Licensees
1863-1871 – Richard Hugh Thomas
Location
Newtown
In the News
In September 1863, an article appeared in the Araluen Star newspaper, advising the Race Course Hotel, opposite the Race Course, was open in the new premises recently erected.1Araluen Star and Miners Right (1863-1964), Saturday 5 September 1863, p 1
In October 1863, the Araluen Star and Miners Right newspaper advertisements were placed for Araluen Races, noting the Race Course Hotel as the ‘nearest house to the course’.2Araluen Star and Miners Right (1863-1964), Saturday October 1863, p 6
On 26 October 1863, the Araluen Star and Miners Right newspaper printed the following birth notice ‘at her residence, Race Course Hotel, Newtown, Araluen3Araluen Star and Miners Right (1863-1964), Saturday 7 November 1863, p 2, the wife of Mr. R.H. Thomas, of a son.’
On 4 February 1865, the Goulburn Herald and Chronicle reported ‘the death of a young man Kenneth McKenzie, of about twenty five years of age, the manager, and one of the chief shareholders in the large claim upon the Araluen plains known as the Scotchman’s Claim, was reported, as he was on his way home from Mr. Thomas’s Race-course Inn 4Goulburn Herald and Chronicle (NSW : 1864-1881), Saturday 4 February 1865, p 5. McKenzie crossed the creek near Grover’s [Blacksmith shop]; but when passing the Police Office he was thrown from his horse and later died. He had been a resident in the Valley for some years and was universally respected.’
In September 1866, the Sydney Mail published an article titled ‘Turning the First Turf on the Great Extended Araluen Gold Mining Company.’5Sydney Mail (NSW : 1860-1871), Saturday 15 September 1866, p 6, the chairman to the company Mr. Booth introduced Miss Beed, who, taking a shovel in her hand, turned the first turf in the name of the company, and having thrown it into a wheelbarrow, wheeled it away in style. The directors (Mr. Bennison, Chair, Mr. Booth, Chairman, Mr. Downer, the General Manager and Mr. Poile) shortly adjourned to the Racecourse Hotel, where they partook of luncheon, and separated after discussing the merits over a few bottles of champagne. Thus has been happily accomplished the establishment of the first associated limited liability enterprise in the district. The people of Araluen have the honour of first introducing the principle into this part of the colony.‘
In January 1869 the Sydney Morning Herald ran an advertisement for the private sale of the Race Course Hotel (1861-1871)6Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954), Saturday 30 January 1869, p 3. The property was described as:
Centrally and most advantageously situated at NEWTOWN, ARALUEN, on the main thoroughfare and commanding the most extensive trade on this Gold Field.
The spacious Bar, with every convenience, panelled throughout with cedar, with patent Beer Engine and other requisites ; large private sitting room adjoining, with two large Bedrooms leading therefrom. The Bar Parlour; the Commercial Room, with Bedroom attached. The capacious Ball Room, with walls panelled and in perfect order, and two Bedrooms adjoining. The splendid Billiard Room, furnished with one of Hopkins and Stevens’ best tables, and leading there from are two Bedrooms completely furnished and all in excellent order. The Lodge Room, the same size as Ball Room, and directly over is in constant demand, being used by all the principal societies in the valley, and being of itself no trifling income to the proprietor. An Ante Room adjoins. There is also Bath Room, with plunge and shower bath, and a hair-dressing establishment attached to the premises … The outbuildings comprise large sleeping apartment, kitchen, furnished with every convenience, ovens, furnace and boilers, wash-house, sheds, a 9-stall stable and forage room, all enclosed with paling fence. Also, a two acre paddock. …. The trade to the establishment is large and respectable, and the bottle business very extensive. …The proprietor now retires into private life, and the auctioneer has free power to state that everything in connection with house, shares in gold claims, etc, are for positive sale. (2 shares in Big Engine Claim 8.5 shares out of 20 in Wooden Bottom Claim, 9 claim horses, drays and harness, Buggy, horse, and harness.)