lived In a cottage at the rear, but considered It preferable to sell In temporary premises. The application was adjourned for a fortnight. METROPOLITAN LICENSING COURT (1907, May 3). The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 - 1909), p. 7. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229521824

Temporary Licences: Charlotte Boutin Narrabeen Hotel. Narrabeen, granted ... 'METROPOLITAN LICENSING COURT (1907, May 17). The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW : 1887 - 1909), p. 6 (FIRST EDITION). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229526359

Business was clearly booming as Charlotte was buying lots of lands at Brookvale and at Mona Vale (Turimetta Village) during 1907. Her Brookvale lots are listed in Land Titles Office Vol. 1524 Fol. 122, her lands at Mona Vale can be seen in Pittwater Roads II: Where The Streets Have Your Name - Mona Vale, Bongin Bongin, Turimetta and Rock Lily

At the same time, land was selling around the hotel - more on this can be read about in: Pittwater Roads II: Where the Streets Have Your Name - Narrabeen

NARRABEEN.-Main Road Frontages, next to Narrabeen Hotel, and Almost Opposite the Post-office.

*MAKE A SPECIAL NOTE of the FACT that the TITLE to the whole of the above is TORRENS, and that the CONTRACT OF SALE contains OUR SPECIAL CONDITION combining LIFE ASSURANCE and LAND PURCHASE WITHOUT EXTRA COST. YOU MAY SAFELY SELECT FROM THE PLANS, AND IF YOU AFTERWARDS WISH TO EXCHANGE FOR ANY OTHER UNSOLD LOT YOU CAN DO SO. '

WRITE, CALL, SEND, or TELEPHONE (No. 470), FOR PLANS of ANY OF THE ABOVE.

HENRY F. HALLORAN AND CO., 82 PITT-STREET. Advertising (1907, December 18). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 15. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14899785

In 1911 Charlotte transferred the licence to Charles Bacon, one of those whom added his name to her second last In Memorium to Battistella almost twenty years later. 

Charlotte was advertising a Green African Parrot next to the Narrabeen Hotel in 1920 but soon after George’s death she began buying other Hotel licenses closer to town; The Imperial in Alfred Street North Sydney and the Flagstaff in Princes Street, The Rocks in 1923 and 1924. One of these changed license hands less then six months later.

Her romantic side surfaces as the last visible note in her marriage to John C Elliott in 1924 when she must have been mature. After that she disappears apart from the annual notices for George until her death on July 26th. 1932; 

BATTISTELLA -In loving memory of our dear friend Benevenuto Battistella (George of Narrabeen), who departed this life January 25, 1920.Inserted by his friends, C. Boutin, W. Porter, and C. Bacon. Family Notices. (1930, January 28). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16621341

ELLIOTT-July 26 Charlotte beloved wife of John C Elliott at Randwick Private burial. Family Notices. (1932, July 30). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16912266

HOTELS TRANSFERRED.

The licensing Bench sitting at the Central Police Court yesterday granted the following applications for transfers of hotel licences; Narrabeen Hotel, Narrabeen Charlotte Boutin to Charles Bacon. HOTELS TRANSFERRED. (1911, March 3). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15215280

Charles Bacon was present for the opening of the tram to Collaroy and the hotel hosted the banquet that occurred afterwards. These article provides one of the few found interior images of the hotel as it was then:

OPENING THE TRAMWAY. 

A special tram nicely bedecked with ferns, flowers and ribbons conveyed a number of invited guests from the wharf at Manly to Collaroy, where the opening ceremonies — starting of the tram and turning on of the water — took place. Mrs. M'Gowen, wife of the Premier, with a pair of golden scissors cut the ribbon stretched across the end of the line at Collaroy Beach, and Mr. Griffith, Minister for Works, turned on the water in the presence of a large gathering of interested spectators. Among those present were: — Mr. J. H. Cann (State Treasurer), the Lord Mayor (Alderman G. T. Clarke), Dr. Arthur, Messrs. Black, Keegan, Levy, Nobbs, Ms.L.A., and Colonel Ryrie, M.P.; also representatives of the Water and Sewerage Board, Mr. W. J. Milner (president),

Alderman T. H. Barlow (vice-president), Mr. T. Henley, M.B.A., and Mr. J. Leitch. Mrs. M'Gowen, to mark the occasion, was presented with a, diamond brooch shaped like a tram. 

THE WATER SUPPLY. 

The water supply at Narrabeen consists of four miles of 6in wood pipe for 250ft head pressure. In testing this pipe line it gave excellent results — a great testimony to the pipes manufactured by the Australian Wood Pipe Company. Limited — as in some places the pipe was standing an over-burden of nearly 33 1-3 per cent, more than it was specified to stand. The estimated cost of iron pipes was £3100, the wood pipes costing £2400, showing a saving of £700, or equal to 30 per cent.

At a banquet given by the Australian Wood Pipe Company, Limited, to celebrate the opening of the water supply, held at Bacon's Narrabeen Hotel in the evening, there was a large and representative gathering. Mr. C. E. Ludowici presided. Among those present were Mr. Griffith (Minister for Works), the Lord Mayor (Alderman G. T. Clarke), Dr. Arthur and Mr. T. Henley, (Ms.L.A.), Mr. H. E. Pratten (president of the Chamber of Manufactures), Alderman Middleton (Mayor of Mosman), the aldermen of the Manly Council, and councillors of the Warringah Shire. . Mr. Griffith, in replying to the toast of 'The Ministry" said that those people who stated that they were heavily taxed in Australia did not know what they were talking about. The revenue derived from the railways and tramways was not necessarily the taxation of the country; it was direct payment for services rendered. Those who would lead them to believe otherwise were making misstatements to the people. The Minister added that no article that could be produced in this country ought to be imported. ‘’The system of wooden pipes for water supply was economical, and the Australian Wood Pipe Company had carried out the work" in a most satisfactory manner. Dr. Arthur thanked the Australian Wood Pipe Company for the activity with which they had brought the water to Narrabeen, and Mr. T. Henley also thanked the company for coming to the rescue of the Government at the time when pipes were scarce. Mr. A. G. M'Donald proposed "The Visitors," which was responded to. by Alderman G. T. Clarke (Lord Mayor), and Messrs. W. G. Milner, A. G. Pratten, J. Leitch, G. H. Barlow, and W. Hews (president of- the Warringah Shire Council). Other presentations made during the afternoon were a diamond bracelet to Mrs. Arthur (wife of Dr. Arthur, member for the district), and Mr. Griffith was handed a cable bracelet for Mrs. Griffith from the Australian Wood Fine Company, Limited, which laid the pipes for the water supply. 

BACON'S HOTEL NARRABEEN. 

This establishment is well and favorably known to visitors to Narrabeen, and the owner (Mr. Charles Bacon) is determined to keep ahead of the times. Mr. Bacon has been at Narrabeen for 18 months, and prior to that was caterer at the Manly Golf Club for two years. Recognising that the opening of the tramway would result in a great influx of visitors, Mr. Bacon has lately completed extensive and substantial alterations to the hotel, and part of the general scheme of improvement will be the addition of another storey to the premises. Plans of this work are now being prepared by Mr. Trenchard Smith, and already a new and handsomely-fitted saloon bar has been added, while the dining-room has been renovated and re-decorated, the table appointments being by Walker and Hall. The new roof will be a flat one, from which splendid views of ocean and lake may be obtained. 

The capabilities of the Hotel Narrabeen may be judged by the fact that the banquet given by the Australian Wood Pipe Company, to celebrate the turning on of the water supply, on August 3, was held in the main dining-room, nearly 100 guests being present. Mr. Bacon makes a special feature of the midday meal on Sundays, and has a tea garden for afternoon tea. Mr. Bacon is a prominent resident of the district, and is the president of the Narrabeen Progress Association, and also one of the bondsmen for the water supply. The Hotel Narrabeen is up-to-date in every respect; it is connected with the city water supply, and has extensive stabling and garage accommodation. The floors of the garage and stable are concreted, and vehicles and cars may be washed down. A septic tank is also in course of construction.

Photo: Mr. Charles Bacon's Hotel Narrabeen. 

Photo: Banquet given by the Australian Wood Pipe Company, Limited, at Bacon's Hotel Narrabeen, on August 3, to celebrate the turning on of the water supply.

The water mains— wood pipes— were supplied by the company, and the advantages of the pipes were praised by the Minister for Works (Mr. Griffith) and others at the banquet. Opening Up a Beautiful District -- Tramway and Water Supply for Narrabeen. (1912, August 7). Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), p. 32. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article263890494 

Charles Bacon also had plans drawn up for minor modifications to the hotel:

Narrabeen Hotel, Plan of proposed alterations, ground floor plan, Applicant/owner, C Bacon Esquire, Architect Arthur F Pritchard, 83 Pitt Street, Sydney, Signed 23 May 1912 Courtesy NSW Records and Archives.

Narrabeen Hotel, Plan of bar accommodation, Applicant/owner, C Bacon, Architect Arthur F Pritchard, 83 Pitt Street, Sydney, Annotated 1 August 1912 Courtesy NSW Records and Archives.

Mr. Bacon subsequently transferred the license to a Maurice Garwood:

LICENSING COURT.

The following transfers of publicans licenses were granted at Thursday's sitting of the Metropolitan Licensing Court :—From Charles Bacon to Maurice Garwood, Narrabeen Hotel, Narrabeen ; LICENSING COURT. (1913, October 25). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15460592

Sepia toned black and white photographic postcard of 'NARRABEEN. N.S.W. AUSTRALIA.'. It is dated 24 Jun 1913 (written on), and shows a street scene with men walking down the street and men in a horse and buggy riding down the street. Courtesy National Museum of Australia from Josef Lebovic Gallery collection no. 1

INFLAMMATORY REMARKS. (1915, July 22). The Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW : 1894 - 1939), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121722180

Image No.: a106069h from Scenes of Narrabeen Album ca. 1900-1927, Sydney & Ashfield : Broadhurst Post Card Publishers, courtesy State Library of NSW - the second Narrabeen Hotel may be seen with the dome a little north of the butcher's shop.

SLY-GROG AT NARRABEEN —  FINE OF £100 . 

"Insulting" Thirsty Men

After a hearing occupying, two days, Mr. Love, S.M. yesterday afternoon imposed a find of £100 on. Mary Hyde, of-Narrabeen, for selling liquor without a license, this being her second offence.

Inspector Carson asked one of the witnesses, if he belonged to the "thirsty circle" at Narrabeen, and after deep thought the witness replied that he did not think so. Going on with his evidence the witness said that after the local hotel closed he and the informer went to Mrs. Hyde's, where the informer said he could get half a dozen of beer. Inspector Carson: Well, what happened? Witness: Mrs. Hyde insulted us. She said she had plenty of 'teetotal stuff. Then she told us to clear out, and I was frightened and left. SLY-GROG AT NARRABEEN (1916, December 6). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 4 (FINAL RACING). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223373712

LOOKING FOR SAFE

The Manly police are looking for a safe which was stolen from the bedroom of Maurice Garwood, licensee of the Narrabeen Hotel, Narrabeen, between 9.30 last night and 6 this morning. There were about £1 In cash and some papers In It. When Miss Clara Longstaff, the housemaid, made the rounds of the house at 9.30 p.m. the safe in the licensee's room was all right. The thieves apparently entered the room by way of a window, and were so quiet in their work that they failed to disturb people sleeping not far off. The safe was lifted ' through the window and carted off. The sandhills at the back of the hotel were being searched by the police this morning in the hope of coming across the safe.

… ROBBING SAFES (1920, December 2).The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 8 (FINAL RACING). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222658590 

In 1920 the Narrabeen Hotel became the 'Royal Narrabeen Hotel':

FOUND IN SCRUB

A Narrabeen Hotel Safe DOORS BLOWN TO PIECES £300 Removed Before Robbery

The safe which was stolen from the Royal Hotel, Narrabeen, on Wednesday night or early yesterday morning, was found late yesterday afternoon about 160 yards from the hotel, in the scrub on the other side of the road.

It had been blown open. The cracksmen did a clumsy Job. Their Judgment of explosives was very much at Fault, for the charge of gelignite was probably sufficient to blow up a safe ten times the size of the one damaged. The door was blown to pieces and the sides and back broken. The thieves took 6s in copper, postal notes, and papers, and left behind a half-sovereign, a sovereign case, and several spurious half-crowns. On Wednesday night £300 was taken from the safe and placed somewhere else for security. The police are Inclined to think that the cracksmen had some idea that there was a big sum of money in the safe, and it was certainly fortunate the money was removed. FOUND IN SCRUB (1920, December 3). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 8 (CRICKET EDITION). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222661915

August 17th, 1921 - Advertising

LICENSING COURT.

At yesterday's sitting of the Metropolitan Licensing Court the following applications for the transfer of publicans' licenses were granted:- Royal Narrabeen Hotel, Narrabeen, from Maurice Garwood to Patrick Bernard McCauley: LICENSING COURT. (1922, April 28). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15999880

Mr. Mc Cauley would stay in the Narrabeen area for a long time and eventually buy the lots of land on which the Narrabeen RSL at North Narrabeen/Elanora now stands, where he opened a cabaret venue with a swimming pool and 9 hole golf course called the 'Sunray golf course' after a favourite horse, a show jumper, that did extremely well for years. 

More can be read about him in Narrabeen Cenotaph + RSL History: 100 and 65 Years Markers Of Service In 2021

Charles Mitchell (one-armed gentleman in centre) and friends at Narrabeen in circa 1920-24. National Museum of Australia photo

MR. PAT McCAULEY,

Boniface of Narrabeen

Mr. Patrick Bernard McCauley, proprietor of Narrabeen Hotel, is known from end to end of the shire, and is a popular figure in several spheres, though he has been in the district only three years.

Born at Clyde River N.S.W., half a century, ago, he takes a keen interest in all sports, and before moving to Narrabeen was known from Newcastle to Goulburn, an area of 200 miles. Recently he showed his horses at Gosford Show and won two first prizes. He is a member of the executive of Warringah Shire Association, and works hard to make the annual show a success. Mr. McCauIey was for 15-years a member of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, hold the Bronze Medal, and was present at many of the biggest fires in Sydney. During the time he has resided at Narrabeen Mr. McCauIey has made his presence felt, by building shops and dwellings, and laying out an area for fruit growing. He is also the owner of a mixed farm, and guests of his at the hotel are always assured of everything fresh.

MR.McCAULEY'S NARRABEEN HOTEL.

MR. P. B. McCAULEY. of Narrabeen, is a prominent figure in Warringah Shire.

SURF AND GOLF (1925, February 1).Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), p. 7 (Social and Magazine Section). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128164070 

BATHING AT NARRABEEN, FOR CHILDREN AND HORSES.

NEW USE FOR PNEUMATIC TYRES.

A GROUP OF MERRY YOUNGSTERS AT NARRABEEN.

No title (1926, January 3). Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), p. 10 (Social and Magazine Section). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128132989

Narrabeen Hotel under Mr. McCauley was the meeting place for many local organisations. It also underwent BIG changes under this gentleman and became .

Narrabeen Life Savers' Dinner

The annual dinner of the North Narrabeen Life Saving Club will be held at the Royal Narrabeen Hotel on Saturday, June 19, at 8 p.m. Members should apply to Mr. S. Hughes (hon. secretary) for admission tickets. Narrabeen Life Savors' Dinner (1926, June 11). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 11 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224202557

NEW HOTEL.

With the commencement of work on the new hotel at Woy Woy, near the railway station, being erected by Tooheys Ltd., local activity has brightened. The building, which is to have 22 bedrooms, will cost approximately £20,000, and is to be completed by Christmas. Everything in connection with the building is to be of the very latest and best obtainable. Garages will be provided, and all the hundred and one things that go to make up modern hotel convenience will be furnished. Local labor, as far as possible, is to be employed; and, with the season just finished, this opportunity may be handy to several residents. 

The contractor, Mr. B.  J. Nicholas, of Manly, is at present just completing a fine hotel building at Narrabeen, for Mr. P. B. McCauley, some few years ago licensee of the Union Hotel at Gosford. Mr. F. W. Thompson is foreman, and Mr. E. R. Justelius, Sydney, is architect. NEW HOTEL. (1927, June 9). The Gosford Times and Wyong District Advocate (NSW : 1906 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161287513

Mr. McCauley then placed a Charles Lockett in charge:

Mr. Chas. Lockett,. formerly in charge of the Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor, and more recently at Penrith, has gone into the fine, big tourist hotel at Narrabeen. WEEK TO WEEK (1928, March 16). Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1965), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article85931961

A journal of the time presents an insight into this finished work, or at least its facade. From Building : the magazine for the architect, builder, property owner and merchant., Vol. 47 No. 277 (12 September 1930) :

ROYAL NARRABEEN HOTEL,  

NARRABEEN, N.S.W.  

J. E. & E. R. Justelius, Architects;  

D. D. Nicholas, Builder  

(See illustration on cover)  

There is an American seaside flavour about this  composition with its white walls, red roofs,  tall arcaded openings, green shutters and Mediterranean detail. Although well balanced, the  design is not painfully symmetrical and this  characteristic makes for relief and interest  where a more stereotyped management might  have conveyed an appearance of monotony. The  Spanish influence here is not very great, but  quite enough to bring Florida to the minds  of visitors from America, The building possesses character and delightful colourings which  are by no means usual in such structures at  our outer seaside suburbs. Note the detail of  the window over the central entrance, the iron  balconettes and the chimney. This style of building has decided possibilities for this purpose but it requires the enhancing effects of  native trees and Palms. One would certainly  expect the sun to shine with equal strength  on all the window openings on the same side  of a building, but it is noticeable that those  openings distinguished by balconettes are not protected by outside shutters, although nearly  all the other openings are.  

Federated Builders' Association of Australia & Master Builders' Federation of Australia. (1907/ September 1930 article). Building, Building : the magazine for the architect, builder, property owner and merchant Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-348952880 

A few years later:

Royal Narrabeen Hotel - Above: Front and Below Rear  'East' views - courtesy Australian National  University, dated by ANU as August 1930

Mr. Lockett was not there long and soon a Henry Tamm was in charge.

COLLAROY HOTEL APPLICATION.

The hearing of the petition of Mr. S. O. Twight for a hotel license for premises at Collaroy was continued at the Water Police Court yesterday, before Messrs. Adrian (chairman), Le Brun Brown, and Arnott, members of the Licensing Bench.

Evidence of Henry Tamm, licensee of a hotel at Narrabeen, was to the effect that the requirements of the district were adequately met by his premises, which were never taxed to capacity. He said that during the last year the locality seemed to have gone back. The case is part heard

Mr Watt, K C, and Mr J Bathgate are appearing for the petitioner, Mr H O Ed-wards (instructed by Mr J M Love, Crown Law Department), for Inspector Winter and the police, Mr W Clegg for several objectors; and Mr R Windeyer and Mr. B Clancy for other objectors. COLLAROY HOTEL APPLICATION. (1930, March 18). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16634272

Henry Tamm passed away in 1933and the licence was transferred to his wife until she transferred the licence in 1937 to Clara McGrath.

LICENCES TRANSFERRED.

Royal Narrabeen Hotel Narrabeen from Ethel May Tamm (executrix of the will of H R Tamm deceased) to Ethel May Tamm LICENCES TRANSFERRED. (1934, June 7). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17086632

LICENCES TRANSFERRED.

Royal Narrabeen Hotel, Narrabeen, from Ethel May Tamm to Clara Ellen McGrath. LICENCES TRANSFERRED. (1937, November 25). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17411814

Clara is Mary Ryan's mother, and soon after she passed away, Mary Ryan took over and commenced her '11 years' at this place, not without incident.

Women running hotels in Australia commenced with colonisation; it was a means, along with running a boarding house, for a widow to provide for children. There is a stigma that has always attached to such a profession though, and remains in many a place. Of course every woman wants to be raised as a princess and get to live her life as a queen - but any lady, whether a mother and a worker, or both at the same time, also can be a lifelong queen and princess as well as a hard and capable worker - in fact most real life princesses and queens do just that - all their lives

Although Charlotte Boutin was an original Narrabeen Hotel lady, and thrived in the business without need of a man and clearly fobbed off any attempts to subjugate her, a few decades on, on the verge of 1950, renowned for its suppression of women and making sure everyone stuck to 'men first' and 'little girls should be seen and not heard' credo, an element at Narrabeen seemed determined for a man to be in charge of the Narrabeen Hotel that had been run by women. 

A campaign to drive her out commenced and proceeded - some of it entailing actions that would land any other person in gaol. Such a 'tiff' is what sells newspapers and this was covered in great detail, showing an apparent obstinacy on both sides amid post war recovery when many men needed to meet in places where they could talk to those of similar experiences and have a quiet drink - or two, or three, or more. Thus the advent of RSL clubs in our areas and in places where they were absent, the local hotel was the place to meet, to commiserate and allow yourself to exhale as a manly man, and be men together. 

The papers of the day unfold what happened:

PICKETS AT SEASIDE HOTEL

Twelve men today picketed the Royal Hotel, Narrabeen, because they said they did not like the attitude of the licensee. On Saturday a cracker was thrown into the public bar of the hotel and the manageress closed the bar. The licensee was not available for comment today. 

PICKETS AT SEASIDE HOTEL (1949, May 2). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 3 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229767866

PICKETING OF HOTEL

Patrons of the Royal Hotel, Narrabeen, picketed the hotel yesterday. The licensee stopped serving beer on Saturday after a fire-cracker was set off in the bar. This picture, taken during the rush hour last night, shows the few who ignored the pickets and had their beer in comfort. PICKETING OF HOTEL (1949, May 3). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18113875

Licensee Draws Line At Bungey In Bar

A "black" ban on beer and the posting of pickets caused a stir at the Royal Hotel, Narrabeen, yesterday. Origin of the ban is an incident in the hotel on Saturday. A large "bunger," or basketbomb, was thrown into the crowded bar and exploded. 

The licensee, Mrs. Mary Ryan, who has strict views on any form of horseplay in her hotel, immediately turned off the beer and closed the bar. 

Disgruntled drinkers among her clientele then declared the hotel "black."

All day yesterday pickets loitered about the gateways, under the watchful eye of a group of police, led by Sergeant Laird, of Narrabeen, and the Manly District Licensing Officer, Sergeant Arthurson.

Many prospective customers were turned away. Near closing time there was only a handful of drinkers instead of the usual six-deep crowd around the bar.

Mrs. Ryan said last night: "I have conducted the hotel for 11 years on decent lines, and am not going to be browbeaten by hooligans.

"I have a code of rules for behaviour in the bar. It has to be obeyed or I refuse to serve."

Sergeant Arthurson said Mrs. Ryan's conduct of the hotel was a fine example to any hotelkeeper. The police supported her attitude against hooliganism.

Spokesman for the pickets, Mr. Arthur Smith, said Mrs. Ryan had adopted "a high-handed attitude."

A meeting would be held in Narrabeen to-night to discuss the ban. 

Licensee Draws Line At Bungey In Bar (1949, May 3). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18113901

Terms To Lift Hotel Ban Proposed

Narrabeen beer strikers met in the open air last night and drew up terms for lifting their ban on the Royal Hotel. They appointed a delegation of six men to interview the police and try to arrange a meeting with the licensee, Mrs. Mary Ryan.

They will ask for:

Reopening of portion of the bar closed for some years to provide more room at rush hours;, reopening of a second lounge; "More civility" by the staff to regular customers; A ticket system for rationing bottled beer to regular customers.

A spokesman for the strikers said after the meeting that, if Mrs. Ryan did not consent to an interview or rejected the terms, the strike would continue.

Regular drinkers at the hotel declared it "black" after Mrs. Ryan turned off the beer at noon on Saturday. She did this after a large firework "bunger" exploded in the bar. Yesterday only a handful of people braved the pickets to enter the bar of the hotel.

("Picketing Illegal"-Page 4.)

Terms To Lift Hotel Ban Proposed (1949, May 4). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved September 14, 2017, fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27577951

Picketing A Hotel Illegal, Says Court

The Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday ruled that it is illegal to picket a hotel and tell intending customers the beer is "black."

In a reserved judgment, the Court dismissed an appeal by Nicholas Van der Lubbe against his conviction and fine of £5 for having picketed The Lakes Hotel, Gardener's Road, Mascot, on February 17, 1948.

Van der Lubbe was convicted under Section 545B of the Crimes Act on a charge of having "watched and beset" the hotel, with the object of compelling the licensee, Joseph Murphy, to keep open for the sale of liquor though he had a legal right to abstain from doing so.

The appeal came before the Court on a case stated by Judge Barton, to whom Van der Lubbe had appealed against his conviction by a magistrate.

Judge Barton asked the Court of Criminal Appeal to decide whether he was legally right in deciding to dismiss the appeal on the ground that the "watching and besetting" was wrongful and without legal authority.

The Chief Justice, Sir Frederick Jordan, in his judgment, said the authorities took Judge Barton's view that Van der Lubbe's action was one against which Murphy could take legal action. Van der Lubbe was chairman of a public meeting which, in January, 1948, declared black three hotels, including The Lakes, and was one of the pickets which tried to persuade customers not to enter them. 

Mr. Justice Street and Mr. Justice Maxwell were with the Chief Justice on the Bench.  Picketing A Hotel Illegal, Says Courts (1949, May 4). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27577923

NO PICKETS POSTED

There were no pickets out-side the Royal Hotel, Narrabeen, yesterday. The hotel was declared "black" on Saturday when the licensee, Mrs. M. E. Ryan, cut off beer supplies at noon after somebody exploded a large fireworks "bunger" in the bar.

Pickets had been posted out-side the hotel throughout Saturday afternoon, Monday, and Tuesday to prevent intending drinkers from going in.

In dealing with another matter, the Court of Criminal Appeal held on Tuesday that hotel picketing was illegal. 

NO PICKETS POSTED (1949, May 5). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18114096

ALP Men Defy Ban On Hotel

WHEN customers declared the Royal Hotel, Narrabeen, "black," two leading members of the local ALP branch were among the few who defied the "black" ban. A photograph in Tuesday's Herald showed that of four patrons drinking in the hotel in spite of the ban, two were leading lights in the local ALP branch. Customers object to the licensee turning off the beer on the slightest excuse. 

Last Saturday, when the beer was stopped after a fire-cracker had been let off in the bar, customers refused to leave, and formed a committee which decided to declare the hotel "black" and to picket it. It has been decided to circulate petition lists asking for: 

• Opening of the whole bar at busy hours (at present part of the bar is kept closed). 

• Tickets to be issued for bottled beer at week-end. 

• Beer to be sold over the bar at the correct times. 

• Civility to be extended to all patrons.

ALP Men Defy Ban On Hotel (1949, May 7). Tribune (Sydney, NSW : 1939 - 1976), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article209388665

Narrabeen Hotel War Warming Up

At a meeting at Narrabeen yesterday 200 people decided to oppose renewal in June of Mrs. Mary Ryan's licence to conduct the local hotel. They opened a fighting fund and collected £40 to brief counsel.

THIS was the latest development in a battle which has been raging since last Saturday, when someone tossed a lighted 'bunger' into the bar. In retaliation, Mrs. Ryan turned the beer off and closed the bars. Some of the customers then held a meeting outside and decided to declare the hotel 'black.' 

A spokesman for the 'strikers' said last night that Mrs. Ryan adopted a high handed attitude towards customers and that beer was not 'on' often enough. 

Mrs. Ryan has been licensee for 11 years. Earlier in the week she said that the code of behavior she had laid down had to be obeyed or she would refuse to serve. 

Narrabeen Hotel War Warming Up (1949, May 8). Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168883445

CONTEST RENEWAL OF HOTEL LICENSE

SYDNEY, Sunday.-A meeting of 200 residents of Narrabeen yesterday morning raised £50 to contest the renewal of Mrs. Mary Ryan's license- for the Royal Hotel in Narrabeen. Claiming that Mrs. Ryan had not given them a fair deal, the residents had declared the hotel "black." 

However, a Narrabeen police officer said last evening that the police were quite satisfied with Mrs. Ryan's conduct of the hotel. 

CONTEST RENEWAL OF HOTEL LICENSE (1949, May 9). Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article69357059

NARRABEEN HOTEL

Patrons Object To Licence

Eleven men who said they had been regular customers of the Royal Hotel, Narrabeen, gave evidence objecting to the renewal of the licence of the proprietress, Mrs. Mary Ryan, before Mr. V. H. Wells, S.M., in the Licensing Court yesterday.

Mr. Wells did not admit as evidence a petition signed by a large number of objectors in the Narrabeen district. 

The objectors opposed renewal of Mrs. Ryan's licence on various grounds.

Leonard Thomas Peat, 383 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen, said that over a period he had received one dozen bottles of beer a week from Mrs. Ryan. For these he was charged 24/, he said.

On Anzac Day, 1948, a stranger standing near him in the bar bought two glasses of beer and began to walk away, said Peat. 

He said that Mrs. Ryan came from behind the bar, pushed her way through the crowd and said to the man: "You know you can't take glasses away."

Mrs. Ryan took one of the glasses and threw the beer in his face, said Peat.

The man retaliated by throwing the contents of the other glass at Mrs. Ryan.

William Edward Berry, of Pittwater Road, Narrabeen, and Harold Holdsworth Putsey, of Marine Parade, Narrabeen, both said they had obtained dozen lots of bottled beer from Mrs. Ryan and had been charged 24/.

The hearing will resume on June 17. NARRABEEN HOTEL (1949, June 11). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18118684

A few records from the Australian War Memorial lends insights into why these gentlemen may not have had much patience for others:

Leonard Thomas Peat: Date of birth - 22 Jun 1899

WWI - Service Number - 2512, enlisted 6th of February 1917 at age 19 years and 7 months. Joined 'A' Details Moascar- HT Mashobra, Bombay  (18/3/1917) - Suez. Sent to Egypt. Taken on strength and sent to 4th Australian Camel Corps (5/5/1917). Transferred to 2nd Light Horse Regiment (25/5/1917). Transferred to 6th Light Horse Regiment (18/7/1917). Transferred to Supply Dept. (27/10/1917). Rejoined 6th LHR 24/11/1917 - did duties - various theatres - Embarked per HT "Madras" at Kantara for Australia June 27th, 1919.

6th Light Horse Regiment in Egypt - 1917 to 1918

From AWM: Back in Egypt, the 2nd Light Horse Brigade became part of the ANZAC Mounted Division and, in April 1916, joined the forces defending the Suez Canal from a Turkish advance across the Sinai Desert. It fought at the battle of Romani on 4 August, at Katia the following day, and participated in the pursuit that followed the Turks' retreat back across the desert. 

The regiment spent late 1916 and early 1917 engaged on patrol work until the British advance into Palestine stalled before the Turkish bastion of Gaza. It was involved in the two abortive battles to capture Gaza directly (27 March and 19 April) and then the operation that ultimately led to its fall - the wide outflanking move via Beersheba that began on 31 October. 

With the fall of Gaza on 7 November 1917, the Turkish position in southern Palestine collapsed. The 6th participated in the pursuit that followed and led to the capture of Jerusalem in December. The focus of British operations then moved to the Jordan Valley. In early 1918 the 6th was involved in the Amman (24-27 February) and Es Salt (30 April-4 May) raids, both of which were tactical failures but helped to convince the Turks that the next offensive would be launched across the Jordan. 

Instead, the offensive was launched along the coast in September 1918, with the 6th taking part in a subsidiary effort east of the Jordan. It was part of the force that captured Amman on 25 September, which proved to be its last major engagement of the war; Turkey surrendered on 30 October 1918. The 6th Light Horse was employed one last time to assist in putting down the Egyptian revolt of early 1919, and sailed for home on 28 June.

Retrieved from: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51040

Leonard Thomas Peat: 

WWII - Service Number NX2705

[PEAT Leonard Thomas (Private) : Service Number - NX2705 : JORY Onslow Stanley Milton John (Private), NX69573 : Unit - Australian Reserve Ordnance Depot : Date of Court Martial - 15 March 1942]

So Mr.Peat, married to Ella by WWII, would have witnessed and been subjected to, some pretty distressing scenes and experiences.

William Edward Berry:

WWII - four gentlemen enlisted under this name. One born in England, one in Concord, one in South Australia and one in Victoria. Mr. Berry of Narrabeen appears in another dispute two years later:

GARAGE SUIT SETTLED

Settlement of a dispute between the owner and lessee of Narrabeen Lakes Garage over an agreement to sell only Shell products was announced in the Equity Court yesterday. Mr. C. A. Porter, for the owner, William Edward Anthony Berry, made the announcement. The terms were not disclosed.

On August 23 the Chief Judge in Equity, Mr. Justice Roper, granted Berry an interim injunction against the lessees, Allan Lancelot Peck and Alice Isobel Peck, prohibiting them from doing any-thing to prevent the supply and resale of numerous brands of petrol and oil. Berry had alleged that Peck entered into an agreement with the Shell Company Ltd. without his consent. 

GARAGE SUIT SETTLED (1951, September 8). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18229569

Dispute Over Agreement Settled

SYDNEY, Fri. — A dispute between the owner of a Narrabeen Lakes garage and the leasees, over an agreement to sell only the brand of petrol, and oil, has been settled privately, the Equity Court was told to-day. William Edward Anthony Berry, owner of the garage, was granted an interim injunction on August 22, against the lessees Allan Lancelot; Peck and his wife, Alice Isobel. Peck, restraining them from preventing the sale of numerous brands of oil and petrol. The action, the first taken since certain oil companys introduced their plan to institute one brand service stations, was settled for undisclosed terms. The interim order against the lessees restrained them from making alterations to the premises or advertising signs, or doing anything to impair or injure the goodwill of the business. Berry alleged that Peck had entered into an agreement with the Shell Co. Ltd.-to sell only Shell products without, his consent, and in breach of the terms of the lease. 

Dispute Over Agreement Settled (1951, September 8). Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article194972548

In 1953, the National Archives of Australia records: BERRY William Edward Anthony versus The Commissioner of Taxation

Harold Holdsworth Putsey, contractor:

DRIVER PINNED DOWN BY TRUCK.

Harold Holdsworth Putsey (30), of Aubrey Street, Stanmore (formerly of Fairfield), was pinned by the right arm under his motor truck for half an hour on Thursday night. He was turning from Belgrave Street. Manly, into Smith Street, when the vehicle overturned.

Manly Ambulance took him to Manly Hospital, where he was admitted with a compound fracture of the arm. 

DRIVER PINNED DOWN BY TRUCK. (1944, May 25). The Biz (Fairfield, NSW : 1928 - 1972), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76277252

Of course anytime beer is mentioned, or the curtailing thereof, the newspapers will have a field day, and some elements of what really went on comes forward in their reports - leading out with a day famed for  a tendency for over drinking in some, ANZAC Day:

Anzac Day beer in man's face

A witness in the Licensing Court today said he had seen Mary Eileen Ryan, licensee of the Royal Hotel, Narrabeen, threw a glass of beer in a customer's face. The witness, Leonard Thomas Peat, hairdresser, said that on Anzac Day, 1948, a stranger had ordered two glasses of beer. The bar was packed and the man took the two glasses towards the door. Mrs. Ryan came from behind the counter, pushed her way through and asked the man why he was taking the glasses outside, Peat stated. "She then took one glass out of his hand and threw the beer in his face. He then threw the contents of the other glass of beer over her." Peat said he had bought beer from Mrs. Ryan at a dozen for 24/- on many occasions. Mrs. Ryan is applying for a renewal of her licence and a number of local residents have lodged objections. Mr. Wells; SM, said today that the most important grounds alleged were that Mrs. Ryan was uncivil to customers and had sold beer above the fixed price. 

Anzac Day beer in man's face (1949, June 10). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 10 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229777869

Still, the campaign against Mary Ryan persisted:

DRINKERS SAY MARY IS QUITE CONTRARY

DOWN Narrabeen way a number of the locals who do not see eye to eye with the licensee of the one and only hotel refer in hushed tones to 'Mary, Queen of the Scotch,' with all the awe you might expect when liege subjects speak of an omnipotent ruler.

These local topers aver that unless Mary gives the high sign you get no Scotch, you get no beer, but you stand a good chance* of seeing the 'royal' disfavor manifested in no uncertain fashion. In fact the disgruntled ones contend that if you are not 'in' with the dispenser of convivial good cheer you may very well be 'out' — perhaps on your ear. The Mary they speak of is Mrs. Mary Ryan, mine host of the Royal. So incensed are they at what they allege is a reign of tyranny by Mrs. Ryan that they have petitioned against her being granted a renewal of the licence, and Mr. H. V. Wells, Licensing Magistrate, is now considering the position.

CAUSE of all the pother seems to have been a lighted bunger tossed into the arena, that is to say the bar, by someone who apparently had imbibed not wisely but too well. Mrs. Ryan quickly .made evident her strong disapproval of such behavior, and disgruntled patrons began picket duty of the establishment. Some continue to stand watch over the approaches. However, there seems to be considerable ground for a suggestion that those who are complaining most vociferously in this cold war are inspired by pique, and unslaked thirsts. Thus it may be significant that the Metropolitan Licensing Inspector (Mr. Noonan) does not oppose renewal of the licence, and that the police speak in the highest terms of the manner in which Mrs. Ryan conducts the hotel. 

But the 'Battle of the Bunger' goes on. Hearing of the objections to the renewal began last Mon day, was adjourned to Friday, and has now been adjourned to June 17. Burden of the objectors', complaints is that the Royal bar gives indifferent service, that Mrs. Ryan is an over-rigorous disciplinarian, and that incivility often is more biting than a shot of undiluted metho.

Among the grounds of the objections are allegation's that Mrs. Ryan is not a fit and proper person to hold the licence; that she has sold beer at black market prices; that she has closed the bar during normal drinking hours, and that she is consistently uncivil to such an extent as to interfere with normal activities of the drinking public. 

Specific 'objectionist' allegations included: One man had been struck over the head with an empty drink tray. Another customer had beer thrown In his face. Beer was once turned off when a customer laughed. Leonard Thomas Peat, 383 Pittwater Rd., Narrabeen, and William Edward Berry, Narrabeen, told the court that they had paid 24s a dozen for bottled beer. Berry aided: 'I have seen Mrs. Ryan snatch men's glasses out of their hands, pour the beer down the sink, chase them out of the hotel, and not refund them their money. 

'Everybody is afraid to go against Mrs. Ryan because they would be barred from the hotel,' he said. 

Thomas Nilan Eric Hill

Eric Gordon Hill, 355 Pitt water Rd., Narrabeen, plumbing contractor, said that one of his friends had been struck over the head with an empty beer tray for 'no reason at all.' Gilbert Frank Alexander Powder Works Rd., Narrabeen. proprietor of a radio shop in the district, said he visited the hotel about four or five times weekly and found Mrs. Ryan rude and abrupt. 

'Within the last few months I saw her washing a glass and deliberately throw water down a customer's face,' he said. 

Andrew Henry Lethard, of Narrabeen, said that several occurrences at the hotel had led to the local people declaring it 'black.' 

'It has brought to a head the tyranny that has been going on for years,' he added. 

Thomas William Nilan, poultry farmer, of Warriewood, and former contender for the Australian heavyweight wrestling championship, said conditions at the hotel were so bad he had not returned there for a drink for some time. 

Sgt. J. Milne (for the Metropolitan Licensing Inspector); Mr. T. L. Warren (for Mrs. Ryan); Mr. H. Maguire and Mr. D. G. Gregor (by J. O. Williams), for the objectors.

Mrs. Mary Ryan, who is seeking a renewal of her licence. 

DRINKERS SAY MARY IS QUITE CONTRARY (1949, June 12). Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168880064

Licensee may leave hotel

Mrs. Mary Eileen Ryan, renewal of whose licence for the Royal Hotel, Narrabeen, is being opposed by Narrabeen residents, is seriously ill, and will probably withdraw from the hotel. This was announced in the Licensing Court today by Mrs. Ryan's solicitor (Mr. T. L. Warren), who asked for an adjournment, adding "after which it will probably be essential for me to withdraw the application for renewal." The hearing was adjourned until Monday. Opposition to the renewal of Mrs. Ryan's licence was on the grounds that she had sold beer above the fixed price and she was consistently uncivil to customers. Licensee may leave hotel (1949, June 17). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 9 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229769103

'BATTLE OF THE BUNGER'

LOOKS LIKE WIN FOR BAR-ROOM BRIGADE

Mr. Wells, S.M.

'THE right royal 'Battle of the Bunger' at the right royal Royal Hotel, one and only hostelry in Narrabeen, has virtually ended. The probable capitulation of one of the generals — the one normally buttressed behind the fortifications of the bar — is hinted at in latest communiques.

IF this happens, it will go down in the annals of the Bar-leaning Brigade that the Invaders from without defeated the Keeper of the Bar within. But it is still likely that when the Black Watch goes into battle down on the wide vista of the Narrabeen plain, the pipes will skirl — perhaps a lament — for 'Mary, Queen of the Scotch.' The 'Mary' spoken of in hushed tones by the local topers, is elderly Mrs. Mary Eileen Ryan, mine hostess of the Royal, and so incensed - have the topers been over what they describe as her 'rude' treatment of customers requiring a drop of the doin's, that they ganged up and opposed renewal of the licence. Matters seemed to come to a head some time ago when a lighted bunger was tossed into the bar. Mrs. Ryan turned off the beer and closed the hotel as a result. The hotel was then declared ?'black,' and was picketed. The local drinkers organised themselves and decided to oppose renewal of Mrs. Ryan's licence. 

First blast was fired a week ago, and the hearing of the application for renewal continued on Friday before Mr. H. V. Wells, S.M., became a damp squib, when it was announced on Mrs. Ryan's behalf that she would not continue with the application because of her failing health.

Among the grounds of objection made at last week's hearing, were allegations that Mrs. Ryan was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence; that she had sold beer at blackmarket prices; that she had closed the bar during normal drinking hours; and that she was consistently uncivil to such an extent as to Interfere with the normal activities of the drinking public. 

At the hearing last week, specific 'objectionist' allegations included; One man had been struck over the head with an empty drink tray; Beer had been thrown in the face of another customer ;Beer was once turned off when a customer laughed. 

MRS. RYAN

It should be said in Mrs. Ryan's favor, however, that the Metropolitan Licensing Inspector (Mr. Nunan) raised no objection to her application for renewal, and that the police speak in the highest terms of the manner in which Mrs. Ryan conducts the Royal Hotel. 

When the hearing resumed at the Licensing Court on Friday, Mr. Warren (for Mrs. Ryan) said his client had seen a specialist (Dr. R. St. John Honner), who had recommended that Mrs. Ryan retire from business activity for health reasons. Mr. Warren produced a doctor's certificate indicating that Mrs. Ryan was suffering from a heart condition, and the publicity given to the case had affected her.

'Upon this information, I feel I cannot put my client into the witness box to refute allegations made by people objecting to the renewal of the licence,' said Mr. Warren. By consent, the hearing was adjourned until tomorrow, and Mr. Warren announced that he felt it would then be essential for him to withdraw Mrs. Ryan's application. 

Sgt. J. Milne for the Metropolitan Licensing Inspector; Mr. T. L. Warren for Mrs. Ryan; Mr. H. Maguire and Mr. D. G. Gregor (by J. O. Williams) for the objectors; Mr. O'Halloren for Tooheys. Ltd., owners of the freehold, and also for the company leasing the premises. 

"BATTLE OF THE BUNGER" LOOKS LIKE WIN FOR BAR-ROOM BRIGADE (1949, June 19). Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 14. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168880261

Narrabeen licence

Application by Mrs. Mary Ryan for renewal of her licence of the Royal Hotel Narrabeen was withdrawn in the Licensing Court today. Mr. T. L. Warren (for Mrs. Ryan) said his client was too ill to continue with the licence. He asked that an order be made for a temporary transfer of the licence to Mrs. Ryan's sister, Miss K. McGrath, conditional upon her transferring the licence within two months to a man. 

Mr. H. Maguire, who appeared for objectors to the renewal of Mrs. Ryan's licence, said he did not object to this so long as the transfer to Miss McGrath was only a temporary measure. Mr. Wells, SM, ordered the application to be withdrawn. 

Narrabeen licence (1949, June 20). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 2 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229769500

HOTEL LICENCE TRANSFERRED

Transfer of the licence of the Royal Narrabeen Hotel, Narrabeen, from Mrs. Mary Ryan to her sister, Miss Catherine Ann McGrath, was approved by Mr. V. H. Wells. Licensing Magistrate, yesterday. Miss McGrath said she had entered into negotiations for a country licensee lo take over the Narrabeen licence. She expected that an application for a transfer would be lodged within two months.

Mrs. Ryan lodged an application for the renewal of the licence, but later withdrew it on the grounds of ill-health. Renewal of the licence was objected to by a group of customers of the hotel. 

HOTEL LICENCE TRANSFERRED (1949, June 28). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18120597

Old Narrabeen boy Ken 'Sava' Lloyd shared his eye-witness account a few years ago:

I was a paper boy selling papers for the Maclean family at their Newsagency at the shops on the corner of Devitt and Pittwater Rd Sth Narrabeen. There was a Wine Bar, Newsagency, Post Office in the complex. The Macleans also had a newsagency at Narrabeen Terminus. My afternoon run included the Royal Antler Hotel ( now the Sands Hotel). The Publican at the Royal Antler was a lady named Mary Ryan, and she was a tough old bird and would bar anyone who played up. Mary would sit at the Cash register and give out the change to the Barmaids and keep the girls on their toes. I can remember one night one barmaid said to one of the drinkers that she was once an Air Hostess, and he replied “who with the Wright Brothers?" He got 2 weeks for that. 

One night as Mary Ryan was busy at the Jewish Piano one of the Pubs wags lit a twopenny Bunger and rolled it under Mary Ryans seat. Now in those days the Bungers would blow your fingers off if you held on to them,so there was this big bang made louder by the tiles in the bar and Mary fell off her seat. Mary closed the Pub . Indefinitely. The drinkers after a few days started to get thirsty and Mary would not open the Royal Antler, and they were driving around Narrabeen in Dickson and Dunns Veggie Truck usually used to cart tomatoes and Veggies to the Sydney markets from the glass houses in the Warriewood Valley with placards saying please open the Hotel, Mary. The nearest Pub was either D.Y. or Newport Arms, no Clubs in those days. 

The local Priest, (Father Sob), was asked to mediate and after two dry weeks the hotel was opened for business. 

The First night it opened the Police were there in force to make sure there was not any trouble, as it turned out I was the only one spoken to by the Sergeant, for being under age in the bar selling papers.

Sava Lloyd

Soon after the 1949 debacle:

Whale High and Dry

A 30ft whale, which had been attacked by sharks, was washed up dead near South Narrabeen Beach last night. The whale is near the Narrabeen Hotel. 

(Picture shows the whale and some hardy children.) 

"We heard just before closing time that there was a whale on the beach, but thought it was just a bar-rumor," a hotel employee said today. Then this morning we got wind of it, looked out, and there it was, dry and very high. Residents said they saw flocks of birds hovering over a, dark mass in the water on Monday, and thought sharks must have been attacking a school of fish. The whale had been bitten all along the side by the sharks. 

Whale dry-- and high (1950, October 6). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 3 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229625805

What's Wrong With Our Hotels?

"Tied-House" System Under Fire

By

REG MAHONEY

"PURCHASE of the licence of Petty's Hotel, Sydney, by a brewery focuses attention on the spread of the "tied-house" system in New South Wales. Critics are asking whether this -system is often responsible for the decline of hotel standards-crowded, beer-slopped bars, poor accommodation, poor service-and concentration on liquor sales.

'THE critics admit that, on paper, some of the projected hotels look "civilised," but they point to the ever increasing consumption of beer in Australia.

• In 1938-39, Australians drank just over 84 million gallons of beer-12.13 gallons a head.
  
• In 1948-49, they drank nearly 140 million gallons-17.87 gallons a head.
  

Critics declare that, while the brewery monopolies own the greater proportion of our hotels, the accent will remain on bartrade, because there is more pro-fit in selling draught beer than there is in selling bottled beer or providing accommodation.

Some authorities say that the breweries own more than 75 per cent, of the 2,028 publicans' licences in N.S.W.

The licence of Petty's Hotel was nought by Wintersloe Investments Ltd. (an associate of British Brew-eries) from the Red Cross at an undisclosed figure.

. . .

THE latest report by the N.S.W. Licensing Bench and the Licences Reduction Board shows that there are 618 hotels in the Sydney Metropolitan Licensing District-most of them in the city and industrial areas.

In No. 1 police division (from King Street to Hay Street, from College Street to Pyrmont) there are 77 hotels.

No. 3 division (East Sydney, Surry Hills, King's Cross and Woolloomooloo) has 69, and No. 7 division (Redfern, Waterloo, Mascot, and Alexandria) has 66.

By contrast, the now-closely settled eastern suburbs of No. 15 division (Randwick, Coogee, Kensington, Daceyville, and Maroubra) have only 13 hotels.

On the other side of the Harbour, No. 6 division, North Sydney, Mosman, Neutral Bay, Crow's Nest and Northbridge) has 19 hotels, and No. 14 division,which runs from Manly to Narrabeen, has 9.

A Licensing Court official told me last week:

"There are too many hotels in some areas and not enough in others, but when it comes to re-moving a licence the people where there are plenty don't want to lose one, and the people where there is none don't want one."

' Many critics believe that if hotels, instead of concentrating on a "stand up" rush bar trade, provided for unhurried drinking, better accommodation, and bottled beer, they would be more welcome additions to any district.

. . .

IN their last report, the New *? South Wales licensing magistrates stated that hotels were frequently taxed to their utmost accommodation and many tried to give good service.

"Some licensees, however, still endeavour to avoid their responsibilities in regard to the supply of meals and accommodation," they added.

"With an expected influx of overseas and interstate visitors in the coming years, added to the increasing local tourist traffic, we look with some anxiety on the capacity of hotels to meet demands for accommodation."

Mr. J. B. Scobie, former chair-man of the Licensing Court, believes there should be a redistribution of hotel licences, and that licence fees should be reduced for. hotels that provide more accommodation.

[Publicans' licence fees are assessed at the rate of 5 per cent, of liquor purchases; last year the fees ranged from £1 to £7,000.]

Over a "cup of tea last week, Mr. Scobie told me he thought there should not necessarily be more., hotels, but there should be bigger and better hotels, more sensibly distributed.

Mr. Scobie believes the State Government should appoint a non-party committee to revise the liquor laws.

He thinks hotels should be open for a period in the evening, but says:

"The people voted against it here, so that's that."

MR.. R. WINDEYER, K.C., a fighter- for liquor reform, told me:

"The one great evil in administration of the-Liquor Act is that the whole of Parliament is too ready to accept the breweries' methods.

'The hotels have no consideration for comfort or decency, either in drinking or providing accommodation. In this country the liquor trade '.as become a moneymaking racket by cultivating a taste for beer.

"I'm not a wowser, but I object to the swill-tubs of the pubs."

' Reforms urged by Mr. Windeyer are:

. More community hotels.

. Opening of hotels for an evening period.

. Removal of licences from congested areas to outer suburbs.

. Construction of hotels with adequate accommodation.

Mr. Windeyer pointed out that the breweries made no secret of the fact that they owned most hotels, yet the Liquor Act stated:

"any person at any one time holds a beneficial interest, whether in the name of himself or anyone else, in more Than one licence for the sale of liquor . . . he shall be liable for every day during to which he holds such interest to a 'penalty not exceeding £5."

Mr. Windeyer added: "Brewery ownership of hotels was challenged on this section some years ago, but Mr. Justice James ruled that it did not apply to hotels owned and financed, by the breweries."

I asked Mr. Windeyer what he thought would be the answer to the hotel question.

He said the move for community hotels was encouraging because their object would not be to make profits from draught beer.

"But you'll have to get more honest politicians before you. can get liquor reform," he added. What's Wrong With Our Hotels? "Tied-House" System Under Fire (1950, September 10). The Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW : 1949 - 1953), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18481585 

JOINED FORCES

Mr. W. R. Dovey, K.C. (assisting the Commissioner), to Hooker: Not only did you enlist the co-operation of the brewery, but you enlisted the co-operation of the Whelan family,-Yes.

[Last week Mr. Dovey said the Whelans were "by far the largest private group owning N.S.W. hotels."]

In respect of one new licence you found you were in competition with the Whelan family?- We would have been.

And so you decided to join forces rather than compete?

Yes.

Hooker said they had similarly "joined forces" in respect of two other licences.

The Commissioner said that if somebody could get an order for the conditional removal of a licence it might hold up a perfectly legitimate and proper application from somebody else.

"I'm not assuming at all that this large number of removal orders indicates that there is anything in the way of trafficking," he said.

"I see no reason to assume that these are not genuine investments of companies in hotels, but 1 don't propose to take anything for granted." . BOTTLES VANISHED

Barry McDonald, solicitor for the Whelan family, said that when they took over the lease of the Coogee Bay Hotel from the Trautwein family near Christmas last year, a thousand dozen bottles of beer which had been on the premises when they first inspected the hotel had disappeared before the deal was completed.

"Mr. E. E. Harten, the manager at the time, told us the owners took it," McDonald said.

WHELANS' PLANS

He said the Whelan family had a general policy in regard to their hotels to the extent that they agreed on the degree to which they left their managers alone; had shown preference for freehold properties; and were reluctant to grant leases.

The family planned to: Rebuild the Club House, Railway, and Royal Hotels. Gunnedah, and the Royal Yass, at a cost of about £280.000.

To Erect new hotels at Bankstown, Maroubra Junction, Concord, and Forster at a cost of more than £300,000.

Joseph Andrew Whelan, who with his three unmarried sisters owns the main interest in 35 N S W hotels, said yesterday that he visited most of the family's hotels to see how they were being run.

He said that with Claude Ryan he was lessee of the Coogee Bay Hotel. He had a half share in the Oceanic Hotel, Coogee, a third share in the Occidental Hotel, York Street, and the Narrabeen Hotel, Narrabeen, and owned the Robin Hood Hotel, Black town, and the Bankstown Hotel, Bankstown

Whenever the firmly had found themselves m competition with Mr Hooker's interests they had come to terms

The hearing was adjourned until 10 o clock this morning. NEW HOTELS PLANNED (1951, November 29). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18241774 

Folly Of Easy Money For Homes for the "NEW RICH"

Every week, hundreds of Australian homeowners, dazzled by the bloated prices being offered for vacant-possession houses, are selling their properties to reap what appear to be fantastic profits.

Every seller naively plans to buy a cheaper home and pocket the difference. Too late the "new" rich are discovering that there are no "cheaper homes" arid that it is a thousand times easier to get. out of a house than into one.

RE S U L T is a rapidly mounting army of families living in tents, garages and humpies, even though they have more money in the bank than they ever dreamed of, and another vigorous nudge to the inflationary spiral. Properties are being offered for sale in Australia at the rate of about 3000 a week. This seems crazy in view of the desperate housing shortage. The explanation lies mainly in the get-rich-quick hunger of short-sighted homeowners. 

In the Warringah Shire, Sydney, alone, over 1000 families are living in garages, shacks and tents. Some, of course, moved from single rooms and living conditions so intolerable that a lean-to on the beach would be a heaven by comparison. But a great number of them are ex-home owners caught in the inflated money trap. Some are living in tents beside Narrabeen Lake where they rent plots of ground from the council on a three-monthly basis. Others submitted house plans to the council, had them approved and found they could do no more than build a garage because of material shortage, lack of builders and cost of construction. 

A former Dee Why resident, now a tent dweller, bitterly told Smith's his story: "I built my home, a pleasant fibro cottage just before the war for just on £800. Two years ago an agent called and offered me £2100 for it. I led him on and his final price was £2300. "My wife and I considered this a magnificent chance to get some money behind us. A clear profit of £1500 seemed good business. "We weren't so silly as to imagine that we could get another house for £800. But we thought we would be able to get something for about £1500 and still have £800 clear which would enable us to get a car and still have something over. "We sold out and moved in with relations. After three months the arrangement broke down, and after, a row my wife, three children and myself moved into an hotel — just as an emergency measure. We were forced to stay at the hotel for just on six months. "During all this time I was trying desperately to buy another house, but couldn't find anything comparable with our old place for £2500.

"I bought a bit of land but couldn't find a builder who would give a reasonable quote even though I approached over 70 contractors. "I now have only £1200 left. For almost a year my family has been living in a tent plus a garage on our land. I now have a builder interested. But I will have to borrow over £1000 and will finish with a home far smaller and inferior to the one I sold at Dee Why." At Curl Curl, close to Manly, a new area was opened up four years ago and some very attractive fibro cottages built. Residents made a happy community until, more than a year ago, a home owner, offered a high price by a migrant, sold out and built a small shack nearby until such time as he could build another home. Two other householders then sold out. One went into a garage, the other into a tent. All three sellers are still homeless. In all strata of society people are being tempted to sell by door-to-door canvassers. A young Sydney barrister who built a 15-square home at Pymble, on Sydney's elegant North Shore line, for £3250 in 1947 received a cash offer of almost £7000 six weeks ago. Before agreeing to accept he insisted on making a survey of homes . .offering to see if he could buy a ..

give him a reasonable profit on the deal. He looked at homes in exclusive suburbs only. At Roseville he saw a home 3 squares smaller than his own, 16 years old, few mod. cons., and 15 minutes from any transport for £5500. The Valuer-General's valuation was £ 1500. At Balmoral, a smallish two-bedroom home in need of repair, £5000. V.G. £1800. At Athol, within earshot of the yak's cage at the Zoo, small two-bedroom home, no garage…

After inspecting eight properties, the barrister decided that by the time he had bought new curtains, blinds, and carpets, paid transfer and legal expenses, not only would he move into a far inferior home to his own, but his profit would be negligible. But few people, either of high or low station, take the care the barrister did. They grab the money first and start worrying after. There are, naturally, odd cases where the proposition is too good to be missed. Within the last month, a 40-year-old home in Milner Street, Mosman, was put up for auction sale. It had originally been bought for £850. Some repairs had been done to it before the sale. Top and successful bid was £7653. Since this sale, estate agents have been canvassing the homeowners in the street inviting them to put their houses up for auction.. ' As an added inducement, they are offering to find flats for them if they surrender their homes. A few months ago, two young boys were sailing a boat on Sydney … a pleasant home at Rose Bay, which had cost his parents about £4000 a few years ago. His young friend said: "My father has never been inside your house, but he likes the look of it very much." Jokingly the lad replied: "Oh,-my dad would sell it to him for £15,000." That concluded the conversation between the boys. But that evening the homeowner received an urgent phone call from the father of his son's pal. He was told: "I hear you're selling your house and your price is £15,000. I'll take it." The deal was clinched next day. Inflated money or not, a profit of £11,000 on £4000 was too good to pass by. Instances such as these are unique. In the majority of cases, no matter what the price paid, the man who gains a home is the winner and the seller is the dupe. Too many homeowners  allow themselves' to be dazzled by the quantity of money offered and blind themselves to the fact that the quality has been stripped from it by inflation. The Rural Bank has worked out a rough yardstick with which to compare past house values with present. A brick home built in 1939 for £1000 now costs, a minimum of £2500 to build. , A fibro house, £756 in 1939, £2000 in 1950. But that is only part of the picture. Even with the modern money in your pocket you still have to find someone to build for you and the longer you wait, with inflation ever growing, the less valuable your money becomes. In other fields besides housing the greed of owners is driving, them to sell their goods foolishly.

Tradesmen who have long battled to get hold of a new truck to replace a worn out model are being immediately besieged by buyers who wave masses of paper money before their eyes and offer apparently large profits. In face of the deceptively easy profit, all memories of the struggle and trouble involved in obtaining the article seem to vanish. A taxi-truck operator who needed a certain type- of America utility to replace a completely exhausted model finally got one for £1050. Within two days he was offered £1450 for it and snapped up the cash. Now he is paying for his shortsightedness. His old bus has collapsed." He can't get a new model of the type he needs under a year. And with the war scare developing the second-hand price had jumped to over £1500. People who have sold their homes in the past few years have been foolish. Those who sell from now on will be plain crazy. The great housing shortage will continue for many years yet, being bolstered in its effect by the masses of migrants pouring into the country. And inflation is going to continue mounting under, the stimulus of vast non-productive defence preparations and big public works such as the Snowy River Scheme.

Folly Of Easy Money For Homes (1950, October 7). Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article235986602 

Plenty Of Beer

SYDNEY, Thurs— Thousands of bottles of local beer remained unsold in a Narrabeen Hotel to-day. The beer, in unlimited supply, offered customers the choice of four or five brands. But stacks of unsold bottles remained on the hotel's bar when it closed at 6 p.m. A fortnight ago, people were refused bottled beer because they did not have tickets. Plenty Of Beer (1952, August 22). Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article194759331

The Royal Narrabeen Hotel name remained to 1963 when it became the Royal Antler Hotel - the place where my generation saw the Oils (Midnight Oil), INXS, the Flowers (later Icehouse) Moving Pictures, Dynamic Hepnotics, Celibate Rifles, among many others, lift the roof for a few hours.

References And Extras

1. TROVE - National Library of Australia
2. Pittwater Roads II: Where the Streets Have Your Name - Narrabeen 
3. Narrabeen Cenotaph + RSL History: 100 and 65 Years Markers Of Service In 2021 
4.  Charlotte Boutin 
5.  Leon Houreux 
6. Roads To Pittwater: The Pittwater Road

CYCLING.

The second annual meeting of the Manly Bicycling Club was held in the Council-chambers, Manly, on Friday evening last, when there was a very good attendance of members. The chair was occupied by the president, Mr. C. Austin. The secretary read the yearly report and balance 100sheet, which were adopted, the latter showing a very good balance in favour of the club. It was stated that as the grass track on the I Ivanhoe Park was now almost completed, and at present used by the cyclists, they will have it care facilities for riding than they have had hitherto on the roads, which in some places can hardly be held on with a bicycle. The Manly Club will probably hold a race meeting during the ensuing season. The following officers have been elected for season 1887 :-President, Mr. C. R. Austin ; vice-presidents, Messrs. M. Weekes (Mayor), -J. G. Cousins, C. A. Lawrence, C. W. Prowse, F. C. Passau, W. Murray, and V. Bailey; captain, Mr. F. S. Passau. ; vice-captain, Mr. C. E. Selby; hon. secretary, Mr. J. A. O'Grady; hon. treasurer, Mr. E. A. Hinds; bugler, Mr. E. T. Gould; delegates to Union, Messrs. Hind and Patison. CYCLING. (1887, March 15). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13629518 

Manly Ratepayers' Association.

The usual monthly meeting of the above association was held in the Aquarium Hall, Manly, on Wednesday evening. The President (Mr. Thos. M'Kelvey) occupied the chair. The meeting was well attended (considering the weather). Among the gentlemen present were Messrs. Dr. Watkin, W. S. A. Shorter (vice-presidents), Craven, Line, and Walton. The minutes of the last general and special I general meeting were read and. confirmed. The hon. secretary, Mr. H. C. G. Moss, then ! read the result of the meetings of the executive committee which were approved of. A letter had been received from Mr. Oliver, in response to an alleged nuisance. The association replied to the effect that it did not take upon itself the duty of interfering in such cases. A letter from Mr. Metcalf received. Nineteen new members were enrolled, making a grand total of 110. During the election of new members the president referred to the weather, and said he could not control the clerk of the weather; he was like the council, would not be advised. Mr. Crann recounted his experience when he and his co-delegates waited upon the Mayor, and it was stated that the Mayor would not allow him to speak in explanation. (Groans and hisses.) Mr. M'Kelvy spoke on the reception of the committee, and considered it discourteous in the extreme. 

Mr. Shorter proposed the following motion, which was seconded by Mr. Thos. Line : — ' That the Mayor and aldermen do not possess the confidence of the ratepayers of Manly Beach.' When this motion was put it was carried unanimously amidst great cheering. Messrs. Line, Moss, Dr. Watkin, Prowse, and M'Kelvy spoke in favor of the resolution. 

Mr. Moss moved the next resolution — ' That in the opinion or this meeting, taking into consideration the fact that Alderman E. Pitt does not attend the municipal meetings more than once in every three months, and that he is not residing in Manly, he be called upon to resign seat in the Municipal Council.' 

Mr. Hindes seconded the resolution. Mr. Shorter, George Prowse, and Bamington spoke in support of the resolution, which was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. Mr. Shorter proposed that the secretary of the Manly ratepayers be requested to communicate the result of the meeting to those concerned. Mr. Franklin seconded. Carried unanimously. Mr. Shorter proposed a vote of thanks to the President, to which the President (Mr. N. C. Kely) suitably responded. A vote of thanks was accorded to the press, particularly the local papers and the Evening News. This brought the meeting to a close.  Manly Ratepayers' Association. (1890, April 18). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128772329 

The Esplanade at Manly is a charming spot, with its avenue of trees, reaching, round from the pier to the baths, where you find numbers of comfortable seats at intervals, and the cool green grass is very inviting. After resting a short time admiring, the pretty view of the bay, and watching the fishing boats as they dance up and down on the sparkling blue water, you feel uncommonly like a stroll and a slight refresher. Along the street called The Corso, the principal part of the town, you will find that the shops contain everything conducive to comfort and elegance. Take, for instance, the handsome and commodious establishment of Messrs. Butler Bros., who are without doubt the leading tradesmen of the town, their places of business extending a great distance up the street. They make a business of catering in the very best way for the comfort and convenience of the public, their stock consisting of everything, from a tin of sardines to a 'possum rug. Should you feel faint, you will find the pharmacy of C. H. Braddock close at hand, and he will be able to fix you up .in a brace of shakes. He is a chemist of long study and experience, and makes a speciality of certain preparations as panaceas for the ills that flesh is heir to. On the other side will be found the business place of Mr. Robert P. Royan, estate agent and auctioneer, who has lately opened up large premises, and does, business for his clients in a way that will suit, the pockets of everyone. On application, either by post or personally, a circular can be obtained which will give one all particulars as to his new innovation as regards the sale of properties and furniture. He is also agent for the Australian Mutual Provident Society, and will be very pleased to give any intending insurer all requisite information.

As you stroll along you will be attracted to the establishment of Mr. Smart, the curio shop of Manly, a visit to which will amply repay the curious visitor. There you will find a most wonderful collection of curiosities, from, a little shell up to the jaws of that terrible monster of the deep, the shark. Mr. Smart has a wonderful collection of seaweeds, eggs, butterflies, Sandwich Island curios, photographs, shells, &c. Almost next door will be found the confectionery shop of J. G. Purves, who supplies the majority of the visitors and residents with bread, cakes, &c.

Prowse's tea-rooms are exceedingly comfortable. Mr. Prowse has been established here for many years, and thoroughly understands the art of catering to the public taste in the way of confectionery and tea making. Mr. Kebblewhite's chemist shop is almost next door, and should you desire to purchase anything in the way of scents or. soaps, or to replenish your smelling salts -or maybe you will have a prescription requiring special attention-you will find that it can be done here as well as at the leading shops in Sydney.

There is a stopping place at the Narrabeen Hotel, kept by Mr. Norris-a most charmingly situated hotel facing the road, the picture of which will give you a good idea of the number of travellers who frequent this place. Close to the hotel are the celebrated Narrabeen Lakes, Where there is splendid fishing, shooting, and boating, to be had within a half-a-mile of the hotel. Mr. ; Norris makes a specialty of providing boats, camping outfits, lunches, &c, for parties coming from town to spend a day or two in this lovely district. After having partaken of light refreshments, a good assortment of which will be found here, we once more resume our journey, and after about three quarters of an hour's lovely drive through ; some of the prettiest scenery in the country we pull up in front of a most comfortable and picturesque hotel at Rock Lily, owned by Mr. Leon Houreux. Madame Houreux is a most hospitable proprietress, and the rooms are most tastefully decorated in oil colors by Mr. Leon Houreux-stirring scenes on sea and land-the pictures well worth gazing at, not only from an artistic point of : view, but as curiosities in such a pretty ; wayside inn. The gardens are laid out in good style. The tame and harmless native bear, the noisy laughing jackass, and the prying magpie are to be found here, making up a tiny and interesting menagerie. Mr. Leon Houreux evidently understands the way of catering for the public, as you can obtain the most récherché Parisian dinners here at a reasonable figure. After having partaken of a choice lunch, with a bottle of real 'French claret, of which he is an jj undoubted judge, you once more resume your seat on t he coach, and proceed to Newport, to arrive there in time for tea, which has been already ordered at the pretty hotel kept by Mr. Thomas H. Hodges. This hotel is beautifully situated, and the view is well worth taking the journey alone to see. Opposite the hotel is Lord Loftus Point, which in the olden days was evidently a favorite spot for aboriginal encampments, From here you have a splendid view of Pittwater, which is the widest arm of the Hawkesbury, being over a mile wide, Thor« is also Scotland Island, which celebrated for its fine fish. … A Christmas Holiday Trip. (1893, November 25). Illustrated Sydney News (NSW : 1881 - 1894), p. 14. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63104125 

Steyne Hotel, corner of The Corso and Ocean Beach (left) [ca. 1880-1890], image courtesy State Library of New South Wales

Manly Co-operative Ferry Co.

A preliminary meeting of shareholders in the Manly Co-operative Ferry Company was held at the Aquarium Hall yesterday afternoon for the purpose of discussing the advisability of suggesting to the public meeting to be held on 'Wednesday evening' next that the fares be reduced to 6d return instead of 9d. Mr. H. E. Stevenson occupied the chair. 

Mr. C. W. Prowse moved — ' That in the opinion of this meeting the fares of the Manly Co-operative Ferry Company should be reduced to fid return on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, instead of 9d, and that the suggestion be placed before the board of directors at the public meeting on Wednesday evening next.' 

Mr. J. G. Purves moved as an amendment — ' That the fares be reduced to 6d every day of the week.' 

There was no doubt now but that the new company had been a thorough success, as the profit declared had been a large one, and it would be only fulfilling the objects of the company to have cheap fares instead of large dividends. Mr. Gorman seconded. He thought the success of the new company was now beyond all question, and had exceeded their most sanguine anticipations. Despite this fact and that the profit on the five months had been a large one, it would be conceded that the company had not been formed so much for large dividends as for cheap fares to the travelling public, and he thought they would still farther increase the traffic and advance- the interests of the company by putting themselves on a level footing with the opposition by reducing the fare to 6d return instead of 9d. The amendment was carried almost unanimously, and the suggestion will be placed before the meeting of shareholders on Wednesday evening next. Manly Cooperative Ferry Co. (1894, May 29). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114083601 

Meetings. Manley 30 January 1895, 
TO HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR OF MANLY.
Sir,-We, the undersigned residents and property-owners of Manly, request that you will be good enough to call a Public Meeting to consider the best means of approaching the Government with a view of obtaining an Extension of the present Lease of the Manly Pier, and the investment of the same in the Manly Council.
(Signed)
T. Stoney W. Murray
A. Stephenson John Farrell
J. B. Meyer C. W. Prowse
J. J. Roche H. C. G. Moss
and 25 others.
To Messrs. T. Stoney, A. Stephenson, and others signing the Requisition.
Gentlemen,-In compliance with the above Requisition, I hereby convene a Public MEETING, to be held at the Aquarium Hall, Corso, Manly, on MONDAY, the 4th instant, at 8 p m.
I am, Gentlemen, yours truly,
H. E. FARMER.
Mayor Advertising (1895, February 4). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13993854 

CYCLING.

A road race was held by members of the Manly Ferndale Club from Manly to Narrabeen (M'Lean's) and back yesterday afternoon. There were a dozen starters. Mr. R. A. Stennett was judge and starter, and Messrs. C. W. Prowse, C. Pashley, and E. Farley were check stewards. A start was made at 2.30, and as the roads were good, and well known to the riders, fast time was made. The last to round the turning point was W. Gregory, the scratch man. The following was the result: E. Wilson (6.30),. 1; M'Keown' (7), 2; J. Henry (3.30), 3. Time, 41 1/2  min. The fastest time was made by W. Gregory, 38min. The winner takes Mr. Ogden's medal and a bicycle lamp given by the Greville Turner -Cycle Company. The second and third men get gold medals from the club. The prize for the fastest time was given by Hebblewhite and Company. A large number of people (ladies predominating) assembled at the finishing point, and loudly cheered the winner as he rode in. The Ariel pacers and the 'Swift' team of record-breakers will to-morrow make their last appearance at the Sydney Cricket Ground for some time. Both Parsons and Relph will seek records, and the attempts will be made before the University-Sydney football match begins. The League of Wheelmen have a road race over the Manly to Bayview and back course fixed for July 9. The league's hall will be held next month, probably at the Paddington Town Hall. The Waratah Rovers will run to Newport tomorrow, returning on Sunday. CYCLING. (1898, June 3). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109643991 

Amongst the competitors in the New South Wales League's road race was Mr. C. W. Prowse, father of " Ossy" Prowse, who, despite his fifty-two years, succeeded in covering the course in 1 hour 8 mins. 47 secs.—a good ride for an " old -one." Cycling Notes. (1898, July 30). Port Pirie Recorder and North Western Mail (SA : 1898 - 1918), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article95347919 

The members of the Manly Ferndale Bicycle Club on Friday evening, at Prowse's Rooms, presented an illuminated address to Mr. Alex. Odgen, J.P., who left for England on Saturday by the India. Mr. Fred. Bardsley (captain) occupied the chair, and the presentation was made by Alderman E. W. Quirk. The wording of the address ran as follows: 'Manly, July 29, 1898. .From the Manly Ferndale Cycle Club to their president, A. Ogden, J.P., wishing him every success on his trip to the old country and a speedy return. E. W. Quirk, C. W. Prowse, R. A. Stennett, W. Gregory, sen., W. Gregory, jun., J. Henry, Fred. Bardsley. Au Revoir.' There was a good attendance of members present to*say good-bye to the departing cyclist. CYCLING. (1898, August 2). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article113254489 

'Ossy' Prowse, of Sydney, who accompanied Platt-Betts to England, and was steering a quint when the terrible smash occurred, returned by the Oroya last week. He is staying In Melbourne for a few days. CYCLING CHRONICLE (1899, May 31). Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121802069 

CYCLING.
THE AUSTRALIAN BICYCLE CLUB ROAD RACE.
CLIFFE WINS THE DOUBLE FIRST PLACE AND FASTER TIME.
The Australian Bicycle Club brought off its road race for league riders Class C, from Manly to Bayview and back, a distance of 23 miles, on Saturday, July 29. There were 49 entries for the event, and the prizes offered are six in number ranging from £10 downwards

The starting point was the northern end of the bridge across Manly lagoon, whole towards half-past 3 a seat concourse of pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles, and horsemen were assembled and league clubs were all represented

Considerable speculation was indulged in as to the probable winner. Prowse the local champion, was fancied by some, but others contended that Buck must beat him, they both gain hunt men. Barkell’s name was also mentioned, as having won the same race in 1897, but as it happened no one appeared to pick the man who actually won Shortly after 1 Ki Polglase returned having fallen in the sand while descending Stony Range, breaking three spokes of his wheel, and he reported the roads to be in very bad condition, and the competitors unlikely to rule to the times of last year At half-past 4 Cliffe was seen riding home alone through the long lines of spectators which extended a quarter of a mile along the road, and not only was he the handicap winner, but also he was the fastest time, having accomplished 1 the arduous journey in the creditable time of 1 hour 3 minutes 0 3 5 second, and by his double win established a record for this annual event.

The order in which the first is men arrived with their riding tunes was as under -T Cliffe, 11 hour 3 minutes 6 3-5 second, is L Orr, 2, 1 hour "i industry 0 2-') second It Anderson, 1 hour 9 minutes 43 3-5 seconds, T J Remfrey, I, 1 hour 6 minutes 2 seconds J Stuart, % 1 hour 7 minutes 42 4-5 seconds C W Prowse, 0,1 hour 11 minutes 43 1 5 seconds, L M'Inness, 7, 1 hour 7 minutes 30 2 5 seconds AV Muttorson, 8, 1 hour 7 minutes to 3 > seconds E S Harris, J 1 hour 8 mine ei 50 3-5 seconds D Harvison, 10, 1 hour 3 minutes 21 1 > seconds, H Har to, 11,1 hour of minutes 14 seconds Megson retired at Narrabeen on the way out and Buck arrived in 1 hour 22 minutes 45 seconds The four prizes for places were accordingly won by J White, H L Orr, of Anderson and F J Remfrey, and those for time by J Chfte first and D Tlirviaou second

One accident occurred near the Narrabeen bridge when Tucker and Drinkwater collided and the latter sustained bad bruises to the left shoulder.  CYCLING. (1899, July 31). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14252112 

Manly.—Stolen, between the hours of 9 p.m. the 1st and 10a.m. the 2nd instant, from the residence of Charles William Prowse, Greendale, near Manly,—An “Imperial Rover” bicycle, 22-inch frame, Dunlop tyres, Westwood rims, 8-inch cranks, rat-trap pedals, the right-foot pedal has been repaired with a piece of wire, about 76 gear, “ C. W. Prowse,” engraved on silver plate on horizontal bar near handles, enamelled chocolate colour. Identifiable. Burglaries, &c. (1903, August 5). New South Wales Police Gazette and Weekly Record of Crime (Sydney : 1860 - 1930), p. 299. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article251627997 

"OSSY" PROWSE, a Cyclist of the "Old Brigade" (October 2). “OSSY” PROWSE, (1915, September 24). The Swan Express (Midland Junction, WA : 1900 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204770635 

OBITUARY LATE MR. REGINALD K. PROWSE 

The tragic death of the late Mr. Reginald Keith Prowse, which occurred as the result of an accident on the Canning-road, on Saturday, January 25, came as a great shock to all who knew him. The deceased, who would have reached his majority in February, was educated at the Fremantle Boys' School, and on leaving, at the age of 15 years, joined the firm of Charles Hormann, wool and skin merchants. Fremantle. His father, Mr. Frederick A. Prowse. has been connected with the same firm almost continuously since 1898, being first attached to their head office in Sydney and joined the Western Australian branch in 1901. The late Mr. Reginald Prowse took a keen interest in his business, and gave great promise of more than ordinary success. His bright and genial disposition and general ability won for him a very wide circle of friends. He was especially well-known in cycling and yachting circles, and was a member of the League of W.A. Wheelmen, the Fremantle Cycling Club, and the City Cycling Club. Among his cycling achievements Mr. Prowse, when only 16 years of age, won the first 100 mile traders' cycle race from Maylands via Guildford and Keys brook and back to Maylands. He was a competitor in three Beverley to Perth road races, finishing in the fourth place one year, and although only occupying the fifth position in last year's race, beat the existing record by nearly 7mins. The deceased was also a keen yachtsman, in which sport he also showed marked ability, and this is instanced by the fact that when Mr. Tom Vincent, of the Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, recently purchased a skiff from the Eastern States, he gave the late Mr. Prowse a position in that boat. Mr. Prowse also sailed in Cornstalk II.. which carries the flag of ' the Perth Flying Squadron, as main sheet hand. During the last two or three years he indulged in motor cycling, but did no racing. 

The long funeral cortege moved from the private mortuary of Messrs. Arthur E. Davies and Company, Market-street, Fremantle, on Tuesday, January 28, and proceeded to the Fremantle Cemetery, where the remains were interred in the Church of England portion. The Rev. Canon E. M. Collick officiated at the graveside, and at the conclusion of the service, gave a brief address, touching on the respect and esteem in which the deceased was held. The chief mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Prowse (parents), Messrs. Joseph and Ossie Prowse (brothers), Mrs. J. Prowse (sister-in-law), Messrs. Harry Cooper and J. Mell (uncles), Mes dames D. Thomas. B. Davis, J. Mell and H. Williams (aunts), and Messrs. Hec tor M' Arthur. Lennie Cooper, Cliff, and Bertie Thomas and Albert Davis (cousins). The pall-bearers were: Messrs. J. B. Sleeman. M.L.A.. F. Critch and J. Dowl ing (Charles Hormann), A. Wise (League of W.A. Wheelman, N. Sala-mons (Fremantle Cycling Club), J. Smith (president, City Cycling Club), W. Chinnery (secretary. . Amateur Cyclists' Union), and L. B. Bolton (Loyal Wes tralian Lodge. No. 18 W.A.C.). Among those present were: Messrs.' G. Fraser, M.L.C., T. MacDonald (presi dent, Cycle Trades' Association), S. S. Sheldrake v (Princess Theatre. Freman tle), L. Nickels (representing yacht ing circles), W. Daly (H. Barnes and Co.), Cr, J. M. Farrell (Fremantle Trot ting Club), J. M'Cabe (mayor of North Fremantle), T. Vincent (representing Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, skiff section), R. V. de Latour (Wenz and Co.), D. L. Fraser (Westralian Farmers Ltd.). C. Steenholdt (Dalgety and Co. Ltd.). F. H. Hales (Fremantle Wool and Grain Stores Ltd.), and W. Bailey (Wil cox, Mofflin Ltd). A large number of handsome floral tributes were placed on the grave, and the bereaved relatives have been the recipients of widespread expressions . of sympathy. The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Messrs. Arthur E. Davies and. Company. Family Notices (1930, February 10). The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), p. 8 (HOME FINAL EDITION). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article83815418 

PROWSE. — On June 15, 1930, at her late residence, 62 George-street, West Perth, Margaret, wife of the late Charles William Prowse, and loving mother of Alice (West Perth), Fred (Canning Bridge), and Ossie Prowse (Port Augusta), aged 80 years. Family Notices (1930, June 16). The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article33356757 

PROWSE MEMORIAL

Perpetuating the memory of the young brother of Ossie Prowse, the well-known cyclist, the 32-mile race attracted excellent entries. Conducted in the nature of a town to town ride, a start was made from the Balmoral Hotel, Victoria Park, and the race concluded at a point in the vicinity of the Beaconsfield post office, near Fremantle. The course via Armadale and the Jandakot circuit was an exceptionally fast one. The gravel section from Armadale till about five or six miles from the finish was responsible for fast times. It was evident from the beginning that if the scratch bunch were to make good, the times would come within reach of a record. W. Humphries, who was for years one of the prominent back-markers in events up to 50 miles, hadn't lately displayed form to warrant his back mark, and this season his progress towards the half limit section has been steady un-til he received the best mark he has ever had in the shape of 4 minutes. On Saturday he struck his best form at last. Riding solidly from the start, he gradually and steadily increased his ad-vantage until, with five miles to go, he bunched with the front-markers. Up to this stage Humphries was WELL IN THE RUNNING for the time honors. Though the scratch men, T. Wilson, F. Stock, the Smith brothers and Art Hall were working in perfect harmony, as scratch men should, their desperate effort to over-haul the leaders was of no avail, but they had the satisfaction of jointly establishing a time that will no doubt receive official recognition. The result: W. HUMPHRIES (hep. 4.0) (time 1.17) 1 O. K. Roberts (6¼) (1.19.15 1-5) .... 2 R. Leach (4¾) (1.18.15 2-5) .. .. .. 3 Fastest: A. Hall (1.14.24). The Junior event conducted over a distance of 20 miles was annexed by R. Chinnery from G. Whitelands and J. Hewson. M. Ellery, who brilliantly won the junior Douglas Jones the previous week established fastest time. PROWSE MEMORIAL (1934, July 26). New Call and Bailey's Weekly (Perth, WA : 1934 - 1940), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article210879792 

OSSIE PROWSE

Ossie Prowse is no doubt the most well-known rider in this State and the most experienced in the game at the present time. Holder of many of this State's long-distance road and track records, Ossie is riding in brilliant form on the tracks, winning nearly every Friday night at the successful Fremantle Cycling Club's carnivals on the Fremantle Oval. Last Friday night he literally carried his team to victory by his spectacular riding in the six-lap teams pursuit race. Ossie will also ride his Swansea at next week's big Bunbury Cycling Carnival. 

OSSIE PROWSE. OSSIE PROWSE (1937, February 11). Dalgety's Review (Perth, WA : 1926 - 1948), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article265527815 

From The Brock Estate Brochure - to be sold October 7th Newport 1907. Item No.: c046820076  from Mona Vale Subdivisions, courtesy State Library of New South Wales. Visit: Trafalgar Square, Newport: A 'Commons' Park Dedicated By Private Landholders - The Green Heart Of This Community