Dear list I have found an old photocopy of a newspaper article written about the old inns in the district. There is no date on the article and I would like to know who it was written by, when it was published and in which newspaper. If anyone wants copies of the photo I will scan and send privately, but be warned it is not very clear. The article itself I have typed up and is posted below. MargaretB Lake Macquarie NSW Australia THE OLD INNS _ The Old Maitland Road linking the Brisbane Water area with the Hunter Valley was surveyed probably about 1840, and as travellers increased in numbers with the passing of the years, inns sprang up to cater for their needs and for the needs of their animals. They wanted food and drink and shelter and rest, and the inns provided for them. The old licensing records show that in the 1880's there were local inns at Blue Gum Flat, Travellers Rest, A.A.E. WALMSLEY; Wyong Creek, Wyong Hotel, Mathew James WOODBURY; Wyee, Wyee Hotel, Hannah BRIDGE; Yarramalong, Yarramalong Hotel, William WATERS; Mandalong, Mandalong Hotel, William TOBIN; Cooranbong, Heart and Hand Hotel, George BEVAN; Cooranbong, Commercial Hotel, Thomas HEALEY; Cooranbong, Royal Hotel, Henry DAUNT; Wyong Creek, Bridge Hotel, Edward GARTH. This interesting picture of The Travellers Rest Hotel at Blue Gum Flat was taken in the 1890's when Alfred WAMSLEY was licensee. Note: The WAMSLEY Family originally spelt their name WALMSLEY. Our picture is from Edward STINSON's "A Pictorial History of the Wyong Shire, Volume 1," now available at the council chambers, newsagents and the Advocate office. The STINSON histories would make ideal birthday and christmas presents. ---------------