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Just over five years before the purchase Baker had advertised as
proprietor of the Royal Hotel, indicated 'only the best brands of wines and
spirits, good accommodation and civility. Excellent stabling, horse feed
always in stock. Simm's sparkling ale constantly on draught. Best billiard
table in the district on the premises' (Tibooburra Telegraph, December 9,
1890:3)
Baker's Royal Hotel was the scene of at least some social occasions. One
of these took place on Christmas night, 1890, and was reported by the
Tibooburra Telegraph as follows:
'On Christmas night a dance took place at Mr. W. Baker's Royal Hotel,
Milparinka. The attendance was good, the fair sex mustering in strong
force. At about twelve midnight the host and hostess provided an excellent
repast, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. The party broke up
during the wee smaa hours ayent the twal, all seeming to have a good
time. There were some very pretty dresses worn. All looked so nice it
would be invidious to say which was 'the belle" (Tibooburra Telegraph,
December 23, 1890 [issued December 30, 1890]:2).
It seems, however, that between 1890 and 1896 the Royal was leased or
managed by a number of others. One of these, George Blore was in
possession at the time of the first issue of the Sturt Recorder on Friday
June 2, 1893, advertising simply 'Best Brands of liquors kept. Good
Accommodation'. Less than six months later Neil McLean (Sturt Recorder,
January 19, 1894:1) begged respectfully to announce 'that he has taken
that well known hostelry...where he will be glad to welcome all his old
friends.' A little later the Licensing Inspector claimed the hotel required
another bedroom before it complied with the requirements of the Licensing
Act, and the Police complained the stables wanted repairing. McLean was
given six months to remedy the situation. (Sturt Recorder, July 13, 1894:2)
William Baker, as mentioned above, became owner of the hotel within a
year.
By late 1897 the Royal Hotel was managed by Mr. Edward Baker, probably
related to William (Sturt Recorder, December 25, 1897:2). Edward Baker
was granted a renewal of his publican's license without a murmur at the
sitting of the Milparinka Licensing Court in January 1898 (Sturt Recorder,
January 8,1898:2). Edward Baker was also granted his application for a
pUblican's booth at the Milparinka Racecourse on December 26 and 27,
1898, but in January 1899 retired on account of ill health. The license for
the Royal Hotel was transferred to his brother, Jerimiah (Sturt Recorder,
28 January 1899:2).
From 1896 when William Baker purchased it, the Royal Hotel was the
accepted venue for town meetings, whether to discuss the presence of
camels on the town common, the prospects of mines being developed at
Warratta, or the possibility of a town hall and cottage hospital. Prior to
1896 these meetings had been held at the Royal Standard Hotel, and the