Evening Post,  3 Apr 1880; NOTICE. Accounts due to James Guilford must be paid in to the office of Scott, Besley, & Co., on or before" Saturday, the 10th instant, or legal proceedings will be taken for recovery of the same. GEORGE BESLEY, Attorney for James Guilford.

1884: A TRIVIAL CASE. Elizabeth Sallow, a mere girl, was brought up on a charge of having stolen a lady's chemise and a jacket belonging to James Guilford. She pleaded Not Guilty. Mary Guilford, wife of James Guilford, deposed that the accused had been in her employ as domestic servant for exactly one week. Yesterday witness returned to her house and found the girl dressed to go out into the street. A jacket belonging to witness was found under the accused's ulster, and also a chemise which did not belong to the girl. When the accused entered her service she led her to believe she was a single woman, but witness had since ascertained that the accused was married. Sallow explained to the Bench that Mrs. Guilford had given her the chemise and the jacket because she (prisoner) was short of clothing. Mrs. Guilford denied this statement, and said that since the girl had left her service she had missed a number of other articles. His Worship dismissed the case.

Wanganui Chronicle, 12 Jan 1886: OPENING NOTICE. The. well-known and old-established COMMERCIAL HOTEL, Willis street, Close to the Queen's Wharf and Post and Telegraph Offices, ia now ready to receive visitors and permanent boarders. The proprietor, Mr James Guilford (formerly in the wine and spirit trade), having purchased the lease of the Hotel, will in soliciting public patronage, endeavour to merit that support which a well-conducted house, affording every comfort aud convenience, may reasonably be expected to receive. The building has been entirely renovated throughout, and furnished in a style second to no other hotel in the colony, The cuisine will satisfy the most fastidious. The billiard-room is acknowledged to be the most commodious in Wellington, and contains two new prize tables, under the care of an experienced marker. The bar contains only the choicest and purest quality of liquors, of which tho proprietor's known experience in the trado entitles him to be a judge. Note the Address - COMMERCIAL HOTEL, WilIis Street, WELLINGTON, JAMES GUILFORD, Proprietor

Evening Post, 7 Dec 1892: Mr. Robinson, R.M., had before him in the Magistrate's Court this morning a case in which Mary Guilford sought to obtain a married woman's property protection order, on the ground that her husband, James Guilford, fellmonger, habitually failed to provide maintenance for her and her four children. The parties, it appeared, had entered into a deed of separation on the 3rd February, 1891, and the question was whether the fact of such a deed existing was a bar to the Court granting alimony. Mr. Jellicoe, who appeared on Mrs. Guilford's behalf, contended that alimony could be granted, quoting in support of his contention a case in which it was decided that where a husband had broken his covenant the authority of the Court to decree alimony is unfettered. The defendant not having paid any money for many months he had clearly broken his covenant, and therefore it was in the power of the Court to make an order under the Destitute Persons Act for the support of his children. His Worship, after hearing evidence, adjourned the case until the 13th inst.

Evening Post, 27 Dec 1892: Unreserved Sale of HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE: On the Premises, Kent-terrace. GEORGE THOMAS & CO. have receive instructions from Mrs. Guilford to sell by auction, at her residence, Kent-terrace on Thursday , 20th Dec, at 1.30 o'clock- The whole of her household furniture full particulars to be notified on Wednesday F. W. HAYBITTLE, Auctioneer

Evening Post, 10 March 1893: The only application before the Epuni Licensing Committee to-day was one for a permannent transfer of the licence of the Travellers' Rest Hotel, Taita, from F. G. Milne to Mary Guilford. Constable Cruickshanks' report was of a very favourablo character, and the application was granted.

Evening Post; 15 May 1893: NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PUBLICAN'S LICENSE. MARY GUILFORD, of Taita, do hereby give notice that I desire to obtain, and will at the next Licensing Meeting, to be held at Lower Hutt on the 9th day of June, 1893, apply for a certificate authorising the issue of a renewal of a publican's license for the house situate at Taita, the proporty of George Buck, and known by the sign of The Travellers' Rest Hotel, containing 20 rooms, exclusive of those required for the use of the family. Dated this 13th day of May, 1893. MARY GUILFORD.

Evening Post, 31 Oct 1893: MAGISTRATE'S COURT. ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES. Alfred Mitchell, a young man, who was defended by Mr. Bolton, pleaded Not Guilty to a chargo of having obtained board, lodging, stabling for his horse, and liquid refreshment, from Mary Guilford, a publican of the Lower Hutt, by means of false pretences. Mr. Bolton said the informant had no intention of proceeding with the charge. Inspector Pender said this was the first he had heard of any application to withdraw the prosecution. The country had been put to considerable expense in tracing and arresting the accused. His Worship said the prosecution was a private one, but he could not permit it to be withdrawn until all expenses in connection with the prosecution had been liquidated. The case was adjourned till later in the day.

North Otago Times, 1 Jan 1895: A bull in a china shop is the memo of might against right as the following instance from a Northern exchange goes to show the vagaries of a bull formed the subject of a case at the Lower Uutt Court recently. Alfred Buck, Taita, charged with allowing the animal to wander an land of Mary Guilford, licensee of the Taita Hotel gave evidence as to the bull rushing into the passage. It gave a roar and got on the rampage, frightening some visitors who were in one of the sitting rooms. Mr Wilford (who appeared for accused): Don't you accomodate man and beast? (Laughter). Witness : I don't accommodate bulls or do business with animals. The bull has been in at all the doors; he often pays me a visit." Mr Wilford : Wants a pint of beer, perhaps. —(Laughter). If the animal were in the passage of the hotel it could scarcely be said to be wandering at large. Mrs Austice also gave evidence that the animal had got partly into her house. It roared, was frothing at the mouth, and otherwise was excitcd. Witness was much frightened for the safety of herself and child. A boy in employment of accused said he was driving the animal from one paddock to another when it got away. Constable Cruiokshank said the action was taken for tho safety of the public. The owner explained that since the animal had became dangerous it had been properly secured. There were two charges against accused, and the Bench inflicted a fine of 40s, costs 9s in each case.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 14 May 1895: Hotel Burned. The hotel at Taita, known as Honeymoon Cottage, occupied by Mrs Guilford, was destroyed by fire this morning. The building was owned by Staples and Co., and insured for £1000 in the United Office ; £750 of this amount was reinsured.

Evening Post,  7 Aug 1895: A charge of Sunday trading against Mrs Guilford, holder of the license of the Traveler's Rest Hotel, Taita, was heard at the. Lower Hutt Court this morning by Messrs. Martin, S.M., Oudly,'and'Wilkins, Justices. Mr. Wilford appeared for the defendant, who pleaded Not Guilty. Their Worships reserved their decision.

Evening Post, 8 Aug 1895: The defense urged by Mr. Wellford in the Sunday trading case at the Travellers' Rest Hotel, Taita, heard at the Hutt Magistrate's Court yesterday, was that Mrs. Guilford, the person charged, was not liable, in-as-much as Harnett was the real owner of the premises. In May last Mrs. Guilford agreed to sell her interest in the hotel to Harnett for £9 and the licence fee, £25. Harnett took possession and carried on the business, though no transfer was signed. He had given a cheque for part of the purchase, but it was dishonored. After the date of the alleged offence Mrs. Guilford wished to obtain a license at Otaki, and transferred her former license to Mr. Harnett. Mr. Martin, S M., adjourned the case till Monday, at Wellington, in order to consider the legal points raised.

Evening Post, 13 Dec 1895: The Marine Retreat Hotel, Petone, is now in the hands of Mrs. Guilford, well-known as a caterer for the comfort of the public. In another column she calls attention to the attractions which the place offers to people anxious for a change from town life.

Evening Post, 10 Jan 1896: MARINE RETREAT HOTEL, Petone. Mrs. Guilford, Proprietress.— This Hotel, distant from Wellington 7 miles by railway, is a first-class resort for those seeking a change from city life. Excellent accommodation for permanent boarders, families, and visitors. Every attention given to picnic parties ; nice ground for all kind of games. Best of wines, spirits, &o. Good stabling and paddocking. The terms are most reasonable. Civility and attention given to all.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 9 Mar 1896: Hotelkeepers will be especially interested in a case which was heard at the Lower Hutt Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. Two informations had been laid against Mrs Guilford, licensee of the Marine Retreat Hotel, Petone, under section 24 of The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act, 1895, which provides that no publican shall sell drink to Maori women, under a penalty ranging from £2 to £10. It was the first case brought under this section since the passing of the Act. The defendant pleaded ignorance of the provisions of the Act, and said she was unaware that she was committing an offence. She was convicted on one information, and the other was dismissed. Mr Greenfield, taking into consideration the fact that this was the first case of its kind, inflicted the minimum fine of 40s, and ordered the defendant to pay costs, 23s 6d.

Mary GUILDFORD was granted a license in June 1896 "Marine Retreat Hotel", Petone, aka Valentines.  On 2nd June 1897 the Wellington Licensing Committee granted all the hotel licenses extension to 11.00 p.m. but they refused applications for wine licenses and refused permission for licensees to extinguish the outside light at the hour of closing !!

James was living at Masterton and d: 1 Aug 1902 in Wellington Hospital, Wellington aged 55Y; Cause of death - Cancer of the jaw; In NZ 40 years; Ages of of his living children - Male 26 James Stuart, 10 Francis Henry Gordon; Female 28 - Sarah Jane; 24 - Catherine Margaret, 22 Frances Henrietta, 20 Maude Adelaide, 18 ethel Florence, 16 Ivy May. Bur; 2 Aug 1902 at Karori Cem.