Dear John, On that basis you should peruse the local newspapers to see what social events there were, and the results of sporting events. Sincerely, Bill > Thank you for your response. My enquiry relates to my great grandfather > Albert Edward Bird who was brought to Australian to run professionally in > 1869 , promoted as Long Distance Champion of England. He competed at > Newcastle and in December 1870 married Alice Walmsley who was a daughter > of the initial proprietor of the City Arms Joseph Walmsley. I was > thinking they may have met at the Hotel. That it was a rendezvous for > sporting fraternity strengthens that view. >> Every Liquor License has to be renewed Annually. They are mentioned in >> the >> Government Gazette, about August, each year in the Licensing District, >> and >> this would be the Hunter District. State Records would have the butts of >> the >> license with some details on it.