Frederick Dixon was publican in 1828 - 29. The following article in the Sydney Monitor portrays the attitude often displayed by the authorities towards publicans:

(The following has been sent to us, but we consider it a mere joke. Ed.) Newcastle Police- A person in a state of intoxication having gone into the house of Mr, Dixon at Newcastle, called the Crooked Billet, and laid himself down in the tap, was robbed of two pounds and a gold ring; a month and two days after this affair, Mr. Dixon was summoned before the bench on account of a man being robbed in his house; Mr, Dixon appeared before Captain Wright, Superintendent of Police in that district, and Dr. Cunningham. During, the course of the investigation, he was asked, what sort of characters were in his house on that evening? Mr. D. replied, different characters, "Oh replied the Bench, “indifferent characters !” We fine you then one pound for keeping a disorderly house”.

The Crooked Billet was situated in Morgan Street, Market Square near the site of the future Strand Theatre (now demolished) Later the Crooked Billet became known as the Miners' Arms and then Northumberland House. The building was used as a Customs House before reverting to its original role, that of an Inn in the 1860's, under the sign of the Shipwrights' Arms. Later it became known as the London Tavern. The Building was still standing in 1947

(18 )SG 7 February 1833