ROBYN PARKES
Travellers Rest, standing halfway along Appleby straight, is one of the oldest establishments in Tasman. Opening in 1851, the Inn became a popular wayside destination with every convenience offered.
In its early days Mr Harris was in occupation as publican, but around 1854 the Inn was offered for let. Abraham Bush was there for a short time, followed by George Lyne in March 1860 who, in an effort to gain good patronage, advertised that his stock of wines, spirits, ale and port was the best to be found, along with comfortable lodging apartments and stables. By mid-1865 the licence was declared forfeited by the Executive Licencing Council due to ongoing issues.
In March 1870 the stables were destroyed by fire, however, landlord Mr Spanjer was able to save the house. While at the Inn he began a four-wheel conveyance from Travellers Rest to and from Nelson every Saturday, charging 2s 6d each way.
In 1871, a tender for a term of five years was offered for the “commodious and convenient country Inn” with 10 rooms, cellar, outhouses, stable and paddocks.
John Mercer became landlord in October 1876, but the Mercer period was at times volatile. In June 1881 an assault took place when Mary, wife of John, contended that she was assaulted by Thomas Harley, a guest, who grabbed her with questionable intent. A scuffle followed with both parties using a weapon and both receiving injuries. Harley contended that Mary was drunk and had attacked him with a mallet. He was found guilty, and fined £10 and one months imprisonment.
A tragic accident occurred on 20 September 1884 when Mary was walking toward the station to catch the train to Nelson. On nearing the Appleby Road Railway Crossing the driver of the train saw her on the line and applied the brakes. There was sufficient time for her to get off the rails but in possibly trying to take a short cut down the line she was crossing a cattle stop and had just got clear when the engine struck her on the back of the head, hurling her 10 to 12 feet forward onto the line, resulting in her death.
W H Bartley was publican from 1890 to 1893. Following him was Charles Bartlett who had a lease for the Inn at £20 per annum. Within a year he was in debt to the amount of £310 and was adjudicated bankrupt. The licence was transferred to Alfred Karsten, but his tenure was shaky from the beginning.
In October 1895 he was charged for being drunk and disorderly, resulting in the loss of his licence. J Satherley then took over the Inn on the condition that he installed fire escapes. In 1914 the Inn was almost closed being found in a dilapidated state with unclean sanitary arrangements. Satherley, in 1921, pleaded guilty to selling liquor after legal hours and was convicted and fined £2.
The next publican was Vivian Satherley, but during his time at the Inn he faced continual charges for having liquor for sale after closing hours, selling to someone under 21 years and having a prohibited person on the premises, culminating in a police raid in 1938.
Over the ensuing years publicans came and went and the Inn fell into a state of disrepair and for periods of time was left vacant. The Inn was purchased by new owners in 2023. May she stand proud for many years to come.
