Red Lion Hotel, Rundle Street, Adelaide, c1907

State Library Catalogue Reference: B 72696

The Red Lion, at the the right of this postcard, was at 13a Rundle Street (now Mall) between King William Street and James Place. Established in 1845, with major renovations in 1868 and 1962, it was demolished in 1966.

“PUGILIST "CLEANED-UP."
Hotel Disturbance.
An affray in the Red Lion Hotel, Rundle street, on Monday afternoon led to humorous and dramatic., developments, which- were ventilated at the Adelaide Police Court on Tuesday. William Small, known as William Daly, prizefighter, appeared in a charge of having been drunk in Clarence place, and of haying used indecent language. The case was heard before Messrs. T. Gepp, S.M., T. H. Brooker, C. Newling, H. Jones, and the Hon. F. S. Wallis, MLC. Mr. C M Muirhead defended.
On the first charge Small had to pay 6/6. . Giving evidence on the second allegation, Constable McMahon stated that he was called into the Red Lion Hotel at about 3.30 p.m. on Monday. Defendant was fighting with another man, and his eye was black and cut. Witness attempted, to remove him into Clarence place, and defendant then wanted to fight the constable. When finally ejected into the lane defendant picked up a tomahawk lying near by, end dared witness to go near him. Constable Howie and Philip J. Byrne (licensee of the Red Lion Hotel) also gave evidence. In a statement from the box, defendant denied having used the language alleged, or having taken up the axe. He said when coming out of the hotel, he was struck in the eye, and he had just made a rush, at the man when the police interfered. Fined 10/, with 15/ costs.
A charge of having disturbed the peace at the Red -Lion Hotel was next preferred against Small. The licencee said defendant challenged another man to a fight in the hotel. The latter invited Small into the lane, but defendant would not go, and started fighting in the hotel. The result was that the other fellow "cleaned him up." (Laughter.) Constable McMahon said defendant, when being removed from the hotel, wanted to fight him. Witness replied, 'You did not make much of a fight with the other man, so you had better not tackle me. Philip Byrne stated that half an hour previously to the occurrence Small tried to upset a cart belonging to Fauldings. Witness locked the door, and defendant tried to "boot it in." Later he came back, and was in the bar on the second occasion for 10 minutes. Defendant had to forfeit £1 10/ in all on the third charge.”
The journal, Tuesday 11 March, 1913, p1

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