Cnr Garfield Street and Wellington Street (Road), Sandhill/South Launceston. Google Maps approximate location.
Demolished 1927.
1834 George Dodery, Green Gate Inn, Main Rd/Sandhill
1835 Stephen Hopwood, Green Gate, Launceston
1836 Lewis Henry Lazarus?
1836-40 James Corbett, Green Gate, Sandhill
—> Moved to Wellington Street
1844-47 Nicholas Clark, Wilmot Arms, Sand Hill
–> Moved to site of Black Swan, cnr Brisbane & Wellington streets
1847– Matthew Mason, Farmer’s Arms, Patterson’s Plains (previously at Pattersons’ Plains)
The Colonist, 20 May 1834
Colonial Times, 4 November 1834
Launceston Advertiser, 29 December 1834
Launceston Advertiser, 14 May 1835
Cornwall Chronicle, 26 December 1835
NEW LICENCES REFUSED.
William Bourne, Travellers Rest, Sandhill (formerly the Harrow Inn); refused on account of situation. Mr. Corbett. of the Green Gate, was also given to understand that, for the same reasons, his house would be licensed for one year only, at the expiration of which time it would not be renewed.
Launceston Advertiser, 3 September 1840
Launceston Courier, 29 November 1841
Cornwall Chronicle, 4 May 1844
Launceston Examiner, 11 May 1844
Wilmot Arms
THE GREEN GATE..— Mr. Nicholas Clarke, formerly landlord of the Union Inn, and subsequently of the London, has taken the premises on the Sand-hill known as the Green Gate, and intends, we understand, lo apply for a license for them at the next meeting of justices. A license was a short time back applied for the same house and refused — why, we are not aware. The house in question is situated about midway upon the rise of the Sandhill and in an excellent position for a house of entertainment. It would not only be a great convenience to travellers, but protection also. The main consideration in such a locality is to have a landlord in whom the magistrates have confidence, and such an one, we have every reason to believe, is the present applicant.
Launceston Advertiser, 30 August 1844
On Mr. Clarke’s applying for a licence for the Old Green Gate, he was opposed by several of the members, who seemed to consider that he was making a traffic of the good reputation he had succeeded in establishing for himself in the capacity of a licensed victualler, Mr. Rocher, who appeared in support of the application, defended the conduct of his client, and contended that he had quilted the London Tavern merely from prudential motives, having, as it appeared, made the discovery that in resigning the Union for the above-mentioned house, he had made an unprofitable exchange. The licence was finally granted.
Cornwall Chronicle, 4 September 1844
Launceston Examiner, 4 September 1844
Launceston Advertiser, 21 September 1844
Farmer’s Arms
Matthew Mason, Farmers’, Aims, Sand Hill
Applicant had been but a short time in the house. It was orderly and well-conducted. Granted.
Cornwall Chronicle, 4 September 1847
Conduct good; house indifferent; accommodation indifferent; no furniture, no beds, and rather dirty.
Major Wellman said it was an old licensed house.
Mr. Tarleton observed there was a marked difference since Mr. Nicholas Clarke kept it ; then it was one of the cleanest in town. The chairman cautioned the applicant, and told him to have the house properly furnished, and kept clean; Mr. Clarke always did so.
Launceston Examiner, 4 September 1847
A licensed victualler sent to the treadmill! — Yesterday, Matthew Mason, of the “Farmers’ Arms,’ on the Sandhill, was charged before the police with cruelty to a dog that had been left in charge of a tinman named Jones, but which belonged to a person who has gone to live on the other side. It seems that Mason, with a sharp knife, cut the poor animal’s ear, and part of its face down to the I chin, completely off, and when this was proved in Court, the utmost horror was expressed by the magistrates and spectators. Mr. Mason, finding the case was against him, impatiently asked the clerk what fine he had to pay ? but the Bench told him, in reply, they did not want his money, they would sentence him to the treadmill for fourteen days, and they much wished they had the power to send him for three months ! The decision gave general satisfaction and, we must add, that if the charge against the accused was true, he richly deserves his fate. The complaint was laid under the Act of Council of 6th William 4 No. 3, being the Act extending to this Colony, the provisions of Martin’s Act.
Cornwall Chronicle, 20 September 1848
QUARTERLY LICENSING MEETING.-The quarterly meeting was held on Monday, the police magistrate and Mr. James Robertson being the only two justices present. There were no applications for new licenses; but transfers were granted from John Hartridge, Enfield Hotel, Brisbane street, to Thomas Hill, and from Wm. Peck, Prince of Wales, Evandale, to Jno. King. An application for a transfer from Matthew Mason, Farmer’s Arms, Wellington-street, to Samuel Yates, was refused, on the ground of the house having been let to another tenant. In con sequence of the refusal, the bench adjourned till the 21st instant.
Launceston Examiner, 8 August 1848
Mr. Kennedy then stated, that there were ten applicants for Licenses, and there were two houses, the Farmer’s Arms, on the Sand-hill, a renewal of the license granted to Matthew Mason, lately deceased, having being refused to an applicant at the last application for Transfers ; and the Plough Inn, Charles-street, which had been withdrawn by James Hann. As his Excellency had restricted the li censes in the district of Launceston to 61, the magistrates had the power of granting a renewal of the license, to one of the houses. It was for them to consider which of the two premises named, they deemed, most eligible ; on its being put to the vote, the Plough Inn was selected; eight applicants were struck off, and Lawson and M’Kenzie have permission to apply at the adjourned meeting.
5 September 1849
John McKenzie then applied for a license for the premises on the Sand-hill, known as the “Farmer’s Arms,” which was granted.
Launceston Examiner, 7 November 1849
Unlicensed
Samuel Hopkins, Brickmakers Arms, Wellington-road. On a previous occasion the license had been refused, on the ground that another licensed house was not required and the premises (formerly the “Green Gate”)were not suitable. The Superintendent of Police stated that the building was very old and in a state of decay. In his opinion there was no necessity for another public-house.
Application Refused.
Launceston Examiner, 3 December 1859
Launceston Examiner, 16 August 1860
Launceston Examiner, 26 June 1864
Housebreaking.
Israel M’Lean was brought up on remand, charged with breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Henry Wilton, on or about the 1st instant, and stealing there from a pair of slippers and other articles. Henry Wilton deposed that he is a hawker residing at the “Old Green Gate,” on the Sandhill, where be rented a room from the prisoner in the house known as the “Old Green Gate.” He lived there when in Town, and kept his stock-in-trade there. Was sometimes absent on tours through the country for ten or twelve days. On several occasions he had missed articles from his room, but always found the door locked as he had left it.
[continued]
Cornwall Chronicle, 29 June 1864
Launceston Examiner, 29 June 1866
The house formerly known as the “Green Gate” has been purchased by Mr. M’Donald, its present occupier.
Launcesotn Examiner, 17 March 1882
From “Half a Century: What has it done for Launceston, by A.L”
Launceston, as I remember it in 1841-2, was about as complete a contrast to the town of today as it seems possible to imagine: almost the first house on the road as you entered it from the Sandhill was a modest hostelry then named the “Green Gate,” but as I did not journey so far out of town on my last visit I do not know whether thirsty souls can refresh themselves there as of yore.
The Tasmanian, 30 April 1892
Reply to “Half A Century”
The old Green Gate Inn on Wellington road has not held a license for many years; it is now tenanted by Mr Macdonald, the carrier.
Launceston Examiner, 30 April 1892