Mr [I] Osborn [James Osborne, publican of Ring of Bells Hotel, Home Rule or draper of Hill End ?]
Joseph Moss was licensee of the Ring of Bells Hotel in Herbert St, Gulgong, 20 December 1871.
In September 1872 and in 1873 he had the licence for Home Rule's Ring of Bell's Hotel.
James A Osborne was licensee for Home Rule's Ring of Bell's Hotel in 1874.
Source: Governemtn Gazettes
James Osborne of Home Rule was the owner of the Ring o’ Bells Hotel in Home Rule during
the goldrush. In February 1874 MJ King gave his popular Hibernian entertainment
at Osborne’s Assembly Rooms to good houses. I’m assuming the Assembly Rooms
were the same as the detached concert room that Joe Moss had during his
ownership. It appears to have been another place for entertainment in HR along
with the Royal Shamrock Theatre. In May 1874 the Queen’s birthday was
celebrated at a ball and supper at Osborne’s Assembly Rooms.
In May 1874 people at HR petitioned the Joint Stock Bank to
establish a branch there. The bank opened a branch temporarily in Osborne’s
Assembly Rooms. In September 1874 Osborne and party were mining claims 10 and
11 on the Home Rule Extension. They were about to commence washing 300 loads at
Fosberg’s machine. Claims 10 and 11 were variously reported as Osborne and
party’s claims and as Johnson and party’s claims. It seems they were in
partnership. In August 1874 William Johnson’s eldest son died and James Osborne
was a witness to his burial at Gulgong.
In October 1875 a fire broke out at the back of the public
school in the main street of Home Rule. Osborne was the captain of the fire
brigade. By its actions the brigade was said to have saved the town from total
destruction. That night a public meeting was held at Osborne’s hotel to reward
some of those involved in fighting the fire.
Ring of Bells Hotel, Home Rule
NEWS ITEMS
1875 - Destructive Fire at Home Rule
On Thursday, T A Browne, Coroner, conduct an enquiry at Osborne’s Commercial Hotel, Home Rule, touching the origins of the late fire. A jury of twelve men were appointed, and Mr Nicholas Sheridan chosen as foreman.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, October 23, 1875
Home Rule from our Correspondent
The fire in the Public School at Home Rule, raged furiously for more than an hour, destroying the school and three buildings adjoining as far as Greening’s Hotel, there was a steady breeze blowing south-east, fortunately it veered a point of two, too the south, otherwise both sides of the street would have been in danger. The police are deserving of praise—under the command of
Sergeant Keenan, who rendered most valuable service. The fire soon reached Mrs Leroux and her family and from there it soon reached Pope’ Bakery. This was a most critical moment, when to hesitate was to be lost. It was there that the calm, steady judgement of fire Captain Osborne came to be observed, he ordered a party of axemen to chop down the house next to Greening’s Hotel, which was the only way to save the town. The men worked with a will and during the time they were at this work, the heat was so intense that the engine had to be kept steadily playing on and around the fire. When all worked so well, it would invidious to single out any particular person or persons.
A public meeting was held at Osborne’s Hotel last night—Mr P Dwyer in the chair—when the following prizes were awarded—Michael Byrne, first waterman 20/-; John Connors second waterman, 10/-. The last one handed back to be given to the Gulgong Hospital.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, October 23, 1875
1876 - Cricket ! Cricket!A Grand Cricket match will be Played at Homers Paddock on New Years Day between the Gulgong and Home Rule Cricket Clubs. Wickets to be pitched at 9.30 sharp.
Being the first match of the season the Gulgong Club have decided to open the gates free to all comers.
Cricketers are requested to muster at 9am sharp at Osborne’s Hotel.
CRICKETERS’S BALL
On Monday Night
January 1, 1877
at
OSBORNE’S
Assembly Rooms
Refreshments Provided.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, December 30, 1876
