Burke and Wills Hotel

Burke and Wills Hotel

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History
Town	Ballarat
Street	Cnr. Peel and Rowe Streets
Closed	1891
Known dates	1876-1891
Other names	Iona Hotel

The Burke and Wills Hotel was a hotel in Ballarat East, Victoria, <1876-1891. It was previously known as the Iona Hotel.

Site

The Burke and Wills Hotel was on the junction of Peel Street and Rowe Street. The site at 44 Rowe Street is now a residential house and no trace of the hotel is visible.

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Background

The hotel was originally called the Iona Hotel.

History

In December 1878 the police challenged the renewal of the publican's license:

Samuel Williams, Burke and Wills hotel, Rowe street. The police objected to the renewal on account of the alleged intemperate habits of the applicant. Mr. Kelly appeared for applicant and Mr Salter for the owner of the premises. After a good deal of evidence had been taken on each side, the bench decided to refuse the license. Mr Salter then applied for a transfer of the license, which would be in force until the 31st inst., to a Mr Henderson, to whom Williams had arranged to transfer it. The bench adjourned the hearing of this application till the 30th inst.

The hotel was reviewed by the License Reduction Board during its sittings in Ballarat in June 1888:

Burke and Wills hotel— W. C. Strong, licensee; Robert Henderson, owner. A two-storey wooden building, lath and plastered, built on piles, 13 rooms, fairly well furnished, and well conducted; three beds let on an average per week; stabling provided...William C. Strong, licensee of the Burke and Wills hotel, said he did a good general trade, both among residents of the locality and travellers.

It was one of the 40 hotels closed in 1891 in Ballarat East as part of the changes to licensing laws.. The owners were paid £432 compensation for the closure of the business. This was divided as licensee £132 10s and the owner £300.

In January 1893 it was reported that the building was now unoccupied.

The People

• The publican in 1876 was Samuel Williams.
  • His license renewal was refused in December 1878.
  • In December 1878 the license was granted to Robert Henderson.
• In 1883 the publican Thomas Laing died.
• In June 1888 the licensee was W. C. Strong, and the owner Robert Henderson.
• In October 1890 the license was transferred from Mary Ann Richards to Andrew Lysaght.