SE cnr of George & Brisbane Streets. Google Maps.
demolished 1969
Incomplete
1837-42 William Major Grayling, Dover Castle, Brisbane Street
1842 Thomas Archer, Dover Castle, Brisbane Street
1842-44 George Leech, Dover Castle, Brisbane Street
1844 George Leech, Dover Castle, Brisbane & George Streets
1845-51/2 Samuel Feutril, Wheelwrights Arms, George and Brisbane
1852-55 Samuel Feutrill, Victoria Hotel, Brisbane & George streets
1855 Mrs Feutrill, Victoria Hotel
James Lewis
1856 Robert McCarthy, Victoria Hotel, Brisbane and George streets
1858-61 John King, Victoria Hotel, Brisbane and George streets
1862 Frederick Jones, Victoria Hotel, Brisbane & George Streets
1864 Frederick Jones, Volunteer Hotel, Brisbane and George-street.
Location (January 2016)
“View of the Volunteer Hotel, corner of George Street and Brisbane Street, Launceston, Tasmania, featuring a red square on the front of the building showing the proposed position for a new sign, c 1936,” QVMAG collection, QVM:1993:P:0394“Corner Brisbane & George Streets – Volunteer Hotel”, Lloyd George Web, Libraries Tasmania
PUBLICANS’ LICENSES — A Bench of Magistrates assembled in sessions at the Court House, on Monday last, to consider applications for fresh Licenses and Transfers. The Dover Castle was transferred from William Major Grayling to Thomas Archer; the Sir William Wallace Inn, from Britton Jones to Joshua Lyons; the Cornwall Hotel, from Loftus Dickenson to Henry Palmer; the Waterloo Tavern, George Town, from G. Wilson to Jonathan Stammers Rudkin; a new license was granted to Edward Blown, for the Lamb and Flag, York-street, and two applications for houses at Patterson’s Plains were refused, on the grounds of not being required for the public accommodation. Cornwall Chronicle, 12 February 1842
From “Quarterly Licensing Meeting”: Mr. S. Feutrill obtained a license for the Wheelwright’s Arms, the house formerly occupied by Mr. George Leech, as the Dover Castle Launceston Examiner, 5 November 1845
From “Publicans’ Licenses”: The Victoria Hotel, corner of Brisbane and George-streets ; permission to continue the business of her late husband was granted to Mrs. Feutrill. Launceston Examiner, 6 November 1855
John King, Victoria Hotel, Brisbane and George streets. The Police Magistrate remarked that reports were frequently made of applicant not keeping a light in front of his house at night. He had once been fined for this breach. There were similar reports against many other publicans. Theo Chairman trusted that all licensed victuallers would take this as a general warning. License granted. Launceston Examiner, 10 December 1861
The Independent, 22 September 1832To the Inhabitants of Launceston and its Vicinity RICHARD HARVEY (from London) most respectfully informs the Inhabitants of Launceston and its Vicinity and the Public in general, that he has recently arrived here, and intends carrying on business as a COACH M AKER in all the various branches, adjoining the “Sydney Arms” in York Street and hopes by unremitting attention to all orders he may be favored with, to merit the public patronage. R. H. has every material requisite for carrying on the above business, which he has purchased from the London markets and ha» likewise engaged several first-rate Workmen, who have recently arrived in the Colony. * * Gigs bought, sold, or exchanged.–A good Stand for Gigs or Carriages. t t Country Orders .punctually attended to The Independent, 22 December 1832
Independent, 19 January 1833
Independent, 23 March 1833
Location notes
From Smythe’s map of Launceston, 1835, showing two buildings on the corner of George and Yoek Streets. The bottom right one is the Bricklayers’ Arms (later Victoria, Caledonian, Union Club, O’Keefe’s). The bottom left might be the location but also it might one of those in York Street which are not actually on the corner.
Formerly Half-Moon
1845 Adam Yates, Bird in Hand, George Street
1846 Patrick Cunningham, Bird in Hand, George Street
1847 Daniel O’Donell, Bird in Hand, Elizabeth Street
1848 William Grosvenor, Bird in Hand, Elizabeth Street
1850-54 George Summers, Bird-in-hand, Elizabeth Street
1854-57 John Bailey, Bird-in-hand, Elizabeth Street
1857-60 James Spencer, Bird-in-Hand, Elizabeth Street
1861-62 Edward Spencer, Bird in Hand, Elizabeth Street
1863-64 Richard Gee, Bird in Hand, Elizabeth Street
1865 Jeremiah Foley, Bird in Hand, Elizabeth Street
1865 Jeremiah Foley, Shamrock Hotel, Elizabeth Street
1867 John Tynan, Shamrock Hotel, Elizabeth Street
1870 Thomas Woods, Shamrock Hotel, Elizabeth Street
1871 Elizabeth Woods, Shamrock Hotel, Elizabeth Street
1871 Frederick Hollingsworth, Shamrock Hotel, Elizabeth Street
1883 John White, Shamrock Hotel, Elizabeth Street
1883-84 John Clydesdale, Shamrock Hotel, Elizabeth Street
1884 John Clydesdale, Victoria Hotel, Elizabeth Street
1885-86 Charles Dalwood, Victoria Hotel, Elizabeth Street
1887-95 Michael Lawler, Victoria Hotel, Elizabeth Street
1895+ Elizabeth Jessamine Lawler, Victoria Hotel, Elizabeth Street
Known as Burnie Hotel from 1909-1919. Seems to have been last licensed in 1919. In 1924 it was converted to a Trades Hall.
1844-46 William Kelham, Albion Inn, George and York Streets
1847-59 John Waldron, Albion Hotel, George and York Streets
1859-62 Samuel Benj Waldron, Albion Inn, George and York Streets
1862 John Waldron, Albion Hotel, George and York Streets
1863 David Harris, Albion Hotel, George and York Streets
1865-66 Lemuel Benjamin Waldron, Albion Hotel, George and York Streets [transfer]
1870 Nicholas Gannon, Albion Inn, George and York streets [new licence]
-1871 H.E. Spearman?
1871 Frederick Parkisson Johnston, Albion Hotel, George and York Streets
—
1877-80 Lemuel Benjamin Waldron, Albion Hotel, George and York-streets
1880-82 Mary Ann Waldron, Albion Hotel, George and York Streets
1883-96 Thomas Alexander Bird, Albion Hotel, York and George streets.
From “Annual Licensing Meeting”: William Kelham, Albion Inn.-Two convictions. The police magistrate explained that the applicant intended to leave the colony, and only applied for a license to transfer it to Mr. Waldron, a system he could not approve of-refused. Launceston Examiner, 5 September 1846
From “Quarterly Licensing Meeting”: Mr. John Atkinson, as assignee of the estate of Mr. William Kellham, insolvent, applied for a transfer of the Albion Inn,” to the proprietor, Mr. James Waldron. Reference was made to the recent assault case, but Captain Gardiner, who was on the bench during the trial, expressed his opinion that Mr. Waldron was the least culpable of the whole party. The application was of a novel character, being in the name of the assignee, on behalf of the creditors of the present occupier of the house. Mr. Waldron, the owner, had offered a consideration for the license, and a question arose whether or not it was property of that nature which, under the insolvent act, vested in the assignee. Mr. Rocher appeared in support of the application, but the magistrates doubted whether they could legally transfer a license without the consent of the holder; there was nothing to show whether Mr. Kelham was or was not a consenting party. Mr. Sams said he felt authorised in stating that Mr. Kelham declined to accede to the transfer. Mr. Kennedy remarked that the magistrates decided upon a former occasion that a license was vested In the person of the applicant, and did not pass, as of right, to the creditors. The bench unanimounsly refused to sanction the application; and upon being pressed by Mr. Rocher to assign a reason, as required by the act, instructed the clerk of the peace to record, that it was refused not being assented to by Mr. Kelham. Mr. Rocher contended they had no evidence that Mr. Kelham did not concur in the application, and Mr. Moore replied, they had a right to assume a dissent in the absence of any expressed assent. Mr. Breton thought a better way of settling the matter would the to refuse the application on the ground of informality; and it appearing that the document was without date, and had not been duly received by the clerk of the peace, a rejection was again agreed to. Mr. Rocher, however, still pressed for a specific reason, and after a renewal of the discussion it was finally determined to record that the transfer was refused tor informality, and Mr. Kelham not having either applied himself or assented to the application of the assignee. Mr. Rocher then quoted from the 13th section of the insolvent act, with the view of showing that the right of application rested with the assignee, as all the property and interests of the insolvent were by that act alienated from him. Mr. Kelham had paid £26 for the license, the un expired value of which was disposable for the benefit of the estate, and Mr. Waldron had offered to purchase it. The meeting declined to take that matter into their consideration. Captain Gardiner and others spoke of the hardship of depriving a person of the means of obtaining a living merely because he was insolvent. Mr. Sams declined to vote. Launceston Examiner, 5 February 1845
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36239100
From “Publican’s Licenses”: James Waldron, Albion Inn.-Mr. Rocher strongly urged the applicant’s claims. The house was his own, and had been erected at a cost of £2,000; for character he produced about twelve or fifteen certificates from the leading merchants in town, testifying in the strongest terms to the applicant’s honesty and integrity during the various periods he had been known to them-from two to twenty years. But it was all to no purpose. Upon a vote, Mr Sams again stood alone in favour of the applicant. Launceston Examiner, 4 November 1846
From “Annual Licensing Meeting”: John Waldron, corner of George and York streets. – This case led to a long discussion. Mr Rocher stated the circumstances. Applicant was the owner of the property: the house was built for an inn, and a license obtained by Mr. Kelham: he left the colony, and the bench refused to grant Mr. Waldron a license because the house was not required. Today they had granted a licence in the immediate neighbourhood to a house not before licensed [Tasmanian Wine Vaults]. Mr. Bartley said, opposed as he was to increasing the number of licenses, and although sensible that it would reflect upon the consistency of the magistrates – a license having been granted to Mr. Rudkin – it would be manifest injustice to refuse Mr. Waldron’s application, and he should therefore vote for it. Granted; Mr. Tarleton and another alone opposing. Launceston Examiner, 4 September 1847
JOHN WALDRON, of the ‘Albion Hotel,’ corner of George and York .streets, returns his sincere thanks to the Public for their kind patronage during the Christmas Holidays, and begs to inform them, that his rooms will be open on New Year’s Day for public amusements, when he hopes to see his auld acquaintance again, and ensure to them, amusements that will give every satisfaction.
The Cornwall Chronicle, 30 December 1848
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65980728
ALBION HOTEL, George and York streets.– L. B. WALDRON having taken the above premises, begs to assure the publie that he intends keeping only a first-rate article, and hopes by strict attention to business, with civility, to merit a share of public patronage. February 18. Launceston Examiner, 22February 1859
From “Quarterly Licensing Meeting”: The Albion Hotel, George and York-street, from Samuel B. Waldron to John Waldron The Police Magistrate said the applicant was brother of the present holder. He was a single young man, but his mother lived-in the house, otherwise he (Mr. G.) would have objected. There was no objection. Granted, on the understanding that applicant’s mother was to reside in the house. Launceston Examiner, 4 February 1862
TO LET. The ‘Albion Hotel’— York- and George-streets — with, or without furniture; now doing a fair business : incoming easy. Apply on the premises. Cornwall Chronicle, 27 September 1862
Albion Hotel. — At a Court of Petty Sessions held at the Police Court, Launceston, on 19th instant, before Thomas Mason, Esq., P.M., and James Robert son, Esq., J.P., Mr Frederick Parkinson Johnston was authorised to sell liquors under the public house license granted to Mr Edward Spearman for the Albion Hotel, George and York-streets, Launceston The Tasmanian, 27 May 1871
TO LET.-Albion Hotel, George-street, suitable for a grocer’s, draper’s, iron monger’s, or other business requiring extensive promises. Rent moderate. Mrs WALDRON, York-street. Launceston Examiner, 2 December 1871
APPLICATION FOR NEW LICENCE. Samuel Benjamin Waldron applied for a new licence for the premises formerly kept by him as the Albion Hotel, at the angle of George and York-streets. Mr Mason, (the Police Magistrate), handed in a certificate he had received from Mr J. P. Jones, Westbury, that the applicant was a respectable person. The Superintendent of Police said there was no objection to Mr Waldron or his house. Mr J. B. Waldron supported the application, and explained that Mr Waldron formerly kept the premises as the Albion Hotel, but about four or five years ago he took to farming in the Westbury district, when the house fell into the hands of a young couple, and the business fell off. Mr. Waldron was now desirous of being re-instated in his former position, with the intention to carry on a nice quiet family hotel. The Chairman remarked that the recommendation of Mr Jones was entitled to weight. The Mayor said he knew Mr Waldron, who was a respectable deserving man. The certificate was then granted. Launceston Examiner, 2 December 1876
From “Annual Licensing Meeting”: Lemuel Benjamin Waldron, Albion Hotel, York and George-streets. Mr Dowling thought this applicant should be warned of Sunday trading. He had heard many complaints upon the subject, and he mentioned it in order thata warning might be given. Mr Waldron said lodgers were in the habit of going in and out of a Sunday, but he was very careful with regard to Sunday trading. Mr Dowling then mentioned that women of immoral character were seen going in on Sunday. Mr Waldron stated that they were in the habit of coming to borrow milk. After some further discussion the application was granted, the applicant undertaking to keep the side door closed on Sunday, and the police being instructed by the Bench to attend to the matter. Weekly Examiner, 7 December 1878
QUARTERLY LICENSING MEETING.- The quarterly meeting of the Licensing Bench re takes place at the Court House today, at. 11 a.m. There is but a very small amount of business to be transacted, consisting of the following transfers :-Lisle Hotel, Lisle, to M. Beavan, from R, M’Kenzie; Court House Hotel, to D. Powell, from. Mary Ann Butterworth, deceased ; Albion Hotel, George-street, to Mrs Waldron, from L. B. Waldron, deceased Launceston Examiner, 1 November 1880
From “Annual Licensing Meeting”: Mary Ann Waldron applied for a license for the Albion Hotel, George and York streets. The Mayor said the house was in a very bad state, especially the inside. The applicant said she was the owner of the house, and would thoroughly repair it. The license was granted on these conditions. Examiner, 2 December 1882
From “Licensing Bench” ALBION HOTEL. When the application for this hotel was called on, the proprietor, Thomas Bird, was cautioned by the chairman that if he were | again convicted for selling during prohibited hours he could rely upon losing his license at the next meeting. Mr J. B. Waldron, who appeared for Bird, explained the circumstances of the two previous convictions against him, and remarked , that if the same strategy which the police employed to catch Bird were used against other publicans they would all be in the position he was. The license was then granted. Daily Telegraph, 2 December 1891
An Inquiry was held yesterday at the Albion Hotel, before Coroner Whitfield, concerning the sudden death of Eliza Johnstone on the previous day. Mr Charles Dempster was foreman of the jury.
[continued] Daily Telegraph, 24 October 1896
From “Licensing Bench”: Bird, Thomas Alexander, Albion Hotel, George and York streets. Superintendent Scott opposed the granting of this application. On October 22 a woman died suddenly there. The licensee was under the influence of liquor at the time, and also on the day of the hearing, at which he gave most unsatisfactory evidence. Mr. C. P. Frodsham appeared for Bird, and asked that the license should be granted on the condition that it would be immediately transferred to Bird’s son. Mr. J. B. Waldron said he was practically the owner of the hotel, and undertook that if the license was granted it should be transferred to Bird, jun. The latter was well-known to the police, who had nothing against him. He would see that the house was properly conducted. Mr. Whitfeld opposed the granting of the license. Bird was not fit to hold a license, nor did he think the house was wanted. Mr. Frodsham pointed out that if the license was granted, it would be held by Bird’s son, and not by Bird. The chairman said the bench had before them an application from Bird, and if granted the license would be his and nobody else’s. The application was refused, and in answer to Mr. Waldron, the chairman said the reason for this was the character of the applicant. Granted without Objection. Launceston Examiner, 2 December 1896
Messrs.. H. Herd and Co. report for week ending Saturday, 9th :
. . .
Wednesday, under distraint, we sold all the furniture in the Albion Hotel, George street, at fair values. Daily Telegraph , 11 January 1897
George Street
Cnr George and Brisbane St
(see bottom)
George St, west side. The Royal is the big grey building.
1830-38 William Milne, Union, George Street
1839-43 Nicholas Clarke, Union, George & Brisbane Streets
1844-46 James Purselow, Union Inn, Brisbane & George Streets
1847-61 William Spearman, Union Inn, George Street
1862 James Boag, Union Inn, George Street
1863-65 Elijah Hedditch, Union Inn, George Street
1866-68 James Jordan, Union Hotel, George Street
1869-72 Frederick Jones, Union Inn, George Street
1873 James Ray, Union Inn/Royal Exchange, George Street
1874-80 James Ray, Royal Exchange, George Street
1881 Mary Jane Ray, Royal Exchange Hotel, George Street
1883 John McCaveston, Royal Exchange Hotel, George Street
1883 Mary Jane M’Caveston (formerly Ray), Ray’s Royal Exchange Hotel, George Street
1884 Mary Ann M’Caveston, Royal Exchange Hotel, George Street
1885 Thomas Crawford, Ray’s Royal Exchange Hotel, George Street
1886-88 John Edwards, Royal (Exchange) Hotel, George Street
1889-94 John Allan, (Royal) Exchange Hotel, George Street
1895-97 John Polley, (Royal) Exchange Hotel, George Street
1898+ Michael James Corcoran, Exchange Hotel, George Street, also known as the Royal Hotel.
Maddox’s buildings (see last entry) was the row of shops now known as Kinross House, 91-95 George St.
1829–30 John Knight, Rising Sun, George Street
1831-82 Thomas Adams, Barley Sheaf, George Street
1834-35 Thomas Dudley, Rising Sun, George Street
Independent, 15 June 1833
Independent, 27 July 1833
By May 1834, this is no longer licensed premises.
Launceston Advertiser, 15 May 1834
In 1860 this appears, which might or might not be the same place:
The Rising Sun.
Mr John Bedford applied for a license to a house in George-street above Dr. Maddox’s buildings, which had been formerly licensed by the name of the “Rising Sun.” The Superintendent of police said the premises had been occupied for some time by the lowest class in the community, and were not in a fit state for occupation as licensed premises. In reply to Mr Bartley, he said he believed that a license to the premises would be an evil in the neighbourhood, and there was no necessity for the license, as there were five other licensed houses in that immediate vicinity. Mr Knight, the landlord of the premises, addressed the Bench, and said the house had formerly been kept respectably until the person who kept it look out a brewer’s license and left it ; since which it had become dilapidated, but he had repaired and improved it to make it suitable for a licensed house. He could have let it as a board and lodging house, but kept it vacant expecting to get the license back to it. Application refused on the grounds of the premises being unsuitable, — no necessity for a public house in the neighbourhood and on general grounds. Cornwall Chronicle, 8 February 1860
1882-1885 John Edwards, Globe Hotel, George and Cimitiere Streets
1886 William Sydney Monks, Globe Hotel, George and Cimitiere Streets
1887 Thomas John Strong, Globe Hotel, George and Cimitiere Streets
1887 Robert Earl, Globe Hotel, George and Cimitiere Streets
1889 Frederick Holloway, Globe Hotel, George and Cimitiere Streets
1889 Alfred Edwards, Globe Hotel, George and Cimitiere Streets
1890 Elizabeth Ann Edwards, Globe Hotel, George and Cimitiere Streets
1891-92 John William Holloway, Globe Hotel, George and Cimitiere streets
1893-95 John Philip Sharpe, Sharpe’s Family Hotel, George Street
1896 Lillian Phillips, Globe Hotel, George and Cimitiere streets
1897-99 John William Holloway, Globe Family Hotel
1829–30 James Anderson, Cross Keys, George Street
1831- Abraham Lenoy, gCross Keys, George Street
1832-36 Mary Lenoy, Cross Keys, George Street
1837-48 William Brean, Cross Keys, York St
1849 Robert Blake, Cross Keys, York Street 1850-51 Henry Mills, Cross Keys, York Street
1852 Abel Blades, Cross Keys, York Street
1853 James Lewis, Cross Keys, York Street
1856 John West, Cross Keys, York Street
1858 John Partridge, Cross Keys, York Street
1859-62 William Jones, Cross Keys, York Street
1862 Job Haycock, Cross Keys, York Street
1863-67 Edward Spencer, Railway Tavern, York Street
1868-70 William Darcy, Railway Tavern , York Street
1870 George Butterworth, Railway Tavern, York Street
1871 Licence Refused
Intersection of Cimitiere and George Sts. (Left side is the north-east corner.)
![New Applications[list of names] Hill, John, Sydney Arms, York street](https://monissa.com/hotels/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-05-30-173724-1.png)
