PADDOCK HOTEL - Guntawang Paddock
- Mathew Orlovitch 1872-74
- Thomas Montgomery 1875-76
The Caledonian Lead and Redgate Lead (better known as Perseverance) all channelled into Rouse's paddock. Mattio Orlovitch was a Yugoslav with a thick accent. He was, or latterly became, the efficient manager of the Melbourne Gold Mining Co., which had been formed for the purpose of working deep ground on the property of Richard Rouse. It is likely that Richard Rouse could have been behind Mattio's business venture of a store, butcher's shop and hotel. In any event the three businesses were up for sale in June 1874 and Mattio went off to the new find at Mitchell's Creek where he opened the Club House Hotel in 1876.
The Paddock Hotel was trading in 1875 in the hands of Thomas Montgomery and wife Mary Ann (nee Taylor). He had been a general dealer in Herbert Street in 1873. He was also on the Race Committee and a member of the Temperance Committee. Rather odd that a man on the Temperance Committee would be found behind a bar. The Temperance Band of Hope was a strong body with their own headquarters building in Herbert Street. Although a strong body, in comparison to the population, a small minority. Perhaps Thomas' view was if "you can't lick 'em, then join 'em".
The Perseverance Lead joined with the Fraser Lead and somewhere in this vicinity was to be found another Diggers Arms Hotel which was situated on the lead near Wellington Road, nothing is known of this hotel except it was up for sale in August 1874.
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