The New Zealand was in an isolated position, located up a bank, off the road from Littledean to Newnham between Grange Village and Cookshoot Farm. It was at least a mile and a half west of Newnham. The nearby Cockshoot Farms has the post code GL14 1HH.
There was a sign on one side of the New Zealand Inn (presumably heading to Littledean) which apparently said: “Before you do this hill go up, stop and take a cheerful cup”. And on the other side, for those travelling towards Newnham: “Now you have this hill come down, stop and drink your glasses round”.
Gloucester Journal, Saturday 8th August 1857 – Newnham Petty Sessions: John Blewett, landlord of the New Zealand Inn, near Newnham, was charged for keeping his house open for the sale of beer during the hours of divine service on Sunday. It appeared from the evidence of P.C. Ashton, that he visited defenant’s house on the day in question, about four o’clock, and found seven men and a common prostitute in the house drinking. Fined 10 shillings and costs.
The Gloucester Journal reported on 22nd August 1857 that William Blewitt, son of John Blewitt, of the New Zealand Inn near Newnham, was fined 5 shllings for being drunk and disorderly at Newnham.
Edmund Blewett owned the New Zealand Inn in 1891, and it was a beer house with no brewery tie. There was a family dispute within the family as a year earlier in February 1890 ‘William Blewett, a Cinderford collier, was suing Edmund Blewett of the New Zealand Inn, the executor of the late William Blewett, to recover £39.15s.4d., which was due to him in the will.’ The Blewett family were certainly characters of questionable morality as John Blewett, landlord of the New Zealand in 1854, was fined for opening after hours. (John Blewett died in December 1878, aged 84). In 1903 Sarah Ann Blewett was the owner of the New Zealand. It had an annual rateable value of £18.0s.0d. and closed at 11 pm.
In 1916 the license of the New Zealand was transferred from John Henry Legg to Frederick Henry Reed, but the licence was voluntarily lapsed in 1917.
Gloucestershire Echo, Saturday 3rd November 1917 – Deaths: Sarah Ann Bluett on 31st October, at Rose Tree Cottage, Newnham. Aged 77. Widow of the late Edward Bluett, formerly of the New Zealand Inn, Newnham.
Landlords at the New Zealand include:
1854 John Blewett
1891 Edmund Blewett
1903 Sarah Ann Blewett
1916 John Henry Legg
1916 Frederick Henry Reed
