White Hart Hotel, Hindley Street, c.1878

State Library Catalogue Reference: B 10711

The White Hart Hotel at 31-33 Hindley Street on the eastern corner of Peel Street is seen here ca 1878. The image shows the lamp which publicans were required by law to keep burning all night over the door. The lamp had an image of a white hart (or deer) and the name of the hotel etched on the glass. It was opposite the popular Theatre Royal. The first hotel on this site was the Volunteer Hotel in 1840. It was rebuilt in 1855 as seen here with a decorative parapet and a wide verandah on both floors, decorated with iron lace. The hotel closed in 1927. It was then converted to shops, with tenants such as Dryen's Tailors, Hatters and Mercers on the ground floor. It was known as White Hart Building and was demolished in 1973.

On Friday 5 October 1877, page 5, the Register newspaper published a letter written by Augustus Klauer the publican:

"Sir — In the Register of October I noticed an article written by a self-appointed Inspector, in which he refers to my hotel, the White Hart, as being a resort of larrikins and loose women.
As this statement is calculated to do me an injury I hereby give it a flat denial, and challenge the writer to produce a single case where I knowingly served a loose woman or a larrikin in either of my private rooms, unless it has been to a larrikin like the article who might come in the garb of a gentleman and so impose on me. In my bar or taproom I may serve all characters, which is done in every hotel in Adelaide, from the York downwards ; and more, I am able to prove that my hotel is as well co ducted as any in Adelaide. Regarding permits, I must say that I have five ladies and gentlemen boarders of the Dramatic Company now staying at my; house who are scarcely ever at home before 11.30 p.m., and often later. There is seldom a night that I have not parcels to take care of for visitors to the Theatre, who call for them after the performance, there being no place to keep them in the Theatre. There is no question that the comfort of the thousands of visitors to the Theatre should be studied as well as the visitors to the East-end Market. The hotels in that neighborhood open at 2 o'clock, a.m. I do agree with one remark of the Amateur Inspector, referring as to the unfairness to the other hotels, and would respectfully suggest as Mr. Nock's Bill is before Parliament to extend the time for houses to keep open, viz., to 12 o'clock, with the option of closing at 11 if they chose, as is the case in the neighbouring colonies, and even later in England.
In conclusion I may point out to the Amateur Inspector the existing nuisances in the dark streets in this neighbourhood. My neighbours have gone in with me to close in the dark corners in Peel-street, and I also light two lamps on my premises in Peel-street, and have this two years with my neighbours contributed to the lighting of a third lamp. It is in consequence greatly improved, but yet much may be done by way of improvement, and would suggest to the Amateur Inspector to assist in getting a night watchman for the dark streets, and so remedy the nuisance still further. Hoping that you will find room for this in your valuable paper, I am, Sir, &c, A- KLAUER. [The enquiries we have made confirm the correctness of our contributor's statements. —Ed.]"