I, THOMAS O’KANE, Hotelkeeper,
of Lower Shotover Bridge, do hereby give notice that I desire to obtain and will at the next Licensing Meeting to be holden at the Courthouse, Arrowtown, on Wednesday, the 2nd day of June, 1886, APPLY for a certificate authorising the issue of a PUBLICAN’S LICENSE for a house situate at the Lower Shotover Bridge, Lake County, called the Ferry Hotel, containing seven rooms, exclusive of those required for the use of the family.
Dated this 5th day of May, 1886. THOMAS. O’KANE. -Lake County Press, 13/5/1886.
Gallant Rescues: Saved by a Dog.— On Friday afternoon last, while playing on the bank of the Shotover, just behind the hotel. Mr Thomas O’Kane's little child (a girl aged about three years), fell into the river. Mrs O’Kane, who witnessed the occurrence, at once rushed down and jumped into the river to endeavor to save her child, Mrs O’Kane failed to reach the child and was herself carried away by the current, which at the point was very strong, the river being deep there too. Neighbors received the alarm and immediately went to the rescue. Mr Gilchrist (teacher) succeeded in bringing Mrs O’Kane to shore, but in a very exhausted condition. The child was still being carried away by the current, while Mr Chegwidden (followed by his dog) was running after it along the beach. Suddenly he was stopped by stepping into a patch of quicksand, and it seemed that the little one would be lost, when, to the surprise and joy of the onlookers Mr Chegwidden’s dog sprang into the river and brought the child safely to land. The little one, who had been carried down 300 or 400 yards by the stream, was apparently lifeless, but prompt measures were taken for restoring animation, and in this the willing helpers succeeded after the patient and unceasing application of the usual remedies. Mrs O’Kane was so weak that she had to be carried up from the river, and it took two or three days before she recovered from the severe shock which she sustained. Both mother and child are now, however, as well as formerly. -Lake County Press, 28/7/1887.
Mr Thomas O'Kane, hotelkeeper at Lower Shotover, died unexpectedly last Monday night. Deceased's relatives are very old Wakatipu presidents, and Mr John O'Kane, now the proprietor of the Southland Hotel in Gore, left on Wednesday to attend his brother's funeral. -Mataura Ensign, 2/3/1888.
The Wakatip Mail records the sudden death last week of Mr T. O’Kane, for some two or three years lessee of the Ferry Hotel, Lower Shotover. The deceased, who had been suffering seriously for a few days previously from diarrhoea, was seized with a fit of apoplexy, and carried off very speedily, dying in the arms of his wife. Mr O’Kane, who was only 28 years of age at the time of his death, was a native of Antrim, Ireland, and brother to Messrs James and John O’Kane, two old and respected residents. He leaves a widow and two children, for whom much sympathy is felt. The funeral, which took place on Wednesday, was largely attended by residents from various parts of the district — the remains being interred in the Frankton Cemetery, and the last ceremony being conducted by the Rev. D, Ross, Presbyterian Minister, of whose church deceased was a member. -Cromwell Argus, 6/3/1888.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PUBLICAN’S LICENSE.
I, SARAH O’KANE, of the Ferry Hotel, Lower Shotover, Lake County, Publican, do hereby give notice that I desire to obtain, and will, at the next Licensing Meeting to be holden at the Courthouse, Arrowtown, on the 4th day of June, 1888, APPLY for a Certificate authorising the issue of a PUBLICAN’S LICENSE for a House called the “Ferry Hotel,” situate at the Lower Shotover, Lake County, containing seven rooms exclusive of those required for the use of the family.
Dated the 2nd day of May, 1888. SARAH O’KANE. -Lake County Press, 17/5/1888.
Changes. — Mrs O'Kane, now of the Shotover Ferry Hotel, has purchased the Supreme Court Hotel at Queenstown, till recently conducted by the late Mr J. O'Meara. Mrs O'Kane, who has made a wide circle of friends in her present business, is likely to be equally well patronised in her new house. The price paid for the property is said to have been L700. -Otago Witness, 29/9/1892.
Mrs O'Kane, lately of Lower Shotover hotel, announces that she has purchased the Supreme Court hotel, Queenstown, and has made considerable additions and improvements, which render that well-known hostelry a very comfortable establishment for tourists and visitors. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 7/9/1892.
House-warming. — Mrs S. O'Kane, who has made some very extensive additions to the Supreme Court Hotel, Queenstown, gave an invitation ball and supper last week at the local town hall by way of house-warming. The affair was a complete success, and was much appreciated by all who took part in it. -Otago Witness, 7/12/1893.
Magistrate's Court
Queenstown
MONDAY, 8th JULY. (Before S. E. McCarthy, Esq., S.M.)
Police v. S. O'Kane — A charge laid under section 146 of the Licensing Act, 1881, of having, on the 17th June, 1897, permitted drunkenness on her licensed premises, the Supreme Court Hotel, Queenstown. Mr Turton. for defendant pleaded not guilty.
Charles Bonner, constable stationed at Queenstown, deposed to having, on the date mentioned, accompanied Constable McRae to the Supreme Court hotel, where he saw three men in the front bar, and the licensee, Sarah O'Kane, behind the bar. One of the men, named O. Bissett, was drunk. McRae said to Bissett "You are drunk," when the latter replied, "I am a British subject, and will do as I like." McRae told the licensee that she had no right to have the man there. She replied "He is not drunk, he is only having a cigar." McRae told Bissett to go out, when he said - taking up a glass off the counter, about three parts full of beer — I will have this I before I go, and immediately drank it. Bissett used very coarse language and abused the police. He went out with one of the men, named H. Saville. Shortly after he went home with two steamer men, J. Farrant and W. Gibb. McRae and myself were called away at the time on other business. The man was mad drunk and we locked him up afterwards.
Cross-examined, Bissett said he was not drunk. Did not hear Mrs O'Kane say that the man was not drunk, nor that she refused him drink.
Duncan McRae, police constable at Queenstown, deposed that on Thursday evening, 17th June last, about half past 10 o'clock, he went into the Supreme Court Hotel with Constable Bonner, and saw three men in front of the bar, and the licensee behind the bar. One of the men, Bissett, was very drunk; told the man he was drunk, and the licensee that she should not have him there. She said he was only shouting cigars. There was a glass on the counter about three parts full and the man said — "This is mine," and drank it. I told him to go home and he went out with one of the men, named Saville, who tried to get him home, but two men from the steamer had to do so afterwards. Constable Bonner and myself had to go somewhere else and we did not see any more of Bissett that night. There would have been no one to look after him had we locked him up then.
Cross-examined — Mrs O'Kane did not say that she did not want Bissett there, nor that she refused him drink.
Christina Bissett, wife of G. Bissett, carpenter, deposed that on the 17th June, her husband left home a little after one o'clock p.m. He did not come home to tea, and she saw him again a little after six o'clock in the bar of the Supreme Court Hotel. He was not sober, and others were there with him. She was anxious about him, as he had money — a big cheque. He was quiet enough when sober. Saw him again at the hotel about half past seven the same evening, in the bar; and, on coming back again about eight, o'clock, still found him in the bar. Saw the Fire Brigade go in between 9 and 10 o'clock, and he was there then. Heard him shout for the Brigade. Saw him again at the bar at 10. 30. Came down about a quarter to 11, but did not see him there then. I was afraid to go home, and myself and family did not sleep at home that night.
Cross-examined — Knew he was there at six o'clock as the Convent bell was going at the time; he was also there at 7.30. Don't know Wilson, a carpenter working there.
Jeannette Olsen, daughter of previous witness deposed that G. Bissett was her stepfather. She came down on Thursday evening, 17th June, with her mother a little after six o'clock. Did not see her step-father but heard his voice in the Supreme Court Hotel, and could tell he was drunk; he was there off and on till half past ten.
James Farrant saw Bissett in the Supreme Court Hotel between 9 and 10 o'clock, on the evening of 17th of June, when he seemed to have had a few drinks. He was not drunk, but under the influence of liquor. Saw him in the street about 10 30 and took him home with the help of another man; he seemed pretty drunk then.
Mr Turton, in opening the case for defence, denied that Mrs O'Kane had permitted drunkenness on her premises; she had done all she could to get Bissett away. He was not drunk on the premises, as proved by Farrant and only became drunk when he went into the open air.
Sarah O'Kane, licensee of the Supreme Court Hotel, Queenstown, deposed that Bissett came to her hotel at about 8 o'clock on the evening of the 17th June, to pay 3s he had owed her for about 12 months; he had a glass of shandy-gaff. Mrs Bissett and daughter were not there till between 7 and 8 o'clock, Bissett shouted for Wilson, Daniel, Saville, but he only had the one glass of shandy-gaff. Bissett was not in at nine o'clock when the Fire Brigade came in and they had drinks from witness. He came in afterwards and said he would shout; he shouted and wanted a drink, but witness only gave him a cigar. He had only one drink of shandy-gaff from witness. Could not say whether Bissett took any beer off the counter of the bar.
Cross-examined. — It is not true that Bissett came to my place at 8 o'clock; he first came between 7 and 8. It was not on the 22nd June when he came to pay the 3s. I did not like to send for the police to put a respectable man out of the bar.
J. Stenhouse deposed to being in the Supreme Court Hotel, on the 17th June, at about 25 minutes past 10 p.m. Heard Mrs O'Kane refuse to give Bissett another drink, and she told him to go home. I think she said she would give him a cigar.
Cross-examined — The police came shortly after. I was in the bar parlour with T. Gilmour, but saw Bissett in the bar.
T. Gilmour, rabbit agent corroborated the evidence of previous witness — heard Biseett's voice, but did not see him.
Cross-examined — The police were there, I believe; heard Mrs O'Kane saying very distinctly she would not give Bissett any more drink.
The Magistrate, in giving judgment, said he was satisfied that Mrs Bissett and her daughter were correct in the time given in their evidence. The man Bissett appeared to have remained at the hotel from shortly after six till half-past ten o'clock on the evening in question getting more and more drunk. His Worship cited a case in England, of one Warburton, to show that it is not necessary in order to obtain a conviction, to prove that the licensee of a hotel was providing drink or permitting drunkenness; it was sufficient if a drunken person were allowed to remain on licensed premises. He was satisfied that the offence alleged had been proved. It would be as well for hotelkeepers to know that under the Licensing Act, section 152, hotel keepers have the power to summarily turn out of their premises any drunken person and to refuse him liquor. Hotels are not for people to get drunk in, but for refreshment. Defendant was fined £2, with costs of Court 13s, and witnesses expenses, 18s — the conviction to be endorsed on the license. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 9/7/1897.
OBITUARY.
MRS SARAH TIMPANY.
The death took place (suddenly) at her residence, Earn Street, Invercargill, on Wednesday last, of Mrs Sarah Timpany, wife of Mr John Timpany, a former well-known resident of the district. Deceased, who had reached the age of 71 years, had enjoyed fairly good health up till a short time before her death.
The late Mrs Timpany resided in the Lakes district for close on 20 years, for the greater part of which period she carried on hotelkeeping at Lower Shotover and Queenstown. She came out from Ireland with her first husband, Mr Thomas O’Kane, and the young couple went into the wellknown district hostelry, the Ferry Hotel, in 1885. Mr O’Kane died in February, 1888. They had a family of a son and daughter — Mr Robt. H. O’Kane, who was killed at Messines, and Miss Annie O’Kane, who died in early womanhood. Mrs O’Kane carried on the Ferry Hotel until the latter part of 1892, when she entered into possession of the Supreme Court Hotel (now White Star) in Queenstown. In August, 1897, she married Mr John Timpany, and the partners were in occupation of the hotel until January 1902, when the business was leased to Mr A. J. McGregor. Deceased and her husband lived in retirement in Queenstown for a short period and then removed to Invercargill, where they resided till July, 1916, when the couple returned and entered into temporary possession of the hotel until early in the following year. Mr and Mrs Timpany then returned to Invercargill, where they had resided ever since. One son was born to them. Mr Bert. Timpany, now auctioneer to the National Mortgage Co., Gore. The late Mrs Timpany combined many good qualities. She was a most successful business woman, a good housewife and helpmeet, and one who showed practical sympathy to every deserving object.
The remains were brought from Invercargill on Friday via the Kingston-Queenstown highway, and were interred in the Frankton cemetery alongside those of her first husband and daughter. The Rev. E. Gardiner. Presbyterian minister. Invercargill, officiated at the graveside. Many floral tributes, including several sent by old district friends, were deposited on the grave. Lake Wakatip Mail, 26/5/1936.
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