An early arrival on the Cobar mineral fields, he showed an interest in everything, helping to survey ground, lay out claims, and doing a bit of prospecting.
Mining is always a chancy business; it’s a much surer thing to sell stuff to the miners, and one thing they’re pretty sure to need is liquid refreshment.
The area known as Cornishtown is to the north and east of the site of the Great Cobar Copper Mine. There are two origins for its name, one because the early miners were Cornishmen, and the other because Poppa owned the land. One of the first buildings on this land was the Criterion Hotel.
It opened in 1874 under Henry Gillet, formerly a butcher (make of that what you will), and was taken over by Poppa Cornish in 1877. From then to its closure in 1921, Poppa Cornish was the owner and sometimes the licensee. The hotel was ideally placed near the crossroads that led to Bourke, Nyngan, Wrightville, the Peak and beyond. Poppa was ably supported by his wife, Mary Jane Bax, formerly of Bourke.
Poppa was an excellent host and very community-minded. He served as an Alderman, and not forgetting the origins of Cobar, saw to it that the streets in Cornishtown were named after the early discoverers. Stories about him are numerous. One of the best happened in 1907 when there was a display of the Aurora Australis, visible from Cobar. On seeing the moving coloured lights in the sky, Poppa cried out that it was the end of the world. He rushed into the bar and called on everyone to get out their Bibles as they hadn’t looked at them for a long time and they’d better do so before it was too late.
However, it was not the end of the world and Poppa lived on until 1923. He died in Sydney, but his body was returned to be buried in Cobar, the town he loved so well. His headstone is modest but the epitaph boasts “Here his footsteps made the track and pioneered the way. He sleeps in death, his monument the Cobar of today”. A not unjustified claim.
Other licensees of the Criterion include James Crow, who has been met in many of the other hotels. It was also held by the Barrass family who held interests in mines and pubs. During its fairly long life, it saw the usual drinking after hours, indecent language, and being on premises for unlawful purposes. There were parties and farewells and many meetings, including gatherings to urge the government to extend the railway line to Cobar. In 1898, it suffered an arson attack that destroyed a stable, and in 190s, there was a fire. Only the quick action of Mrs Crow, who seized the burning bedding and threw it outside, saved the building.
All in all, a colourful place where the main criterion for fun was to be cheerful and enjoy the convivial atmosphere created by the King.