A Slice of History

For many of us Bexhill is the landmark where the inevitability of having to go to work for the day hits us on our morning drives. It is also a welcome stop in the evenings to assist with dinner planning, with excellent fruit and veges at the store and wonderful meat from the butchers. Here is a snapshot of the state of play in Bexhill in 1908 – the pub threatened with closure, thievery, and football club wars! … ed.

Bexhill Hotel

George Fryer, licensee; Annie Fryer, owner.

Special Licensing Court: Before his Honor Judge Gibson and Messrs. Fitzgardinge and Arnott. P.M.s. The court resumes at 9.30 a.m.

Mr. McIntosh (McIntosh & Best) for the licensee and the owner.

John Evans, Inspector of Police deposed that the Bexhill Hotel was five miles from Lismore. Sunday trading was carried on there, and anyone who wanted a drink could get it. Proceedings had been instituted against the licensee for Sunday selling. He had received several letters, some of them anonymous, complaining of the manner in which the hotel was conducted. He admitted that a large number of cattle travelled weekly on the road, which ran by the hotel. Some time ago the premises were reported to be in a dilapidated state, and improvements and repairs ordered by he local Licensing bench. The next hotel was four miles away at Eltham.

Annie M. Fryer, owner of the hotel, and wife of the licensee, stated that she gave £780 for the hotel and some adjoining land three years ago. Her husband managed the business. The hotel was mainly frequented by cattle dealers, drovers and several boarders and all the beds in the house were usually occupied. On some occasions shakedowns had to be prepared to meet the demands for accommodation.

Paddocks for stock adjoined the hotel. The average takings of the house were about £30 per week. Over £100 had been spent in improvements to the property this year.

To Inspector Evans: Proof could be given of the correctness of the statement as to savings.

To Mr. McIntosh: The hotel grocery bill for the past twelve months was £278. Mr. McIntosh handed a petition signed by a large number of persons asking that the license of the hotel should not be cancelled.

George Fryer, licensee of the hotel, deposed the license was in his name. The house was frequently availed by travellers, as it was a place to many centres of population. The nearest hotel was at Eltham, four and a half miles off.

George Pritchard, commercial traveller, said he had stopped at the hotel on several occasions. He had always found the house well conducted. The beds were clean and the meals good.

John Nathan, district inspector for the Mutual Life Association, gave evidence of a similar nature to that tendered by the previous witness, and added that he never saw any rowdyism at the hotel on occasions he visited it.

John W. Dymock, auctioneer; George Hampson, drover; and Ernest Williams, maintenance man, testified to the hotel being largely used by cattle men, and as to the way the house was conducted.

F.W. O’Brien, ledger-keeper at the Lismore branch of the Bank of New South Wales, produced the deeds of the hotel.

Northern Star 3/6/1908 page 3

A Mean Act

Recently a watering trough, purchased by subscription and placed in a convenient position at Bexhill, was taken away by some person or other, and has not yet been replaced. It is, however, believed that a clue which will lead to the detection of the thief has been found, and that the offender will shortly be brought to book. A theft of this kind deserves severe punishment, as the action was one of the meanest and most contemptible that could be committed.

Northern Star 5/6/1908 Page 2

Football Row

A rather amusing incident occurred at the Cities V. Bexhill match last Wednesday.

It appears that the former team had, in common with the general practice, taken with them their team flag, it being fastened to the back of the coach. It remained there unnoticed until the match which, as previously stated, was of a rough character, had concluded. One of the players of the local team had reached such a state that the flag acted as a “red rag to a bull,” and pulling down the emblem and snapping the pole to which it was fastened, he commenced tearing the flag to shreds. A member of the visiting team, noticing the sacrilege, remonstrated with the individual who was trying to make a name for himself. The answer received was a blow on the face, which was promptly returned. A battle royal ensured, and the local man was getting a rather rough handling, when the united efforts of the friends of both combatants resulted in a separation being effected. It is time the officials of Bexhill team, if they have the welfare of their club at heart, show their disapproval of this sort of thing by firmly declining to select players who cannot control themselves.

Northern Star 6/6/1908 page 4

In last Friday’s issue appeared a letter signed “Spectator” referring to a paragraph headed “A Football Row.” It is not my intention to enter into any controversy over the matter as “Spectator” practically confirms its contents.

Only last year a melee occurred between the teams on the same ground, wherein the whole of the two sides participated. It is this sort of thing that brings disgrace up on our great Winter game. It is high time that the feud between the two clubs come to an end, and a more reasonable (sportsmanlike) feeling take its place.

Northern Star 16/6/1908 page 3

Empire Day was a community event celebrated in Australia in May each year. In 1909 the community used the event to discuss their concern over the state of their rapidly growing local school….ed.

Empire Day was enthusiastically commemorated by the parents and friends of the children. A good programme was carried out. Spirited and patriotic addresses were given by Messrs E.A. Murphy and A.W. Perritt.

Lunch having partaken of, the usual sports and games were started. All the children obtained a prize. Before being dismissed all joined in cheers for the day we celebrate and the King.

Much comment was expressed for the inadequate provision for the health and comfort of the rapidly increasing number of children attending the school and must greatly retard the progress of Mr. Perritt’s efforts in giving the children instruction.

Northern Star 27/5/1909 page 4

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