Launceston Hotels

1877-79 Donald Campbell, Krushka’s Bridge/Moorina
1880-82 Edward Brooks, Union Hotel, Moorina
1882-1887 Benjamin Dowling Palliser, Union Hotel, Moorina
1887-89 Thomas Wilcox, Union Hotel, Moorina
1889–1890 John Whitmore, Union Hotel, Moorina
Burnt down

Down the river a little from and facing the bridge is a quiet, neat-lookinig cottage, with a nice grassy frontage, the residence of Mr Walpole, the district surveyor. Passing eastward I see our old friend on the mines, Mr J. Campbell has erected a new pub., and bagatelle billiard table room. After doing justice to the good things provided by Host Campbell, I had another look around.
Launceston Examiner, 15 December 1877

From “The Visit of His Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Minister of Lands to Ringaroom”:
They rode on, Monday to Krushka’s Bridge, where they got a relay of horses. The Frome River, Weld’s Company, and Native Youth claims were visited, and at Moorina the party lunched at Campbell’s Hotel, where the spread was admirable, and gave much satisfaction to the guests.
Launceston Examiner, 17 January 1878

From “Recorder’s Court”:
Johnu Atkins was charged with stealing a pocket-book containing cheques, on the 2nd September, the property of Alfred Bowen, Moorina. A second count charged aprisoner with feloniously receiving the same.
Prisoner, who was undefended, pleaded not guilty.
. . .
Alfred Bowen deposed that on the 2nd September last he was. manager of the Moorina Hotel; prisoner had been living at Moorina, and witness had known him for two or three months; he was a charcoal burner occasionally, but witness did not know whether he had any settled occupation or not; he had been spending money at the hotel before the 2nd September, but witness never saw him with any considerable sum in his possession before that date; he was at the hotel on the 2nd, in the afternoon and evening;
[continued]
Launceston Examiner, 16 October 1878

[From above]
In the Trust Estate of Donald Campbell, of Boobyalla and Moorina, store and hotelkeeper.
Tenders for the undermentioned assets will be received . . . at the office of Messrts Irvine and M’Eachern
, ,.
At Moorina
Lot 1–Lease and goodwill of the Union Hotel, together with furniture, bar fittings etc.
Stock of spirits, etc, to be taken at cost price.
…
At Boobyalla–
Lot 5–Right, title, and interest in the freehold property, the Caledonia Hotel, with furniture, bar fittings, 2-roomed cottage, stabling blacksmith’s shop and tools.
Stock of spirits to be taken at cost price.

POLICE COURT.-FEB. 12.
Before A. H. Boyd, Esq., V.M.
James Glenn David Egg, John Wilkinson, and James Wilkinson were charged by P. C. Gibbins with disturbing the public peace, at Moorina, on the 8th inst:
Edward Brooks deposed – I am the landlord of the Union Hotel; I know the defendants; there was no disturbance at my house more than usual on the 8th instant; I believe there was a disturbance on the township; I can’t say if it was the defendants who caused the disturbance ; they had all been in my house; some of them were under .the influence of liquor
Launceston Examiner, 17 February 1880

Edward Brooks, landlord of the Union Hotel, Moorina, was charged with leaving his licensed house fur a period of seven days, contrary to the provisions of the Licensing Act. to which charge he pleaded guilty, but through ignorance. After a brief statement to the Bench, the latter decided to take a lenient view of the case by finding defendant 5s and costs.
A second charge was also preferred against him for having allowed cards to be played within his licensed house. To this charge also defendant pleaded guilty In extenuation he stated that prior to his obtaining the license, the louse had been notorious for incessant gambling, but that he had succeeded in putting it down, and did hot think there was any harm in a quiet game of cards. The evidence of Constable Gibbins went to show that he had cautioned the defendant on several occasions against permitting the practice complained of, and that on the last occasion when he discovered the game being played, he re quested the defendant to put a stop to it, but he did not do so.
The Bench considered the charge had been sufficiently substantiated, and fined the defendant in the mitigated penalty of £3, and costs. The fine and costs in both cases were immediately paid.
The Cornwall Chronicle , 4 May 1880

FOR SALE
The Union Hotel, Krushka’s Bridge, Moorina.
For terms and particulars apply to Mr Williams, Workmen’s Club, Launceston, or Mr D. CAMPBELL, Boobyalla.
Launceston Examiner, 9 June 1880

The quarterly licensing meeting of the district of Ringarooma was held at the Courthouse, Ellesmere, on Monday, 6th inst. The following justices were present : Messrs. A. K. Chapman (chairman), A. W. Brewer, R. G. Ladbury, E. W. Bonner, and G. R. Scott. The following applications for transfers were granted:- From W. T. Pearce of the Royal Standard Hotel, Gladstone, to Dionysius Williams and from Edward Brooks of the Union Hotel, Moorina, to Benjamin Dowling Palliser. Permission was granted to George Evans to sell liquor under the license held by John Chalmers, of the Miners Arms, near Branxholm, until the annual meeting .
The Mercury, 15 November 1882

HOTEL BURNT AT MOORINA.
MOORINA, FRIDAY,
Whitmore’s Union Hotel was burned to the ground at half-past 2 this morning. The origin of the fire is unknown, Nothing was saved, and the lodgers, with Mrs. Whitmore and family, just had time to escape. Mr Whitmore, who was away at George’s Bay at the time, will be a heavy loser, the property not being fully insured. Much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore and family, who are rendered homeless by the disaster.
The Mercury, 13 December 1890

NOTICE.
The Union Hotel. Moorina, having been burned to the ground on the morning of the 11th instant, together with all it contained, the undersigned earnestly requests all persons owing him accounts to pay them in as soon as possible.
John Whitemore,
Moorina, December 13, 1890
Daily Telegraph, 27 December 1890

Possibly on the northern side of the river, to the west of the highway (here on Google Maps), as McKimmie owned land here.

1877-1879? Robert McKimmie, Moorina Hotel, Krushka’s Bridge
1880-1887 E. Bonser, Moorina Hotel, Moorina
1887-1889 George Cunningham, Moorina Hotel, Moorina
1889-1891 William Nobes, Moorina Hotel, Moorina
1891-1893 John Whitmore, Moorina Hotel, Moorina
1893-1894 John Talbot Trowbridge, Moorina Hotel, Moorina

On New Year’s Day, 1877, a hotel was opened at Moorina (then Krushka’s Bridge) by Messrs. R. McKimmie and Mr. McKenzie, both yet, I am pleased to say, alive and well, Mr. McKenzie in Victoria and Mr. McKimmie at Branxholm, as keen for business as ever. Mr. MeKimmie was not only one of the pioneer business men of the North-East Coast, but one of the earliest business men on the West Coast in the Zeehan and Corinna districts.
Examiner, 16 August 1913

Discussion about allowing a licence for a house at Branxholme
Mr Shaw and himself had visited Krushka’s Bridge, and saw for themselves the drunkenness, debauchery, and fighting that went on there from morning till night ; travellers could not get accommodation, and they had to get into a store for the night. It was nonsense to talk of there being places of accommodation ; these public-houses were meant for the miners, who had plenty of money, and would knock it down freely when they got into a stupefied state.
Weekly Examiner, 12 May 1877

FOR SALE, by private contract, the Moorina Hotel, situated at Krushka’s Bridge, and at present doing a splendid business. The proprietor’s reason for selling, and all particulars can be obtained on application to Messrs Johnstone and Wilmot, or M’Kinnie and M’Kenzie, Krushka’s Bridge.
The Cornwall Chronicle, 11 June 1877

From a discussion about allowing a licence for a hotel at Weldborough:
Mr. Miller then, in a lengthy speech, used all his eloquence on behalf of the opposition, and produced petitions signed by other residents, and also a petition from parties in Hobart Town interested, in mines, and referred to the evils arising from placing the temptation of drink in the way of the miners, and instanced the hotel at Krushka’s Bridge, as to what might be expected if the license was granted.
The Mercury, 11 June 1877

I reached Messrs. McKimmie and McKenzie’s hotel about supper time, and fell to at once on sea pie and other ingredients . . . As far as my observations went, the Moorina hotel is improving in status, and the addition of half a dozen extra bedrooms will greatly add to the comfort of those who seek a short sojourn in the place. Krusha’s bridge has obtained such an unenviable notoriety through the columns of the press, that it can well afford to lose any slighting remarks that a city missionary or a Good Templar may be tempted to pass upon it. Speaking as I found, I should say that nearly all the disturbances are due to the presence of some half a dozen confirmed loafers, who hang about the back premises ready to drain all stray glasses that may be put in their way, and equally ready to sing, dance, quarrel, or make fools of themselves for the pastime of those who are but too ready to take advantage of old age and imbecility.
The proprietors of the hotel complain, and with some justice, that the character of their house has been injured by those who have not taken the trouble to enquire into the surroundings of the place, and the character of two or three whose past careers in Hobart Town and Launceston make them a bye-word and a nuisance wherever they go. . . . Mr. McKenzie is doing his best to clear a few of the “old loafers” off his premises, and when he has done so, and furnished the new wing to his house, there will be as much comfort at the Moorina Hotel as at another hotel I could name standing n an older township.
Tribune, 25 June 1877

From “Annual Licensing Meeting”:
Robert M’Kimmie, Moorina Hotel, Krushka’s Bridge. (Mr Shaw reported favorably of the increased accommodation at the Moorina Hotel.)
Launceston Examiner, 4 December 1877

As you enter the township the Krushka Bridge Post Office attached to the Moorina Stores catches the eye. At the stores you may be supplied with anything in a dry shape. Directly opposite is the Moorina Hotel, where you may be supplied in a wet shape with everything, even to the famous schnapps; and adjoining is a now building with an ornamental fronting, with the words “Billiard room” very conspicuously exhibited. I see the Moorina Hotel has a verandah in front now, which is certainly an improvement. Messrs M’Kimmie and Co. appear to be doing a thriving trade
Launceston Examiner, 15 December 1877

THE MOORINA HOTEL.
A first-class establishment situated at Krushka’s Bridge, now doing a splendid business There are eleven bedrooms, two sitting-rooms, with large billiard room, skittle alley, and all necessary outbuildings requisite for carrying on a most extensive business. The proprietor’s solo wish for disposing of the Hotel is a family matter which requires their presence in a neighbouring colony. Satisfactory references and all other information can be obtained on application to Messrs. FERGUSON AND CO., Elizabeth street.

From “Recorder’s Court”:
John Atkins was charged with stealing a pocket-book containing cheques, on the 2nd September, the property of Alfred Bowen, Moorina. A second count charged a prisoner with feloniously receiving the same.
Prisoner, who was undefended, pleaded not guilty.
The following jury was empanelled :- Messrs. Sydney Gaunt (foreman), James Thirkell, Thomas Wildghurst, O. G. Croft, Wm. Harris, John Stephenson, Thos. Griffiths, Wm. Thomas, Alfred Archer, James Ferguson, David Barr, Arthur Green.
Alfred Bowen deposed that on the 2nd September last he was. manager of the Moorina Hotel; prisoner had been living at Moorina, and witness had known him for t1o or three months; he was a charcoal burner occasionally, but witness did not know whether he had any settled occupation or not; he had been spending money at the hotel before the 2nd September, but witness never saw him with any considerable sum in his possession before that date
[continued]
Launceston Examiner, 16 October 1878

Some days ago as Mr M’Kenzie, landlord of an hotel at Moorina, was cutting a track to a tin claim about three miles from his home he met with rather a startling incident. In stepping over a log he disturbed a large black snake, which was coiled up on the other side, and the reptile sprang at him and bit him in the calf of the leg, but having thick trousers on but a slight puncture in the skin was made. Mr M’Kenzie however did not stop to examine it but started for the hotel, and on arrival there the wound was scarified and sucked by a lad, and first brandy and then brandy and ammonia were administered to the sufferer until there were evident signs of the liquor having taken effect, when he was considered out of danger, and beyond feeling a little queer next day, Mr M’Kenzie was none the worse for the unpleasant adventure.
Weekly Examiner, 21 December 1878

Mrs.Bonser, wife of the landlord of the Moorina Hotel, died very suddenly yesterday afternoon. The deceased was highly respected, and was a daughter of the late Mr. J. Burston, of the. Fire Brigade Hotel in Launcestoa. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved, husband. and the five little children who survive the deceased.
The Tasmanian, 31 October 1885

George Cunningham applied for permission to sell liquors under the existing public house license held by E. Bonser, in respect of the premises at Moorina known as the Moorina Hotel, till the next quarterly licensing meeting. The application was granted. The Bench then rose.
The Mercury, 14 October 1887

The Moorina Hotel, so well and favorably known to travellers of all classes, has changed hands, the new proprietor being Mr W. L. Nobes, who is well known throughout the district. Mr Nobes, until recently, has kept himself chiefly to mining, but it will be greatly to the interests of residents that he has started in this new sphere of labor. I can safely say the new proprietor of our leading hotel has the good wishes of all the residents of East Ringarooma. Mr G. Cunningham, the late proprietor, goes to Derby to take charge of one of the hotels there.
The Colonist, 14 September 1889

MOORINA HOTEL, MOORINA-J.T. Trowbridge wishes to notify that he has taken over, from Mr. J. Whitmore, the business of the above hotel, and respectfully solicits a fair share of support. Good accommodation for travellers. First-class stabling. Best wines, etc. Coaches leave the hotel daily for St. Helen’s, Derby, and Gladstone.
The Mercury, 25 September 1893 

The Moorina Hotel was burnt to the ground one night last week at Moorina. The fire broke out in the billiard-room about 1 o’clock, and when discovered was too far advanced to permit of any attempt being made to save the building. The National [Bank] opposite was scorched brown, and the windows cracked. The Post and Telegraph Office also had a very narrow escape, but was saved owing to a good water supply. Although the hotel was insured, the proprietor, Mr Trowbridge, is a considerable loser. A small quantity of furniture only was saved, the bedding and wearing apparel being burned. The hotel was insured in all for £990— £270 in the Commercial Union, £330 in the Liverpool, London, and Globe, and £390 in the Phoenix. Besides that it is stated the billiard table was insured.
Zeehan and Dundas, 18 August 1894