Macquarie Hotel, Evandale

cnr Macquarie & Barclay Streets, Evandale

1861-68 Ann Richards, Macquarie Hotel, Evandale
1871-73 Philip Mullane, Macquarie Hotel, Evandale.
1875-6* Richard Chugg, Macquarie Hotel, Evandale

*From assessment rolls

IMPROVEMENTS AT EVANDALE.—Mr. Richards is erecting at Evandale a building for an hotel, at the corner of Cambock and Macquarie-streets, which will not only be an ornament to the township, but also a great acquisition to travellers passing to and from the White Hills; and should a license be granted it will be the means of the township improving and extending in that locality. The proprietor has spared no expense in order to meet the requirements of the inhabitants, having attached a very large room for holding meetings, &c.
Launceston Examiner, 25 October 1860

EVANDALE LICENSING MEETING — At the licening meeting at Evandale a few days since, all the old licenses were renewed, and a new license was granted to Mrs. Richards for a house to be called the “Macquarie Hotel.”
Launceston Examiner, 17 December 1861

Launceston Examiner, 13 March 1862

Evandale and Perth.
A Public Meeting will be held at Mrs. Richard’s Hotel, at Evandale, on Thursday next, at 12 o’clock; and at Perth the same evening, at 7 o’clock, when the Rev. Dr. Browne will attend to explain the benefits to be derived from the establishment of Fust Office Savings Banks.
Cornwall Chronicle, 20 August 1862

The Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston, Tas. : 1835 – 1880) Sat 11 Feb 1865

EVANDALE.
The usual quarterly licensing meeting was held on Monday at this township. The only business brought before the court was an application made by Mr Peter Smith for a transfer to himself of the license held by Mr Milan for the public house known as the Macquarie Inn. The application was refused, upon what grounds we know not. Mr Smith, however, is not satisfied, and intends to appeal against the refusal.
Weekly Examiner, 9 May 1874

EVANDALE.-On Tuesday a Court of A General Sessions was held at Evandale Messrs J. Whitehead, R. H. Douglas, and D. Collins, occuping the Bench. The cause celebre was an appeal raised by Mr Peter Smith, against a refusal by the Licensing Bench to grant him a transfer is of the licence held by Mr Milan for the house known as the Macquarie Hotel. Mr A. Douglas appeared for the appellant, and produced testimonials as to his good character. After discussion the appeal was disallowed, on the ground that applicant had misconducted himself when in the police, the Warden having reported to the Bench that if applicant had not resigned his position in the Evandale police force an information would have been laid against him.
Launceston Examiner, 21 May 1874

During the past few months the public mind at Evandale seem to have been seriously disturbed owing to alleged irregularities on the part of the “powers that be” in their police administration. The facts which have come under our notice are briefly as follows : -Some few months ago in consequence of “information received,” Peter Smith, Sub-Inspector, accompanied by William Murnane, a petty constable of the Evandale police, proceeded to the house of Mrs Dinih Duffell, landlady of the “Patriot King Hotel,” one of the most respectable hostelries in the district, and seized an illicit still. A summons was duly issued and Mrs Duffell appeared to answer it on the 30th of December, before the Warden and Mr James Cox, when she pleaded guilty, having first been given to understand that the prosecution was a pro forma one, and that the penalty would be merely nominal, as it was perfectly clear that she was ignorant of the article in her possession–it having been left at her house by a Mrs O’Brien. The Bench, however, much to the surprise of all, fined defendant £10. Some days afterwards a report gained currency on the township to the effect that “all was not right” in respect to the still case,” and that if the defendant had not been induced to plead: guilty an expose would have been the result. It was said that Constable Murnane had alleged that between the date on which the still had been seized, and the date on which the summons against Mrs. Duffell was returnable, additions had been made to the still in order that a good case might be made out; and that Murnano observing that the still was not in the same state as when seized had informed the Superintendent that if placed in the witness box he would acquaint the Bench of the fact that additions had been made to the still. In consequence of this report becoming generally circulated, throughout the district it was deemed advisable to institute an investigation. This was held with closed doors. What transpired at the enquiry is known only to those presentbut the visible result was that in a few days afterwards Sub-Inspector Smith sent in his resignation, which was accepted and he left the force. Murmane was requested to send in his resignation too, and when he asked the reason, he was told that he must do so because he had reported the irregularity re the “still case” to brother, constables in the first instance, instead of going direct to a superior officer.
[continued]
Launceston Examiner, 23 May 1874

THE EVANDALE STILL CASE.
To the Editor of the Examiner.
Sir,—Permit me to correct a few errors which appeared in last Saturday’s Examiner, in reference to the Evandale illicit still case. In the first place there was no private investigation held to my knowledge ; the council held their usual monthly meeting on the 3rd of March. After all the business was over the chamber door was closed for a few seconds. Previous to that meeting my resignation was in the hands of the Warden for some time. My cause for resigning, as I have before stated, was that I was in treaty for the purchase of the Macquarie Hotel, Evandale, and not because I had anything to fear from false accusations being made against my character. It is true I applied to the Licensing Bench on the 4th of May for the transfer of the licence but was refused, one Magistrate for and two against me. The Bench consisted of three Magistrates, viz.: Messrs Whitehead, Douglas, and Collins. I appealed against the decision 011 the 19tli inst. and, as a matter of course, was refused. The Warden gave nie a good character and informed the Bench that I would not have been dismissed, and that he had known me for many years both before and since this district was declared a municipality, and always found me truthful and honest in the discharge of my duty as a constable, and he considered me a fit and proper person to keep an hotel. Adye Douglas, Esq., also informed the Bench that Councillors Bryan and Dowie were present to 6peak 011 my behalf ; he also produced a petition signed by fifty-two of the most influential residents of the district, and also several excellent testimonials of character. Now Sir, I would appeal to you and the public generally if this is not a hard case, after a man laying out all his savings on a property in this way, and then to be ruined by mere hearsay, having been a public servant in the two principal towns of the colony, besides several villages. Surely there must Joe something more than the people who so kindly signed the petition, and I myself are aware of. in the whole affair.
—I am, Sir, yours respectfully,
P. SMITH.
May 27.
Weekly Examiner, 30 May 1874

FIRE AT EVANDALE.—Some excitement was caused on the usually quiet township of Evandale on Saturday night by the cry of fire, when the stable at the rear of the Macquarie Hotel was seen to be in flames. The fire was first noticed about 11 o’clock by Mr J. Rose, at the time staying at the hotel, who observed a light inside the stable, and immediately gave the alarm. An effort was at once made to rescue a valuable horse which was at the time in the stable, but the flames had got such a hold of the building that it was found impossible to get near the animal, which was literally roasted. The building and also a ton and a half of hay which had been stacked in it during the day, were also totally destroyed. The former, however, was insured in the Cornwall office for £50. Mr Chugg had only that day been offered £20 for the horse.
Weekly Examiner, 6 February 1875

Launceston Examiner, 15 May 1875

From “Bankruptcy Court” (Peter Smith):
In reply to Mr Collins, the bankrupt said—The only property I possess is my pension—£15 4s a-year. Before my bankruptcy I kept the “Macquarie Hotel,” Evandale. I was to pay £650 for the hotel to Mr Atkins, as agent for the owners. I paid £100 on account of the purchase. I gave up possession in January to Mr Richard Chugg on condition that he would arrange with Mr Atkins to take it on the same terms that I had bought it. I was not to receive a shilling for letting him into the house.
Weekly Examiner, 22 May 1875

Launceston Examiner, 2 October 1875

I understand an attempt will be made to get a license for the old Macquarie Hotel. We, the public of this municipality, do not require any more houses of refreshment of this kind–just now, at any rate.
Launceston Examiner, 18 November 1879

Visitors to Evandale, if they wish to note the many improvements that are being pushed forward in the building line, ought not to neglect to take a walk or drive round in the locality of the old Macquarie Hotel. They will there see the commodious premises lately erected by Mr E. Atkins. The ground on which they stand once belonged to the late Mr Barrett, and the building is a striking contrast to the former bare paddock. Then, again, Mr W. Rawsthorn is building a very neat five-roomed brick cottage in close proximity to Sir Atkins’, on which was once a portion of land covered with gorse, and lately belonging to Mr William Ritchie, of Launceston.
Daily Telegraph, 23 June 1885

EVANDALE.
Last evening the monthly meeting of the Loyal Clarendon Lodge, I.O.O.F.M.U., took place in the Council Chambers. As the Council is about to make extensive alterations the lodges had to leave, and the Oddfellows took steps to secure another building for their meetings. The old Macquarie Hotel was offered, which would require £200 to put in repair. The Wesleyan schoolroom was offered by the trustees on a lease at 4s per meeting. The latter was accepted, and the secretary was ordered to advertise the same.
Launceston Examiner, 17 March 1887

EVANDALE.
The Macquarie Hotel is now one heap of smouldering ashes, and nothing is to be . seen ‘but the walls of the ballroom, and the bar. The middle of the building was weatherboard and lath and plaster. A great many people visited the place yesterday. Constable King was passed there at 4 o’clock in the morning, and it was all right at that time. At about 6.30 Mr Sutton saw the flames coming through the roof, and he ran up the street calling out fire. The police and others were soon on the spot, but it was found that the fire had got a good hold, and the building could not be saved. The, large room used by the Evandale Brass Band to practice in was broken into, and a stand, pier glass, and two stools taken out. The other seats had to be left, as the fire was too hot to stand against. Webber’s water cart was soon placed at the service of the police, and all efforts were directed to saving the adjoining shop, which was only 4ft from the burning building. Mr Chamly got on to the ridge, and had water handed to him, and when he could stand it no longer Mr Webber relieved him. Eventually the shop was out of danger, and the adjoining property saved. The cause of the fire is a mystery, but it is generally supposed that it was wilfully done. It was attempted some time back, but was seen and extinguished by Mr. Farmer before it got a hold of the building. Mr Chugg, the owner, had advertised for tenders for a new roof, as he had let the place, the tenders to close on Saturday next, but now they will not be required. The fire was first noticed at 6.30, and at 8 o’clock there was nothing left but the walls. It being Sunday morning, most of the people were in bed when the fire commenced. A word of praise is due to our young men, who are ever ready to lend a helping hand when they are wanted to save life or property.
Daily Telegraph, 16 August 1887

EVANDALE.
On Sunday morning, 14th inst., at about 20 minutes to 7, the Macquarie Hotel was discovered to be on fire by Mr. Sutton, who lives in Murray-street. He ran up Arthur-street giving the alarm, and in a few minutes the police, with a number of others were on the spot, and it was found that the building was naming in three places ; the whole structure being one mass of flames. Mr. Chamily scrambled up on to the roof of a small shop adjoining, and although the heat was intense he worked hard to save his place, and was subsequently relieved by Mr. Webber, the police, assisted by Mr. R. Farmer and others, banding up water, and the shop was eventually saved. The hotel is, however, now one smouldering heap of ashes. The wind was blowing from the south at the time of the outbreak, and had it been blowing from the north in all probability three more places would have been destroyed. The large room of the hotel was rented by the Evandale Brass Band for a practice room, and they have lost all their forms but two, which were got out. The others could not be saved. An apparent attempt was made to set fire to this place some short time ago, but the flames were put out before they got any hold. A word of praise is due to our young men who worked so hard at a time when help was required. I almost forgot to mention that Mrs. Webber was the only one that sent a water cart, and which did good service.
The Mercury, 19 August 1887