A meeting place

While most hotels can claim to have held important meetings and forums within their walls, not many can boast of being used as a church. This was the case with the Bush Inn during the 1830’s.

An extract from a letter by Abraham Biggs, Methodist preacher, Mellville Street Chapel, Hobart Town, to relatives in England, dated October 30, 1835, tells how the Bush Inn came to be used as a chapel.⁸¹

Sitting in our Hobart Town Chapel one Sabbath morning, my mind was deeply affected while thinking of the destitution of New Norfolk, and of the three local preachers sitting by me doing nothing. I proposed the subject. Having gained the consent of the Brethren to make an attempt, Brother Wilkinson... and I started between 4 and 5 a.m., Sunday morning with my horse and a borrowed gig.

About 9 a.m., having breakfasted there, we went round the town, calling at many houses with tracts, and inviting all we saw to attend Divine Service at 2.30 p.m. on the green near the Church [Arthurs Square, near St Matthew's]. The time arrived, and no one came, 3 o’clock, but no hearers. O, how my spirits sank; at length four prisoners threw themselves down in the shade. Two or three on the opposite side of the green, on being invited, joined them, and with these we commenced with a hymn, Shortly, the people collected. I gave out my text, ‘But the end of all things is at hand,’ etc. Long before I had done the congregation had swelled to nearly 150, amongst whom were many of the first respectability. The greatest possible order was kept, and the deep and fixed attention with which they listened was delightful. In answer to their entreaties, we (Mr. Barnett and I) went again that day fortnight . The day being wet, Mr. Barnett preached in a large newly built ‘tap room’ to a most respectable congregation.

One of the early supporters of the Methodist church was Mr Ebeneezer Shoobridge, who with others organised the building of the church, Saint Paul’s, in 1835.

As mentioned before two important questions arose in 1826 that would bring New Norfolk to the attention of Van Diemen’s Land. Those questions were, should the capital be shifted to New Norfolk, and where was the best place to build a bridge in that town?

But why should the issue of shifting the seat of government have arisen at all? As Colonel John Montagu explains:⁸²

...Because the situation of Hobart Town has been found very inconvenient for the Seat of Government; and because it is highly desirable for the Seat of Government to be fixed in some place more in the interior of the Island.

...That the present time affords the best opportunity of removing the Seat of Government...

...The inconveniencies of the situation of Hobart Town, are- that it is so far distant, and entirely cut off from the grater part of the Island, the only means of approach to it from those parts , situated on the left Bank of the Derwent, being by three wide Ferries, all of them much exposed to strong winds which prevail at all times, and strong Currents, and which occasion much delay and much expence, and sometimes no inconsiderable danger to passengers and property. That the delay in communicating with the other parts of the Island, which it’s situation causes, had been very recently and is still severely felt by the Government, which has been thereby prevented from receiving and giving such early information respecting the motions of the runaway Convicts now at large in the Interior, and from giving such immediate protection to the places exposed to their attacks, as a situation more central, and not so cut off, would have afforded.

...That the expences, incurred by the Majority of the Country Settlers who have occasion to resort to Hobart Town, either for the purpose of transacting business at any of the Government Offices, or, as a Market, both directly on account of the length of their journies, and indirectly by delay and loss of time, would be most materially diminished were the Seat of Government fixed more in the Interior.

...That the situation of Hobart Town upon a Port renders it a very unfit place for the residence of the great body of Convicts in Government employment, who are necessarily at the Seat of Government. ...Its situation affords them many temptations to endeavour to escape, and the success, which has so frequently attended their attempts, proves that the facilities of escape are inconsistent with their safe custody in such a place.

...That the removal of the Seat of Government, and, with it, of the Convicts now in it’s employment, will have an immediately beneficial effect upon the latter, by breaking the mischievous connection which, from the circumstance of their being unprovided with lodging by the Government, and being therefore suffered to lodge themselves, they have already formed in this Town, and by withdrawing them from the temptation and means, which so large a Town affords the Commission of every species of Crime, will facilitate the introduction of a better system of discipline, of employment and gradually improvement of their morals.

...The situation of New Norfolk offers greater advantages than that of any other known place in the Island for the Seat of Government. ...by means of a Bridge thrown across the Derwent at that place, a road of communication which can be opened in a direct line with Launceston, and with the present line of Road between the latter place and Hobart Town, it opens a more equal means of access to the Seat of Government from all the Districts at present settled... One great advantage, which the situation of New Norfolk affords as the scite of a considerable Town, is the constant supply of water for all purposes.

At Hobart Town, the want of water is severely felt. The water of the Derwent there is Salt. The only Stream, by which the Town is supplied, is subject to failure, and the water of it unpleasant to the taste. The failure of the Stream has frequently put a stop to the working of the Mills erected upon it.

At New Norfolk the water of the Derwent is pure, and palatable, and perhaps, few situations in the world offer greater advantages for the erection of Mills, Breweries and Distilleries...

However, not everyone was in favour of shifting the capital. Those most strongly in objection to this idea were the merchants of Hobart Town⁸³. As can be expected, their arguements centred on the economics of such a move. They argued, for example, that there would only be a saving of perhaps one Shilling per Bushel [$7.35 per tonne] in the carriage of grain to a market at New Norfolk rather than to Hobart Town, but that “every article of life, necessary to be purchased from the Sea Port, would be charged with considerable advance... by the natural impediments that exist, as to the establishment of a port of discharge on the Brighton side of the River above New Town.”

Also of concern to them were the “highly flourishing state of the Wharehouses, Stores, and Buildings, the property of Individuals, which are now equally ornament and advantage...” and the “Amazing depreciation of value” these would suffer.

Other points they called to the attention of those who would make the decision were more ambiguous. They reasoned that the removal of the capital away from the port would not offer “the fair Trader the proper protection against Smuggling” and that Hobart Town would “certainly soon fall into a state of Dilapidation and ruin, and evil.”

The debate was far from over, with others having their say. Some had honest argument either for or against the proposed move to New Norfolk. Others proffered different ideas, suggesting other sites suitable for a capital, including Brighton. Some were almost patronising, such as this article in the Courier Times, that makes it clear that in their opinion almost non-existent township of New Norfolk was acting well above its station in the matter⁸⁴:

From the encreasing population and beautiful situation of New Norfolk, we understand it to be the intention of His Excellency to visit and occasionally reside at that village, for which purpose the Government cottage is now being put in proper order for his reception. Although we have all along condemned the idea of removing the capital to the above place, we think that the Lt. Governor occasionally visiting and stopping for a short period at it, a motion will be given to the trade there, and its improvement greatly facilitated. Nothing more conduced to raise the prosperity of the County town in the elder Colony than the visits of the Authorities; and we think that a similar plan adopted here would much tend to forward the improvement of Elizabeth Town, which notwithstanding we set our face against being the capital, is likely to become a town of much importance. There is already a church, and an excellent inn kept by Mrs. Bridger... A short cut has been projected in the road, to turn off about the six-mile [9.7 km] stone, which, if carried into effect will be a great improvement.

Governor Arthur furthered his plan for the relocation by providing two Commissioners, Roderic O’Connor and Peter Murdoch to⁸⁵ “ascertain every possible local information”. Unfortunately, this mission got underway badly, when “the erection a Log Building for the accommodation the Prisoners employed at New Norfolk... was commenced in the midst of the rainy Season, and a very violent Flood in the Derwent afforded abundant proof that the Land, which stretches along the Margin of the River... would prove very insecure for Warehouses, Stores etc.”

After “they very carefully examined the subject”, the Commissioners report was against the relocation to New Norfolk, though not unanimously. They reported the site of the town was not well situated to be on the road to Launceston, it was too high on the river and completely out of reach of shipping, and that it was too “pent up among unprofitable Hills”. On the subject of water, they concluded that Mr Terry’s Mill, on the mouth of the Lachlan River, was so sited as to make a supply of water unreliable in the summer months unless they purchased this mill, presumably to destroy it. Over all they found New Norfolk, “contains the necessary essentials for building, and may from its position be a pretty, thriving Town, tho’ it has no properties to qualify it to become the Capital of the Island”.

In conclusion, they report “the place where Hobart Town Now stands was then fixed on as the Scite for a Capital, from it having one of the finest Harbours in the world”. They then gave examples of other cities as to why Hobart Town should remain the Seat of Government. “the City of London, built no higher on the River than where the Navigation for large vessels ceases. Liverpool extends no further than her Docks have been found to answer her Shipping. Leith, and Edinburgh, of Scotland, Dublin, the Capital of Ireland, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, all of the principle Cities of South America, Bombay, Bengal, Calcutta, Canton, all are founded on the Sea Coast or on navigable Rivers; and it is not until a population encreases rapidly, and that Manufacturers and the Arts flourish, that they rise to wealth and importance.”

Arthur still pushed his views, however. In a dispatch to Earl Bathurst⁸⁶ in July 1826, he maintained “The superior situation of New Norfolk is as manifest to me as ever, and the two Commissioners have certainly in their Report advanced some very needless objections, and passed by some very decided advantages; and, moreover, they have erroneously looked upon the change as a sudden one”.

One point to come from the Commissioners report, however, was on the subject of the bridge.

...I examined the River at New Norfolk from the Ferry to above the first Falls (2 Miles and 1 Quarter) [3.6 km].

The first Falls are formed by three ledges of Rocks, over which there is only a few inches of Water at Low tide, and not more than 3 to 5 Feet [1 to 1.5 m] at High Water, Spring tides. These Rocks would form a fine foundation for Piers.

Nearly Half a mile [0.8 km] lower down the River, there is another ledge of rocks but over which the Water is one or Two feet [0.3 to 0.6 m] deeper.

Opposite Mr. Abel's Inn, nearly one mile [1.6 km] from the Falls, there is a large Bank in the middle of the River, quite dry at Low Water; but it is formed of Gravel and loose Stones, which would not afford a ready laid foundation.

Opposite the Township, the depth of Water is no less than 12 Feet [3.6 m], and, either here or at Mr. Abel's, it would be necessary to build a Foundation which would very considerably and seriously increase the expense of the Bridge, compared with what will be, where the Rocks for a Foundation ready laid...

All circumstances considered, I think the Rocks, which I have first described at the First Falls, for the most eligible Spot for throwing a Bridge across the River...

The report went on to describe two alternative designs for the proposed bridge. Both being made of wood, the first was of two arches supported in the middle by a strong stone pier, the second of a less durable nature, but erected more quickly and cheaply, where the piles were simply fastened to beams (sleepers) fixed into the rocks. It concluded that “the Bridge should be finished with all expedition, and time and labour are so valuable in a young Colony, this last plan is I think the most advisable.”

The Commissioners, O’Connor and Murdoch, agreed with this survey, stating in its report:

That a bridge would be valuable there was no doubt. A proposition was received from the community to “erect a bridge, at their own expense across the River at New Norfolk, provided a moderate Toll is allowed by an Act of Council to remunerate them for the expense and interest of their Money.”⁸⁸

The subject of a bridge was not, however, exhausted. In 1835 another meeting was held at the Bush Inn to discuss the spanning of the Derwent at New Norfolk, this time with more success. A function to celebrate the opening of a portion of the bridge was held at the hotel in 1841. Three bridges would eventually be built on the site, now known as Bridge Street, until the fourth and existing bridge was constructed on a new site nearby. The toll house still exists on the northern side of the river, near the old bridge footings, in Fitzgerald park.

At the time of the Bush being used as a church, the Licensee was Charles Barker. Barker had a long association with the liquor industry in Tasmania. He first came to the attention the Government in 1819 when he tried to claim for loss of spirits kept in the Bonded store. His letter is not on record, though the reply from Lieutenant Governor Sorrell reads in part⁸⁹:

Barker had the hotel twice, from 1832 to 1837, then again from 1845 until 1852. BW Rait⁹⁰ describes Baker as being “...a well know personality” in 1833, and describes the Bush Inn as “...known throughout the Colony for the excellency of its accommodation.”

The Bush Inn was described in the Van Diemans Land Annual of 1835 as a “Straight fronted two story building with three windows across the front upstairs, and down, one window either side of a door with an arched fanlight. The front section appears to be one room thick with a double stoned skillion behind. On the Burnett Street side is a detached building, apparently a kitchen, and behind that a stable. The sign over the front door reads ‘BUSH TAVERN’.”

When the hotel was placed to let at the end of Bakers first lease the following advertisement appeared in the Hobart Town Courier⁹¹:

BUSH HOTEL

(To be let with immediate possession)

The above old established House as the proprietor is retiring from business will be offered on liberal terms.

The House contains 21 rooms besides a billiard room, 31 feet by 20 feet [9.5 x 6m] with a table, cues, lamps &c complete.

Good stabling for 20 horses, with extensive lofts, coach house, coach office, cellars, store rooms, and tap room attached.

The garden of first rate description in this Colony, contains 2 acres [0.8 ha]- fronting the Derwent.

Two coaches run daily to and from Hobart Town and New Norfolk, and the bridge will cross the Derwent will be erected about 200 yards [183 m] beyond the House, whereby the great thoroughfare to Hamilton and the interior will be commanded.

A ferry will continue to ply as usual opposite the Bush Hotel until the bridge is completed.

Application to be made on the premises, and a good security will be required.

(dated) New Norfolk, January 30 1837

After leaving the hotel for the first time in 1837, Barker was succeeded by James Dean. Dean held the License for three years, from 1837 to 1839⁹².

The Bush Inn was sold by Anne Bridger in 1840 to William Elwin, though again the connection of the Bridgers to the inn was not finished. Anne Bridger would die in 1857 in Melbourne, aged 80 years, but her son Henry would call the hotel ‘home’ again.

Under Elwins management the Bush Inn became popular as a honeymoon destination. In his book Inns of Australia, Paul McGuire states “The best resort known to Tasmanian history is, of course, the Bush Inn at New Norfolk, ...at which many of Hobart Town newly married people spent their honeymoon.”

When the hotel went on sale for the second time, a much larger and more florid advertisement appeared. Because of the timing of the sale, in the 1850's, this was perhaps to be expected. Tasmania was undergoing a dramatic change of attitude and opinion then, and there was a very strong temperence movement. This period is discussed in a separate chapter.

MR. ELLISON Is favoured with instructions from the Proprietor to announce to the Public the entire, absolute, and unreserved Sale of that highly and justly celebrated establishment at New Norfolk, Tasmania, familiarly known as

has for many years obtained and maintained a celebrity unrivalled by any other licensed house in the colony. Its favoured locality and superior accommodations, united to the admirable internal management of its domestic economy, have long caused the BUSH HOTEL to be the chosen resort, not merely of the way-worn traveller, the peripatetic piscator, or picnic pleasure party, but of the valetudinarian, the lover of the picturesque, the votaries of hymen, and the gastronomist, who’s dainty palate rarely failed to find a stimulus in the curiously flavoured sauce or piquante dish which has long characterised this distinguished hostelrie. To extol the acknowledged merit of the BUSH HOTEL, or to appraise its value, would, in this colony, where both are so well known and appreciated, be an act of supererogation, independently of the impossibility of compressing, in the attempt, matter which would sufficiently fill the typographical space usually devoted to a modern novel.

To come then to mere matter of fact, it is necessary only to remark that the BUSH HOTEL (in which several fortunes have been made) is built upon a moderate elevation, overlooking the River Derwent and commanding an extensive view of the magnificent scenery and country towards

Its distance from Hobart Town is only twenty-one miles [34 km] by a drive over a most picturesque and agreeable road skirting the margins of the deep and placid Derwent. Twice every day Stage Coaches pass too and from the Capital, and a Steamer conveys produce and merchandise by a cheap and easy transit to or from New Norfolk, and thence by direct route to Hamilton and Marlborough.

Of the capabilities of the Hotel, it may be well to observe that it contains thirty apartments, comprising Dining, Sitting and Bed-rooms in suites; and in the Inn Department the usual accommodations of Bar, Coffee, Tap and Coach-rooms, independently of a Billiard or Ball-room, thirty by twenty feet [9.1 x 6 m]. There is a Ten-stalled, a Four-stalled, and a Three-stalled Stable, with three Hay-lofts, a Coach-house, Harness-room, Fowl-house, Piggery, Cow-house, Sheds, &c., with other out-buildings of a useful and necessary character.

The whole area of the ground occupied and appertaining to this unique establishment is fully Two Acres [0.8 ha] in extent. The buildings, with its stabling, yards and outhouses, occupies the angle formed by Burnett and Montagu streets. There is a garden immediately attached to the house, besides the kitchen garden, of considerable extent bordering upon the river, the soil of which is of the richest alluvial compost, abounding with matured fruit trees, and yielding vegetables of every kind most abundantly, even in the driest seasons.

Possession will be given in about a fortnight after the sale of the land and premises, time only being required for the disposal of the household furniture and effects by Auction.

Terms- One half deposit in cash; the remainder by acceptances at three and six months, secured upon the property and bearing bank interest; or cash, at the option of the purchaser.

For additional particulars apply, if by letter post-paid, to Mr. Elliston, Auctioneer, City Mart, Hobart.

For those who don’t have a dictionary handy, some of the more colourful terms used in the ad are:

The reputation the Bush Inn had developed for fine food was still being maintained⁹³.

The most prominent movement for Irish self- rule in the mid-nineteenth century was Young Ireland, and its leading figure was William Smith

O’Brien, parliamentarian and political prisoner⁹⁴. O'Brien was born in 1803, the son of Sir Edward O’Brien and his wife Charlotte (nee Smith), and could claim direct descendence from the legendary Irish king Brian Boru. His family was Anglican, and had considerable wealth and influence. He was educated at Harrow and Cambridge, and in 1829 was elected to Parliament at Westminster. He was a Member for 17 years, becoming a prominent spokesman for his country and leader of the Young Ireland Movement.

In 1848 O’Brien, frustrated by officialdom, sought to raise an armed rebellion against British rule. The ‘uprising’ never came off. It was poorly-planned and badly-executed, and on 29 July 1848 police arrested him with three fellow-conspirators after a minor skirmish near Kilkenny. The four were tried for treason and sentenced to death, but the sentences were commuted to transportation for life.

O’Brien and his fellow ‘State Prisoners’ arrived in Hobart Town on board the Swift on 27 October 1849. Eight other agitators involved with O’Brien were sent to Van Diemen’s Land over the next three years.

Unlike his fellows O’Brien refused to promise not to escape, so instead of being offered a ticket-of-leave he was sent immediately to Maria Island, recently re-opened as a penal settlement. After nine months and a foiled attempt to escape by sea, he was transferred to Port Arthur and placed in the cottage that now bears his name.

Here, as at Maria Island, O’Brien was treated as a special case: ill-treatment might have been embarrassing for the Home Government. Although confined in his movements, he had his own house and garden, and managed to correspond widely with people both in the Colonies and the United Kingdom. His imprisonment became a rallying cause for the Irish Home Rule movement, and was loudly debated in London and Dublin.

Finally, in response to a public petition in Hobart Town, O’Brien agreed to accept the Government’s conditions and take a ticket-of- leave. He left Port Arthur on 18 November 1850. While some of his fellow ‘State Prisoners’ took advantage of their tickets-of- leave to escape to America, he remained for three-and-a-half more years in Van Diemen’s Land, mainly at New Norfolk but also at Avoca and briefly at Richmond.

In June 1854 O’Brien was given a conditional pardon, allowing him to leave the Colony. He was feted at celebrations in New Norfolk, Hobart Town and Launceston before leaving for Europe. He lived in Brussels until July 1856, when a free pardon enabled him to return to Ireland.

While remaining in the public eye as a respected Irish leader, O’Brien did not return to active politics.

He died in June 1864, aged 60.

As stated, in 1845 Charles Barker returned as Licensee, remaining there until 1853. He died in January 1862⁹⁵, in Navarre, Victoria.

The year 1853 marks the beginning of a series of Licensees who stayed at the hotel only briefly. These included Henry Bridger, James Hagan, Joshua Anson, Frederick Le Geyt Piguenit and Joseph Oakley, all before 1860.

Why was there such a high turnover of publicans in the 1850’s? In part, it may have been because of the Temperance movement that became active then, and that community opinions and attitudes were changing.

	salubrious	wholesome, healthy
	peripatetic	to walk, walking about
	piscator	a fisherman
	valetudinarian	sickly, infirm, an invalid
	votaries	consecrated by vow, devoted to any service
	hymen	arc, pert. to marriage
	gastronomist	one fond of good living
	piquante	biting, sharp
	supererogation	to do more than duty requires