Nathaniel HARDING (1817 - 1890)        Baptism: 25 May 1817, Lambeth, Surrey, England           Died: 1 Feb 1890 Westbury, Tasmania, Australia Wife: Catherine BURKE           Born: ~1829 Ireland           Died: 22 Sep 1893 Westbury, Tasmania, Australia        Married: 29 Jan 1855 Launceston, Tasmania, Australia Children:       Catherine           Born: 3 Jan 1855 Westbury, Tasmania, Australia           Died: 19 May 1936        Married: 14 Jul 1875 Westbury, Tasmania, Australia         Spouse: Isaac JAMES       Thomas           Born: 4 Oct 1856 Westbury, Tasmania, Australia           Died: 5 Jul 1920        Married: 14 May 1884 Westbury, Tasmania, Australia         Spouse: Rosetta MORRIS       Nathaniel           Born: 6 Dec 1858 Westbury, Tasmania, Australia           Died: 20 Aug 1920       Mary Jane           Born: 7 Jul 1860 Westbury, Tasmania, Australia           Died: 9 Jun 1926        Married: 4 Apr 1883 Westbury, Tasmania, Australia         Spouse: William WEBB

Catholic Cemetery Westbury, Tasmania 2023 --------- IN LOVING MEMORY OF NATHANIEL HARDING DIED FEB 1. 1890; AGED 73 YEARS Requiescat in pace ALSO CATHERINE HARDING WIFE OF THE ABOVE DIED SEPTEMBER 22 1893; AGED 62 YEARS THEY ARE NOT DEAD BUT SLEEPETH.

The Chains that Bind Us.
Lee-Ann Atkinson June 2022

NATHANIEL HARDING
Born 1817 Lambeth, Surrey, England
Police no.1649
Tried: Kent Quarter Sessions 9 Apr 1833
Crime: Stealing a handkerchief from the person at Greenwich fair
Sentence: 7 years
Jail: Maidstone
Ship: Isabella 13 Nov 1833

A young fresh-faced boy named Nathaniel Harding was taken up at the Greenwich fair accused of stealing a handkerchief. It was suggested the teenager was part of a gang that frequented the fair grounds. He was confined to Maidstone prison to await his next court appearance. Nathaniel appeared at the Kent quarter sessions on 9th Apr 1833 where he was found guilty, receiving a 7-year jail sentence. Two weeks later, on the 23rd April, Nathaniel was transferred to the Retribution hulk anchored at Woolwich. Conditions onboard were cramped, damp and unsanitary, allowing diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhus to spread amongst the cohort. (1) (2)

Maidstone Prison:
The Assize Court and the Prison stand at the top of Week Street on a plot of 14 acres. Together they form a fine structure of Kentish rag, a type of grey-white limestone and were built in 1818 at a cost of £200,000. The building commenced with a four-storey roundhouse with the addition of multi-level cell blocks. The courthouse is located at the front and is used both for assizes and for quarter sessions. The prison was initially built to accommodate 552 prisoners, including male and female inmates.(3) (4)

Retribution Hulk:
Each morning at seven o’clock, convicts capable of work were rowed ashore and put to work at various kinds of labour, digging canals, driving in posts to protect the riverbank from erosion. Each working party consisted of between 16 and 20 men in chains with an overseer.
The prisoners were returned to the hulk for dinner, which consisted of boiled meat of the oldest and cheapest kind along with a small piece of bread or a putrefied biscuit. On two days during the week, the meat was substituted with cheese and oatmeal. The food supplied to the hulks was by a contract at the lowest price and quality. The authorities were always keen to keep costs down. In the summer months, the men worked for up to ten hours a day; during the winter months, seven hours per day. (5) (6)

Convict Transport Isabella:
Two and half months later, on the 5th July, Nathaniel was transferred to the convict transport Isabella for the journey to Van Diemen’s Land. The surgeon superintendent assigned to the Isabella for the voyage was Oliver Sproule. Sproule recorded the first of several cases of Cholera amongst the prisoners and the soldiers. Edward Williams, a 23-year-old convict was diagnosed with cholera malignant and put on the sick list at Sheerness. He succumbed to the illness on 16 June. Before the Isabella set sail, several of the soldiers and convicts had already died from Cholera.
Three hundred men and boys were crammed onboard, 100 more than the vessel usually accommodated.  The surgeon states ‘they had fully as much accommodation as they required’, due to the new way of fitting out the prison. On the 10th and 11th of June, 100 convicts from the Justicia hulk at Woolwich and a further 51 from the Retribution were received. The last bunch arrived on 5th July, consisting of 100 men from the Cumberland and 50 boys from the Euryalus hulk at Chatham. Seven prisoners, including Nathaniel, were received from the Retribution to replace those that had already died. The surgeon did not have anything positive to say about Nathaniel’s behaviour during the voyage although the hulk report stated he was orderly. The journey from Plymouth took 109 days, arriving in the Derwent on the 14th November. (7)

Arrived on the 14th November, the
ship Isabella, Captain Brown, from Plymouth
28th July, with 300 male convicts.—Passenger,
Miss Moriarty.—Guard, Captain Caldwell,
37th, Ensign Furneaux, 17th, and 29 rank and
file.—Surgeon Superintendent, Dr. Sproule.

Domestic Intelligence (1833, November 15). The Tasmanian (Hobart Town, Tas. : 1827 - 1839), p. 6. Retrieved June 21, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article233614162

Shortly after arrival at Hobart Town, the troublesome boys were removed to Point Puer on the Tasman Peninsula. Charles Booth, commandant of Port Arthur, had prepared a barracks for the boys although the remainder of the area was undeveloped. Most of the boys were young and unskilled, aged between twelve and seventeen. The boys were to be educated and given skills they could use once released.
They were described as ‘street-wise’ and ‘hulk -wise’ boys and soon became ‘prison-wise’ and ‘bush-wise,’ which is borne out by Nathaniel’s charge sheet. A total of nineteen separate charges resulted in sixteen sentences of solitary confinement ranging from forty-eight hours to fourteen days, along with a three-month stint in the cells at Port Arthur and two of corporal punishment.(8)

The Courier.
FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 2, 1834.
His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor in
his visit to Port Arthur last week, we learn,
after landing from the Isabella at Norfolk bay
on Wednesday proceeded on foot to what is
called Long bay, whence taking a boat he
sailed as far as the government garden, and
then walked to the settlement about a mile
beyond. In the afternoon the stores and
other buildings were visited, and His Excel-
lency particularly inspected the prisoners,
patiently hearing and investigating the
complaints, of all that had anything to urge.
Next morning the boys' establishment at Point
Puer was inspected, and the manner in which
that very interesting little settlement was con-
ducted, as well as indeed every other depart-
ment of this most important establishment, gave
His Excellency the utmost satisfaction, The
total number of souls on Tasman's peninsula
at the present time, including officers, military,
constables, and prisoners, is 740.

The Courier. (1834, May 2). The Hobart Town Courier (Tas. : 1827 - 1839), p. 2. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4185320

Boys were regularly caught stealing food and tobacco to use to barter with. On 15th September 1834, Nathaniel was charged with giving provisions to a prisoner belonging to the establishment at Port Arthur and received five days in solitary confinement. On a separate occasion, secreting a cask of pork on the wharf, which was being unloaded from the brig Tamar, he received 14 days solitary confinement.

Point Puer
The reformatory opened, in 1834 with 66 boys and grew to 716 boys. The establishment became overcrowded, and consisted of three main buildings, containing barracks, workshops, cookhouse and bakehouse. The second building was used as a chapel and school and residence for the younger boys, the third the jail. They slept on the floor packed together. They were watched over by overseers, most of the convict class. (9)

The daily routine began at 5.30am with rolling up the bedding, washing and attending prayers. The breakfast bell rang at 8:15am and the boys would assemble on the muster ground for inspection. Following breakfast until noon, learn a trade and general labour. Dinner was at 1 o’clock. Work resumed between 2 and 5. Following supper, the boys attended lessons until 8pm.

They received a bland diet of flour, fresh or salted meat, green vegetables when available and potato. Dinner usually consisted of soup, a small piece of bread and a dumpling. For supper, the boys were fed gruel and bread.
The boys’ clothing consisted of a jacket and a pair of trousers made from tanned sheep skin, a waistcoat made from grey cloth and under the waistcoat they wore a striped shirt. They were also given a leather cap and boots. Their bedding was made from coarse sacking, along with two blankets which they rolled out like a rug each night.
The boys were taught skills and had the opportunity to become shoemakers, tailors, sawyers, coopers, carpenters, blacksmiths, stone cutters, boatbuilders, bookbinders, bricklayers, and gardeners.

'Point Puer,' Some excellent mechanics
will be turned out from it, such as sawyers,
carpenters, blacksmiths, nailers, shoemakers
and tailors, who must prove very useful when
assigned or lent to the settlers. Lieut. Mac-
knight, of the 21st, has at present the ma-
nagement of these little ones. The shoe-
makers supply, besides boots and shoes for
the troops, &c, upwards of 200 pair of mens
lace boots of a far superior quality to those
which used to be sold in Hobart town for the
stock-keepers at 14s a pair.

The Courier. (1835, August 7). The Hobart Town Courier (Tas. : 1827 - 1839), p. 2. Retrieved June 21, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4179524

Nathaniel regularly drew the attention of the overseers and served more time in solitary confinement than his counterparts.  He was regularly in trouble because he was singing or talking to himself in his cell, resulting in a longer period of confinement.
It wouldn’t come as any surprise if he said “I have been damned to hell” at least once. It is evident Nathaniel didn’t learn very much during his time at Point Puer, as he spent more time in solitary confinement than he did in a classroom.(10)

Discipline
Badly behaved boys didn’t fear being sent to jail, because they had much the same food, and their labour was outside in the open air. The authorities were growing tired of Nathaniel’s behaviour, and he received solitary confinement and was only allowed bread and water.

Following his release from Point Puer, Nathaniel resided in a wooden cottage at 12 Goulburn Street, Hobart, owned by W. Smith. The household consisted of five persons; two former male prisoners, one former female prisoner and one adult female and a female child under 7 years of age. Many boys were returned to Hobart without any prospects of finding work and left to compete for work alongside skilled free men. (11)

A few months later, Nathaniel ran afoul of the law and was arrested on suspicion of burglary at the home of George Smith. On the 19th April [1842] he is tried for theft of a watch guard and sundry items valued at 2/-. Mary Ann Gosling was arrested and charged with receiving the stolen items and later acquitted. This time he was found guilty and sent to Port Arthur. (12)  Nathaniel’s time at Port Arthur was cut short when he joined Green, Woolley and Thomas and hatched a plan to escape. The escapees robbed Matthew Teague of money and supplies. The details were vividly recounted in the Colonial Times.

SUPREME COURT- CRIMINAL SITTINGS
Before both the Judges and a Civil Jury.
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1844.
Nathaniel Harding, John Woolley, William Thomas and William Green, were capitally charged under the Colonial Act, 4th Victoria, with forcibly robbing on the 19th December, being at the time armed with a tomahawk, Matthew Teague, and stealing from him ten sovereigns, two coats, one waistcoat, one pair of trowsers [sic], one pair of stockings, two tin pots, one spoon, one knife, and a hair-brush, the property of the said Matthew Teague, of Betsey’s Island.
The prisoners were the men who, it will be remembered, arrived at Betsey’s Island in a crude boat, made of wicker work, having escaped from Port Arthur.

SUPREME COURT.—CRIMINAL SITTINGS. (1844, March 12). Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas. : 1828 - 1857), p. 2. Retrieved December 23, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8754662

TUESDAY, MARCH 5.
John Woolley, William Green, Nathaniel Harding,
and William Thomas were arraigned for entering
the house of Matthew Teague, at Betsey's Island,
and with violently stealing certain property there-
from, and were found Guilty of the robbery, but
not of the charge of violence.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS OF THE SUPREME COURT. (1844, March 8). The Courier (Hobart, Tas. : 1840 - 1859), p. 2. Retrieved December 23, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2951365

Verdict: The men were found guilty of the robbery but not of the charge of violence and were given a life sentence. During this time, authority over the prison on Norfolk Island was transferred to Van Diemen’s Land. Prisoners who were convicted of serious crimes were to be sent to the island and once convicts completed their sentence were deemed to have served the necessary period, were removed to Tasmania.
Whilst on Norfolk Island (NI) Nathaniel’s recalcitrant behaviour did not improve, he was repeatedly put in chains. He served a total of 16 months hard labour in chains.

Norfolk Island
The second Convict Settlement at Kingston on Norfolk Island earned a reputation for being hell in paradise. Joseph Childs took up his duties as commandant on the island on 7 February 1844. He was reputed to be a strict disciplinarian. The rations provided for the convicts consisted of salt beef and maize meal and on Saturday afternoons the prisoners were allowed to grow sweet potatoes on plots of land set aside for cultivation. Childs was a brutal administrator and instrumental in causing a riot as a result of confiscating the prisoners’ cooking utensils and preventing them from growing their own vegetables.
On the 1st July 1846, Jackey Jackey a well-known bushranger, assembled a large crew and attacked the overseers and constables. It resulted in the deaths of four men and a number were seriously injured. Nathaniel witnessed the uprising firsthand but doesn’t feature in the list of men tried for the rebellion.(13)

NORFOLK ISLAND.
By the Government schooner Marys, which arrived
here on Monday morning from Norfolk Island, we
have received intelligence from that quarter to the
19th August.
The commission appointed by the Van Diemen's
Land Government to try the prisoners acquitted by
the Police Magistrate of Norfolk Island, commenced
its sittings on the 22nd of July. with a list of fifty
cases, of which number, however, only twenty-four
were disposed of, in consequence of the ill health of
the Judge (Mr. Burgess), who arrived by the Marys,
on his way to Hobart Town.
Of the twenty-four tried — John Jackson and John
Gardner, on a charge of stabbing with intent to kill,
received sentence of death. H. Dooley and Wm.
Duncan, for an unnatural crime; and Abraham
Farrier and John Booth, for stabbing, death re-
corded. James Ainsworth, for aiding and abetting
the last two prisoners, two years' imprisonment with
hard labour; three months in each year solitary confinement,
John Theobald, Charles Allen, John Williams, William
Thornton, John Butters, John Lloyd, John Logan,
George Hughes, and James Donnelly, all for stabbing,
three years imprisonment with hard labour,
and three months in each year solitary confinement.
James Hugget and Charles Thrakray, for
killing a sheep with felonious intent,
two years' imprisonment, with hard labour; two for
aiding and abetting the same, were discharged; as,
also, three for stealing from a dwelling-house.
Of the twenty-six remaining for trial, sixteen are
for willful murder, and ten for aiding and abetting
the same.
All was quiet on the island when the Marys sailed;
but about 250 of the prisoners were still under con-
finement.— Australian Journal, September 6th.

NORFOLK ISLAND. (1846, September 23). The Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston, Tas. : 1835 - 1880), p. 730. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65942585

John Giles Price was sent to Norfolk Island to restore law and order, replacing Commandant Childs. Price metered out floggings for trivial breaches and had a tendency towards using harsh punishment like his predecessor. It is said corporal punishment has the same effect as elsewhere, tending to degrade and harden their resolve. Following years of harsh punishment on Norfolk Island, Nathaniel became hardened to the rigorous treatment and any glimmer of living a normal life was beginning to fade. Following the riot, several convicts were returned to Tasmania on the government brig Lady Franklin.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
ARRIVALS.
Oct. 23-Barque' Lady Franklin," Willet,
from Norfolk Island, with male prisoners.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. (1850, October 26). Hobarton Guardian, or, True Friend of Tasmania (Hobart, Tas. : 1847 - 1854), p. 2. Retrieved December 23, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article173058288

Upon arrival, Nathaniel was sent to Port Arthur where he spent another 12 months’ probation before being eligible for a pass. Following his release from Port Arthur, he was hired for six months by Charles Flegg of Liverpool street, Hobart and shortly afterwards reverted to his old ways. He was charged with theft and received another 18 months sentence of hard labour in chains. By now he had grown accustomed to the abrasions on his ankles from the shackles. He worked for various people including Mr. Valliant, D. Room of Launceston.(14)

A young Irish lass named Catherine Burke caught Nathaniel’s eye. The same month, Nathaniel was granted a ticket of leave, he applied for permission to marry Catherine. Catherine, herself a convict, was assigned to W. McNair of Westbury.(15)
Nathaniel, now aged thirty-seven, married Catherine at the York Street Baptist Chapel in Launceston in the presence of George MacKneair and James Donaldson. The couple’s first child, Catherine, was baptized the same day.(16) (17) Nathaniel farmed at ‘Adelphi’ and the following year in October, Thomas was born. The family remained living and working at Adelphi where their third child, Nathaniel arrived in December 1858. Adelphi was a rural area situated approximately 9km south of Hagley between Cluan and the Oaks. The area got its name from the large property at the eastern end of Adelphi Road.(18) Charles Robert Prinsep acquired two 330 acres of land and later purchased two adjoining 450 acre lots which he named ‘Adelphi.’ The estate was originally managed by a paid overseer. In the late 1840s, the property was broken up into smaller farms and leased to tenant farmers.(19)

By 1860, the Harding family had moved into the township of Westbury, where Nathaniel was working as a shoemaker. The family was complete with the arrival of Mary Jane in July. Nathaniel rented a cottage in William Street owned by the wife of Robert Lyall, the licensee of the Westbury Inn. Nathaniel eked out a life for himself and his young family, making a fresh start in Westbury.(20) The family became immersed in local affairs, including sporting events and attending church. Westbury was predominately an Irish community and, given the fact Catherine was Irish, the family joined in the festivities on St. Patrick’s Day.

In 1889, Nathaniel purchased the Westbury Inn, and the business was very much a family affair. The licensing bench met for their second quarterly meeting on 6 May.(21)

I hereby give notice that the following applications for Justices' certificates approving of the transfer of the under mentioned public-house licenses have been received by me:
The Westbury Inn, Westbury, from William Phillips to Thomas Harding.

Nathaniel took to his bed and died on the first day of February 1890.  His grandson Edward James reported his death. Despite years of deprivation and hard labour, he lived to be seventy-two years old.(22)

Nathaniel’s remains were interred in the Westbury Catholic burial ground. His will, made a few weeks before his death, named his wife Catherine and youngest son Nathaniel executors. His final instructions were to sell his interests in the Westbury Inn to enable his executors to pay off all his debts. Before year’s end, the hotel was advertised for sale for £680 and described as a ten-room, solid brick structure with stables in fair condition.
Probate was granted on 6 Jun 1890 to Nathaniel Harding junior to the value £350. Repeated advertisements failed to attract a buyer for the hotel.(23) (24)

Westbury Inn
£680 —Westbury Inn, 10 rooms, etc.,
Stabling. Everything in fair order.
Good cash business. For the
freehold and goodwill, £680.

THOMAS W. HARDING

WESTBURY
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
Our respected fellow townsman, Mr. C.
Best, suffered a heavy loss on Saturday
night, 23rd, in the shape of a very valuable
young cart mare. It appears that the
mare had turned round in the stall- com-
pletely reversing the order of things by
turning her head where her tail ought to
be-and strangled herself. The animal was
carefully tied by the man in charge. ]Mr.
Best valued the mare at 40 guineas. This
is the second or third case of the kind
which has happened here lately.
Everything now begins to show unmis-
takable signs of the near approach of spring.
The almonds are in bloom in several gardens,
And all other tree are budding. The
weather to-day is very fine.
I am informed by the secretary
that the entries for the next meet
of the Westbury, Rabbit Coursing
Club closed on Saturday last, 23rd,
when the following draw took, place.
The meet will take place on Wednesday
next, 27th, in the Westbury Agricultural
Association Grounds:-
GREYHOUND STAKE. - First dog, £5; runner-up, £2; four dogs, 10s each.
E. Davis's Nonsense against W. Phillip' Tiger.
C. Badcook's Loo against W. Herbert's Claudine. -
T. Harding's Keepsake against J. Fawkner's Lotty Lane.
W. Eade's - against C. Badcook's Rose.
W.Eade's King against Morris's Brindle.
T. Harding's Pirate against W. Herbert's Miranda.
R. Knight's Vida against T. Fordham's Mystery.
R. Knight's Dart against C. Warren's Lady Bird.
FOX TERRIER STAKE. - First prize, £1; runner up, 5s.
T. J, Reid's Brusher against C. Knight's Toby.
W. Herbert's Rosebud against B. Wise's Topsy.
W. Herbert's W.H., a bye.

WESTBURY. (1884, August 26). Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 - 1899), p. 3. Retrieved May 25, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90558230

Thomas Harding was a keen member of the Westbury rabbit coursing club, winning several events including the Greyhound Stake’s with Keepsake. Rabbit coursing involved training greyhounds and other dogs breeds to chase a rabbit. He followed with success with his greyhound Billy
It is a legal, competitive activity in which dogs are tested on their ability to run, overtake and turn a hare, rather than a form of hunting aiming at the capture of game.
Westbury Rabbit Coursing club, Launceston Examiner, Fri 8 Aug 1884, p.3

Coursing at Westbury. (1888, July 28). The Colonist (Launceston, Tas. : 1888 - 1891), p. 7. Retrieved May 25, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201176996

SPORTS AT WESTBURY.
The anniversary of the Westbury Work-
ing Men's Club was celebrated on Wednesday.
Fortunately the weather was propitious
for holiday making, and the townsfolk
turned out in large numbers to join in the
general rejoicing. A variety of entertain-
ments was provided, and carried out in a
commendable manner on the whole.
Proceedings commenced with the annual
meeting of the club, which was held at the
library hall at 9:30 am. Mr. S. Bendall
occupied the chair, and there was a good
attendance of members. Mr Holliday was
elected vice-president, Mr S. Bendall re
elected treasurer, Mr J. Edgar, re-elected
secretary, Messrs. W. Thwaite and E. Best
sick-stewards. Mr John Mehegan was ap
pointed cash steward, vice Mr J. Holliday,
sen., resigned after 20 years' service.
DIVINE SERVICE.
The members of the Club then formed
into procession, and headed by the Deloraine
Brass Band, paraded the township
prior to attending divine service, which
was held in the Church of England and
Roman Catholic Church.
In the former the Rev. E. Champion, of
Launceston, officiated, assisted by the Revs.
Canon Adams and F. B. Sharland, taking
his text from the 4th chap, first Epistle of
John, 8th verse, “He that loveth not
knoweth not God, for God is love.'
At the Catholic Church the Rev
Father Duffy, S J, preached upon
the forgiveness of sin, and was as-
sisted in the service by the Ven. Arch
deacon Hogan, who celebrated Mass.
THE DINNER.
When the church service was over the
procession was again formed and marched
to the Westbury Show Grounds, where
sports were arranged to be held. The
annual dinner was laid out in the luncheon
booth and was provided by Mr Thos.
Harding, of the Westbury Inn, to the order
of the club. About 90 persons sat down,
and the president, Mr D. Burke (Warden),
occupied the chair. After the dinner,
which was got up in Mr Harding's well
known excellent style, had been disposed of.
The chairman proposed the toast of 'The
Queen and His Excellency the Governor,'
which was drunk in a right loyal manner.
Mr S. Bendall proposed ' The President.'
The President, in responding, said he felt
honored in occupying the chair. He had
always done his best to advance the wel-
fare of working men. They were undoubtedly
the mainstay of the country, and
if they were only true to themselves would
become a power in the land. He then
spoke in eulogistic terms of the benefits to
be derived by joining the club, and ap-
pealed to members to pay up their sub-
scriptions. In conclusion he proposed the
' Vice-president.'
The Vice-president responded suitably,
and proposed 'The treasurer,' who stated
no balance-sheet had been made out yet,
but at the beginning of last year
they had 145 members. Twelve had
since left from various causes, and
the total number of members was now ;
133. The receipts for the year amounted
to £245 6s 7d and there was a balance
of £619 5s 10d or £3 4s 1d less than last
year. The reason the funds were not so I
good this year was because members had
omitted to pay their subscriptions as they
should have done. The club was consider-
ing the advisability of increasing the sub
scription by 6d, or 1s per month, in order
to give £20 or £24 more, so as to have the
society placed on a sound financial basis.
The President proposed ' The Secretary,
who, he said, was an officer upon whom the
principal work of the club fell, and who
carried out his duties in a trustworthy
manner.
The Secretary, in thanking them for the
way in which the toast had been received,
urged each member to work earnestly for
the good of the club. He impressed upon
them the importance of keeping their sub-
scriptions paid up promptly, and asked
them to remember that when they joined
they were virtually entering into a con
tract with the club. He also reminded
them that ' Unity was strength.'
SPORTS.
The programme of sports was then started,
and the ground was quickly filled. These
would have been quite successful were it
not for the mismanagement and tedious
getting the events off. Long between ,
waits were the order of the day
each race. The committee would also do
well if they next year decided to have the
horse jumping placed somewhere about the
middle of the programme : as it was, being
the last item, the ground was perceptibly
thinning before this, the most interesting
event, was called upon. The Deloraine
Band played selections of music throughout
the day. The leader of this band, Mr Daniel
Quinn, is an old veteran, having been a
sergeant in Her Majesty's 13th regiment
(Light Infantry) He was bedecked with
the various medals he has gained.
The following are the results : —
Flat Race. 100 yards, for boys under 12.—
Prizes, 3s, 2s, and 1s. Scott 1, Edgar 2, Coleman 3.
Prizes, 3s, 2s, and 1s. Dawson 1, Coleman 2, Scott 3.
Flat Race, 150 yards, for youths under 18,—
First prize, 10s : second, 5s ; third, 2s 6d.
W. Field 1, Best 2, Donovan 3.
200 Yards Race, open to all comers. —
First prize, 30s; second, 15s. Hazelwood I, Cobern 2.
Three-Legged Race, for boys. First
prize, 5s ; second, 2s. Holiday 1, Usher 2.
Flat Race, for girls under 12. — First prize, |
second, 2s; third, 1. Janet M'Kay, 1 ; ,
Janet Torrents, 2 ; Ellen Barry, 3.
I Hurdle Race, for all comers. —
Prizes, 30s I and 15s
Only three started. R. Purton, 1 ; Donovan, 2.
A Tug-of-War was included in the list of
events, and after two trials, in which the
combatants were greatly inconvenienced by
the crowd, it was decided to hold it in an
adjacent paddock. The competitors re
paired thereto, and, after a wrangle, the
team captained by Mr O'Toole were awarded
first prize, as the others refused to try
conclusions.
Horse Jumping, heavy weights. — Ten
entries. Mr W. V. Field's Robin Hood, 1 ;
Mr Gilbert's Warrior. 2.
Horse Jumping, light weights. — Seven
entries. Mr Stubb' Rose, 1 ; Mr W. V.
Field's Comet, 2. The jumping passed off
without accident, and great interest was
manifested in the events.

SPORTS AT WESTBURY. (1889, November 15). Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928), p. 3. Retrieved May 25, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article150323686

ODDFELLOWS' SPORTS AT WEST
BURY.
(BY CUB OWN REPORTER.)
The Loyal Westbury Lodge M.U., LO.O.F.
celebrated their anniversary in that township
yesterday. The lodge has been in existence
for about 15 years and during that time it has
met with steady increase in the amount of its
funds, while the members roll is now in a satis
factory condition. At 11 o'clock the members
of the order assembled at the Library and
formed in procession, headed by the Longford
Brass Band, with drum-major B H. M'Lean
in advance, when the township was paraded
prior to going to the Show Grounds, where a
dinner and programme of sports were arranged
to be held.
THE DINNER
At the dinner Deputy Provincial Grand
Master O. T. Curran, of Launceston, occupied
the chair, and there was a good attendance.
When the excellent spread which was
provided by Mr Thomas Harding, Westbury
Inn, had been disposed, of the chairman pro
posed the toast of  "The Queen," which was
responded to with musical honors. The next
toast was 'The Grand Master and Board of
Directors.'

ODDFELLOWS' SPORTS AT WESTBURY. (1891, March 18). Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928), p. 3. Retrieved April 16, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153392124

Thomas Harding renewed the public license for the inn in December.

DISTRICT OF WESTBURY.
ANNUAL MEETING OF LICENSING
BENCH.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1890.
Notice is hereby given that I have duly
received the following applications for
Justices' Certificates approving of their
receiving public-house licenses:
WESTBURY.
Thomas Harding, the Westbury Inn.

Advertising (1890, November 7). Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 - 1899), p. 4. Retrieved April 29, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39558529

Sports at Westbury.
A fairly good programme of sports was pro
vided at Westbury on St, Patrick's Day,
and the events all had good entries and
acceptances, The secretary, Mr N. Harding,
had a laborious day, but was equal to the
occasion. The starter was Mr T. Alexander,
and the judges Messrs. H. Knight and S.
M'Near. Some difficulty was experienced in
deciding the winners of the various footraces,
but everything was amicably settled before the
proceedings closed…

Sports at Westbury. (1891, March 21). The Colonist (Launceston, Tas. : 1888 - 1891), p. 7. Retrieved May 25, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201180907

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4
Valuable Property at Westbury.
W T.BELL AND CO. are instructed
by Mr W. Harding, to sell by
auction at their mart, on the above date,
at 12 o'clock,
That valuable property, situate at
Westbury, known as the
WESTBURY INN,
Built of brick, containing 10 rooms,
skittle alley, having a large corru
gated iron room attached, suitable
for holding meetings and entertain
ments, formerly used as the As
sembly Rooms, with usual out
buildings, etc., etc.
Terms at sale.

Advertising (1890, September 27). Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 - 1899), p. 6. Retrieved April 29, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39556271

FOR SALE PRIVATELY -The Hotel
known as the Westbury Inn. For
particulars apply to N. Harding, Westbury.

Advertising (1890, August 9). Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928), p. 8. Retrieved April 29, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article150344167

The following year fate delt the family a devastating blow. An alarm was raised shortly after ten on Sunday night when flames were seen leaping from the rooftop. The family having only retired for the evening escaped without injury.

Disastrous Fire at Westbury. 
A large and destructive fire broke out at West
bury shortly before 10 o'clock on Sunday
night, which resulted in the destruction
of the large old hotel known as the Westbury
inn, at the corner of King and William
streets. Mr Thomas Harding, the proprietor,
states that he and his family were quietly
enjoying their evening before retiring to rest
when the cry of fire was raised, and it was
soon apparent that the roof was on fire at
the southern end of the building, near the
chimney over the bar parlor. The spot where
the fire originated is at a great distance
from the ground, as the building is a two-
storey one. and was built of brick,
therefore, it was next to impossible to
check it in time to prevent it spreading,
and as a ladder at the time was not procurable
it was soon evident that the place was
doomed. However, many willing hands were
soon on the spot and went to work with
energy in the endeavor to save the furniture
and stock in the hotel. This was done, and
everything, with the exception of two iron
bedsteads, was safely removed to an empty
store across the street. The fire continued to
spread very rapidly, as a gentle south-easterly
wind was blowing at the time, and in a very
short period the building was one immense
mass of flames, lighting up the place, and
couId be seen for many miles round. No
reason can be assigned for the cause
of the fire, but it is generally sup
posed that a spark from the chim
ney must have fallen on the roof and
ignited the shingles. Much sympathy is felt
for Mr Harding in his great loss. As he is a
young man, and has been only a short time
in the business, the loss will be the more
serious. It is not known to what extent the
building is covered by insurance, and it is
probable that an inquest will be held in a
few days as to the cause. The hotel, which
is very favorably known as one of the oldest
and best-kept hostelries in the palmy days of
Westbury, formerly belonged to the late Mr
Robert Lyall, who kept it as a favorite place
for his horse racing pastime for a great many
years, since which it has changed hands
several times, Mr Harding being the recent
occupier, and it is now a crumbling mass of
ruins, the walls alone being left standing to
mark the spot.

Daily Telegraph, (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928), 29 Dec 1891, p. 2, Retrieved 15 Dec 2020 from  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153377705,

The family were helped by their son-in-law, Isaac James, who provided them with temporary lodgings.
Isaac ran a successful bakery business and when he opened a new business in William Street Launceston, Thomas took over running the Westbury bakery.
Nathaniel Harding junior did not marry and remained living in Westbury. Following his mother’s death, he moved to Launceston. Thomas and his wife Rose and family moved to Victoria around 1912. Following the death of her husband in 1915, Mary Jane also went to live in Victoria.

References

Last Updated: 30-May-2026 10:59
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