Royal Hotel Koo Wee Rup - the McNamara, the O'Brien and the Daniher families

The Royal Hotel in Koo Wee Rup was built by Denis McNamara, who had been issued a victualler’s licence at a hearing at the Wonthaggi Licensing Court  held on December 18, 1914. This gave him the right to build a hotel in the town (1). Tenders were invited for the construction of the hotel in February, 1915 and Mr A. Oliver, of Oakleigh, won the tender for the contract price of £3,305. The Hotel was officially opened on Thursday, September 9, 1915. (2). The Lang Lang Guardian reported on the hotel in glowing terms -

Mr D. McNamara's handsome ornate, and commodious new hotel on the main street, Kooweerup is now completed. It is a two storied brick building, and one of the finest edifices of the kind in Gippsland, being greatly admired by all visitors to the town. It is a monument to the enterprise of the proprietor. (3) It also reported that the hotel has been furnished throughout by Mr McKee, of Royal Arcade, Melbourne, the rooms are fitted up in the most up-to-date and luxurious manner. Visitors to the place state that they have seen no hotel outside Melbourne furnished and equipped in such a finished and elaborate style. (4).

Royal Hotel advertisement

Koo Wee Rup Sun, November 27, 1918

In November 1918, Denis McNamara sold the Hotel for £7,000 to John O’Brien of Trafalgar. (5). John O’Brien was an experienced hotel-keeper, but more importantly as the Koo Wee Rup Sun reported -
Mrs O'Brien is a smart and keen business woman, and this combined with a personality that has already won golden opinions, is sure to make a success of the Royal. (6). The smart Mrs O’Brien was born Julia Teresa Moloney and she married John in 1892.

Royal Hotel advertisement

Koo Wee Rup Sun, December 4, 1918

 After leaving Koo Wee Rup, Denis and his family moved to Hawksburn and he took up the license of the Bush Inn Hotel in Williams Road, Toorak. (7).  John O’Brien operated the Royal Hotel until April 1921 when the licence was transferred back to Denis McNamara, although Mr O’Brien retained ownership of the building. (8).

Denis died July 27, 1925, aged 60 years old. The Advocate of August 20, 1925, published this obituary of Denis McNamara (they have his birth date wrong, it was actually c. 1864)  -
Born in County Clare, Ireland in 1846 [sic], Mr. McNamara was a young man when he came to Victoria. He engaged in business in Melbourne before coming to Koo Wee Rup in 1891, where he opened a store. In 1901 he returned to Melbourne, and was in turn the licensee of the Carlton Club Hotel, the United States, the Albury hotels. In 1902 he married a Miss Mary Ann Manney, from his home country, and had as family May and Frank. He suffered an early bereavement in the loss of his young wife. Returning to Koo Wee Rup in 1904, he bought O'Riordan's store, which he successfully conducted. In 1908 he married Miss Alice Morris, his bereaved wife, and later took out the first licence in Koo Wee Rup, building the substantial Royal Hotel. He was esteemed by all who knew him. His kindly smile, his cheerful word, and his open-handed generosity were enjoyed by many. (9).

Denis’ first wife, Mary Ann, had died on October 15, 1905 aged 29. She left behind two little children - Mary Bridget, born 1902, also called May. Mary became a Nun, Sister Denise of Presentation College in Windsor and she died in 1989; Francis Michael, born 1904, also called Frank. Francis, married Elizabeth Reynolds in 1935 and died in March 1983. (10)

After the death of Mr McNamara, the Hotel continued to be operated by the McNamara family until 1927, with Alice McNamara (Denis’ widow) as the licensee and Frank McNamara (Denis’ son) as the manager. For some time, around 1930 - 1932,  after they left Koo Wee Rup, Alice was the licensee of the London Tavern, 58 Moray Street (corner Grant Street), South Melbourne. (11).

Royal Hotel advertisement

Koo Wee Rup Sun, January 6, 1927

Alice McNamara died on June 28, 1937, and as her obituary in the Koo Wee Rup Sun relates, her sister died the same day -

It is with the deepest regret that we record the death of an old and highly respected resident of Kooweerup, in the person of Mrs Alice McNamara, wife of the late Mr Denis McNamara, at the age of 57 years. When word reached Kooweerup on Monday morning of her sudden death in the city quite a gloom was cast over the township, for through her ever-ready aid in the past in all cases of distress she was honored throughout the whole district, and owing to her unbounded hospitality when with her late husband they were in charge of the Royal Hotel, Kooweerup, her generosity will long live among many throughout the whole State. She was a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs J. Morris, of Kilmore..... On Friday last the deceased received word of the illness of her sister and only relative, Mrs Jane Scott, wife of the late Mr G. Scott (late A.I.F.), of South Melbourne, and she hurried to the city to render what aid she could on her behalf. Leaving her son Frank's suburban residence for the railway station on Monday morning to visit the hospital where her sister was an inmate, the deceased suddenly collapsed in the railway yards and passed to the Great Beyond. Strange to relate, within three hours her sister had joined her in the Great Adventure. (12).

The McNamara Family, c. 1921. 

Standing at back - Alice and May

Seated - Denis with Colleen, Alice (nee Morris) John and Frank. Margaret is at the front.

Photographer:Yeoman & Co. Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society collection.

Alice had four children with Denis, whom she married on August 9, 1909 - Alice, born 1909, who married Daniel Parks in 1929, they had three children and she died in August 1951; John Patrick, born 1910. He was ordained as a Priest in 1935, was an RAAF Chaplain during the Second World War, and died in 1986. His obituary noted that the year of his birth and the year of his death coincided with the appearance of Halley’s Comet; Margaret Frances, born 1914, nicknamed ‘Blue’. Married Cecil Ernest Murray, in 1941, and died October 2004; Colleen Josephine, born 1917, did not marry, and died February 2004. Denis and Alice are buried at the Pakenham Cemetery. (13)

Royal Hotel advertisement

Koo Wee Rup Sun, September 8, 1927

It was in  August 1927, that John Patrick Daniher took over the licence from Alice McNamara (14).  He was the son-in-law of John O'Brien. However before we look at the Danihers, we will look further at the life and business interests of Mr O’Brien with this August 1925 article from the Korumburra newspaper the Great Southern Advocate –

Mr. J. O'Brien is now the proprietor of the Korumburra Hotel, which has been entirely renovated throughout. The much-needed painting of the outside has completely transformed the appearance of the hotel. Mr. O'Brien owns the freehold of the Royal Hotel at Kooweerup, where he spent many years. He was recognised as a good sport, and always worked hard to forward the interests of the district. He took a great interest in the Kooweerup football team, so much so that the members before his departure elected him a life member of their club. The team was premiers two years while Mr. O'Brien was there. He also gave valuable assistance in raising £1000 by a queen carnival and fete for the purpose of building a cottage hospital for the Bush Nursing Association, the Kooweerup branch of which he was vice-president. He was a good supporter of the band, race club or anything that tendered to advance the town and district. He is also the owner of the freehold of the Criterion Hotel, Trafalgar, of which his son-in-law (Mr. J. Daniher) is licensee. (15)

The wedding of Marie O'Brien to John Daniher. 

The best man, J.J. Daniher; the bridesmaid , Veronica (Fairy) O'Brien; the groom John Daniher and the bride, Marie (Doll) O'Brien.

Table Talk, September 16, 1920 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/146691528

John Patrick Daniher had married Marie O’Brien on August 25, 1920. Their wedding was written-up in Table Talk, a newspaper which covered many weddings, the Theatre, the races and other social activities –
The marriage of Miss Marie (Doll) O'Brien, second (twin) daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. O'Brien, of the Royal Hotel, Koo-wee-rup, to Mr. John Patrick Daniher, younger son of late Mr. J. Daniher, of Euroa, and Mrs. Daniher, of Wyalong, N.S.W., was celebrated on Wednesday, August 25, at St. Patrick's Cathedral, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Father Keenan (Koo-wee-rup), assisted by Rev. Father Kett. In the unavoidable absence of the bride's father, she was given away by her brother, Mr. James O'Brien, and looked charming in her bridal gown of ivory charmeuse, with over-dress of georgette, trimmed with beads and filet lace; veil of Limerick lace, sumounted by a wreath of orange blossom. A gold wristlet watch was the gift of the bridegroom, while her gift to him was a pair of silver military hair brushes. She was attended by her twin sister, Miss Veronica (Fairy) O'Brien, whose dainty frock of white taffeta was made with a three-tiered skirt and trimmed with filet lace, while her hat of black tulle was adorned with a posy of pink flowers and streamers of black ribbon.  The bridegroom's gift to her was a pearl brooch. Mr. J. J. Daniher supported his brother as best man. (16).

The Royal Hotel in the December 1934 flood

Image: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society

The Danihers had purchased the freehold of the Royal Hotel in 1927, as well as holding the license. In September 1934, the licence was transferred to Edith Leahy. This turned out to be a short-term arrangement as in January 1935, the licence was transferred to Marie Daniher. The Danihers operated the Hotel until June 1939, when they left Koo Wee Rup; the licensees in the next three years were H.T. Baker and M.J.Haig. In June 1942, the Dandenong Journal would announce that the Danihers have returned after an absence of 3 years and have resumed control. (17).

The Daniher family owned the Royal Hotel building until the 1960s, maybe longer. Marie Daniher died July 27, 1989, aged 89 and John had died June 15, 1972, aged 80. John’s death notice list their children as Julie, Margaret, Pat, John and Lorraine. Marie and John are buried at the Cheltenham Memorial Park. Marie’s father, John O'Brien, died in 1946, aged 82 and her mother, Julia, died in 1959, aged 92. They are buried at Boroondara Cemetery. (18).

Trove List - I have created a list of articles relating to the McNamara, O'Brien and Daniher families at the Koo Wee Rup Hotel, access it here.

Footnotes

(1) https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-beginnings-of-royal-hotel-koo-wee.html

(2) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, March 11, 1915, see here.

(3) Lang Lang Guardian, September 8, 1915, see here.

(4) Lang Lang Guardian, September 15, 1915, see here.

(5) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, November 7, 1918, see here.

(6) Koo Wee Rup Sun, December 4, 1918, see here.

(7) The Argus, April 5, 1921, see here.

(8) Ibid

(9) The Advocate, August 20, 1925, see here.

(10) The Argus, October 17, 1905, see here; Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages.

(11) The Age, November 4, 1930, see here; The Age, January 21, 1932, see here. the London Tavern was demolished in 1980 for the Westgate Freeway - http://www.skhs.org.au/SKHShotels/

(12) Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 1, 1937.

(13) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; family notices from the newspapers; Father McNamara's obituary The Advocate, May 22, 1986 (copy at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society). I have written more about Alice McNamara (nee Morris) here - https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2024/09/alice-morris-1852-1912-and-sarah.html

(14) Koo Wee Rup Sun, August 11, 1927

(15) Great Southern Advocate, August 13, 1925, see here.

(16) Table Talk, September 16, 1920, see here.

(17) Koo Wee Rup Sun, August 11, 1927; various Licensing Court hearings in the newspapers, see my Trove list, here; Dandenong Journal, June 10, 1942, see here.

(18) Various family notices in the newspapers.

John Daniher's death notice 

The Age June 17, 1972, p. 104 newspapers.com

"Corpse" that came to life

This report appeared in the Sydney Truth newspaper of March 10, 1925. Not sure if it is true or not, but it’s a great story.

What does it feel like to be dead? “Scotty” McDonald, of Koo-wee-rup (Victoria), says it is quite a pleasant experience. "Scotty" ought to know, because he has been officially dead and buried, but confounded his mourners by walking in on them and ordering a pot of foaming beer.

"Scotty" is short and stocky, and somewhere over the 60-year mark in age. A grizzly moustache and stubbly beard mark his weather-beaten features. In a humble hut near Dalmore, five or six miles from

Koo-wee-rup, he lives while the potato-digging is on. Before his miraculous death, burial, and resurrection Scotty's headquarters were the Royal Hotel, Koo-wee-rup. There was he to be found in the intervals between his luring of the elusive spud from the soil.

Not Wilfully Dead.
Man is not master of his own destiny, and Scotty was not to be allowed to have control of his own death. The matter was taken out of his hands without his consent. A body was found in a paddock some miles from Koo-wee-rup, and was brought into the township by a passing carter. There is no such thing as a mortuary in the township, and as is customary in such places bodies are taken to the local hotel, where post-mortems and inquests are held. There the body was taken to the scene of Scotty's best triumphs on the imitation bagpipes, and an awed bar paused awhile over its pots of beer to talk of poor old Scotty's sudden end.

One "Butcher'" (christened Mick), who had quaffed the flowing bowl full many a time and oft with
Scotty, could not contain his tears. So while the habitues of the Royal hostelry held an informal wake for Scotty, the doctors made a post-mortem examination, which showed that death was due to certain persistent poisoning of the heart and other organs. "That's Scotty," said everyone who knew the "deceased.”

Mr Cole, J.P., of Lang Lang, came to Koo-wee-rup and held a formal inquest on the body of John McDonald, deceased. There was no question of foul play, and the medical evidence was accepted as sufficient for the granting of an order of burial. So Scotty was buried. A motor lorry belonging to Gilchrist and Co. was requisitioned, and the coffin was taken to the Lang Lang Cemetery on the Wednesday afternoon, and interred several feet below in the embracing Mother Earth.

Now, whose body was it, since it was not Scotty's? Undoubtedly a body was buried, but whose?

 
Was it a Joke?
Constable Whiteside, of Koo-wee-rup says it was the body of another McDonald altogether, and that someone must have been trying to play a joke on Scotty. But the explanation advanced by those who knew both Scotty and the other McDonald is probably nearer the mark. The other man, though taller, was very like Scotty in facial appearance; "like twins," one man described them. When the body was brought in everyone assumed that it was Scotty, and it was Scotty who was buried.

Came a public holiday, and all Scotty's cronies were gathered in the bar of the hotel. They missed the clank of his unconventional beer billy made from a 2lb jam tin. The beer splashed merrily on thirsty throats, and the till clanged cheerily. Prominent in the gathering was Mick, still willing to join in toasts to the memory of departed Scotty.

The swing doors opened from the street. Casually the company turned to see who was coming in. Then the silence of the tomb fell upon the crowd. With beer mugs poised in mid-air they stood as inert as the stuffed fox in the corner: An apparition from Eternity was framed in the doorway! The wraith of Scotty had come to haunt his former resting-place. "It's Scotty's ghost!" shrieked Mick. “It's a banshee, O-ooh !" He would not look, for had not his own scarf-pin been used to pin the blanket around Scotty's lifeless form? The ghost announced himself in full blooded human language to the gaping bar. "What the hell are you staring at?" he demanded. "What's the joke?"

Movement returned to the awed company. It might be Scotty's ghost that stood in the doorway, but at least it was a ghost that put on no superior ethereal airs. If Scotty had some back to haunt the bar he was going to do it properly, for as wondering eyes were dragged from the spellbound contemplation of the familiar face it was seen that the ghost carried Scotty's beer-billy. It seemed to have come prepared to haunt the place in a respectable manner, with the rattle of glasses rather than chains.

Cautiously the more daring spirits investigated, and were met with pointed instructions to go to the place that it might have been reasonably expected Scotty had come from, judging by his adjectives. A babel of explanations smashed the silence, and everyone tried to tell Scotty that he was dead.

He Ought to Know.
He refused to believe it, and told them so, asserting that he was the person who should know. Panting dispensers of news gasped word of Scotty's return to the people who did not happen to be in the pub at the time, and he became the show sight for the day - the man who had returned from the grave. Mick was the last to be convinced, and then, like the doubting disciple Thomas, he would only be convinced of the resurrection by physical contact. To him it seemed that Scotty's ghost had come before him as a warning, and it was some time before he would approach. Then, much to Scotty's indignation, Mick convinced himself by vigorously pinching the man who should have been dead.

The earnest explanations of the erstwhile mourners mollified the anger of Scotty, over what he thought was a rotten joke, and over a few "welcome back to earth" pots, he forgave them all and realised what had happened. While he was being "buried" he had been out some miles and he had not been able to assure them that the reports of his death, like those of Mark Twain's, "had been grossly exaggerated."

When a man is so unceremoniously shuffled off this mortal coil, without having a say in the matter, it is up to him to prove conclusively that he is very much alive. Was it not Constable Whiteside who had had some part in this dastardly attempt to take a man's life away from him? To be sure, and the honor of the McDonalds demanded a bout with the doughty limb of the law. Scotty decided that the honor of the McDonalds would be compensated by a wrestle for drinks, and therefore he challenged the constable to a fall - the loser to shout for the company. But the policeman declined to satisfy any ghost, and informed Scotty that a night in the lockup was all the satisfaction the pride of the McDonalds would get.

Koo-wee-rup had thought that it had seen Scotty make his last motor ride when the motor lorry bore away the rough coffin, but a few days later it witnessed a very hilarious ghost leave by motor for Lang Lang with the constable. On the Saturday morning he was fined 6s for being drunk. The fine was inflicted by Mr. Cole, J.P., who had three days before signed the order for Scotty's burial!

Source: Sydney Truth newspaper of March 10, 1925 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168706639

The beginnings of the Royal Hotel, Koo-Wee-Rup

The January 8, 1915 issue of the Powlett Express reported on the hearing at the Wonthaggi Licensing Court  held on December 18, 1914. There were applications for ‘certificates authorising the issue of victualler’s licences’ at various towns, including Koo Wee Rup. The applicants for Koo Wee Rup were - Edmund J. Hayes, Denis McNamara, Alf E. Edney, Lyman Wildes, William Clews, Sarah Ann Kraft. The Presiding Magistrates at the hearing were Messrs P. Cohen, Bevan, and Gray. 

Opening remarks

There were six applications for conditional certificates authorising the issue of victuallers' licences in Koo Wee Rup. Three of the sites were in Station street and three in Rossiter's-road. All of the applicants agreed that only one licence was required. Mr. E. Brayshay appeared for Edmund J. Hayes, whose site was in Rossiter's-road. Mr. Shelton (for the Licensing Inspector) in this and the following applications, formally objected that the licence was not required. Mr. J. Meagher: Mr. Shelton means that six licences are not required. Mr. Brayshay: We can agree with Mr. Shelton there.

In opening his case, Mr. Brayshay said he concurred with Mr. Shelton's remarks regarding discretion of the Bench as to number of licenses that should be granted at this sitting of the court. He submitted that in coming to a decision the Bench should consider (1) The site or position of the proposed house, from the point of view of convenience of the residing and travelling public, and particularly the travelling public. In a railway town, proximity to the railway station was important. (2) The personnel of the applicant and fitness to conduct the hotel; and (3) That the applicant has the means and ability. An applicant was not entitled to speculate. Wonthaggi, as they knew, had been handicapped by want of accommodation, and people had been put to great straits to obtain it; the same in a lesser degree applied to Koo-Wee-Rup. It was a large fertile plain, and there were about 500 people within a 4 or 4½ mile radius, and about 200 residents in the town.  [Read original on Trove, here]

Edmund Hayes

He would put in a plan of the locality, and plan of buildings, containing 30 rooms, which it was proposed to erect at a cost of £3750, within 9 or 10 months. The applicant had 14 years' experience in different parts of the State, and had never been summoned for a breach of the Licensing Act. Colin Campbell, clerk of courts, and Licensing-Inspector Costelloe, admitted on oath having received the various notices, and evidence was given by L. J. Flannigan, architect, E. J. Hayes, .applicant, who kept hotels at Drouin, Nhill, and Watchem. A financial statement was submitted to the Bench. The area of the site was 3 roods 5 perches. Constable Ryan, in charge of the Drouin police station, and Cr. C. N.

Byrrell, Poowong East, gave applicant an excellent character. 

Albert Woodman, Koo-Wee-Rup, said there was a demand for accommodation. The traffic came along Rossiter-road from lona, Modella, Yannathan to Langwarrin. The area of the swamp was 90,000 acres; dairying and agriculture was the chief business. There was room for one hotel. Arthur Wm. Stevens, storekeeper, said the site was a good one, and would suit the public convenience. Constable Cole, Lang Lang, said the nearest hotels were Lang Lang and Pakenham, nine miles, and Tooradin, about six miles away. [Read original on Trove, here]

Denis McNamara

Mr. J. S. Meagher appeared for the applicant, and observed that he could show that many things that Mr. Brayshay claimed for his client, and much more in addition, appertained to his client, who was a pioneer of the district, and supplied the navvies and settlers with provisions, wading at times through icy water to do so. Settlement could not be achieved without the co-operation of a man like that. He had conducted a hotel at Carlton, and had taken an active part in procuring the petition for the local option poll. The site was in Station-street, at the corner of a street, and opposite the railway goods sheds. All business interest centred in Station-street. In view of his work as a pioneer and representative man, this applicant was entitled to a hotel.

Theo. Lyall, farmer, Koo-Wee-Rup, said the bulk of the traffic came along Station-street. McNamara's site was higher than the the Rossiter-road site, and one hotel was needed, as the place was growing. Jas. Mornane, station master, Koo-Wee Rup gave evidence of traffic transactions, which increased 50 per cent, in two years. A survey of a new line to Yannathan and Poowong had been made. It might interfere with gate near Rossiter-road. M. D. Dalley said McNamara's site was the most central. It would be a public benefit. Though the passenger platform was on the other side, people would take a risk and cross the rails. Mr. Cohen, P.M.: After leaving an hotel.

Other evidence in support of the application was given by C. J. Moody, who said Hayes' site was no place for a hotel ; the swamp was under water four years ago, but McNamara's was high and dry. The Government had promised drainage works, but they were not yet carried out. W. C. Moody, T. J. Burhop, H. C. Hamilton, Alex. Moorey, ex-sergeant of police; D. Pollock, H. Beattie, and A. B. Backhouse (a Rechabite), Clarke, and D. J. Bourke, J.P. (Pakenham), also gave evidence. It was stated that 75 per cent. of the traffic came along Station-street. A. Fritsch, architect, said the building would cost £4000.

D. McNamara, applicant, said he was in Koo-Wee-Rup in 1893, store-keeping for six years. He had conducted a hotel at Carlton, and was now storekeeping at Koo-Wee-Rup. He got up two petitions for local option polls. He had no encumbrance on his property. (Title produced.) Mr. Meagher: Yours in the best site? Witness: I suppose that is a silly question to ask. (Laughter.) Mr. Meagher: Not at all. You have other land?—Yes, in Rossiter-road, which I bought four years ago. I bought the additional block in Station-street 12 months ago. The Station-street site was the best, and I have means to erect it.

To Mr. Shelton: He had held a wine and spirit license. Mr. Shelton: Is that your only experience of selling liquor?—I was bar-man for two years. Were you ever convicted? Mr. Meagher objected to the question. Provision was made in the Licensing Act that no conviction over three years could be used in evidence. Mr. Cohen, P.M., directed to Section 91 of the Act, regarding testimonials. They had the inspector's report. Witness stated that he was convicted for selling a less quantity than his license entitled him to sell. He was fined £30. Plain-clothes Constable Campbell said applicant had conducted the Albion Hotel, Carlton, satisfactorily. Mr. Shelton drew attention to the fact that the notices were not proved, and the necessary evidence was given by Colin Campbell, clerk of courts, and L. C. Meagher, solicitor for the applicant. Mr. Meagher asked that the Bench should not consider the conviction when coming to the decision.  [Read original on Trove, here]

  

Pumping the water out of the hotel cellar with  a Fordson tractor, 1934.  In spite of the evidence presented at the Licensing Court, the Royal Hotel site was obviously not immune to flooding.

Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society photograph

Alf E. Edney

Mr. Sutherland appeared for applicant, whose site was in Station-street, near Rossiter-road. A.W.Stevens said that there was no excessive water lodgment in Rossiter-road, along which 75 per cent, of the traffic came. The site was dry. Mr. P.Cohen, P.M.: The Bench have evidence that 75 per cent, comes the other way: 150 per cent, altogether! A. Woodman gave evidence, and the formal notices were proven. Alf. E. Edney, retired storekeeper, Leongatha, said he was purchasing the land. He proposed to erect a house of 34 rooms, at a cost of between £2000 and £3000, with ample sanitary and

other accommodation, air gas, etc. To Mr. Shelton: Vickery had a hotel at Longwarry, and suggested to witness to apply. No one except witness had a beneficial interest in the hotel. [Read original on Trove, here]

Lyman Wildes

Mr. Barham (instructed by Messrs. Boothby and Booth by, Loch and Melbourne) appeared for applicant. The site was in Rossiter-road, south-east of the railway line. Counsel stated that hotels were more particularly for the convenience of travellers, as, for instance, the inns of older times. His client had option to purchase at £2 per foot, and the cost of the building would be £3700. C. G. Kempson, architect, said the hotel would contain 24 rooms, and take nine or ten months to erect. Mr. Cohen, P.M., pointed out that there was no provision made for a bathroom for females, in many of the plans. It was very necessary to have two bathrooms.

Cr. Hardy, Cranbourne Council, said applicant was well fitted to conduct the hotel. His hotel at Lang Lang was well conducted. The council had improved the drainage at Koo-Wee-Rup. The Government had a big drainage scheme in hand. Cr. Angus Cameron, Yannathan, said the drainage was sufficient to meet ordinary requirements. Wildes' site was well suited for Koo-Wee-Rup. Applicant had an excellent character. Lyman Wildes, applicant, said he was licensee of the Lang Lang Hotel, and trade would be reduced by half if he got a license at Koo-Wee-Rup; he would get rid of the Lang Lang license if successful. His site was higher than McNamara's, and well drained and dry; he had means and ability to build.

H. C. Smith, managing clerk, Messrs. Boothby and Boothby, produced the documents regarding ownership of the land and serving of notices. Patrick William McGrath, farmer, Glen Forbes, formerly licensee of Poowong Hotel, said he had known applicant at Lang Lang. The hotel was well conducted. Wildes was a hard-working, popular man, and a suitable man to hold a license in Koo-Wee-Rup; the site was very suitable, high and dry. Mr. Shelton directed attention to the Licensing Act, and cases regarding a person holding a beneficial interest in more than one license. He did not think it was an absolute bar. Licensing-Inspector Costello said the applicant's hotel at Lang Lang was well conducted. Constable Cole, Lang Lang, gave the applicant and his house a good character; he would be a suitable man to hold a license; he verified the testimonials given to Mr. Wildes by Messrs. Blake and Le Roux. Mr. Barham said that no license would be issued until the conditional certificate became absolute. Nothing should be done to debar hotelkeepers and license holders applying for a new license. [Read original on Trove, here]

William Clews

Mr. P. H. Conant, solicitor, Wonthaggi, instructed by Messrs. Croft and Rohden, appeared for applicant, the site was in Rossiter road. McNamara's site was hidden by the goodsheds, and one had to travel three sides of a square to find it. It would take a Philadelphia lawyer to find it on a dark night when it was raining, and there were no lamps. The formal notices were proved. William Clews said he was connected with hotel business for 23 years; he had held licenses for 16 years, and owned hotels at Sale, Ballarat, Traralgon and Moe; he had had no prosecutions against him; he had an option over the site of half an acre in Rossiter's-road, near Mr. Hayes' site; he proposed to build the hotel according to plans and specifications produced, at an estimated cost of £3500. He had means of his own, and was capable of carrying out the work. His property in Sale had been delicensed, and he got £490 compensation. To Mr. Shelton: The contract of sale was the only title he had to the land, of which Mr. Meikle was the owner. He had paid 10/- to Mr. Meikle for the option. The hotels he had been in were successful, but they were not fit to live in; they were good financial houses. In some of them one got wet in the beds from rain coming in. It was absolutely true. The owners got notice to put them in order. It would not pay him to do them up; he was only the licensee. He could not buy the freehold. Mr. P. Cohen, P.M.: Could not get out of the rain. [Read original on Trove, here]

Sarah Alice Kraft.

Mr. Dunn appeared for the applicant, whose site was next to Mr. Edney's in Station-street. Koo-Wee-Rup was not a holiday resort; people went there on business, which was mostly transacted in Station-street. He submitted that it was not so much the building that should be considered, it might be a big imposing house where no one would feel at home, but they should take into consideration comfort and convenience, and the experience of the applicant to make people at home. His client had many testimonials from travellers, doctors, Government officers and others. Sarah Alice Kraft, married woman, said she had 30 years' experience of hotel life; owned and conducted the Bunyip Hotel 14 years; had experience and catered satisfactorily for conditions in the Swamp. No one else was interested in her application. She had purchased 66 feet, and had an option over 14 feet. The building would cost £2700, and be finished in eight or nine months. Inspector Costello said a great many testimonials had been investigated. [Read original on Trove, here]

Concluding remarks.

This concluded the cases. Mr. Shelton said that the attention of the court might be drawn to some aspects of the cases. Mr. Dunn had put the thing on a proper basis when he referred to the convenience of the public. Reference had been made to old inns previously. He submitted that having regard to travellers and future possibilities the court should consider the (l) site of the building; (2) class of building with regard to requirements of the locality; (3) personal character of the applicant and ability to conduct the business.  [Read original on Trove, here]

Who was the winner? It was Denis McNamara. I can’t find any reports as to why he was selected over the other applicants, however he wasted no time. Tenders were invited for the construction of the Hotel in February. Mr A. Oliver won the tender for the contract price of £3,305. The finished building was a fine commodious building of nearly 30 rooms, according to the Lang Lang Guardian, and one of the finest edifices of the kind in Gippsland. The rooms were fitted out by Mr McKee of the Royal Arcade in a most up-to-date and luxurious manner.   It was officially opened on Thursday, September 9, 1915. You can read more about the Royal Hotel and Denis McNamara and family, here.