Banner of War Hotel

Banner of War Hotel

Banner of War Hotel Woady Yallock Historical Society
History
Town	Nintingbool
Closed	31 December 1907
Known dates	1857-1907

The Banner of War Hotel was a hotel at Nintingbool, Victoria, 1857-1907.

Site

In 1858 the hotel was described as being in Smythes Creek Road. The location was not given in the June 1862 report, but it was among other Smythesdale hotels. In an article about the old taverns of Ballarat written in 1929, the Piccolo wrote about "...the Banner of War, on the road to the old diggings at Smythesdale." In the Smythesdale Licensing Court hearing in 1879 it was said to be in Smythesdale Road. The Woady Yallock Historical Society give the location as Nintingbool.

Background

The hotel was built in 1857 by Charles W. Milne.

History

In December 1857 a burglary was reported near the hotel:

On Saturday evening between nine and ten o'clock, three men with crape over their faces, attempted to break open a tent near the Banner of War Public House, on the Smythe's Creek road. The alarm was given, however, before they could succeed in their design, and after firing at the woman who was in charge - without injuring her-they decamped. The police are on their track, and it is probable that in the course of the ensuing week the ruffians will be brought to justice.

The hotel of 1863 was mentioned in a reminiscence of settler Ann Sullivan:

"...Passing through "Lucky Woman's" they found a public house — the "Banner of War"— and some humble huts built on the track, and some sheep..."

In August 1865 a report at the Grenvilleshire Council meeting commented on road repairs near the hotel:

The surfacemen had repaired a portion of the Ballarat road, on the Smythesdale side of the Banner of War Hotel, which had become almost impassable.

In May 1866, two pigs stolen from the Commercial Hotel at Linton, were recovered from a pig drover near the hotel.

In January 1868 the publican advertised that a large sum of money had been found in the bar, and the owner should apply to the hotel for its return.

The hotel voluntarily surrendered the license which was to be canceled on 31 December 1907.

The Licensing Court held a hearing into the hotel closure in December 1907:

The next hotel taken was the Banner of War. Licensing Inspector Balchin said that the Banner or War Hotel was in the Sebastopol licensing district. The statutory number of hotels in this district, was 11, and the existing number 22. This house could be closed without causing any inconvenience. It was an old wooden building,in fair repair; it was fairly well furnished, kept clean and well conducted. The municipal valuation was £40. As a licensed premises the house would be worth from 15s to 17s 6d weekly. Without a license and as a dwelling house the owner would not be able to let it at all. For owner's own use the hotel would be worth about 7s 6d per week. The business was mostly roadside. The Bull Inn Hotel would get most of the trade if the house were closed. The Half-way House would also benefit. Constable Olney, stationed at Smythesdale, said that in his opinion if the Banner of War were closed the main part of the trade would go to the Bull Inn and the Half-way House. He did not think any of the other houses would benefit, because the trade was roadside. The Banner of War Hotel had been very well conducted, and the trade had not been so brisk since the present licensee had been in, because he was too conscientious to be a hotelkeeper. For the owner to continue to live private at the house, it would be worth about 6s per week to him.
Jacob Finch, licensee of the Banner of War Hotel, said he went into the hotel as tenant 15 years ago, and had a lease with the option of purchase. The price of the house was £1050 at that time. At the end of four years the owner of the hotel died. The place was put up for sale by auction, and was sold. Witness and his wife then offered £500, and undertook to do the extensive repairs insisted upon by the police. They bought the place for £500, and spent £150 on improve hotel, he paid £60 per year for four years. For the last three years he thought, the house would have brought £1 per week and rates. Delicensed the place would be worth from 4s to 5s per week. William H. Chandler (Doepel and Chandler), auctioneer, gave evidence as to the value of the property. Wm. D. Hill, auctioneer, deposed that the Banner of War was not conducted in the interests of the licensee. The licensing laws had been very strictly observed. He had occasion to go to the hotel one Sunday when a coach drove up with 20 passengers on board. Mr Finch invited them all on to the hotel verandah, and then gave them cool water drink. (Laughter.)

The owner was paid £245 compensation and the licensee received £1.

The People

• From at least June 1858 to December 1881 the publican was Charles W. Milne.
• In December 1882 the license was granted to Robert Cook.
  • His license was renewed in December 1883 and 1884,
• In December 1907 the publican was Jacob Finch.