Commercial Hotel (Blackwood)

For other hotels with the same or similar names see Commercial Hotel.

Commercial Hotel

Picture needed
History
Town	Barry's Reef
Opened	1860
Closed	31 December 1909
Known dates	1869-1887

The Commercial Hotel was a hotel in Barry's Reef, Victoria, 1860-1909.

Site

The hotel was in Barry's Reef, about 2.5 kms north of Blackwood.

Background

The hotel was opened in 1860 by William Shaw, and closed at the end of 1909.

History

In January 1869 a concert was held at the hotel to raise money for the school:

A very successful entertainment was given at the Commercial Hotel, in aid of the funds of the Barry's Reef School. Several glees, quartets, and songs, were given by Messrs. Hill, Chenu, and Johnson. The "Chough and Crow," by the company, was all that could be desired. The solos were also effectively rendered. Mr. Moritz presided at the pianoforte. A gentleman from the Blue Mountain gave a reading, and afterwards exhibited some dissolving views to the satisfaction of a large number of those present. Mr. N. Shaw, on behalf of the Committee, proposed a vote of thanks to the gentlemen for the assistance so kindly given. The vote was seconded and carried with acclamation. The house was well filled, and the receipts amounted to about £5 10s.

In December 1887, William Shaw advertised his intention to apply to renew his license:

Notice of Application for Renewal of a Victualler's License. I, WILLIAM SHAW, of Barry's Reef, Blackwood, in the Colony of Victoria, the holder of a VICTUALLER'S LICENSE for "The Commercial Hotel," at Barry's Reef aforesaid, do hereby give notice that I desire to obtain and will at the sitting of the Licensing Court for the Licensing Districts of Ballan North, South Ballan, Egerton, and Blackwood, to be holden at Ballan on the 23rd day of December, 1887, apply for a Certificate authorising the renewal of my said license. Dated the Thirtieth day of November, One thousand Eight hundred sad Eighty-seven. WILLIAM SHAW.

In 1910 the License Reduction Board, held a hearing into the hotel:

The Board heard evidence in order to fix compensation in respect of the Commercial Hotel, Barry's reef, in the Ballan Licensing District. Mr. Dugdale appeared for the owner, John White, executor of the will of Robert Breckenridge, deceased, and the licensee, Lilian Shanahan. John White said that the hotel and store were valued in 1903 for probate purposes at £500, and the last municipal valuation was £40. The hotel contained twelve rooms, including the bar, and was leased at a rental of 12s a week. Ten percent was a fair return on an investment of this kind in the district. William Shaw, grocer and wine and spirit merchant, at Newmarket, said that he lived at Blackwood from 1857 until about twenty years ago. He had since visited Barry's Beef on several occasions since, his last visit being about two years ago. The hotel was built in 1860, and cost about £800 to erect. The district was a mining one, and mining operations fluctuated. He knew one of the mines in the district, out of which three-quarters of a million worth of gold was taken, to suddenly collapse. The mine was afterwards worked by another company, and over 400 men were employed in it. He had been through the hotel in the early days, but had not been in it recently. Lilian Shanahan said that she was the licensee of the hotel up till December 31 last. Her purchases last year amounted to £141, and her expenses £66. She averaged her takings at £240 10s last year- Her compensation fee was between £3 and £4 a year. The takings were principally from the bar and billiards. The hotel was in a bad state of repair, and she had to give it up. It would cost a considerable amount to put the place in proper repair. The Board reserved its decision.

Community Involvement

• In January 1869 the hotel ws the venuse for a meeting of the school committee.
• In October 1871 a meeting was held at Shaw's Commercial Hotel to ask the Ballan Council for a new road.

The People

• In December 1874, 1876, 1877, 1880, 1879, 1881, 1886, and 1887, the license was granted to William Shaw. In December 1886 he paid £45 for the hotel license.
• In December 1889 the publican, John Mackay, had his license renewed.
• In August 1901 the license was granted to Mrs. Breckenbridge.
• In July 1907, the publican, Jane Breckenridge applied to transfer the license to Lilian Annie Shanahan. The police objected to the transfer based on the character of Shanahan's husband:

Jane Breckenridge to Lilian Shanahan, transfer of Commercial hotel at Barry's Reef. Mr. Permezel for applicant. Inspector Irvine objected to her husband living on the premises. Mrs. Shanahan said her husband was carrying on a baking business. She had never carried on an hotel, but her father had. Constable Dungey, stationed at Birregurra, said he knew the applicants. Mrs. Shanahan was respectable, but her husband was a drunkard, and quarrelsome...

• In August 1907 the license was granted to Shanahan on the condition that her husband did not serve in the bar.
  • In 1908, the licensee was Lilian Annie Shanahan.
• In 1910, at the compensation hearings, the owner was Robert Beckenbridge, and the licensee, Lilian Annie Shanahan.