Australian Town and Country Journal at KellyGang 14/9/1872 (3)
A large brick building, seen no entering the town, is called the Bush Inn. It is the only two storey house in Hay.The Bush Inn has a frontage to Lenard and Lachlan streets; and contains twenty-two rooms, beside billiard &c. It does a good trade and is carried on by Mr William Sabine. The public school is opposite to the Bush Inn.
Next to Tattersall’s, and nearer the punt, is the Punt Hotel, another spacious hotel (containing twenty rooms well conducted by Mr Edward Brandon.
For many years Mr Brandon was a coach driver and on his retirement from the service of Cobb and Co, the inhabitants of the district recognised ? his skill in handling the ribbons under extraordinary difficulties, and his unwavering courtesy, and obliging disposition, by presenting him with a handsome testimonial, in the shape of a valuable gold watch, chain and locket.
Above Tattersall's is the Crown Hotel, carried on by Mr W Carter. It is also a good brick building having twenty-two rooms; and a large Assembly Hall known as the Adelphi theatre, where travelling theatrical parties give entertainments. It is a capital room, and is supplied by a few good scenes which being of a rural character are made to answer almost any play ranging from Shakespeare to Boucicault. Two other hotels near the bridge in Lachlan-street, ? to each other, deserve notice. They present a very neat exterior, and a very comfortable interior. The first is the Royal, carried on by Mr Peter ? and the other the Bridge Hotel, is conducted by Mr G Lenning. Mr T? Simpson has a large brewery on the northern bank of the Murrumbidgee, on the border of the town, and has succeeded in producing ale of a superior quality. Both residents and visitors give undoubted proof of the confidence they have in it. The ? agents are Messrs Forsyth and Co, and Blewett and Co., and Mr Moore.
The only present available ma? crossing the Murrumbidgee at Hay by a punt, the property of Mr ? Johns. Less than half a mile ? the punt there is in course of construction a capital bridge, one of the best in the colony. It is a swing bridge so arranged that it may be opened to vessels that they may pass and ? to the wharf above. There are ? six wharves owned or leased by Messers ? Pollard, L A Moss, Forsyth and ?; Blewett and Co., and J E Warby. A number of vessels arrived and departed during my stay. Among them were Alfred, the Murrumbidgee, and the Pearl. I went on board the latter and found it to be an excellent floating private residence of the owner, Captain Randall and family. The Pearl is a favourite river boat, 30 horse-power engine, and ? taking cargo on board (45 tons) also tows two barges carrying nearly 100 tons more, or 140 tons altogether. The whole look well going down the river merrily, when full of wool. The Pearl travels regularly between Hay Echuca; Captain Rîandall is the master of the Pearl, and also owner of another boat, the Corowa. It may be of importance to mention that Captain Randall's brother, who has also a boat plying on the river, puts forward a claim to have been the first to attempt the navigation of the Murray in the Mary Ann, fully twelve months before Captain Cadell tried this feat.
Hay is not wanting in local institutions, Foremost among these is the Hay Pastoral Association. This useful institution is, probably for its size, ? of the most powerfully represented in the colony. The committee of twelve gentlemen, I am ? represent property to the value of nearly a million sterling. They have very fine show yards just completed on the boundary of the town by Mr J ? Palmer. I had the good fortune to be president of the last annual show of the association held in ? beginning of August. The chief exhibits are sheep; and those exhibits of Messrs. Gilbert (?willah), M'Gaw and Co. (Burrabogie), ? (Mungadal), Rutherford and Co. (Illilliwa), ? Wilson (Yanko), and Peppin and Sons (Wango?) carried off all the cups, champion and first prizes. In cattle the show was not so good; the first prize takers in the district being Messrs J and A ?. Wragge and Hearne, and Frank Johns. In ? the first prize takers were Mr J A Keighran, Mr ? Derepas, Mr H B Welsh (two), and Messes ? Vaeux and Cogie. The latter exhibited a beautiful pair of white or very light grey buggy horses. Mr Derepas of Kulkie station obtained the champion prize for the best thoroughbred stallion. He exhibited Leicester a magnificent horse which commanded general admiration on the ground. Leicester is a beautiful bay; his sire is the celebrated New Warrior, and his dam is Lady Jana by, St ? (imported). Leicester was bred by Captain ? of Goulburn; the horse was shown five times, ? carried off first prize each time. Robert Scott Esq of Toogimbie, is President of the Association.
The Hay Municipality has just been established and the first elections took place in the middle of August. Mr Frank Johns was elected first Mayor of the town; and the following were elected aldermen:-Messrs. Threlkeld, Tartakpover, S? Johns, Pollard, and Witcombe. Auditors: Messers James, M'Gregor, and Lakeman.
There are n few nice private residences and gardens about Hay. One in particular, that of Mr T E Blewett is a model in every respect. It is very elegant though not large and the grounds are a miniature botanical garden. I was astonished at the variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers of almost ? known varieties in the small space. Fountains ? in several parts and a good supply of water obtained from a deep well, pumped up by a windmill in one part of the garden. An aviary containing pheasants and other birds are in one corner of the verandah of the pleasant residence of Mr Blewitt.
In concluding this description of Hay I have to acknowledge the kindness and assistance tendered me by several gentlemen of the town during my visit.
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