History
Above: The Royal Hotel, Mornington.
D IS FOR DEAD ‘UNS The Great Mornington Election Scam
By Lance Hodgins
I
t was a publican’s/hotel keeper’s worst nightmare.
Over a hundred ruffians had stormed the hotel and were helping themselves to the delights of the bar and running amok throughout the halls and the rooms. Scavengers, vagabonds, picked scoundrels, well-known thieves – the very worst of the roughs of Melbourne had descended on the Schnapper Point Hotel (later to be known as the Royal) and Thomas Rennison was far from impressed. It all started innocently enough. Late afternoon on Sunday August 18 1861, a steamer pulled into the Mornington jetty and within moments two men strode into the hotel. The one with fair hair and a more gentlemanly appearance introduced himself as Patrick Costello, newly elected member of parliament for the seat of North Melbourne, and requested to hire a committee room from 9am till the close of poll at 4pm the following day. No sooner had this been arranged when five men rushed into the hallway where they were met by Costello and ushered into a room. Costello emerged to request a carriage to take him to a friend’s place further along the coast. On his return about 8pm there was a large crowd from the steamer milling around in front of the hotel demanding supper and beds. Costello told them, “Go in first, boys, and get nobblers,” then followed them shouting, “These fellows must have drinks.” The mob rushed in and took over the bar, not paying for their drinks and stealing dozens of bottles. After downing their ale, or whatever, they smashed the glasses against the wall. Rennison remonstrated with Costello who simply shrugged his
Above: Patrick Costello
shoulders and said, “They’re already in. You may as well make the most of it.” Rennison continued to complain about the damage but was assured that all would be paid for in the morning. When Costello raised the matter of breakfast, Rennison told him that he “would not trust him four pence” without a written order, which was duly provided. continued next page...
October 2022
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