Federal Hotel Katanning
The Federal Hotel was constructed in 1904 as a two-storey hotel, the third storey was added in 1913 by James Fairclough. It was the third hotel for Katanning, opening its doors in September, after some controversy over whether Katanning needed another hotel. The original proprietor of the hotel was Alfred Pearmine and the manager was James Conroy.
In about 1907 the hotel passed into the hands of the Fairclough family. It was James Fairclough who added the third storey, the family name still seen on this part of the hotel. The Fairclough’s stayed on until the early 1920s.
During this time at the Federal, Fairclough came to blows with the Swan Brewery to which he was contracted. As the brewery could not supply an order, Fairclough turned to another brewery and was sued by the first brewery for breach of contract. Fairclough took his case to the high court of Australia and won. As a result, Fairclough set a precedent whereby hotels could from then on deal with any brewery without breaching contract.
The next licensee of the Federal was Lou Hambley, who ran the hotel from about World War II until the early 1960s.
FAIRCLOUGH Vs SWAN BREWERY
Court Case – High Court Appeal
IMPROVEMENTS TO FEDERAL HOTEL
Great Southern Herald
23 August, 1939
Modern and Comfortable Hostelry Envisaged.
When Mr. L. Hambly acquired the Federal Hotel, Clive Street, some 12 months ago, he did so with the firm determination of transforming it into one of the best, if not the best, modern hotels on the Great Southern.
With a commodious three-storey building as groundwork, he commenced remodelling the saloon and public bars and installing a modern refrigeration plant. The next improvement was a comfortable lounge, furnished throughout with ultra-modern lounge furniture and Feltex floor covering.
Faced with an unreliable and unsatisfactory supply of water from the town scheme, Mr. Hambly determined to provide his own water supply and made provision for a catchment of 74,000 gallons of rainwater from which to service his hotel. This having been achieved, he is now having constructed new bathroom blocks on both the first and upper stories of the hotel for the convenience of both men and women. These will be modernly equipped with hot and cold water for plunge and shower baths and for hand-basins, and the quantity in reserve will guarantee a never-failing supply of water for guests.
The dining room is to be remodelled and provision is to be made for a commercial room on the ground floor for the convenience of travellers and other business folk.
The plans for these improvements were drawn up by Mr. W. G. Bennett, architect, of Perth, who has accepted on behalf of Mr. Hambly the tender of Messrs. Brown and Anderson, of Perth, at £349, for structural alterations and additions, and of Metters Ltd., of Perth, at £226, for installation of the hot and cold water scheme and necessary furnishings.
Federal Hotel c1910
Federal Hotel c1965
Federal Hotel – c 2015
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