Bricklayers' Arms - Galatea Hotel
80 Darby Street Cook's Hill
According to the 1896 map below, the Galatea Hotel was situated at No. 80 Darby Street (Lake Macquarie Road), Newcastle. Next door was the Richmond Tobacco Factory.
The Galatea was first known as the Bricklayers Arms and was established around 1858. Over the years the hotel was the scene of Suppers and Balls, Fire Brigade meetings, Dancing Classes, Coroner's Inquests, Election speeches and community meetings.
Ownership of the free-hold of the land over time is yet to be investigated, however the following people held publicans' licenses over the course of the next forty years:
Charles Yates
Charles Yates arrived in Australia on the Sea King in 1855. [2] In May 1857 at Christ Church Newcastle he married widow Susannah Bell nee Tunbridge. Witness at the marriage was Edwin Yates.[3]A publicans' license for the Bricklayers' Arms was granted to Charles Yates in May 1858 with Alexander Smith and Henry Rouse verifying that he was a person of good fame and reputation and fit and proper to be licensed; and also that they had taken sureties a recognizance in the sum of fifty pounds each [4].
In 1860 James Bell, carpenter of Newcastle and John Creswick, stonemason of Newcastle gave sureties with the same verification [5].
Charles Yates was also a contractor and bricklayer. His tender for brickwork in Darby-street was accepted by Council in June 1860 [6].
Susannah Yates participated in the running of the hotel. In 1861 and 1862 she advertised a Ball and Supper to take place at the Bricklayer's Arms in commemoration of the Anniversary of the Colony. Mr. Fanning's band to be in attendance [7]. Susannah Yates maintained a connection to the hotel until her death in 1906.
In November 1862 an enthusiastic meeting of those interested in abridging the hours of labour from ten to eight per diem, was held. Newcastle had trailed behind Sydney in adopting the eight-hour workday. Although the idea had been considered for some time, the first organized effort to reduce the workday from 10 hours to 8 likely began with a meeting in November 1862 at the Bricklayers' Arms. John Creswick presided as chairman, and the motion supporting the principle was introduced by Mr. Haynes. He argued that employers would ultimately benefit from the change, as workers could perform more efficiently in eight hours than in ten. Haynes emphasized that workers deserved time for social responsibilities, intellectual and recreational activities, and moral development - areas often neglected due to the long hours of labor. A committee was formed, consisting of Messrs. Bowery, Edwards, Young, Creswick, and Charles Yates (secretary), to consult with the masters.
In 1865 a banquet was held at the Bricklayers' Arms in honour of the first gathering in Newcastle of the Committee of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows. The meeting itself had been held in the Oddfellows Hall on the corner of Darby and Laman streets, David Ritchie presiding.
In 1866 Charles Yates was granted a bagatelle license for the hotel and he is listed in Bailiere's Postal Directory in 1867 residing in Darby-street, however by April that year he was undergoing insolvency proceedings.
In 1868 Prince Alfred, second eldest son of Queen Victoria visited Australia in H.M.S. Galatea. From 4th to 6th March he was in Newcastle, Morpeth, Maitland and Singleton. Huge crowds greeted him in Newcastle where a coal arch had been erected. A procession through decorated streets the following day and a visit to the A. A. pit at Hamilton which was illuminated with hundreds of candles were part of the celebrations. Although the Prince had arrived in Newcastle in a regular ship, the Bricklayers Arms was re-named the Galatea Hotel in his honor (Newcastle Sun)
Hugh Downey
In 1869 the fittings, furniture, lease etc were advertised. Hugh Downey occupied the hotel at this timeThree years later, in April 1870 auctioneer John Charles Bonarius was advertising to let 'that old established public house, The Galatea Hotel, formerly known as the Bricklayers' Arms'[8].
Nathaniel Simon Smith
Nathaniel Smith arrived in the colony as a convict on the ship Neva in 1833. He had been tried at Norfolk Assizes 19 September 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for housebreaking.He had been living at Hinton however in 1866 took out the license for the Caledonia Hotel in Newcastle. He then acquired the license for the Galatea Hotel, and in April 1870 was permitted to remove this license from the Galatea to a new house in the Market-square to be called the Northumberland Hotel.[9] He was undergoing insolvency proceedings in 1871. Nathaniel Smith died at Watson's Bay in 1891
Steve Foster
Pedestrianism became popular and attracted large crowds at its peak in the mid-nineteenth century. In July 1870 Stephen Foster, better known as Steve Foster, had taken out the license and had refurbished and repaired the house. He advertised that - For training quarters for those about contesting in athletic contests no better residence could be found. Mr. Foster being reckoned the best trainer in the colony. Baker, the champion walker, is doing his training under Mr. Foster's care [10]. In 1858 an article described him as a man of considerable experience in his profession, who had prepared, previous to arriving in Australia, some of the best pedestrians, scullers and pugilists in the Old Country.Charles Yates
Charles Yates held the license again in 1873 and 1874 [11]Susannah Yates
Charles Yates passed away in 1875 and in April 1875 the license was issued in the name of his widow Susannah YatesWilliam Kelly
After the death of Charle Yates, Susannah married William Kelly in NewcastleIn March 1876 the license was transferred from Susannah to William Kelly who enlarged and renovated the premises [12]
The allotment of land opposite the Galatea remained vacant for many years and in 1878 was referred to as a 'green'. In January that year a tight-rope walking duo set up their act on the green promising that they would meet and pass each other on a wire rope forty feet from the ground. All the usual feats were to be performed as well such as wheeling barrows, walking blindfold etc. [13] There had been several instances of larrikinism under cover of darkness on the green, the identity of the perpetrators remaining undetected. Later in 1878 residents requested of council that a Gas Lamp be erected on the green to discourage further trouble. [14]
John Creswick
John Creswick held the license in October 1878 when his daughter Thryza was married at the hotelThe lease, fixtures and furniture and the good will was put up for sale in November 1879. It was noted at the time that the hotel had been established for over 20 years. [15]
In 1880
James Fletcher James Fletcher (1834 - 1891) was a prominent figure in Newcastle, primarily known for his work as a mine manager, trade union leader, and politician. He played a significant role in improving the conditions of miners and advancing workers' rights in the region during the 19th century. A statue of Fletcher stands in Fletcher Park in Newcastle
addressed electors from the balcony of the Galatea [16]Mrs. Creswick was advertising for a general servant in December 1881. John and Hannah Creswick took out the license for the Naval Brigade Hotel in Watt-street. John Creswick died in 1888 and the license for the Naval Brigade was transferred to Hannah in that same year
Daniel Friend
In May 1883 Daniel and Elizabeth Friend ran the hotel. They gave the entire building a complete renovation and refurnished all the rooms. They advertised a good table and accommodation for travellers with single or double bedrooms available. [17]The lease, license, goodwill and furniture were advertised for sale by Daniel Friend in August 1887. Applications could be made to the Wood brothers. [18] By 1890 Daniel and Elizabeth were at the All Nations Hotel at Carrington
Elizabeth Friend died at Broadmeadow in 1922
John James Robertson
John James Robertson held the license in June 1888 when he was fined £2 for selling liquor on a Sunday. He passed away in August 1888The Galatea was situated next door to the Richmond Tobacco Company factory. In October 1889 a spark from the smoke stack of the factory ignited the shingle roof of the hotel. Factory workers and the Fire Brigade managed to extinguish the flames before the building was completely destroyed however there was much water damage [19]
In May 1891 Newcastle architect James Henderson was calling for tenders to build a Colonnade Balcony and make other repairs to the hotel [20]
Emma Elizabeth Robertson
Emma Elizabeth Robertson was granted a publicans' license for the Galatea in June 1891 until 1899.In June 1898 the renewal of the license was almost cancelled. The Newcastle Morning Herald reported: Sub-inspector Saunders objected to the renewal of the license of the Galatea Hotel, on the grounds that the premises were in a dilapidated condition and unfit to be again licensed. He understood however that the trustees of the property were willing to effect the necessary alterations and if such were the case he would be prepared to withdraw the objection. John Charles Bonarius, one of the trustees was to make arrangements to update the property [21]
Susannah Kelly
Susannah Kelly, formerly Yates, held the license in February 1900. She was fined £2 for allowing liquor to be consumed on the premises at that time. [22]When Susannah died in 1906, the funeral moved from her residence, the Galatea Hotel
Location of the Galatea Hotel:
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References
[1] New South Wales. Department of Lands, Newcastle and Suburbs Sheet 027 (No. of Lith. M.95.271) - City of Newcastle, 1896 (Between 1st January 1896 and 31st December 1896), [027-C919-442-34-027].[2] Kirkpatrick Family History
[3] Marriages Register Book of Christchurch Cathedral, Newcastle 1858 - 1868 p5
[4] New South Wales, Australia, Certificates for Publicans' Licences, 1830-1849, 1853-1899. State Archives NSW; Series: 14403; Item: [7/1509-1510]; Reel: 1240
[5] New South Wales, Australia, Certificates for Publicans' Licences, 1830-1849, 1853-1899. State Archives NSW; Series: 14403; Item: [7/1513]; Reel: 1242
[6] Sydney Morning Herald 6 June 1860
[7] Maitland Mercury 19 January 1861
[8] Newcastle Chronicle 21 April 1870
[9] Newcastle Chronicle 26 April 1870
[10] Newcastle Chronicle 21 July 1870
[11] Government Gazettes
[12] Newcastle Chronicle 28 March 1876
[13] Newcastle Morning Herald 31 January 1878
[14] Newcastle Morning Herald 9 April 1878
[15] Newcastle Morning Herald 6 November 1879
[16] Nwcastle Morning Herald 15 November 1880
[17] Newcastle Morning Herald 3 May 1883
[18] Newcastle Morning Herald 27 August 1887
[19] Newcastle Morning Herald 1 October 1889
[20] Newcastle Morning Herald 2 May 1891
[21] Newcastle Morning Herald 24 June 1898
[22] Newcastle Morning Herald 24 February 1900
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