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| CORNER OF WELLINGTON AND YORK STREET |
A visitor to Launceston
asked whether or not the Jailhouse Grill was ever a jail. “Oh no”,
I replied, then “well.......I don't think so......actually I'll
find out!”
My first instincts were
right – the Grill's own website helpfully provided the information
that in was built as a pub, The Prince of Wales, in the mid 1800s,
from bricks made locally by convicts, and had subsequently operated
as such albeit under other names – The Richmond Hotel, Barnaby's
Hotel and the Ball and Chain Grill.
(www.jailhousegrill.com.au/about.htm).
Its a little confusing
tracking the building via early newspapers as there was a second
“Prince of Wales” at Evandale, and its not always clear to which
establishment articles refer. There also seems to have been another
hotel called the Dolphin, located on the corner of Wellington and
York Streets during the 1840s. It is also worth mentioning that the
building formerly known as the Courthouse Hotel, also in Wellington
Street, did have a police lock-up attached....but that's a story for
another week.
It seems that John
Hinshaw in September 1843 transferred his licence from The Kangaroo
Inn to the Prince of Wales. When the licence was reviewed in 1847,
the premises was found to be clean and respectable, and there had
been no convictions, however....the committee heard that the police constable had found the landlord seemingly drunk when the inspection took
place. Hinshaw explained that he was simply responding to a joke, (sadly we'll never know the details) and the licence was duly granted. (Examiner 04 September 1847).
The hotel was still known
as the Prince of Wales in 1940, (when a pint of Kentdale lager
“straight from Melbourne” could be had for 1/1 a bottle), and I
despite spending an evening on-line and emptying my bookshelves
(well...not quite..but still....) I haven't found any information about how the building was used after that
time. Perhaps someone could help provide extra details?
Great information. Here’s a bit more I found out.
ReplyDeleteEarly reports place Hinshaw and the Prince of Wales on the corner of Wellington and Patterson Streets (Colonial Times, 12 October 1844 p 4; The Cornwall Chronicle 15 October 1845). An advertisement in 1846 for a land sale refers to the lot as “A valuable corner ALLOTMENT, in Patterson and Wellington-streets, opposite the Prince of Wales Inn, and facing the Court House’. Launceston Examiner 11 July 1846 p 5)
Later on, the licensing renewals for 1847-1849 refer to Hinshaw and the hotel being on Wellington and York St (Launceston Examiner, 4 Sep 1847 p.5; The Cornwall Chronicle, 2 September 1848 p 2; Launceston Examiner 5 September 1849 p 5).
If publicans take the name of their inn with them, then it seems Hinshaw shifted the business called ‘Prince of Wales’ to the corner of Wellington and York. Maps from the Surveyor General Office (printed 1942) held at the Launceston Library show land allotted in the 1800s. They indicate James East owned the lot on the corner of Wellington and York Street, in a block where there were also lots belonging to Henry Reading, J Matthews and John Wiggins.
From 1836 James East was a baker in Launceston. His business seems to have been on this corner until July 1844 (Launceston Examiner 12th July 1844) when a new baker (F J Houghton) started in East’s old residence on the corner of Wellington and York Streets. In December 1844, James East advertises he’s putting the property up for auction, with the whole lot to be sold in smaller lots (The Cornwall Chronicle, 21 Dec 1844, p2). It’s unclear whether he actually sold the property then.
In April 1847 James East thanks his customers, advertises he’s intending to discontinue the business, and says he has dispersed of his premises and good-will to a new baker, (The Cornwall Chronicle 17 April 1847). By September 1847 James East has and taken out a licence as publican at the Scottish Chief, corner of Wellington and Canning Streets, which he holds until in February 1851.
In March 1853, James East puts up for auction his property in Wellington Street. It sounds as if it could be the property on the corner of Wellington and York Streets, and he suggests it could be used as an inn: ‘THAT capital well built two story Brick House, now occupied by Mr. James Matthews, Pawnbroker, Wellington Street. The house contains 8 rooms, besides two large Front shops, one measuring 32 1/2 feet in depth; at the back will be found attached, an excellent kitchen, stables, shed, and every convenience, having been built by the proprietor for his occupation. These premises are well adapted for an inn, auction mart, or any business requiring room; there is an excellent large yard, all fenced in on one side with brick wall, on the other side with a substantial high fence. These premises have a frontage of 9 feet 3 inches in Wellington Street, side lines (along land the property of Mr. Locke and Mr. Henry Reading) of 107 feet, and at the back 50 feet 3 inches.’ The Cornwall Chronicle, Wed 2nd March 1853
However, it’s possible this description could also apply to the current 2 storey building next door at #30 Wellington Street. When the Prince of Wales on the corner of Wellington and York St is put up for auction in 1856, it’s described as having 11 rooms (The Cornwall Chronicle 16 April 1856) and also mentions a well and a granary. But the description of the building for sale in 1853 has just 8 rooms. And since the premises were operating as the Prince of Wales Inn under Alfred Lock in 1852 (The Cornwall Chronicle Saturday 4 September 1852 p 560), you’d think it would be advertised by the name of the hotel in the 1853.
I’d be love to hear anything else about the history of #32 or #30 Wellington Street.