South Australian Register, Tue 16 Nov 1886 1
WILCANNIA QUARTER SESSIONS.
(By Telegraph.)
Wilcannia, November 15.
Judge Backhouse has just cleared a heavy calendar at the Quarter Sessions. The following sentences were recorded:—
Henry Boyd, for false pretences, twelve months’ imprisonment; William Stevens, for stealing money, eighteen months; Arthur Lewis, for horsestealing, six months; Thomas Bingley, for stealing cargo from the Excelsior salvage, six months; Frederick Williams, for horsestealing, three years; Robert Tonkin, for indecent assault, twelve months; Rosalie and John Monaghan, for larceny, two years; Frank Bazzawitz, for forging and uttering, two years; Gregory, Maskil, and Tonkin, for receiving silver ore from the Lubra Mine, Silverton, eighteen months.
The following were acquitted:—
Chung How, James Naughton, John Sollier, [for bestiality], James Cummins, Ada Morris, Mathilda Morales, Annie Ferguson, Robert White, and William Chaplain, for various offences.
…
PORT ADELAIDE: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15.
(Before Mr RJ Turner, SM.)
Arthur Benson (9) was charged by his mother with being an uncontrollable child. The mother was left to keep the child by her own exertions, its father having deserted ti. She had advertised her missing husband, and was now married again. The child would not attend school. To be sent to the Industrial School till 16 years of age. Henry Parker and Harry Shearer, boys, for bathing in a public place at Largs Bay on November 9, had to pay 12s 6d each. Herbert Johns and Percy Hollingworth, boys, for a similar offence at Semaphore on the same day had to pay a like amount. GE Stevens, landlord of the Kew Hotel, was charged by HA Gotting with assaulting him at Port Adelaide on November 11. There was a cross-information against Gotting for assaulting Stevens at the same time. Mr Kingston appeared for Gotting, and Mr Webb for Stevens. Evidence disclosed a dispute about an account. Gotting said that Stevens struck him over the head with a walkingstick, but Stevens said that Gotting first struck him in the mouth. Both parties were fined 1s and costs, 20s each. Thomas Skewes, butcher, was charged by Selmar Conrad that, being the servant of the said S Conrad, he did steal1s, his property, at Port Adelaide on November 13. Mr Wallace prosecuted, and Mr Webb defended. Selmar Conrad said defendant was shopman. Saw him on Saturday morning a little after 11 o’clock. The cash-pit was in the till on the left-hand side of the shop. Saw him take coppers out of the till for change, and he put his hand in the silver department. He had some money in his hand. Saw him put something in his pocket, and asked him what it was. Skewes said nothing, but witness took out of the pocket a shilling. Told defendant that he had seen him taking money before on the same morning, but Skewes denied having done so. The shilling was smooth, similar to one he had previously seen in the till. Ferdinand John, employed by Mr Conrad, also said that he saw Skewes take the money. The defendant was sworn and denied having stolen the money. He accounted for its presence in the pocket of his jumper by stating that he took it from his pocketbook half an hour before the time it was alleged he stole it, to send for some collars. Several gentlemen testified to the previous good character borne by prisoner. Mr Webb contended that the prosecution had made a mistake. The SM, [Mr RJ Turner], thought Skewes’s version unsatisfactory. He regretted to see a person of his position and character in the dock. Criminals of all classes had a commencement in crime. Sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment with hard labour.
1 South Australian Register, Tue 16 Nov 1886, pp. 5, 7. Emphasis added.