THE OLD “BLACK HORSE”

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1926, Page 4

THE OLD “BLACK HORSE”

AUSTRALIA’S OLDEST LICENSED. HOUSE. February 20th. marked the anniversary of the oldest licensed hotel in New South Wales, and probably in Australasia. Exactly 107 years ago on that- date the '‘Black Horse Hotel, Richmond, received its first license. This document, which is still extant, reads as follows:

At general meeting of 11 is -Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said County and Ale Houses on the twentieth day of February, in the fiftyninetli year of the reign of our Sovereign. George the I bird, and the \e,tt of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen, we, His Majesty's Justices of ib" Pence for t lie said county, whose hands and seals are hereunto sot, assembled at the said meeting, do allow and license Paul Randall, at I lie Sign of the Rack Horse, in Richmond, within the said colony, to keep a common ale house and victualling house, and to issue and sell beer, ale, cyder, and spirituous liquors, in the house wherein In* dwelleth, and not elseuheie, for one whole year from the twentieth day of February, and no longer, so as the true a/.zise in bread, beer, ale, and other liquors be truly kepi, and no unlawful game or games, ilrunkednncss, or any other disorder lie sulfered in bis house, yard, or garden, lint that Hi” goad order and rule be maintained and kept therein, according to the laws ol Great Britain, and the general orders of the colony in that behall. Given under our hands and seals the day ol the year above written. (Signed by John Wvldc).

At- one time const it ill ing- a lavourite rendezvous for lionyeniooii couples, the “Black Horse” came to be known as “Honeymoon Inn,” and Mrs 11. F. Seymour, who was licensee ol the house lor many years, including the Sixties, kept a. record of tin* names ol the new-ly-wed who spent- their honeymoon beneath her hospitable roof. Contained in inis ancient register, thumb-marked and faded with age, are many lamiliiir names. To the- ‘'Black Horse” repaired Captain Addison and his bride, who as .Miss Wentworth, daughter ot Darcy Wentworth : Captain Somerset and bis wife, the daughter of Sir Maurice O'Connell; Charles Appelton. mer-

chant. whose bride was Miss Petty, of Petty’s Hotel; Lieutenant Fitzgerald, R.E.. who married Miss 'I burlow. daughter ot the Mayor of Sydney; Frederick Ford, merchant, whose wife was Clarissa Jones, daughter ot David Jones; anil diaries Cowper. who married Lethbridge, grand-daughter of Governor King. Numerous other well-known old-time citizens spent the initial few weeks ol llieir married lives I here. Sir Henry Parlies, who was a very much married man, also chose the “Uiack Horse” as the venue of one of bis honeymoons.

Incidentally tips!airs in that 107-year-old inn of happy memories there is still the bridal chamber, bright and spotless, recalling t lie romance ot days that are gone.

Though additions have been made !i the “Black Horse.” the original walls, which arc in an excellent state ol pro serration, arc still a- conspicuniis leaturo of Hie structure.

Still t.o be seen is also the square opening in the wall of the tap-room, through wliieli the early licensees used Lo baud tiie glasses alter filling them from behind a screen.

For over Silty years, at one period in its history, the "Black Horse ’ was kept by the Sly family. Since then various people have presided over the destinies of the historic hostelry, the present licensee being Mr K. Foster.