Cornwall Hotel

Physical Description

Cornwall Hotel occupies a corner block, the lower storey being of stone and the upper brick, roofed with a covering of corrugated iron (information for the physical evidence section was provided by Shelley Jenkinson who conducted an architectural site report and who also carried out some social history research [held on HCWA file]). A verandah with timber posts and mouldings adorns the two street frontages. It is simple rather than high Victorian in style, and is typical of the early small pubs of the era (e.g., Hannans and the Star and Garter hotels).

The building bears a very close resemblance to exterior photographs taken around 1900, and later after the 1934 riots, supporting the claim that the exterior has been restored to its original condition. The interior layout appears largely unchanged, apart from the upgrading of kitchen areas to meet contemporary health standards. Panelled doors, skirtings and architraves and the generally modest decoration are consistent with the character of the period of construction. The staircase is simple in design and of clear finished timber. The cornices and ceiling roses, picture and dado rails appear to be of a later era, and where almost certainly replaced following the 1934, race riots and fire.

Recent redecorating is sympathetic in its paint colours and the details of door and light fittings. The exterior beer garden has been brick paved with a central glass area, enclosed by a timber pergola with seating below. The toilets have been fully renovated in a sympathetic style.

Reconstruction of the fabric of Cornwall Hotel, in 1987, has replicated that of the 1934 fabric. Original combustible fabric was extensively lost during the 1934 riots and fire, but the exterior stonework and masonry is original, and the bulk of the remainder is as replaced in the 1934 reconstruction. Recent reconstruction is sympathetic to the original design intent.

History

The Cornwall Hotel was built in 1898, from locally quarried stone by Cornish men from the Moonta and Burra Goldfields in South Australia (information from the owner, Mr Charlie Hunter).

The hotel is particularly noted for its association with the murders of Detective Sergeant Alexander Pitman and Inspector John Walsh by William Coulter and Phillip Treffene when they were caught treating illicit gold on the outskirts of Boulder in 1926. The incident is well documented, as the daily proceedings of the trial were published in the Daily News. The murders caused quite a sensation at the time due to their gruesome nature. Clarke, the licensee of Cornwall Hotel was heavily involved in the incident and Phillip Treffene was his barman.

There are conflicting reports concerning the nature of Cornwall Hotel’s involvement in the incident. However, extracts from the newspaper reports shed some light on the happenings.

"In this case you have also the Statement made by Clarke in the witness box that on April 28 about 5.30 pm Coulter and Treffene and he were in the parlour of the Cornwall Hotel, and Clarke swears that Coulter told him, "Pitman and Walsh came upon us today. Phil shot Pitman before I knew what happened and I then shot Walsh" (Daily News, 15 September 1926).

The gruesome nature of the murders relates to the fact that the bodies were cut up and partially burnt in an attempt to cover up the evidence. One particular description of the events asserts that this activity took place in the hotel (Newsbeat, Vol 1/91 January). However, the proceedings of the trial show that, 'The knife and the saw were obtained at the hotel, being part of the hotel property...' (Daily News, 15 September 1926). It is then reported that the bodies were taken elsewhere to be disposed of.

Supreme Court records document the final verdict:

"We find that the human remains found in Miller Shaft about 6 miles west of Kalgoorlie on 12 May last, were those of John Joseph Walsh and Alexander Pitman and that they met their death on the 28th April last, at a spot about 17 miles south-west of Boulder, and that they were wilfully murdered by William Coulter and Phillip John Treffene and that Eva Clarke was an accessory after the fact" (Supreme Court - Criminal Sittings. 'Pitman and Walsh' Acc3473, File 5620, 5621/1926, SAWA).

In 1927, Mrs Furia purchased the hotel, though it took some time before people started returning to the venue (Ainslie and Garwood, 1992: 79; also information from the present owner, Mr Charlie Hunter). She was helped by one of her sons, Jack, who ran the pub for around 50 years. Jack Osmetti was one of the outstanding football players of his time, as well as being a successful cricketer and State champion lawn bowler. His brothers Charlie and Cyril also had great sporting ability and both played league football for East Fremantle. Together they were drew a lot of people to the hotel. Out of this involvement, a Cricket Club was formed and the Cornwall also became the headquarters of the Mines Rovers Football Club for a number of years until their own club rooms were built (Kalgoorlie Miner, 1 August 1992).

Cornwall Hotel’s provided a social outlet for the many working class people in the area. Tess Epis, daughter of Mrs Furia recounts the lively activity that used to take place:

"Saturday nights were great nights here. They used to have an accordion and a guitar playing and it would be packed with dancers... the working-class sort of people. Mainly Italians really...there were a lot around then. They used to come in from the woodlines and outlying areas, hard-working people...good drinkers!" (Ainslie and Garwood, 1992: 80).

The hotel was also used for accommodation.

Cornwall Hotel was damaged in the 1934 Kalgoorlie race riots. The simmering resentment and threat of unemployment on the goldfields began to be directed at the Italian and Slav community, who stood out from the crowd. An incident between an Australian and an Italian on the Australia Day weekend triggered what was to be three days of fighting. The mob commandeered trams to Boulder. Here they burnt buildings used by the foreigners, 'including two more hotels, the Cornwall and the Main Reef and the newly built International Club' (de Mori, 1987: 137). Mrs Epis also remembers the impact the Kalgoorlie race riots in 1934 had on the hotel.

"Course, then there was the sad time of the riots. I remember those very well, when they burnt all the hotels down. foreign hotels... and the night they came and burnt this place down! The boys were well known in the sporting circles and they really didn't want to burn this place. They stopped just down the road there but there was a few drunks egging them on...like maniacs. They just came in and doused the place with fuel and burnt it right to the ground!" (Ainslie and Garwood, 1992: 82).

The government built a temporary hotel next door, in recompense until the Cornwall Hotel was able to be rebuilt.

Photographic evidence, however, shows that the hotel was not burned to the ground, and enough of the external fabric survived to enable the exterior of the hotel to be reconstructed, in 1934, to its original form.

The hotel closed in 1976, when the Swan Brewery transferred the licence to Paraburdoo. Jack Osmetti remained as Licensee until then. In 1987, Cornwall Hotel was purchased by C. A. Hunter and restored to its present condition. Osmetti continued to live next door to Cornwall Hotel and died in 1991.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High
Authenticity: Moderate to High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.