Daniel Munro

   Cause of his death was (a) Myocardial degeneration (b) Coronary atheroma.

  General Notes:

Very little is known today about the life of Daniel Munro, father of Bob, mainly due to the fact that all of his children and a good number of his grandchildren have now passed on. It is a known fact that he spent a good part of his life as a publican, having managed or owned several hotels among which were the hotels at Bullagreen and Collie. Therefore I am taking the opportunity of including the following poems which were among the effects left by Bob Munro after his death.

In the following article (author unknown) we see that he was the licensee of the Bullagreen Hotel from April 1893 to 1909.

In 1913 he bobs up again as the licensee of the Marthaguy Inn, (subsequently known to this day as the Collie Hotel), where he remained as licensee till 1916.



THE BULLAGREEN HOTEL


I've struck some bogs and 'glue pot dogs'
And 'porridge heaps' I've seen
But strike me fat there's none like that
From Bourbah to Bullagreen.
Jack Moses.


The last bush pub to open in the Warren district was the Bullagreen. It was on the east of the Warren/Coonamble road about half a mile north from the Public Watering Place known as the Bullagreen Tank. The tank had been excavated in the bed of the creek of the same name. It was Government policy to provide water along stock routes and roads to satisfy the requirements of travellers, both human and animal. Contractor Tristam Ford had completed the job using horses and drays in 1885.

Archibald McCalman had the building ready to commence business in May 1888. In that month he was issued with a publicans licence, current for one year, the fee was £30 ($60). He remained mine host until shortly before his death in October 1890. The next licensee, J.W. Parker, remained for little more than one year. His successor was William Walden who conducted the business for two years to be followed in 1894/95 by James Munro who remained until April 1899 when George Foley took control. His stay on the big plain was short, only two years. At this point there is a gap in the records. The writer has not been able to locate any record of a licence being issued for the 1901/02 period. Possible draught conditions caused a temporary closure.

In April 1891 a man named Bridge died on the coach near Bullagreen, his remains were taken to the Hotel where a post mortem was held by Dr. Rygate from Warren, verdict - heart disease. Deceased came from Wagga where he owned a property, he was travelling to Walgett to visit a son, a selector.

However, Dan Munro obtained a license on the same day of the month as that issued two years previously to Foley, namely the 25th. April but in this case for the year 1902/03. The license was renewed annually in Munro's name until 1909 when the last was issued on 25th. April. Thus we can state, no spirituous liquor was sold after 24th. April 1910.

After Archibald McCalman's death the property passed to Malcolm McCalman. It was reported he had extensive improvements carried out in 1899 by contractor W. Burness of Warren. In February 1901 H. Hackney of Quambone purchased the property from McCalman. About this time Edwin Utley set up a saw mill near the hotel, it was reported he was doing good business. In April he had completed an order for Mrs. Munro of Woodside and was then cutting for Mr. Alfred Russ who was to build a splendid residence on The Grange.

In March 1903 The Warren Herald reported the sale of the Bullagreen Hotel from Hackney to Utley, the price £750 ($1500). In January 1904 a windstorm unroofed the sawmill and caused much damage to the hotel.

By August 1905 Utley was in financial deep water. The Commercial Bank advertised the hotel situated on 202 acres of land for sale, also his sawmill in Warren. Perhaps the sawmill at Bullagreen had closed down.

No report of the sale has survived. Dan Munro carried on the pub for another five years. After the closure it was the home of his family for some years under the name of "Sharan View". Probably Dan Munro took over from the bank.

Some years were to pass before the property was acquired by a man named Johnstone. He and his family lived there, later acquiring dome additional land adjoining the pub block on the south. Michael Quigley of Erlside purchased from Johnstone. In 1921, after he, Quigley, had transferred Erlside in sub-division to his son, he and his daughter Winnie lived in the old pub for a time.

About 1924 Michael Quigley sold the pub property, together with other land he owned nearby, to Charles McCalman of Pine Clump. The new owner demolished the old pub buildings and used some of the material for sheds and outbuildings. His family retain the property to this day.

Old timers tell a story illustrating the folly of discussing one's business affairs in public. One hot summers day in 1900 F.C. Tompson, stock and station agent of Warren, accompanied by a client, called at the Bullagreen Hotel. After "downing" a few drinks the agent volunteered the information that his client, who lived some little distance away was going to inspect a property owned by Mr. A.B.C. with a view to purchase. The publican knew that Mr. X.Y.Z., who also lived nearby was keen to secure more land. The telephone had been installed in 1896. Mr. Publican passed on the words from the horse's mouth to Mr. X.Y.Z. who set off post haste. One or two for the road helped delay the agents departure. The deal was made before the agent and buyer arrived.

Wheat is now growing on the old race track where many a favourite ran last and at times a "scrubber" came home to enrich the bookies. The track was over a mile west of the pub in the wheat paddock now owned by Bill O'Brien. A large clump of box trees in the centre of the track provided shelter for picnic parties and horse stalls. An open air dance floor was provided where dancing with "great spirit" continued until near daylight. The officials of one such meeting early this century were - James McCalman, Hon. Sec. James McLeish Judge; C.M. Munro starter and Jim Munro Clerk of Scales.






THE BOURBAH HOTEL

MERRI MERRI CREEK


In 1886 Edward Byrne satisfied the bench of magistrates that he was a right and proper person to concoct a Hotel. They issued him with a licence to operate the Merri Merri Hotel, Bombah. The location was about eight miles west of Gulargambone on the northern side of the Gulargambone/Quambone Rd. near where that road crosses the Warren/Coonamble Rd. Today two or three pepper trees mark the spot. A short distance southerly "flowed" the Merri Merri Creek. The spelling used above is identical with the name of a run in the vicinity at one time occupied by Michael Healey and later by William Moore Connell. About 1898 the name of the pub was changed to Bourbah Hotel, Merri Merri Creek.

Edward Byrne carried on the pub in conjunction with a store for about 12 years. The following is a list of publicans after Byrne:

Wilde Henry 1898 to 1902
Walden William 1902 to 1905
Walden James 1905 to 1906
Walden William 1906 to 1910
Byrne Herbert 1910 to 1914
Raglus Frank 1914 to 1916
Chester Frank 1916 to 1917
Geach Sidney 1917 to 1922


The writer has no records after 1922, it is believed it did not close for a few years after that date.

In march 1896 contractor Crawford completed the bridge over the Merri Merri Creek on the Warren Coonamble Road. The opening was a festive occasion. People came from near and far to see Mrs. W. Donohoe declare this important bridge open for traffic. After the ceremony and elaborate repost was provided by Mrs. Byrne at the Merri Merri Hotel.

  Medical Notes:

Both Daniel and his Brother John (who never married) are buried in the same grave at Rookwood Cemetery. The headstone inscription reads as follows:

"In Loving Memory of
Our Dear Uncle
John Munro
Died 23rd July 1939 Aged 76 years.

Also our Dear Father
Daniel Munro
Died 14th March 1942 Aged 80 years.
R.I.P."

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Hotelkeeper & Selector.

• Religion: C Of E Converted To Roman Catholic.

• Grave: 308 Catholic Sect 16, Rookwood, NSW.

Daniel married Annie Byrne, daughter of Edward Byrne and Margaret McGregor, on 6 May 1887 in Coonamble, NSW.⁶⁹ (Annie Byrne was born on 5 Nov 1864 in Merrigal, Collie, NSW,⁷¹ died on 27 Jan 1915 in Collie, NSW ⁷² and was buried on 29 Jan 1915 in "Dicks Camp", Collie, NSW ¹³.) The cause of her death was Brain Hemorrhage.

  Marriage Notes:

Reference Number:1639