Research Notes:

In 1887 John Hely of the Club House Hotel Wagga Wagga was a residuary legatee of his father's Will.

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Employed at Birt's (later Kiss) Horse Bazaar in Pitt Street, Sydney, with William Felton Mathew*; both Hely and Mathew then came into the employ of William Brown* and his circus, training some of the animals including the famous horse with the golden shoes and touring Victoria and New South Wales; visited Wagga Wagga in 1851; and settled in the district about 1853. Married Elizabeth ("Betsy") Smart* at North Wagga Wagga on July 21, 1856. Stockkeeper for John Church* at "Pomingalarna" station near Wagga Wagga for several years (GH Sept 30, 1857; and WWA July 2, 1907); and then at The Rock for Susannah Brown*, William's wife. Then farmer on his own account at "Rose Farm", Urana Road; and all the members of his family were born there. Later took up a selection on "Pomingalarna" which he subsequently sold to Joseph Woods. Then came to Wagga Wagga and took over the licence of the Club House Hotel in Kincaid Street from 1879; this hotel was flooded to four feet in 1891 and the family had to take refuge in the hay loft. After 1884 Hely established a regular bus communication from one end of Wagga Wagga to the other i.e. from the Club House Hotel to Kerr's Wagga Wagga Hotel near the Railway Station, each hour of the day. Retired from the business c.1896; and ran the boarding establishment of "Millview" in Tarcutta Street. Loved horses; and his horses often won prizes at the show e.g. his handsome pair of cream coloured horses won first prize at the Hay Show in 1882 (WWA July 11, 1882); and he was a great horseman; appointed the driver to the Earl of Carrington when he visited Wagga Wagga in September 1890, Hely supplying the coach and horses and was presented by the Governor with a sovereign in appreciation. Keen interest in sporting affairs; donated trophies to the various cricket clubs; a prize cup for the best all round cricketer of the season, won by Walter Higgins* in 1884-85 (WWA June 23, 1885); also donated trophies for the Wagga Wagga Bicycle Club and in 1887 presented the Hely Challenge Cup to be played for by all football clubs within a radius of one hundred miles of Wagga Wagga (WWA May 19, 1887). Associatied with the Sons of Temperance, Wagga Wagga, in the 1870s and with the lodges of the town formerly the Oddfellows, later the Protestant Alliance Friendly Society and took a leading part in the formation of the Orange Lodge at Wagga Wagga; also belonged to the Masonic Order. Fell from his horse in 1909 while driving cattle from Lake Albert Road into town; broke his collarbone and two ribs and suffered shock (WWA Mar 30, 1909). Died on June 2, 1914 at the age of eighty, leaving a widow and seven children, four having predeceased him; buried Anglican Portion, Wagga Wagga Cemetery (WWA Jan 1, 1884; Oct 7, 1884; July 2, 1891; and July 2, 1907; DA Dec 30, 1911 and June 3, 1914; and NSW Dir, 1903).

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"MR. JOHN THOMAS HELY.

A very old resident of Wagga, Mr. John Thomas Hely, passed away at his residence, 'Millview,' Tarcutta Street, on Tuesday evening at about a quarter to eight. The deceased gentleman had been in failing health for some years past, but was laid up only for the past three weeks. He

was born at Parramatta on Septem ber 15, 1833, and thus was in his 81st year. When a youth of about 17 years of age, the late Mr. Hely left his home to join 'Tinker' Brown's Circus, and he had charge of the fam ous horse which had shoes of gold, and was driven in the circus by Mr. Cameron, who afterwards became the first member for Beechworth in the Victorian Parliament. He became stock-keeper for Mr. James Church, on Pomingalarna Station, where he remained for several years. He sub sequently transferred his energies to The Rock Station, where he was em ployed by Mrs. Brown in a similar capacity. Mr. Hely's next enterprise was in farming pursuits in his own in terests. He acquired Rose Farm, a selection on the Urana Road, and it was there that all the members of ills family, excepting one were, bom. He was married 58 years ago to Miss Elizabeth Smart of North Wagga. Later Mr. Hely took up a selection on Pomingalarna, which he subse quently sold to Mr. Joseph Woods. He then came to Wagga and took over hie license of the Club House Hotel, in Kincaid Street, which he conducted for many years. When he retired from that business about 18 years ago he went to live in Tarcuttca Street, and 'Millview' remained his residence up to the time of his death.

During his active life Mr. Hely took a keen interest in all sporting affairs, and was also associated with the lodges of the town. He was formerly connected with the Oddfellows, and latterly was a member of the Protest and Alliance Friendly Society. He took a leading part in the formation of the Orange Lodge In Wagga, and also belonged to the Masonic Order. The deceased is survived by his widow and a family of seven children, .and four of his offspring predeceased him. The sons are Sergeant J. G.

Hely, of Wagga, Messrs. Edward and Alfred Hely, who reside in Sydney; and Proper Frederick Hely, of Mud gee. The daughters are Mrs. John McKay, of Warren; Mrs. H. Hill and Mrs. Whiting, of Wagga. The late Mr. Hely, was also related to several leading Parramatta families. The funeral takes place this afternoon." ^{5 6}