" During the 1800s private houses often simply hung signs outside their residence offering them as ‘public’ and relied on their reputation for drink and word of mouth to prosper. If they no longer wanted to offer themselves in this way, they simply took the sign down and announced it."
"The big change to the colonial ‘hotel industry’ came 42 years after the colony was established with the New Licensing Act of 1830. This act defines what we still consider today as the basic rules of governance for a Public House, albeit slightly relaxed. The rules were clear; all licensed houses have “at least two sitting rooms and two sleeping rooms, for public accommodation”, and furthermore; licences are only granted from a central authority (not local) and publicans provide both accommodation and liquor - it also saw the emergence of the ‘licensing police’."
Extract from "Sydney's Oldest Pub?" by Edward Washington
The first mention of an innkeeper at Dungaree was John Moloney in 1872, licensing records from 1871 list John Moloney as innkeeper at the "Dungaree Arms".
By 1875 the premises are referred to by locals as "Milligan's Dungaree Hotel". Property ownership had transferred to John & Maria Milligan, however licensing records still list the name of the hotel as the "Dungaree Arms".
The Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 8 December 1875
In 1882 & 1883 the introduction of new legislation relating to liquor licensing meant many inns lost their licenses.
In 1883 a fire destroyed part of Milligan's Hotel at Dungaree.
Inquests and Magisterial Inquiries
:-
On fire of store and contents at
Dungaree, near Rylstone, the property
of John Milligan, 209
NEW
SOUTH
WALES POLICE GAZETTE-INDEX, 1883
Then in 1894 Bill Ryan purchased the Hotel and remained the publican until it closed when the introduction of a new railway station 3km down the line, saw the village moved to it's present location and renamed Lue. (Potts,Winnifred:1984, p. 20).
A new hotel, general store and butchers shop were opened by Mr William Thompson, and the Lue Hotel is still in operation today. Mr W Thompson was licensee of Lue Hotel between 1897 and 1898. The licence was then transferred to his son John Thompson who remained licensee until 1930. Lue Hotel was later sold to Hue Martin. (Potts, Winnifred: 1984, p.13).
Photo courtesy of Darryl & Barbara Goss
Car Club with their A Model Ford's visit Lue, circa late 1970's.
Car Club members above taking a break and enjoying the views looking east over the Lue Valley from the Lue Hotel.
Mrs Hanthorn, publican early 1970's
Photo courtesy of Renee Gardiner
Lue Hotel as it stands today, 2013.
