MICHAEL DALY

Born in Limerick, Ireland in 1852, Michael Daly arrived in Western Australia with his family in the early 1890s. At first connected with railway construction work, he later became a publican. In 1896, he took over the Murchison Club Hotel at Cue. Two years later, he moved to Perth and began running the Federal Hotel.

In 1902, he was a witness in the case against Harcourt Whipple Ellis for the death of Maud Pengelly. Maud’s lover, Frederick Killick, resided in the Federal Hotel and Michael provided evidence as to Killick's movements. You can read that story on Museum of Perth: https://www.museumofperth.com.au/death-at-the-dentist

His long association as landlord of the Federal Hotel (since demolished) meant that he was a strong possibility to take over the hotel connected to the newly built His Majesty’s Theatre. The architect, William Wolfe, designed the bar fittings, which were said to be “a special feature of the interior.”

In 1904, Michael Daly secured a long lease for the His Majesty’s Hotel. He was still the proprietor of the hotel when he once again took over the Federal Hotel in 1907. For seven years, dual ads were placed in the newspapers for the two establishments.

In October 1914, Michael gave up the lease for the Federal Hotel. He continued running His Majesty’s Hotel up until his death. In June 1915, he fell ill, and after several weeks spent in bed, he died at the hotel on 5 July 1915 at age 63.

This image of Michael Daly was printed in the Truth newspaper in April 1914. They labelled him ‘His Majesty’ after the hotel he ran and described him as “A man of Gumption, Gees, and Girth; in fact, a good all-round man.”

Truth; 18 April 1914; Page 7.

The Murchison Times and Day Dawn Gazette; 16 May 1896; Page 3.

The Daily News; 21 November 1902; Page 2.

The Daily News; 25 August 1904; Page 3.

Western Mail; 25 December 1904; Page 90.

The Mirror; 17 August 1907; Page 6.

The West Australian; 6 July 1915; Page 4.