Clara Niven at Spring Ridge
with grandchildren Ken McGovern and Gwen Niven
with grandchildren Ken McGovern and Gwen Niven
Source: Bruce Bryant
Clara Victoria Norris was born in 1868 in Windsor to Alfred James Norris (a grazier) and Mary Ann Hand.
At the age of 23, Clara married James Niven (29) at Gulgong in 1891.
Their children were:
- Stella
- Reginald (known as Charles)
When James Niven died in 1920, Clara became the licensee of the Spring Ridge Hotel for the next four years and later became the licensee of the Castlereagh Hotel, Sydney. Clara died in Sydney in 1943.
1920 - LEGAL NOTICES.IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES.—Probate Jurisdiction.—In the Will of JAMES NIVEN late of Spring Ridge near Gulgong in the State of New South Wales Farmer and Grazier deceased.—Application will be made after fourteen days from the publication hereof that Probate of the last Will of the abovementioned deceased may be granted to CLARA VICTORIA NIVEN, STELLA McGOVERN, and REGINALD NIVEN, the Executors named in the said Will. And all persons having any claim against the Estate of the said deceased are required to send particulars thereof to the undersigned upon whom all notices may be served. JAMES JOSEPH DOWD, Proctor for the Executors, Gulgong. By his Agent, R. A. MONRO KING, Solicitor, 3 Castlereagh-street, Sydney.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Wed 28 Apr 1920 Page 11925 - LICENSES TRANSFERRED.
The Metropolitan Licensing Court (granted the following transfers of publicans' licenses on Monday Castlereagh Hotel, Castlereagh and Park street city, from George H. Herdman to Clara Victoria Niven.
1925 - CASTLEREAGH HOTEL, CORNER CASTLEREAGH AND PARK STREETS, SYDNEY. MRS. NIVEN (Late of Spring Ridge) Proprietress. Mudgee, Gulgong, Dunedoo, Wellington, and all folks. living in these and adjoining districts will be welcomed at the Castlereagh Hotel. MAKE THIS A PLACE OF CALL WHEN IN THE CITY. First-class Accommodation. Moderate Tariff.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 30 Apr 1925 Page 25
Castlereagh Hotel, 1925
1926 - Doing Well in Sydney.
Mrs. C. Niven, late of Spring Ridge, is now installed in the Castlereagh Hotel, on the corner of Park and Castlereagh streets, Sydney. Mrs. Niven is well known in the Mudgee and Gulgong districts, where she owned the Spring Ridge Hotel, now conducted by her son Charles. Many old friends from Mudgee make a point of visiting the Castlereagh Hotel when in Sydney, and are always as pleased to renew their friendship with the popular proprietress as she is to welcome them.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 12 Aug 1926 Page 181927 - [SOCIAL]
Ken McGovern dressed as an Indian for the Convent Juvenile Fancy Dress Ball.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 1 Sep 1927 Page 8
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 1 Sep 1927 Page 8
Mrs J. Niven. of the Castlereagh Hotel, Sydney, is on a visit to her son, Mr C. Niven, now host of the Spring Ridge Hotel. It is five years since Mrs Niven has had the opportunity of renewing, the acquaintance of her old friends in this district, and naturally the re-union has been a very pleasant one.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 26 Jul 1928 Page 241929 - WANTED — Housemaid - Waitress for City hotel; wages £2; country girl preferred. Apply Mrs. Niven, Castlereagh Hotel, Park-st., City. Phone, MA 5450.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Fri 29 Nov 1929 Page 11
Castlereagh Hotel, 1930
Source: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University
Asphalting outside the Castlereagh Hotel, 1931
APPLICATION has been made by the present owner (Mr. C. R. Niven) for the surrender and cancellation of the license in respect of the Spring Ridge Hotel. Objections may be lodged with the Licenses Reduction Board before May 31. The hotel, which has been well conducted, has been in the hands of the Niven family for many years, first by Mr. C. R. Niven's father, the late Mr. James Niven (who died in 1920 and who had taken over the business from Mr. Bond) next by Mrs. James Niven (widow of the late Mr. James Niven) who carried on for four years, and then by the present licensee. Mrs James Niven is now licensee of the Castlereagh Hotel, Sydney. The Nivens are highly respected and popular with all sections.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 23 May 1935 Page 12
Sydney Society Enjoys Itself At Opening Of New Ballroom
MR. KEN. McGOVERN buying cigarettes from one of the uniformed cigarette sellers.
Source: The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954) Sat 4 Apr 1936 Page 13
BOWLS of daffodils and posies of violets and buttercups decorated the ballroom of "Ormond Hall," Vaucluse, last night, for the birthday party given by Mr. and Mrs. O. J. McDermott to celebrate the twenty-first birthday of their daughter Mary...
Among the 90 guests… Ken McGovern. Source: The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954) Sun 6 Sep 1936 Page 4
Clara Niven and her daughter Stella McGovern, March 1937
Source: Bruce Bryant
1937 - [VISIT]
Mrs. C. R. Niven, of Spring Ridge, Gulgong, left by Saturday's train for Sydney to be present at the wedding of Miss Barbara Rindfleish, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Rindfleish, of Bondi, and late of Lahey's Creek, who was married to Mr. Jack Dickinson on Monday evening last at St. Stephen's Church. Macquarie Street. While in the City Mrs. Niven will be the guest of Mr. Niven's mother and sister of the Castlereagh Hotel.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 18 Nov 1937 Page 17
Castlereagh Hotel, 1938
Castlereagh Hotel, 1938
The saloon bar, 1938
Source: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University
The saloon bar, 1938
Source: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University
Anzac Day, possibly 1939
1940 - [VISIT]
Mr and Mrs. C. R. Niven, of "Spring Ridge" Gulgong, accompanied by their daughters Gwen and Jean, returned home on Tuesday last after spending a fortnight's holiday at Sydney and Tuggerah Lakes. While in Sydney they were the guest of Mr. Niven's mother, Mrs C. V. Niven, of the Castlereagh Hotel.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 25 Jan 1940 Page 2 1942 - Pimm's For Pop - REAL TONIC
THERE was no rationing of good spirits after Ken McGovern had taken yesterday's Hurdle
Race with Pimm's at Rosehill. Ken is Mine Host of the Castlereagh pubbery and reckoned, some little time ago, that Bill Kelso was giving things away when he sold Pimm's for 30 guineas at Ingles' sales.
Having his fourth start for his new owner, Pimm's perambulated past the post a comfortable winner in the obstacle race, starting at nice odds, despite the fact that crack cross country hoop, Jack Hynes, was in the pigskin.
Knowing that Hynes would be overweight, McGovern reckoned that Jack was so far ahead of the other boys here that a few additional pounds wouldn't matter after having taken off 9lb. in the Turkish baths. Jack was 6lb. overweight but he saved more than that by his skilful handling of the chestnut, who beat pacemaker Tea Denis a neck, with Mag Mort, topweight, backed from 4's to 5/2, in third place.
Task of the winner was made much easier when Kinmar, punters' elect, turned a sugar-doodle at the very first obstacle.
Source: Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954) Sun 7 Jun 1942 Page 21942 - PUNTER'S DIARY OF THE TURF - By C. J. GRAVES
Saturday. — This day is bitterly cold, wherefor taking my great coat to the races of Rosehill, and so to bet in comfort, win or lose.
All the talk is of Kenil Gem of the first race, but Mr. Squiggles bids me lay what I might upon Saratoga, and I take £5 to £1.
No sooner done than meeting Mr. Ken McGovern and hath- Pimm's in the race, and bids me save on't, and this I did, to wit, £5 to £1…
Source: The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954) Sun 5 Jul 1942 Page 12
Source: Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939) Thu 29 Jun 1939 Page 8
NO EXEMPTION FOR PUBLICAN
People could not be granted call-up exemptions simply because they conducted hotels, the Chief Industrial Magistrate (Mr. Prior) said yesterday. Mr. Prior was referring to an application by Kenneth James McGovern, 26, single, manager of the Castlereagh Hotel, Castlereagh Street, for exemption from military service on the grounds of great hardship. McGovern was given exemption until December 1 to settle his affairs. Captain V. L. Dibbs (for the Army Department) said McGovern had been rejected by the Army in 1940, 1941, and 1942 because of diabetes. These medical examinations also showed that McGovern suffered from high blood pressure. But he had now been classed by the Army as B1, and was considered fit. Captain Dibbs added: "There is very little doubt that McGovern will be accepted, but this will not be finally decided until he has been X-rayed and thoroughly tested at Moore Park after his call-up." Managed Hotel McGovern said his grandmother, Clara Victoria Niven, had been licensee of the Castlereagh Hotel for over 17 years. He managed the hotel for her. She was practically an invalid, and his mother had to attend to her. "The licence of the hotel expires on November 18, and I am at present negotiating with Tooths Brewery for a renewal," McGovern said. "If a new lease is not secured, my grandmother will lose at least £2000. "There is a staff of 14, and I am the only man in the hotel to protect them, and the money there."
1942 - Hotelkeeping No Exemption Excuse
SYDNEY — "I can't subscribe at all to the principle that because people are conducting hotels they should be exempted from military ser vice," the Chief Industrial Magistrate (Mr. Prior) said. Kenneth James McGovern, mana ger of the Castlereagh Hotel, Sydney, who applied on grounds of hardship, was granted exemption until December 1. McGovern had been subjected to medical examinations in 1940, 1941 and April, 1942, and each time was reported unfit, Captain V. Dibbs, for the Department of the Army, stated. Then, on October 8 last; he was examined for the fourth time, and given a B1 pass. McGovern said he had managed the hotel for his grandmother, Mrs. Clara Niven, for the past 17 years. "If I am forced to sell now, I will lose about £13,000." he said. Mr. B. Clegg, for McGovern, explained that negotiations for the renewal of the lease from Tooth's Brewery were now in progress, and if the hotel had to be sold before they were completed, a great loss would be sustained. McGovern said that, if the hotel were sold today it would realise only about £3000, whereas when the lease had been renewed it would be worth about £15,000 or £16,000. The turnover at present was about £500 a week, and the profits about £40 to £50 a week clear. The cost of renewing the lease would be from £5000 to £8000. Mr. Prior suggested that a powerful lever might be placed in the hands of the brewery if only a limited time was allowed to finalise these negotiations. McGovern said he did not think Tooth's would take advantage of the position.
Source: The Evening Advocate (Innisfail, Qld. : 1941 - 1954) Wed 18 Nov 1942 Page 2 
Staff and patrons in the Saloon Bar:
Carmen Livvy, Kitty Kaine, Joan Roberts with Curly, Alex, a customer and Jack the cleaner. The two soldiers without hats worked for the Daily Telegraph before and after the war.
1943 - [VISIT]
Miss Gwen Niven, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Niven, has returned to her home at Spring Ridge, Gulgong; after spending three weeks' holiday with her grand-mother, Mrs. Niven, of The Castlereagh Hotel, Sydney.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 25 Feb 1943 Page 17 1943 - [VISIT]
Mrs. Niven, wife of Mr. C. R. Niven, of Spring Ridge, Gulgong, returned home on Tuesday after spending a fortnight's holiday in Sydney as the guest of Mr. Niven's mother, Mrs. C. V. Niven, of the Castlereagh Hotel. While in the city Mrs. Niven met Mrs. N. Chick and her mother, Mrs. A. Brigden, both late residents of Gulgong. One of the Gulgong graziers who attended the ram sales held in Sydney recently was Mr. C. R. Niven, of Spring Ridge, Gulgong. Mr. Niven, who has a large Border Leicester flock running on his property, purchased several Border Leicester stud rams at the sales which were imported from New Zealand.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 17 Jun 1943 Page 2
Interior, 1938
Source: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University
Interior, 1938
Source: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University
1943 - [DEATH OF CLARA NIVEN]
December 8, 1943, at her residence, Castlereagh Hotel, Castlereagh Street, city, Clara Victoria Niven, dearly beloved mother of Stella, Reginald and dear grandmother of Ken, Gwen and Jean. R.I.P.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Thu 9 Dec 1943 Page 8
1943 - DEATH Mrs. C. V. Niven
1943 - DEATH Mrs. C. V. Niven
The death occurred on Wednesday December 8, of Mrs. Clara Victoria Niven at her residence, the Castlereagh Hotel, Sydney, at the age of 73 years. She leaves a daughter, Stella (Mrs. McGovern, of Castlereagh Hotel) a son, Reginald (Spring Ridge, Gulgong), step-brother Mr. F. Winter (Mudgee), and three grandchildren, Ken McGovern, Misses Gwen and Jean Niven, of Gulgong. The late Mrs. Niven was an old and highly respected resident of Gulgong having up till 20 years ago resided at Spring Ridge, conducting the Spring Ridge Hotel. Her husband predeceased her by 23 years. The funeral left St. Mary's Cathedral for the Catholic portion of the Botany cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. C. Niven and daughters, of Spring Ridge, also Mr. Winter, of Mudgee, attended the funeral. Our sympathy is extended.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 16 Dec 1943 Page 171944 - THEY SLAPPED IT ON SIX! - AMAZING RUN ON RING
PHENOMENAL betting marked the last race at Randwick yesterday…
Ken McGovern was one of the early comers for Streamford, and he took £1200 to £100 from Harry Austin.
Source: Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954) Sun 11 Jun 1944 Page 3
Condolences in Greek from Prince's Hotel for Stella and Ken McGovern
Source: To Ethnico Vema = Greek National Tribune (Arncliffe, NSW : 1931 - 1954) Wed 15 Jan 1947 Page 4
1947 - [VISIT]
Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Niven and daughters, Misses Gwen and Jean, returned home to Spring Ridge last Sunday after a visit to Sydney for a few days. In the city last Thursday, they met Mr. Niven's sister, Mrs. McGovern, and son, Ken. who arrived about 9 a m. that day by Skymaster plane from San Francisco. Mrs. McGovern reported having had a marvellous and most interesting time overseas. She left Australia in April last year travelled from London to New York in June, and later went by plane to 'Frisco'. Paris, Normandy and Dublin were also visited. Mrs. McGovern is licensee of the Castlereagh Hotel Sydney.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 31 Jul 1947 Page 17 1947 - BARMAIDS.
Apply CASTLEREAGH HOTEL, Park Street, after 9. Previous experience not necessary.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Thu 7 Aug 1947 Page 21
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Thu 7 Aug 1947 Page 21
1947 - LATEST FROM HONOLULU.
This Waikiki beach towel displayed by blonde Miss Australia entrant Irene Templeton on Bondi Beach is as big as a bath robe. It has colorful designs on seaweed and tropic fish. Sydney businessman Ken McGovern brought it from Hawaii.
Source: The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954) Tue 9 Sep 1947 Page 3 1947 - POLICE SEARCH OVER ROOFTOPS
Police last night searched the roofs of buildings in Park Street for a man who had broken into a shop and stolen £50 from a till. Peter Manea, shopkeeper, told police he was awakened about 12.30 by a man in his bedroom on top of his shop in Park Street. Manea said he was awakened by a man battering on his bed room door. His cries wakened Mr. Ken McGovern, son of the licensee of the Castlereagh Hotel. The man jumped out of a window on to a roof of an adjoining building. Manea jumped through his bedroom window on to a cantilever awning over the footpath in Park Street, and stood on the awning shouting for help. McGovern telephoned the police, then searched the roof top of the hotel and the verandah awning which runs continuously from Castlereagh Street to Park Street and into Elizabeth Street.
Revolvers Drawn Two police wireless cars were sent to the shop. Police, with revolvers drawn, searched the rooftops of neighboring buildings. In addition to the £50 in silver which he stole, the man had packed five carrier bags with imported cigarettes from Manea's shop, but left them behind when he realised that the alarm had been given.
Source: The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954) Mon 29 Dec 1947 Page 5 1948 - PERSONAL
Her first visit to the town for nine years was made during the holidays by Mrs. S. McGovern, proprietress of the Castlereagh Hotel, Sydney, who stayed with her brother, Mr. C. R. Niven, and Mrs. Niven, at Spring Ridge. Mrs. McGovern's son, Ken, is to wed Miss Gwen Williams in Sydney next Saturday, and Mrs. Niven and daughters (Jean and Gwen) will leave to-day for the city to be present at the ceremony.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 8 Jan 1948 Page 6
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 8 Jan 1948 Page 6
KEN McGOVERN and GWEN WILLIAMS, who were married at St. Stephen's Church,
Macquarie St., yesterday, enjoyed a quiet pre-wedding dinner at Prince's on Wednesday.
Source: Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954) Sun 11 Jan 1948 Page 26
Macquarie St., yesterday, enjoyed a quiet pre-wedding dinner at Prince's on Wednesday.
Source: Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954) Sun 11 Jan 1948 Page 26
Front row from left: Mrs Williams, Gwen Williams, Stella McGovern and Ken McGovern
Source: Bruce Bryant
1948 - [MARRIED]
Mr. and Mrs. Ken. McGovern, who had been to Melbourne on their honeymoon, have returned to Sydney after staying for some days with the former's uncle, Mr. C. R. Niven. and Mrs. Niven and daughters, of Spring Ridge.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 12 Feb 1948 Page 11
Castlereagh Hotel, 1949
Source: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University
WEDDING - BRYANT—NIVEN
The marriage was recently celebrated at St. Philip's Church, Church Hill, Sydney, of Gwendoline Stell, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Niven, of 'Spring Ridge,' Gulgong, to William Bruce second son of Mr. H. Bryant and the late Mrs. Bryant, of Mudgee.
Rev. Delbridge performed the ceremony.
To the strains of the Wedding March, the bride entered the church on the arm of her father,
looking radiant in a gown of ivory French moire faille with a gold thread. The bodice was heavily embroidered with seed pearls and gold beads, while the skirt was caught up at each side and held in place with gardenias made of the same material and finished with pearls and beads, the folds from the back falling into a slight train.
She wore a finger length cut tulle veil caught with a coronet of pearls and diamentes and carried a bouquet of gardenias and Cecil Brunner roses in the shape of a horse-shoe, to which was attached a real horse shoe, painted gold.
The bridesmaids, Miss Jean Niven (sister of the bride) and Miss Joan Bryant, of Vaucluse (sister of the groom), were frocked in pale pink moire faille, with French marcasite beading edging the neck and hipline. They both wore small pink moire hats, trimmed with matching
roses and silver thread, and carried muffs of pink roses and silver ribbon.
The groom was attended by his brother, Mr. Jack Bryant, of Mudgee, and by Mr. Les. Griffin, of Gulgong.
The church had been beautifully decorated by friends of the bride with pink gladioli and cream dahlias, and large cream taffeta bows tied on the pews.
The bells chimed as the bridal party arrived and left the church, and during the signing of the register, 'The Voice That Breathed O'er Eden', was beautifully rendered by a friend of the bride.
Mr. Ken McGovern, of Sydney, and Mr. Fred. Nicholls, of Mudgee, acted as ushers.
The reception was held at the Pickwick Club, where the guests, many of whom came from Gulgong, Mudgee, Bathurst, Leura, Lithgow and Melbourne, were received by the bride's mother wearing a lovely gown of deep red crepe, lavishly embroidered with beads, with a matching hat trimmed with roses, and carrying an evening bag, to which was added a spray of red roses.
During the evening, the usual toasts were honoured and the chairman, Mr. Don McNiven, read numerous congratulatory telegrams. For her travelling frock, the bride chose a jacket frock of blue-grey English wool with a grey fox-fur, collar and navy accessories.
The happy couple motored to Melbourne, where the honeymoon was spent.
Many handsome presents and cheques were received by the bridal couple and prior to the wedding the bride was entertained to several afternoon-tea and dinner parties.
1952 - [NERVOUS BREAKDOWN]
Ken McGovern, of the Castlereagh Hotel, Sydney, made use of the speedy Sydney - Southport Flying Boat Service on Monday when he came north for a rest. Ken is recovering from a nervous breakdown and will stay at the Surfer's Paradise Hotel.
1953 - Top of Form - £220 haul from home
Thieves yesterday broke into the home of a city hotel manager and stole a wallet containing £220. The manager is Mr. Ken McGovern, of the Castlereagh Hotel, Castlereagh Street
His mother, Mrs. Stella McGovern, owns the hotel.
Mr. McGovern lives in Hopetoun Ave., Vaucluse. He left the wallet on a dressing table when he and his wife left home about 12.30 p.m. to visit a neighbor.
The thieves escaped through the back door when he returned about 2.30 p.m. They left behind a suitcase which they had packed with clothes and other valuables.
1954 - [CAR CHASE]
IT'S in everybody's mind if not in everybody's petrol tank.
The Castlereagh Hotel, Sydney, last week screened a 16mm film showing the late W. C. Fields in a mad, exciting, slapstick car chase. In the chase the cars tear down mountainsides, through houses, wheels fall off, bonnets explode.
On Friday a man came into the public bar and asked manager Ken McGovern: "How long before that Redex thing goes on? You know, the one with W.C. Fields in it?"
1954 - FANCY LUNCHES, FILMS - FOR SYDNEY DRINKERS
SYDNEY — Sydney hotel bars are now giving customers fancy counter lunches and films while they drink. Large servings of flavoursome roasts and grilled flounder are the latest on an already appetising list of food obtainable.
Packed crowds in bars show that customers like the new style treatment. At first hotels showed mainly short sport films, but now they run to full-length shows, with Charlie Chaplin a top favourite, followed closely by old Keystone Cops and Mack Sennett comedies.
Manager of the Castlereagh Hotel, Sydney, Mr. Ken McGovern, said yesterday that the films had sobered down drinking habits.
Here are some of the choice lunches now offered to Sydney drinkers:— Whole grilled flounder, 2/; welsh rarebit, 1/; grilled sausages, 1/; lobster sandwiches, 1/3; curry and rice, 1/6; spaghetti bolognaise, 1/6; steak and mushroom pies, 1/6 fish cake, 9d, roast lamb and mint sauce, with vegetables, 2/6; braised steak, 2/6; one dozen oysters in shell 4/3; Hungarian goulash, 2/9; smoked haddock and parsley sauce, 2/9.
1954 - Bottom of Form
Funding for digitisation contributed by State Library of NSW Digital Excellence Program - Battle of the bar films rages on three sides - Sydney's uncivilised 'six o'clock swill' has been universally condemned, yet any changes by individual publicans to alter the pattern of established hotel
drinking habits inevitably produce fierce opposition from sectional interests.
A year ago the controversy raged about free counter lunches; now it is the screening of films in bars. And soon it will be the question of extended trading hours. Those enterprising NSW publicans — and they are not all in the city area — who have been mixing beer and films for some months, claim that their venture is successful in attracting more trade, that the patrons like the films, and would 'hotly resent' any attempt to ban the screening of films.
The publicans showing the films stoutly assert that the innovation has improved drinking habits.
Ken McGovern. Manager of the Castlereagh Hotel, at the corner of Castlereagh and Market streets, Sydney, has been showing 16-mm. films in the lounge bar of his hotel from 10 a.m. daily until 6 p.m.
Says McGovern: 'There are always at least 20 to 30 men drinking in the public bar while the films are showing. There has been a definite increase in patronage, but the beer consumption is unchanged.
Leisurely
'The customers realise that the films I show — mainly long features — will run for some time, and they naturally take their time. 'If a customer stays in the bar for half an hour he may only have two beers, but he has enjoyed them. 'Since I have had the films. I doubt very much if there has been a case of drunkenness in the bar.'
McGovern said that Mr. Justice Maxwell in his report on the liquor trades had recommended amenities in bars should be increased. 'When we try to give these, the film industry tries to stop the screenings. Apart from the film industry, some sections of the ULVA are opposed to them.'
1954 - First trial film for hotel bar
The Redex trial yesterday started a new phase in the pubs v. movie houses newsreel "war."
A city hotel manager who aimed the trial start hopes to "beat'' professional newsreels by two days. He is Mr. Ken McGovern, of the Castlereagh Hotel, who will screen the trial start in his bar and lounge. Mr. McGovern was at the Showground early yesterday with tripod and newsreel camera. He photographed crowd scenes, early preparations and first starters. He followed the cars to Peat's Ferry for additional shots. He completed the newsreel at Newcastle with pictures of trial cars passing through the city.
Mr. McGovern said he would process the films with the aid of friends. He would screen the newsreel at the Castlereagh Hotel on Wednesday. Professional newsreels probably would not have their first Redex films ready before next Friday. If his films were successful he would extend the idea to cover sporting fixtures and other matters of public interest.
1954 - BITTER END TO HOTEL FILMS
Drinkers reacted bitterly yesterday to the ending of hotel film shows.
One King's Head (Park Street) customer summed it up this way: "Now we know who runs this State."
Last week Tooth's and Tooheys breweries told hotelkeepers to stop showing films in their bars. This action followed hotelkeepers' defiance of a U.L.V.A. ruling against films in hotels.
Hotel customers took the film-ban news with bad grace.
In the King's Head, Park Street, Joe Armbrust, of East Sydney, said: "Now we know who runs this State — and it certainly isn't our so-called elected representatives in the Cahil Government
Closing "wake"
The Unicorn Hotel, Paddington, held a special "wake" just before closing time yesterday. Drinks were on the house. At the ' Unicorn, Bill Scurr, of Epping, said: "Every Saturday me and my mates come in 13 miles to the Unicorn for a few pleasant beers and a Charlie Chaplin slapstick. "I've never seen a fight or an argument in this pub since the films came on a year ago."
Wharf laborers who patronise waterside "pub-flicks" threatened yesterday to approach their union representatives on what they called the "brewery bludgeon." Wharfies will hold an unofficial meeting at a Woolloomooloo hotel at noon tomorrow to discuss the matter.
Special film
At the Castlereagh Hotel, Park Street, the management screened a special "Auld Lang Syne" film at 5.50 p.m. Manager Ken McGovern shouted drinks to his regular "film fans" in the bar and lounge. Said a "film" publican: "The breweries have handed out the blackjack. "Nobody in this State — licensee or not — can buck the breweries."
1954 - [FLOORSHOW]
How they gonna keep them under the thumb, now that they've been free department (breweries and entertainment section):
Today Castlereagh Street hotelier Ken McGovern, who pioneered the pictures-in-the-pubs idea, puts on a floorshow on a stage in the public bar - starring singer Nellie Small, comedian Keith Petersen, and bandleader-pianist Les Welch, all nightclub well-knowns.
Some say it's illegal but anyway at all it's enough to make an honest brewer choke into his malted milk.
1954 - LIVE ARTIST SHOW IN BAR
A Sydney hotel yesterday put on a live artist show in its public bar and lounge. The hotel was one of the first to show films in its bar and lounge. The hotel is the Castlereagh at the corner of Park and Castlereagh Streets.
The Castlereagh and about 25 other hotels discontinued showing films from last Monday because of a direction by Tooths' and Tooheys' Breweries. Two of the artists the Castlereagh had engaged did not take part in yesterday's live artist show. A threat of legal action stopped their appearance.
The manager of the hotel, Mr. Ken McGovern, had engaged three artists to give shows in the public bar and the lounge at 12.30 p.m. and 5.15 p.m. The artists are Nellie Small, Les Welch, and Keith Petersen.
Shortly after midday a crowd packed the bar to see the show. A few minutes before the show was scheduled to begin the three artists and the secretary of Actors' Equity (Mr. Alexander) conferred in an upstairs room in the hotel. Mr. Harry Wren, of Celebrity Circuit. Ltd., had earlier told the three artists that they would break their contracts with him if they performed in the bar. The three artists then sought Mr. Alexander's advice.
At 12.50 p.m. Petersen told the crowd in the bar that neither he nor Les Welch could appear. Peterson said their contracts prevented them appearing. Nellie Small then sang two numbers which the crowd of drinkers vigorously applauded. The crowd cheered when Gus Merzi, radio and stage artist, said he would help the show. Nellie Small said later her contract did not prevent her from appearing in the show.
1954 - Floor show pianist in city hotel
A live-artist show yesterday attracted record crowds to a Castlereagh Street hotel. The show replaced films which Sydney breweries have banned in hotels. The hotel, the Castlereagh, yesterday staged a three floor shows featuring three stage and radio artists. And during the day a bar pianist played popular songs, in which drinkers joined. Castlereagh manager Ken McGovern said: "Next week we're going to start a talent quest. "We'll pay £3 to the winners of the heats and £25 to the winner of the final. Anyone can enter, and the public will be the judge."
[more of the same]
1958 - NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DECLARE DIVIDEND. - Part XII
In the matter of (Mrs) Stella McGovern, of Macquarie Private Hotel, Tusculum avenue, Potts Point, and previously trading as "The Castlereagh Hotel", widow
NOTICE is hereby given that a first and final dividend is intended to be declared in this matter. The dividend will be paid to those creditors who have proved their claims on or before the twenty-fifth day of August, 1958.
Dated this eleventh day of August, 1958
V C BEAR & HORSFIELD, Chartered Accountants (Aust),
Agents for the Trustees, 11c Castlereagh street, Sydney 3140
Source: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette (National : 1901 - 1973) Thu 21 Aug 1958 [Issue No.46] Page 2761
No. 140 of 1958.—Re Ken McGovern, c/o Mrs. C. R. Niven, 48 Kings-road, Vaucluse.
Date of presentation of petition—13th March, 1958.
Date of sequestration order—17th April, 1958.
Source: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette (National : 1901 - 1973) Thu 1 May 1958 [Issue No.26] Page 1414
Castlereagh Hotel, 1960
Source: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University
Floorplan
