In September 1869 when New Lambton was in its infancy, the Newcastle Chronicle reported there was already two hotels and “a third public-house is in course of erection, and the proprietor, Mr Johns, expects a license for it shortly.” Built on the north-west corner of Regent Street and Portland Place, Nicholas Johns opened the Sportsman’s Arms Hotel for business on 22 January 1870.
After three decades of operation, Marshalls Paddington Brewery purchased the land and building in 1899 and commenced plans for a new hotel building in a different location. In April 1903 the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate reported: “A large brick hotel is now being erected overlooking the reserve, close to the tram terminus. The roof which is of red tiles, is now completed, and the contractor, Mr. Viggers. is busy finishing the interior to the designs of Mr. Henderson, architect.” In July 1903 the license of the Sportsman’s Arms hotel was transferred to the new two storey building on the corner of Hobart Road and Rugby Road, with William Thompson as licensee.
The old hotel in Regent Street closed and was used as a private dwelling for two years before it was destroyed by fire in June 1905. There are no known photographs of the original hotel. In 1922 the Methodists purchased the site and constructed a church building.
In Hobart Road in 1903, in addition to his new hotel, William Thompson also built a large assembly room and named it the Commonwealth Hall. For a decade it was used for socials, fundraisers, community gatherings, political meetings, and concerts. In 1912 John Sperring, licensee of the Belmont Hotel, purchased the hall and arranged to have it dismantled, transported, and re-erected on a site adjoining his hotel in Belmont. The second Sportsman’s Arms Hotel in New Lambton continued trading until 1987, when the Wests Leagues Club demolished it to allow an extension of their premises.
The Sportsman’s Arms Hotel (left) and Commonwealth Hall (right) in Hobart Rd New Lambton, c. 1908. Photo by Ralph Snowball. University of Newcastle, Living Histories.Wests New Lambton now occupies the site of the second Sportsman’s Arms Hotel.
The article above was first published in the May 2025 edition of The Local.
Additional Information
See the following sections in my New Lambton Hotels page:
"A third public-house is in course of erection, and the proprietor, Mr. Jones [sic], expects a license for it shortly after it is finished. There will then be three licensed houses at New Lambton - a number quite equal to the wants of the people."
"NICHOLAS JOHNS begs to inform the inhabitants of New Lambton and surrounding districts, that he will commence business as a PUBLICAN in the Sportsman's Arms, New Lambton, on THIS DAY (Saturday), January 22nd."
William Masefield Bostock advertised … "that I desire to obtain and will at the next Quarterly Licensing Court to be holden at Newcastle on the Third Day of April Next apply for a Certificate authorising the issue of a Conditional Publican’s License for premises proposed to be erected and situated at the corner of Alma-road and Lambton-road, and to be known by the sign of 'Sportsman’s Arms,' and containing eleven rooms, exclusive of those required for the use of the family."
At the licensing court held on 14 April 1902, Bostock stated … "that he was an agent for Marshall’s Brewery Company, who had an hotel known as the Sportsman’s Arms Hotel, New Lambton, and he proposed to remove the license of that house to that for which he was applying for a conditional license. He had a guarantee, which he produced, from his company to close the Sportsman’s Arms should the new license be grant ed. The site of the proposed hotel was at the intersection of Alma-road and Lambton-road, opposite Roberts’ store. He did not own the land, but had taken certain steps to procure it."
"A large brick hotel is now being erected for Mr. Thomson overlooking the reserve, close to the tram terminus. The roof which is of red tiles, is now completed, and the contractor, Mr. Viggers. is busy finishing the interior to the designs of Mr. Henderson, architect."
"The old Sportsman's Arms Hotel in Regent-street, which is one of the oldest buildings in the municipality, and in the early days was considered to be among the best of its class, is now closed, the license having been transferred to the new building recently erected by the Marshall's Brewery Company in Hobart-road."
"The members of the New Lambton Fire Brigade held a social in Thompson's new hall on Friday evening ... the Mayor (Alderman Errington), on behalf of the proprietors, declared the hall open. In doing so he explained that the building was to be known as the Commonwealth Hall."
"Shortly before nine o'clock yesterday morning a fire occurred in an old unoccupied building at the corner of Regent street and Portland Place. The building, which was owned by Marshall's Brewery Co. was formerly known as the Sportsman's Arms Hotel, and about two years the license was transferred to the new hotel belonging to the same firm, situated in Hobart-road. For some time the structure was occupied as a private dwelling, but for the last few months has been untenanted ...After burning for about three-quarters of an hour, the old building collapsed, the debris falling with a crash into the middle of the street. The only portion that remained standing was the chimney and part of the kitchen, which was detached from the main building."
"TENDERS are invited for taking down the Commonwealth Hall, situated at New Lambton, Removing, and Erecting at Belmont. Tenders close 13/7/'12. Lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. Apply for particulars. John Sperring, Belmont Hotel."
"The town possesses accommodation in the way of halls for entertainment, and within the past year Mr. Sperring, licensee of the Belmont Hotel, has erected a large hall adjoining the hotel grounds. The building is 70 feet long by 30 feet wide, and will seat comfortably about 500 persons. It has a large stage capable of mounting big acts. and the floor is well adapted for dancing. The building was previously the Commonwealth Hall at New Lambton, which Mr. Sperring purchased, and had re-erected, strengthened, and generally improved in its interior decorations. The hall is frequently used by moonlight excursion parties."
In May 1900, the Maitland Half-Squadron of Lancers conducted a three-day training march, including an overnight camp at Lambton. This was no academic exercise, with former members of the squadron at that very time in South Africa fighting in the Boer War.
The following is an edited extract of a report by one of the officers, published in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate
The Maitland Lancers met on Saturday morning to start on a touring march. The object was to impart tactical training, under such conditions as would be probable on active service. A muster of 36 men under Captain Markwell, with two transport wagons set off about 10 o’clock. After stopping for a midday meal near Minmi they proceeded to Young Wallsend (Edgeworth), where the first night’s camp took place. On Sunday they travelled round the eastern side of Lake Macquarie to Belmont for lunch, then back towards Charlestown where the peaceful little hamlet was suddenly astonished by the surrounding bush sending forth armed and mounted men from all directions, galloping and converging upon a rallying point. Colonel Ranclaud (Commandant of the Northern Forces) escorted the Lancers into their camp at Lambton, the site being one adjoining the Lambton Colliery, and very kindly placed at Captain Markwell’s disposal by Mr. Thomas Croudace, general manager of the Scottish-Australian Company. Four bell tents were erected when the tired men and horses came in. Horses were quickly placed in their lines, and a hearty meal partaken of, as the night became extremely cold, windy, and wet. On Monday morning “the reveille” sounded at 6 o’clock, and after the necessary stable duties had been performed, and breakfast disposed of, the troops were put through sword exercises and afterwards lance exercise and squadron drill. About half-past 10 the camp was struck, and a move made towards home via Wallsend, Sandgate, and Hexham, reaching Maitland about 6 o’clock, after a most instructive, enjoyable, and interesting tour, every man glad that he had come.
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 31 May 1900.
The Maitland Lancers’ camp in Lambton, 28 May 1900. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Newcastle Libraries Online Collection 001 000647.The Lancers’ camp was on the ridge where Turner St runs today.
The article above was first published in the April 2025 edition of The Local.
Additional Information
Other photos
Ralph Snowball took three other photographs of the Maitland Lancers in Lambton in May 1900. One was taken in the same location as the camp photo above, but with the Lancers lined up with their horses.
The Maitland Lancers in Lambton, 28 May 1900. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Newcastle Libraries Online Collection 001 000646
The other two photos are looking towards the west as the Lancers approach their camp site. One of the photographs shows one of the supply wagons mentioned in the report of the march.
The Maitland Lancers in Lambton, 28 May 1900. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Newcastle Libraries Online Collection 001 000645The Maitland Lancers in Lambton, 28 May 1900. Photo by Ralph Snowball. Newcastle Libraries Online Collection 001 000648
The location of the LANCERS’ camp
We know from the newspaper report that the camp was on a “site being one adjoining the Lambton Colliery.” The exact location can be determined by comparison with other contemporaneous photos of Lambton and the colliery.
In the photo of the Lancers’ camp below, note the following features: A. House B. Two-rail wooden fence in front of white fence C. White picket fence in front of house D. A dusty path/road running between the tents E. A shed with a sloping roof that is between the two-rail fence and the dusty path
In Panel 2 of the 1904 Lambton panorama we see features A, B, C, D. (Assuming the house to the right of house A must have been built after the May 1900 Lancers photo, an assumption bolstered by the whiteness of its fence.)
In this October 1900 photo of Lambton colliery (just a few months after the Lancer photos) we see features A, C, D, and crucially E, the small shed with the sloping roof.
A further piece of evidence is that in the May 1900 Lancers photo, in the background to the right of the soldier’s head we see a large tallish building.
A final piece of evidence is the house in the background, which until recently still stood on Morehead St at the intersection with Turner St.
A Google StreetView image from 2020 shows the same house on Morehead St that appeared in Snowball’s 1900 photos. The house was demolished in 2024 to make way for a new building.
The Full report
The full unedited text of the report published in the newspaper appears below.
The Three Days’ Trip of the Maitland Lancers. (By One of the Officers.)
The Maitland Half-Squadron of Lancers met at the Orderly Room on Saturday morning last, to start on a touring march, with shifting camp, in light marching order. The object was to impart tactical training to the Half-Squadron, under such conditions as would be probable on active service. There was a good muster, viz., 36, under Captain Markwell and Lieutenant Welch. Two transport waggons accompanied the troops, and a start was obtained about 10 o’clock. The squadron was formed in marching order, with an advance guard, followed by the main body, then came the transport waggons and the rear guard. The weather was very threatening, but the rain held off well.
Everything went well until a piece of bad road about four miles from Minmi had to be negotiated, when one of the transport waggons bogged up to the axles, and in the effort to get clear the pole snapped off short. A halt of the troops was called, and a fatigue party detached to repair damages. This was just one of the sort of incidents required for practical training, and to show the resources of the men, it is only necessary to say that by the aid of an axe, carried for general purposes, a sapling was cut, and the broken pole spliced with a couple of heel ropes, and in twenty minutes the march was resumed. In order to test the durability of the job, the whole trip was performed with this temporary pole. A halt was called for midday meal near Minmi, and both horses and men were fed under regulation conditions. As the roads were heavy a start was soon made again, and proceeding through Minmi and West Wallsend to Young Wallsend, where the first night’s camp took place. On reaching camp the picket lines were immediately placed in position, the horses were secured, and when the bugle sounded “feed” they showed their appreciation by little affectionate whinnies to their owners. Four bell tents were erected as if by magic, to the front of the horse lines. In the meantime the camp cooks had been busy, and all hands sat down to a hearty meal.
After tea the picket guards took up their duties, and the rest of the men enjoyed themselves round the fire with songs, jokes, recitations, &c., even down to little Trumpeter Roy Welch, who contributed “The Man from Snowy River” in a very creditable manner, seated on the shoulders of a stalwart trooper. At 10 o’clock the bugles rang cut “lights out,” and the camp was in darkness. The picket guards were changed every three hours during the night, and a good deal of work was provided for them by some of the new chum horses objecting to the heel ropes, and kicking and breaking loose.
On Sunday morning at 6 “the reveille” was sounded, and half an hour later hot coffee and biscuits were served. Then followed “stables” and lance exercise. A sheep had been ordered from the local butcher for breakfast, and when this arrived a good breakfast was enjoyed by all. At 9 o’clock tents were struck, the baggage waggons loaded. The squadron was then formed up the same as the preceding day, and a fresh start made.
When the column reached the junction of the Cardiff, Wallsend, and Cockle Creek roads a guard was detached to convoy the transports to Lambton via Cardiff, and the main body proceeded by Cockle Creek and Argenton road round the eastern side of Lake Macquarie, and here a slice of good luck was encountered, by meeting with two members of the Scottish Rifles, Messrs. Wilcox and Stubbs, who knew the country well from there to Belmont, and who very kindly volunteered their services to act as guides through the scrubby country ahead. Captain Markwell promptly accepted the good things the gods had provided, and a move was made. Passing on through Spears’ Estate a beautiful view of lovely Lake Macquarie was obtained, but a little further on the value of the guides was fully appreciated, when a creek, rejoicing in the suggestive name of “Snaky Creek,” emptying into Warner’s Bay, was encountered right across the line of march. This creek is said to be very boggy and dangerous to negotiate, so a detour was made into the waters of the lake, and by keeping well out from the mouth the bottom is found to be silted up, and a safe crossing was effected. This operation produced a beautiful picture; the Lancers in open files, with pennants flying and with glittering swords and lances, reflected from a sunny sky in the azure water below, was a sight never to be forgotten. From here the country became rather rough and scrubby, but being open and unfenced it afforded an opportunity for a little skirmishing, so the groups were thrown out, in diamond formation, and covered with right and left flanking patrols in advance of the main body. The duty of these skirmishers was to go ahead and feel for, and locate an enemy, and convey the information to the main body through connecting files. These operations provided some exceedingly useful and highly interesting work, and the country was traversed in this manner right through to Belmont.
A halt was called here for lunch, the troops having carried a biscuit and cheese and a ration for their horses in nose-bags on their saddles. After a short rest the squadron was reformed, and the march resumed back towards Charlestown, and where the country permitted of it, very useful reconnoitring work was again performed, as detailed above. At Charlestown the “rally” was sounded, and the peaceful little hamlet was suddenly astonished by the surrounding bush sending forth armed and mounted men from all directions, galloping and converging upon the rallying point. The march was then made from Charlestown via Hillsborough towards Lambton, and about a mile from Charlestown the squadron was met by Colonel Ranclaud, Commandant of the Northern Forces, and a number of gentlemen from Newcastle, comprising three of the younger members of the Croudace family, Mr. Greenland, and others. These gentlemen are taking an active interest in the formation of a Lancer Half-Squadron in Newcastle, and were naturally much interested in everything pertaining to the troops. Colonel Ranclaud and the other gentlemen named escorted the Lancers into their camp at Lambton, the site being one adjoining the Lambton Colliery, and very kindly placed at Captain Markwell’s disposal by Mr. Thomas Croudace, general manager of the Scottish-Australian Company. The transport waggons having travelled by the short road had arrived early in the day, and the camp was ready pitched when the tired men and horses came in. Horses were quickly placed in their lines, and a hearty meal partaken of, and as the night was extremely cold, windy, and wet, it very speedily became a “sleeping camp,” but for the vigilant picket guards and officers. On Monday morning “the reveille” again sounded at 6 o’clock, and after the necessary stable duties had been performed, and breakfast disposed of, the troops were put through sword exercise dismounted, and afterwards lance exercise and squadron drill. About half-past 10 the camp was struck, and a move made towards home via Wallsend, Sandgate, and Hexham. The Lancers were escorted from their camp as far as Sandgate by Mr. P. Croudace, Mr. William Arnott, junr., Mr. Greenland, and others. The Half-Squadron reached Maitland about 6 o’clock, after a most instructive, enjoyable, and interesting tour, every man glad that he had come, and feeling well enough to go and do it again in the next three days if required. There was not a single incident to mar the enjoyment or harmony of the march. The only misadventures were the loss of a sword-blade by one of the troopers in the bush when skirmishing, and the breaking of the pole of the transport waggon.
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 31 May 1900.
I recently became aware of an 1886 subdivision map of New Lambton, held in the State Library of NSW archives. One of the interesting aspects of this map is that it shows details of lot leases.
1886 New Lambton subdivision map showing leased lots shaded with cross-hatching. State Library of NSW.
This is important because when the colliery opened in New Lambton in 1868, the coal company only leased their land, and did not start selling land until 1886 after their coal operations there had ceased. This is in contrast to the neighbouring Lambton Colliery, who from their very beginning in 1864 sold land in the Lambton township to miners. So unlike Lambton where it is possible to inspect land title records in the Historical Land Records Viewer to determine who lived where, in New Lambton prior to 1886 determining who occupied what land is much more difficult.
Inspecting the 1886 subdivision map gives a snapshot of land occupation in that year, and in particular throws light on this previously undated Ralph Snowball photograph in the Living Histories site, captioned as “Unidentified family, New Lambton”.
Looking at lots 34-39 in Section S and lots 10-14 in Section Z, we see a roughly rectangular area of land marked as Horsfield’s Lease.
Noting three other leases on the map – Lucas’ Lease in Section S, Gould’s Lease in Section R, and the Wesleyan Church in Section J – we see that these align with the buildings we see in Snowball’s photograph.
In the 1886 map the dividing line between the northern and southern lots in Section S is shown as a straight line. This is where the gully/creek runs down the hill between Addison Rd and St James Rd. This is made clearer in a later 1901 subdivision map, where the line of the creek has been added. The Snowball photograph matches the map, as we see a creek running along the northern border of Horsfield’s lease.
Having established that Snowball’s photo is probably of Horsfield’s Lease, a search of Trove provides confirmation in this 1883 advertisement for the sale of William Horsfield’s Leasehold property.
Advertisement for the sale of William Horsfield’s Leasehold property at New Lambton. Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 29 September 1883.
We see in Snowball’s photograph the two houses mentioned in the advertisement – the smaller two room house and the larger 5 room house, and a garden between the houses and shed. If you look really closely you can even see one cow in the fenced paddock.
The 1883 advertisement is for 6 acres of land, and notes that it “will be sold in one lot or subdivided.” In the 1886 map the area marked as Horsfield’s measures only 3.5 acres, which suggests that in 1883 only 2.5 acres of leasehold land was sold.
Google Earth view showing the location of Horsfield’ Lease in New Lambton.Google Earth oblique view showing the location of Horsfield’ Lease in New Lambton.Approximate location of the Horsfield’s Lease photo, St James Rd, New Lambton, March 2025.
Dating the photograph
In the photo there is no sign of any of the streets in that area having been made yet. In particular the Portland Place road near the Wesleyan Church is not visible. We know that section of road existed in 1896 as New Lambton council voted …
That Portland-place from the New Lambton estate boundary to Cromwell-street be gravelled 21ft wide, at a cost of £25
As Snowball’s photographic career started in 1885, this places the Horsfield Lease photo in the definite range 1885 to 1896.
After New Lambton council formed in 1889 they quickly set about making and improving roads, and thus needed a good supply of gravel. In 1890 they opened up a quarry near Hincks lease at the top of Addison Rd and arranged for the construction of a tramway to carry the gravel 400 yards down the hill. In Snowball’s Horsfield’s lease photo there is no sign of either a roadway to the quarry or a tramway, indicating that the photo is probably before 1890.
Also, a close examination of the buildings in the photo shows that almost all seem to be located on blocks of land marked as leases on the 1886 map. Land sales in this area only commenced in March 1886, and assuming that people would start building houses on their land soon after purchase, this suggests the photo can’t be too many years after 1886.
In conclusion, my best guess for the date of the photo is within the range 1885 to 1890.
Navigating the real estate market today can be a battle, but it’s unlikely to be as dangerous as the New Lambton land sale of 1886. The colliery in this area was established in 1868, with land leased to miners rather than sold outright. After the mine closed, the owners planned a 474-lot subdivision, to be auctioned on-site on 27 February 1886. To entice bidders, a free special train from Newcastle was laid on, and lunch was to be provided. Things did not go well. The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate reported:
One of the most disorderly scenes ever witnessed in the county occurred at New Lambton on Saturday, when Mr. J. C. Bonarius, the well-known and popular auctioneer, endeavoured to sell the property known as the New Lambton Estate. This land has been occupied for the past 16 or 17 years by tenants who have erected houses, and having lived so long on the land, resent any attempt to dispossess them. Accordingly, as soon as the train arrived, it was met by a hooting, roaring crowd, composed of the old leaseholders shouting, “They’re going to sell the roof over our heads!” On the sale being commenced, by their howling and groaning and making ridiculously small bids, they endeavoured to block the proceedings. The crowd then broke into the luncheon tent, seized the provisions and liquors, and threw the furniture outside. Five different messengers were despatched for the police, but none could be found, they all being away at the Wallsend races. The meeting had become a complete riotous display, and a number of intending buyers were intimidated and threatened. Mr. Bonarius had nothing left but to withdraw the sale.
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 1 March 1886.
In the aftermath of the riot another on-site auction was not attempted. Instead, a month later Mr Bonarius held an auction in the Victoria Theatre in Newcastle – this time without food, without alcohol, and without incident.
A poster advertising the New Lambton Estate subdivision sale in 1886, which curiously has a completely different set of street names to those we know today. State Library of NSW.What might have been – Pitt St and Horsfield St in New Lambton, now Portland St and Regent St. (Image digitally altered.)
The article above was first published in the March 2023 edition of The Local.
Additional Information
The original land sale was heavily promoted by J C Bonarius in the lead up to the on-site auction, with multiple large advertisements in the newspaper. The proprietor of the newspaper also got on board, with more than one editorial ‘puff piece’ praising the impending land sale in glowing terms such as “fine subdivision”, “best land”, “beautiful building sites”, “a more lovely spot is not to be found”, “the beauties of New Lambton Heights are far beyond description”, and “this little paradise”.
For reasons of space, the newspaper report I quoted in the article published in The Local was a much condensed version of the original, which appears in full below.
RIOT AT LAMBTON. The Mob Block a Land Sale. Disgraceful Proceedings.
ONE of the most disorderly scenes ever witnessed in the county of Northumberland occurred at New Lambton on Saturday last, when, pursuant to advertisement, Mr. J. C. Bonarius, the well-known and popular auctioneer, endeavoured to sell the property known as the New Lambton Estate. The special train, which left here at noon, conveyed a large number of intending purchasers from Newcastle, and there were numerous visitors from Sydney, Maitland, and elsewhere.
It appears that this property has been occupied for the past 16 or 17 years by a number of tenants who have erected houses thereon, and who originally held leases of 14 years, which have expired, two or three years since, through effluxion of time. Hence, having lived so long on the land, the occupiers came to regard it as their own, and were prepared to resent any attempt to dispossess them of what they, from force of habit, had led themselves to believe to be their birth-right, forgetting that since the expiration of their leases they had been permitted to remain on the land on sufferance rent free.
Accordingly, as soon as the train arrived, it was met by a hooting, roaring crowd, composed of the old leaseholders and their patizans, and a number of those who are always in their glory when there is a prospect of a row, shouting “They’re going to sell the roof over our heads !” Taking no notice, the party proceeded to partake of luncheon in a tent prepared for the occasion. During this time the larrikin element began to manifest itself in various way, and Mr. Bonarius, the auctioneer, addressed the crowd, which number in all about 700 persons, asking them in the most persuasive terms to keep quiet; but without avail. On the sale being commenced, it was evident that a concerted plan had been adopted by the old leaseholders to block it. Drafts of them were distributed here and there among the mob, and by their howling and groaning and making ridiculously small bids, they endeavoured to achieve this object. The crowd then broke into the [lunch] tent and took whatever they could lay their hands on, seized the provisions and liquors and threw the articles of furniture outside. The Hon. G. R. Dibbs, Colonial Secretary, who was present, remonstrated with them, asking them to conduct themselves like men, but they took no heed, and Mr. Dibbs and a number of gentlemen had to withdraw to save themselves from violence. Mr. Bonarius and his son were also threatened, and the attendants in charge of the luncheon paraphernalia beaten and ill-used. Five different messengers were despatched for the police, but none could be found, they all being away at the Wallsend races – which fact the mobs well knew. The meeting had now become a complete riotous display; the auctioneer’s voice was inaudible amidst the babel of tongues, and a number of intending buyers who were present were intimidated from bidding, as the rioters threatened them with ill-treatment if they did so. Mr. Bonarius had nothing left but to withdraw the sale, on which announcement being made, the mob set up cheer after cheer that could be heard a mile off. Lots 1 and 2, section B, on the crown of the hill, were sold at £2 per foot, while a few blocks lower down realised from 15s to £1 per foot.
It may be mentioned that last week Mr. Bonarius valued the allotments, informing their occupants that he would not sell the lots on which houses were built if the tenants were willing to pay the same for them as the adjoining allotment fetched. All except three were satisfied with his valuation, from which the proprietors were willing to knock off 50 per cent., and also to give two large allotments to each of the churches for the erection of their respective places of worship, and two allotments for a Mechanics’ Institute.
We understand that Police Court action is to be taken against the ringleaders.
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 1 March 1886.
A fortnight later, one of the leaseholders on the New Lambton estate wrote a letter to the editor, giving quite a different explanation of the disturbance.
Sir, – Seeing an account in your paper of Monday, March 1st, wherein one of the most disorderly scenes ever witnessed in the county of Northumberland occurred at New Lambton, there being so many misstatement I deem it my duty to correct. First, the train arrived at New Lambton with 25 passengers, including vendors, auctioneers, and others. True, Sir, we have lived on the estate for 16 or 17 years, and have held leases for 14 years, but after that term expired we went on the same as before, paying our 30s a year for each allotment. As our original leases stated we had the right of renewal, and the proprietors have held out promises to renew it, so you will see, Sir, we have not, been living there rent free. Next, the train arrived and was “met by a hooting, roaring crowd, composed ofleaseholders, &c.” We give our most emphatic denial to this. The people got out of the train and were never molested. After arriving on the top of the hill and partaking of luncheon provided by the auctioneer, some of the liquid portion was not long before it commenced to operate on the larrikin element, which had come from all parts of the district; and I have no doubt that they did misbehave themselves, and for this we blame other people, and not the tenants of the New Lambton Estate. As for 700 people being there, I think if the writer had said 70 it would have been nearer the mark. Now, Sir, I say we had no concerted plan adopted to block the sale, but it was the auctioneer who ran the land up to such an exorbitant price that the leaseholders knew they had no chance to buy the small piece of land their houses stood on, which was believed not to be a bona fide bid after all. The Hon. G. R. Dibbs was also present, and remonstrated with children and larrikins for their bad behaviour. Now, Sir, if I were the father of one of those children who got intoxicated I would most undoubtedly have seen further into it. As for Mr. Dibbs and other gentlemen having to withdraw to save themselves from violence, they did not leave until after the sale was closed. Also as to Mr. Bonarius and his son being threatened and the attendants in charge of the luncheon paraphernalia beaten and ill used, we know of no one being ill used; but this we know, a young man stood on the counter, with a bottle of porter in his hand, threatening to knock down the first man that touched anything, but he was besieged by the larrikins and the bottle taken from him. And as for the police, I think it was the man’s fault who brought so much liquor. He should have seen that it was properly protected. Next comes: “Mr. Bonarius’s voice being inaudible with the babel of tongues.” This noise proceeded from the larrikin element, who were by this time intoxicated and quarrelling among themselves. The “intending buyers being intimidated by the leaseholders” we deny in toto. As for cheering taking place after the sale was closed, we heard none, and if there had been we would have heard it. True, Sir, lots Nos. 1 and 2 on the top of the hill were knocked down at £2 per foot, that being the only legitimate sale that took place that day, the others being a farce. It is true Mr. Bonarius was up last week and valued the houses on the allotments, not the allotments, Sir, and for which we had agreed to pay 50 per cent. of the said valuation, provided we became purchasers of the land, for which we had to pay the same as the next allotment to us brought. Hoping you will pardon me for trespassing,-I am, &c., ONE OF THE NEW LAMBTON TENANTS.
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 13 March 1886
Some of this letter stretches credulity to breaking point, as the writer successively blames the riot on …
“the larrikin element, which had come from all parts of the district”
“other people”
“the auctioneer who ran the land up to such an exorbitant price”
“children and larrikins”
“children who got intoxicated”
“the man’s fault who brought so much liquor”
… while all the time denying that the leaseholders, who clearly had the most to gain from blocking the sale, bore any responsibility at all.
The truth probably lies somewhere between the Herald’s sensationalistic report of 1 March 1886 and the leaseholder’s exculpatory letter of 13 March 1886. However it is clear that whatever occurred on Saturday 27 February 1886, it was sufficiently disruptive to cause the abandonment of the sale after only 2 lots had been auctioned.
The 1886 subdivision map
One of the important aspects of the 1886 subdivision map is that it shows which lots were leased and to whom they were leased. For example, in Sections D and G we see leases to Lunn (James Lunn of the Hand of Friendship Hotel), Sneddan, Horsfield, and Butterworth (Abraham Butterworth of the Duke of Wellington Hotel.)
Lots 1 to 4 of Section G are shown as leased by “Sneddan”, a rather mercurial name with various other documents and newspaper articles spelling the name “Snedden”, “Sneddon”, and even “Snedding”. Mr Thomas Sneddon was a long-time resident and well known gardener and florist in New Lambton. A number of editorial puff pieces leading up to the February 1886 land sale made reference to his garden.
20 January 1886 – “A correspondent writes that having had occasion to transact business at Wallsend the other day, he started from Newcastle in a bus, and when near New Lambton a gentleman induced him to get out and visit Snedding Garden at New Lambton. To his utter astonishment he saw one of the prettiest gardens outside of Sydney. The whole place was a living mass of flowers of all kinds and colours, and the fernery was beautiful, some of the choicest kinds being New South Wales ferns.”
30 January 1886 – “The paragraph which appeared in your paper last week, referring to Snedding Garden, or this estate, and to the site equalling for scenery anything in this part of New South Wales, led me to take a journey to this northern paradise, and to my astonishment I was well paid for my labour. The ‘bus dropped me at the railway bridge, and I made my way to the gardens, which are really beautiful. Flowers and ferns are herein abundance, and to give you the names of them would take me too long, but the wonder to me was how they grow here in the open air in such splendour. I was informed the soil was very rich, and with a little trouble anything thing will grow at New Lambton Heights.”
20 February 1886 – “I visited some of the houses, and fortunately happened to drop into Mr. Sneddon’s garden. I was very glad of this, as I had read an account of this garden, and really was paid for my trouble. I was here surrounded by all the colours of the rainbow, and was not long in procuring a lovely bunch of flowers that really would have done credit to Covent Garden in the old country. The camelia bushes are just breaking out with their lovely new leaves, and when the season arrives New Lambton Heights will be able to show camelias with any part of New South Wales.”
Thomas Sneddon resided in New Lambton until his death in 1927, aged 83. His obituary described the fame of his garden.
Mr Thomas Sneddon who died last week at his home, cnr Cromwell and Victoria streets, was one of the oldest residents of New Lambton. He was known throughout the Newcastle and Maitland districts as a keen horticulturist, and his gardens proved a strong attraction. In past years, during the days of the old wind jammers, they were the rendezvous of ship captains and other visitors. Mr. Sneddon was born at Cockpen, county of Edinburgh in 1844. He came to New Lambton in 1879, when the township was but a scrub, and lived there till his death at the age of 83. As a flower exhibitor he won many prizes at various shows, and in certain classes he invariably swept the board. He had also acted as judge on many occasions. In his early years at New Lambton he conducted a grocery business on the corner of Regent and Victoria streets, eventually selling out, and taking up the florist business, which he conducted (with the aid of his family) to the present.
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 13 April 1927.
1886 street names
1886 Street Name
Probably named after
Present Street Name
Bonarius St
John Charles Bonarius, auctioneer
Carrington Pde
Brown St
Alexander Brown, proprietor of New Lambton Coal Company
Cromwell St
Brummy St
Russell Rd
Coal St
Fleet St
Dibbs St
G.R. Dibbs, colonial secretary and part owner of the New Lambton Estate land.
Evescourt Rd
Griffin St
Victoria St
Hill St
Queens Rd
Mitchell St
James Mitchell, former owner of a 128 acre parcel of land whose northern border is on the line of Mitchell St.
Henley St
Pitt St
Portland Pl
Horsfield St
Thomas Horsfield, former manager of the New Lambton colliery.
Regent St
Short St
Baker St/Curzon Rd
Soudan St
Addison Rd
Thomas St
James Thomas, manager of New Lambton colliery.
Oxford St
William St
High St
Young St
St James Rd
There are scant references to the original street names in the newspaper …
Griffin St is mentioned in 1875 and in an 1879 reference to the Duckenfield Hotel.
Horsfield St is mentioned in reference to the Duke of Wellington Hotel – Abraham Butterworth licensee in 1878, and Thomas Pringle licensee in 1879.
I have found no information as to why the original street names was abandoned, and a new set of names adopted. The modern street names first started appearing in newspaper reports in 1889, the year that New Lambton municipal council was formed.
Curiously, the part of New Lambton north of Russell Rd also originally had a set of street names different from the current names, although in this case we know this was due to an administrative bungle.
The ‘missing’ lot
The map promotes the subdivision as “containing 474 blocks of land”.
The subdivision contains 25 sections, labelled ‘A’ to ‘Z’ (omitting section ‘I’), with each block of land labelled with a number. On tabulating the numbered lots in each section, I initially came up with a total of only 473 lots. I eventually found what I think is the answer to this discrepancy, where in Section S lot 22 is divided in half and leased to two different persons.
Later land titles show the southern half of this block labelled as Lot 22A.
Fifteen years after the aborted on-site auction of 1886, the proprietors felt brave enough to attempt another on-site auction of the remaining lots, on Saturday 20 April 1901. I have no explanation of why the advertisement says there are 325 allotments available while the poster map shows only 312 lots for sale.
Advertisement for 20 April 1901 auction sale of New Lambton Estate. Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 20 April 1901.
The map only has 213 lots that are not marked as sold, so is clearly after 1901 when there were more than 300 lots for sale. Inspecting the land sales on Vol-Fol 1865-121, pages 6 and 7 shows that Lot 9 Section F sold on 15 April 1913 and is marked as sold on the above map. The next entry on Vol-Fol 1865-121, Lot 15 Section J sold on 19 June 1913 and is NOT marked as sold on the map. All subsequent entries on Vol-Fol 1865-121 are likewise not shown as sold on the map, thus dating it to mid 1913.
There does not appear to have been a big advertised sale of land in New Lambton in 1913 associated with this map, however a 9 September 1913 article refers to progress in constructing the “Eves Court” bridge and notes that …
The bridge will have the effect of opening up a considerable portion of land on what is generally termed “The Second Hill,” to the right of Orchardtown, and this land will probably be the second subdivision of the New Lambton Coal Company.
The bridge was of sufficient importance to the New Lambton Company in their real estate ambitions, that they contributed £115 of the eventual £234 construction cost. It is probable that the 1913 subdivision map was produced to facilitate and promote land sales expected to arise from the construction of the Evescourt Rd bridge. A social function to celebrate the opening of the bridge was held at Butterworth’s hotel on 13 December 1913.
"Mr. W. H. Bonney has just completed a plan for Messrs. Hodgkinson and Wilkinson, of Newcastle and Maitland, which does him great credit. The plan is 11 feet, long, by 5 feet wide and shows all the blocks of land - 474 building sites, at New Lambton - which are to be sold on the 27th instant by Mr. J. C. Bonarius, auctioneer. The colouring is very good, and the plan altogether is one of the neatest we have seen. It is to be on view at the Borough Markets."
"Attention is drawn to the great land sale of "The heights of New 'Lambton," which is to be held in the Victoria Theatre to-morrow at 12 o'clock. Mr. J. C. Bonarius is the auctioneer. The property consists of over 158 acres of freehold land, subdivided into lots to suit all classes. As it is within a quarter of an hour's drive of the city, and adjoins the proposed tramway, it is most conveniently situated. Healthy and elevated, this most valuable subdivision should meet with keen competition."
"Purchasers of allotments of land on the New Lambton Estate are reminded that promissory notes for the second payment, due on 1st September next, are payable at the Commercial Bank, Newcastle."
The localities we live in all have names. As new suburbs are built new names arrive, but we are usually unaware of those that have disappeared from our city. “White Gates” for example, formerly described three different locations in Newcastle, each associated with a railway.
In 1857 the Governor General opened the Hunter River Railway, which ran from Newcastle to East Maitland. Two miles from Newcastle station the line crossed the Maitland road, and with the erection of a barrier there, by 1864 the location was known as the “White Gates”. It did not last long, for with increasing rail traffic due to coal cartage, in 1876 the government constructed an overhead road bridge, and the name disappeared.
In 1863 the Waratah Coal Company opened a branch line from the Great Northern Railway to their coal workings near Braye Park. In 1871 Lambton and Waratah councils were deciding what should be the principal road between their municipalities. One option was where Kahibah and Bindera Roads currently run, and the spot where this route went over the colliery railway was referred to as the “White Gates” crossing. The colliery closed in 1876, passenger trains ceased in 1887, and with the railway no longer in use the name disappeared.
In 1861 the Wallsend Coal Company opened a rail line to their colliery. In 1875 the newspaper reported an accident on the Wallsend line “near the White Gates, about 300 yards from the Co?operative junction.” In 1887 the Newcastle to Wallsend tramway opened, and by 1903 there was a White Gates tram stop where Douglas St crossed the rail and tram lines. In 1944 the Housing Commission resumed 35 acres of land south of the tram stop and built 150 homes for the “White Gates” estate. This eventually morphed into just “Whitegates”, a title that has all but disappeared, with only a public reserve and adjacent apartment block bearing that name today.
Whitegates Reserve in Wallsend, a remnant marker of one of three locations in Newcastle formerly known as “White Gates”. OpenStreetMap.Map from a 1939 real estate poster, showing the White Gates tram stop at Douglas St, Wallsend. National Library of Australia.
The article above was first published in the February 2025 edition of The Local.
Additional Information
There were three locations in Newcastle that at various times had the name “White Gates”, each being a place where a road crossed a rail line.
Location
Years mentioned in Trove
Notes
Newcastle West/Wickham
1864 to 1876
Rail line opened 1857. Overhead road bridge constructed 1876.
Lambton/Waratah
1871 to 1880
Rail line opened 1863. Colliery closed 1876. Passenger train service ceased 1887.
Wallsend
1875 to 1995
Rail line operated 1861 to 1953. Tram line operated 1887 to 1949.
The three locations in Newcastle that at various times had the name “White Gates”. Wallsend still has an open space named “Whitegates Reserve”.
1. Newcastle West/Wickham
The location of the “White Gates” crossing at Wickham/Newcastle West, where a bridge now takes Maitland Rd over the rail line.
"The double line of rail has already been completed between the Wallsend and Waratah junctions … The work of laying the remaining portion is progressing as rapidly as circumstances will permit, and the operation has proceeded as far as to the east side of the white gate, better known as the Maitland road crossing, near Newcastle."
"Our readers will recollect, that a few months since, a number of allotments of Crown land lying near the Great Northern Railway line, between Mr. McPhail's house at Honeysuckle Point and the White Gates, on the Maitland road, were sold by auction, at the Court-house, and purchased by various persons living in and near Newcastle. On the plan of this land, as exhibited at the sale, there appeared a railway crossing, which the purchasers expected would be given, especially as access to the ground could hardly be had in any other way than by this crossing."
"White Gates" mentioned as one of the points on the boundary of a proposed municipal district to the west of Newcastle, incorporating the colliery townships.
"On Friday, a very large iguana, measuring near upon four feet, was killed by Mr C H Hannell in his garden near the White Gates, at the Railway Crossing."
"We understand that, in reply to an application from the Wickham Council, some time since, the Government have declined to construct the crossing at the White Gates in a line with the main Maitland road. It is their intention to erect a high level bridge over the railway, as the future shunting of carriages and the weighing of coal will retard the passenger traffic too much; it is also their intention to bring in the new line of rails from the dyke at Bullock Island, and connect them with the main line on the Newcastle side of the White Gates."
"The junction of the Bullock Island Railway with the Great Northern Railway is at a place known as the White Gates, a mile and half or two miles from Newcastle ... At the junction of this extension with the main line there has hitherto been a crossing-place through railway gates, but as the traffic on this part of the railway will before long be very great, an overline bridge has been built for the traffic across the railway, and the gates will be closed. The bridge is constructed of brick and iron, there being something like a quarter of a million bricks, and forty tons of iron in it. The iron girders were made by P. N. Russell and Co. About twenty thousand cubic yards of earthwork taken from the sandhills at Newcastle have been used in the construction of the bridge and its approaches, and the work will be completed, it is believed, in about a fortnight."
2. Lambton
The location of the “White Gates” crossing in Lambton, at the intersection of Griffiths Rd and Kahibah Rd1873 Waratah Coal Company map, showing where the Lambton to Waratah road crossed the colliery railway. National Library of Australia.Newcastle Parish map, with location of Betty Bunn’s crossing marked in blue, and the White Gates crossing marked in red. University of Newcastle, Living Histories.
At the Waratah Council meeting, a motion "for the repairing of the road between the Railway Station and
Lambton. Alderman Kerr wanted to know where this road was, and was informed that it crossed the Waratah Company's line at the White Gates, near the small coal heap."
Mention of White Gates at a Lambton Council meeting. This reference is significant because it clearly establishes that the white gates were NOT at Betty Bunn's crossing (bottom end of Acacia St today), but lower down the rail line. "In reference to the line of road to be surveyed and proclaimed between Lambton and the Waratah railway station, stating that the conference had met, when two lines were proposed, one crossing the Waratah Coal Company's railway where it meets the boundary of the two municipalities at the place known as Betty Bunn's crossing ; the other at the company's white gates, or lower crossing, the latter being adopted by the conference."
Lambton Council meeting refers to a "sketch of a main road through the municipality, commencing at the crossing-place on the Waratah Coal Co.'s railway at the white gates at the east of the old tunnels."
Public meeting regarding upcoming Lambton council election …
"Then they had had trouble about which should be the road from Waratah to Lambton, and a conference, at which most of the principal persons differed in opinion ; he himself was confident that the lower road, or that by the White Gates crossing was by far the best for both townships, as it could be made more cheaply, and would be a better road. They had adopted the top road, and it was not likely that Waratah would do their part of it for a long time to come. If they did make a bridge over Betty Bunn's Creek, it would not be used much."
Accident on the rail line near the White Gates … "His father's residence is close to the White Gate,
or lower crossing of the Waratah and Lambton road, at the lower end of Griffiths' Flat, and when the train was a little beyond this, and approaching the other, or Bunn's crossing …"
In a discussion at Lambton Council about a possible change in municipal boundaries … "Lambton should get the piece of railroad from the New Tunnels to the Junction at the White Gate Crossing."
Suggested site of a new cemetery near the white gates … "After a careful examination of the ground it was
resolved to recommend to the Government the advisability of granting that portion running parallel with the Waratah Company's railway, commencing at the white gates, and running twenty chains down the line with a width of six chains."
"On Monday last, a child belonging to Mr. Richard Hughes, gate keeper at the White Gate Crossing on the Waratah Company's railway, had a most miraculous escape from death."
Last mention in Trove of White Gates in Lambton - at a Lambton Council meeting "Alderman BEVERIDGE called attention to the state of the road from the white gates crossing."
3. Wallsend
The location of the “White Gates” crossing in Wallsend. The shared pedestrian and cycling path follows the route of the former Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company railway.1927 Wallsend map showing “White Gates” marked near the west end of Wilkinson Ave. State Library of NSW.Map of the tramways of Newcastle in 1938, showing White Gates to the east of the Co-Operative Junction. Sydney Tramways Museum.A street directory map (date unknown) shows the location of the “White Gate” tram stop.Hexham Parish map showing 35 acres of land resumed by Housing Commission for the Whitegates housing estate. Historical Land Records Viewer.
Whitegates Reserve in Wallsend is one of the few reminders of the original name of this housing estate. SIX Maps
An apartment block in Wallsend adjacent to Whitegates Reserve also bears the name “Whitegates”.
First mention of White Gates at Wallsend. "On Wednesday afternoon last one of the most painful and lamentable accidents that it has ever been our lot to witness occurred on the Wallsend line, near the White Gates, about 300 yards from the Co-operative junction."
"For Sale, A LEASEHOLD OF FIVE ACRES OF LAND, on which is built a Substantial House, with a Large Garden, well trenched, and planted with Fruit Trees and Grape Vines; also, Good Tank of Water, and the whole securely fenced in. The above is situated at Blue Gum Flat, near the White Gates. For particulars apply to JOHN EVANS."
"The clerk also reported that Mr. Munro, of the Tramway Department, proposed altering the name of the stopping place known as the White Gates. The report was adopted, and it was decided that the name "White Gates" remain as previously."
"Along the portion of the line between the stop known as the White Gates and the stopping place for Wallsend Hospital, a difficulty presented itself to the authorities. There the tram line ran parallel with, and in close proximity to, the Newcastle Wallsend Coal Company's railway, which was higher than the tram line."
"From Wallsend-Borehole collieries loading yards, the train had passed the White Gates level crossing and was ascending the long rise which continues above the Heaton-Birmingham Gardens crossing, when a number of trucks with the brake-van stopped and then began to run back down the grade."
"The station officer of Wallsend branch of Newcastle Ambulance (Mr. W. Lowe) found Darrell Davis, 25, of Douglass street, White Gates, Wallsend, in a state of collape in the cutting of the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company's branch railway, above the Heaton-Birmingham Gardens' level crossing on Saturday."
"Men have been putting in allotment pegs, and I understand bricks and timber have been ordered," said Ald. McGrath, referring to a start on the Housing Commission's homes at Wallsend, on an area adjacent to Birmingham Gardens. He added that the Government had gazetted the taking over of the land. On the suggestion of Ald. McGrath, it was decided to send another letter to the council asking that a tramway shelter shed be provided at White Gates.
The Minister for Housing (Mr. Evatt) would unveil a commemorative stone at the Housing Commission's project at Wallsend on Friday, December 19, at 2 p.m., Whitegates Welfare Association was advised. Replying to a Ministerial inquiry on the origin of the name "Whitegates," the Secretary (Mr. G. Kendon) said he had been told that the area was once an orchard, entry to which was through a set of white gates. The area was generally known at Whitegates, and that name had been accepted by the association.
Note: I am somewhat sceptical of the explanation for the origin of the name offered here. The name had been in use for at least 72 years by this time, and the orchard explanation had not been documented previously. In contrast, all the early references to White Gates are in connection with the railway or tramway, so it is much more likely the gates are related to a crossing of a railway rather than an entrance to an orchard.
"A residential area of 147 homes and a shop with a house attached, Whitegates was established by the Housing Commission. It will be officially named to-day by the Minister for Housing (Mr. Evatt), who will unveil a tablet commemorating the completion of the project."
"The Lord Mayor (Ald. Quinlan) read out framed letters announcing the approval of Greater Newcastle Council and the Postmaster-General's Department of the designation "Whitegates," and presented them to the Secretary of Whitegates Welfare Association (Mr. G. Kendon)."
The last mention in Trove of Whitegates, named as a polling place by the NSW Electoral Commisioner. The polling place was probably the former St James church hall on the corner of Abbott/Douglas, Wallsend, which has been a pre-school since 1978. This site was used for polling in 2007 and 2010, but named as "Wallsend East".
This month marks 10 years since I started writing monthly local history articles for The Local. I initially submitted a one-off article and was somewhat surprised when Mark Brooker, the publisher, responded asking if I wanted to write a monthly column. At the time I thought I only had material for half dozen articles and so initially only committed to that number. Ten years on I’m up to article 116, and the ideas for articles keep accumulating.
The author in December 2014 (left) and December 2024 (right).
My writing about local history in the Lambton area began in the summer of 2014-2015 with a series of ‘then and now’ photographs published over the course of 16 days. To mark the ten years since the summer of 2024-2025 I have revisited each of the locations and taken another photo in the ‘then and now’ series.
Having written much local history content on this website over the last 10 years, the question of how to preserve this digital content in the long term was increasingly on my mind. However thanks to the recommendation of Ruth Cotton (noted community historian of the Hamilton area), my website has been added to the State Library of NSW Pandora archive of digital content.
Each year the library will store an archive of the local history content of my site (everything under the https://lachlanwetherall.com/then-and-now URL), so that when this site is no longer available, my content will still be accessible via the library archive.
Being added to the Pandora archive was a great honour, and a spur for me to re-organise my site to make sure that all the significant local history content is under the “/then-and-now” URL and can be reached via the That was then, This is now index page.
This is a series of ‘then and now’ photographs of trams and tramways that I published in 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic had just started, I was working from home instead of in an office, and the state government was mandating various restrictions of movement. However leaving home for exercise was always allowed, so each of these tram-related photographs I took involved a walk or a bike ride to get to the destination.
