Man of Kent Hotel

Man of Kent Hotel

Man of Kent Hotel
History
Town	Snake Valley
Known dates	1858-1919
Other names	Royal Hotel

The Man of Kent Hotel was a hotel in Snake Valley, Victoria, <1858-1919>.

Site

The Man of Kent Hotel was in Snake Valley. The hotel site is now the Royal Hotel.

Background

The hotel was included in hearings by the License Reduction Board at Linton in 1919. It was suggested that the building be replaced with the Prince of Wales Hotel building. The Prince of Wales was in better condition, but was not as well sited, and therefore faced closure.

History

In June 1905, the owner was killed in a mining accident in South Africa:

News "has been received that Mr. J. Williams, proprietor of the Man of Kent Hotel, Snake Valley, met with fatal injuries whilst working at the Van Pyn Gold Mine, South Africa. It appears that, in company with three other miners, he descended the shaft in a skip. After reaching the 600 feet level two of the men got out, and Mr. Williams and his mate commenced to lower down another 150 feet, when the skip got beyond the driver's control, and went to the bottom. Williams had his collarbone broken, and also a number of ribs, which penetrated the lungs, and he succumbed three weeks after the accident. Deceased leaves a widow and eight young children.

Community Involvement

• May 1858, a meeting to form a local prospectors' association.
• September 1865 the hotel was the venue for the Forester's Ball:

The Forester's ball and supper at the Man of Kent hotel, Snake Valley, Carngham, on the night of Friday, 22nd September, was a very pleasant affair. At supper the usual loyal toasts, together with those appertaining to the order, as also " The ladies," "The host," &e, was given and responded to with fervor. The supper and general arrangements gave great satisfaction, and the music, under the leadership of Mr Schraeder, was excellent. Every one was highly delighted with the celebration, which was prolonged till far into the next morning.

• In October 1865 the hotel was the venue for a dinner for Henry Davies, a local mining investor, who was returning to England for 12 months.
• In June 1866 the hotel was the venue for an enquiry into a fire at the New Kossuth Company, which destroyed the engine house, boiler house and blacksmiths shop.
• November 1870, a farewell dinner for the bank manager of the Carngham branch of the National Bank, Mr R. H. Barry.

Politics

• July 1859, a meeting of the supporters of E. H. Locke, candidate for Grenville.
• August 1865, polling booth for the Shire of Ripon.

The People

• From at least June 1861 to December 1875 the publican was Henry Parker.
• In December 1883 the publican's license was granted to John Christie.
  • His license was renewed in December 1888.
• In March 1913 the license was transferred from John Hall to Frances Williams.
• From 1915 - 1919 the publican was Elizabeth Hockridge.