Below also see: Michael Collins, 1881
The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 9 Mar 1880 1
POLICE.
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WATER POLICE COURT.
The magistrates presiding on the bench in the Charge Court, yesterday, were Mr Marsh, PM, and Messrs Sladen, Gray, Goodridge, and Jeanneret, JsP.
collection. Reproduction: Peter de Waal
David Davis, a seaman, was charged with resisting constable Adair in the execution of his duty. From the statement of the constable, it appeared that at 20 minutes to 12 o’clock on Saturday night, while on duty at Circular Quay, his attention was directed to a man who had fallen overboard from the Min-y-Don, and was drowning. Without divesting himself of clothing, the constable plunged into the water in a plucky manner, and, after some considerable difficulty, succeeded in rescuing the drowning man from his perilous position. With some assistance he got the man on to the wharf, and as the man, who had apparently fallen into the water while in a state of intoxication, was in an insensible condition, the constable was about to take him to the Infirmary, when the prisoner Davis interfered and attempted to release the man, who was a shipmate of his, from the custody of the constable. The Bench pointed out to the prisoner that he had no right to interfere with the police, and inflicted a fine of 20s.
Charles York was charged with having assaulted his wife, in view of a constable, at the corner of Riley and Woolloomooloo streets, on Saturday week last. Mrs York went into the witness-box and stated that she did not wish to prosecute, as she gave her husband provocation. Constable Irwin, however, swore to the assault, and the Bench, considering the charge proved, ordered the defendant to pay a fine of 20s.
Image: NSW State Library collection. Reproduction: Peter de Waal
Walter F Woods was brought up on a charge of stealing a clock, the property of the American commissioners at the Garden Palace. Constable Jacboson [sic] stated that while on duty at the gates of the Garden Palace on Friday evening he observed the prisoner leave the grounds with something under his coat. He suspected that the man had stolen property in his possession, and on being questioned in reference to what he had under his coat Woods produced the clock, which he stated he had purchased at the American Court. His statement proved to be untrue, and the Bench, considering the charge proved, sentenced him to three months’ imprisonment. There was a further charge against the prisoner, namely, that of stealing a racket brace from the British Court at the Garden Palace. This charge was also proved, and the Bench sentenced the prisoner to three months’ imprisonment. The sentences were to be concurrent.
George Henry Singh, a coloured man, charged with being found on the premises of George Wright, of Double Bay, with intent to commit a felony, was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment.
Michael Collins, who was charged with offending against public decency, was dealt with in an exemplary manner by the Bench, who sent the offender to gaol for six months, with hard labour.
Michael Collins, 1881
The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 16 Dec 1881 2
POLICE.
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WATER POLICE COURT.
The Bench in the Charge Court was occupied yesterday by Messrs Marsh, WPM, Solomon, and Hale.
Michael Collins, 35, was convicted on three charges, Viz, drunkenness, using obscene language, and assaulting constable Snape in the execution of his duty, and was fined in the aggregate 70s; in default, 25 days in gaol.
1 The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 9 Mar 1880, p. 3. Emphasis added.
2 The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 16 Dec 1881, p. 7.