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28 February, 2022

No Place for singing canecutters

NEXT TIME you burst into song at a birthday bash or start chanting with mates while watching the footy over a few bevvies, spare a thought for publican John MacLeod.


Early photograph of the MacLeod’s Grafton Hotel, courtesy Mulgrave Shire Historical Society.
Early photograph of the MacLeod’s Grafton Hotel, courtesy Mulgrave Shire Historical Society.

In 1914 the licensee of the Grafton Hotel caused quite a sensation when he appealed against a conviction for allowing “public singing” without a permit. 

The incident occurred on December 13, 1913, when a group of Italian canecutters broke into “melodious” song while having a drink in the hotel at Hambledon Junction. 

When a local constable happened upon the scene, he asked whether MacLeod had permit for “public singing”. MacLeod said he didn’t and told the canecutters to stop. 

Portrait of John and Sarah MacLeod c. 1886, courtesy of the MacLeod family. Article from the Darling Downs Gazette, May 16, 1914, page 7.
Portrait of John and Sarah MacLeod c. 1886, courtesy of the MacLeod family. Article from the Darling Downs Gazette, May 16, 1914, page 7.

They left the hotel and resumed singing out on the road but were lured back inside when other drinkers joined the chorus. Macleod was subsequently fined. He won his appeal against the fine on the grounds there was no evidence of an offence. However, an appeal by the Crown saw that judgement overturned when a full bench decided that “public singing” as defined by law had indeed occurred. 

MacLeod opened the hotel in October 1910. His application for a victualler’s license stated it comprised “five sitting rooms of moderate size and thirteen bedrooms of moderate size” exclusive of those required for his family (a wife and six children) and servants. Also “one bar and stabling for five horses”. 

Photograph from the Centenary Celebrations of 2010, courtesy of the MacLeod family.
Photograph from the Centenary Celebrations of 2010, courtesy of the MacLeod family.

John was licensee of the hotel until his death on January 1, 1920. His wife Sarah took over the license and was owner of the hotel until her death in 1947. In 2010 it was again the scene of much singing and revelry when descendants of John and Sarah celebrated the centenary of the MacLeod clan in Edmonton. A group of 50 came from all over Australia. 

With no irate constables in sight, the revelers were free to play the bagpipes, sing and dance well into the evening. 

Aside from a cyclone in February 1927, which demolished the verandah and unroofed the south side of the hotel, the Grafton Hotel has stood proud for 111 years. 

In September 2021, an application was lodged with Cairns Regional Council to undertake remediation works to restore the verandah and give the hotel a facelift. 

Sources: TROVE Newspapers, The Clan MacLeod Society of Australia Inc.

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