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Newcastle Commercial Inn The Commercial Inn was built by Simon Kemp in the mid 1830's. By 1838 the license had been taken out by John Rowell. Rowell was fined 20/- + costs 2/6- for a breach of licensing act in allowing tippling in his house in January of that year. His wife Elizabeth held a license in 1840 until she transferred it to Hugh McMillan in July. The premises may have still been owned by Kemp. In 1842 in Newcastle an inquest took place at Mr. McGreavy's Inn on the body of George Kenniwell who died after an altercation outside Mr. Grove's 'Commercial Inn'. The inquest caused quite a stir in the town and inhabitants flocked to witness the examination. They crowded up to the windows and door and prevented the air from ventilating the room. The Coroner became ill because of the confined space and the inquest was adjourned until the following day. Several witnesses were examined - the chambermaid Mary Boylan, the waiter James Coughlan and the stable boy Francis Hughes however all three prevaricated when questioned and when it was found that Mr. Groves was interfering with the witnesses the Coroner recommended that his publican's licence should not be renewed as he was an unfit person to hold such a licence. (3) Groves later resided at a farm at 'Broad meadows'. Wicks Norton, who was formerly at the Albion Inn in Maitland took over the Commercial Hotel on the day that Groves left in January 1843. (4) A Social Club was organised at the Hotel in July. Meetings were to take place every Thursday evening. Every arrangement was made and the best rooms in the establishment were set aside for this special purpose. It was thought that entertainment of this kind had long been needed in the town (57) Although Wickes Norton exhorted his friends and patrons from Maitland to 'visit' him at Newcastle by September of 1843, like many others in the colony, he was undergoing insolvency proceedings. (5)When 150 volumes of well selected books in excellent condition were advertised for sale by auction in September 1844, Wicks Norton had already left the Commercial. He suffered another set back in 1846 when he was robbed of £40 when disembarking from the Steamer Cornubia in Morpeth (6) The Commercial Inn was situated at the corner of Hunter and Watt Streets. James Croft held the license for the Commercial in 1850. The Victoria Theatre was built behind the Hotel (53) In 1853 Ashtons circus was performing at the Commercial Hotel
(3) HRG 8 January 1842 (4) MM 7 January 1843 (5) MM 2 September 1843 (6) MM 26 August1846 (53)Gould, W.J., The Borough of Newcastle., Newcastle & Hunter District HIstorical Society (57) MM 15 July 1843
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