RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1839, 24 November 1874, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

"THIS DAY. (Before W. FbaSkb, Esq., R.M.)

ASSAULT. Wm, H. Cassin and Frederick Cassin were chai'ged with that they did unlawfully assault one Thomas Edwards, on the 20th inst.

Mr Dodd said there would be no evidence called in this case, and it was accordingly struck out. BBEACH OF THE VAGUtANT ACT. Annie Miller and Jemima Walker were charged with having committed a breach of the Vagrant Act, having no lawful means, or insufficient means of. support, on the Bth inst.

Defendant* pleaded not guilty; Mr Dodd for Annie Miller.

Jemima Walker said she had some time since asked Captain Fraser whether he could send her child to the Industrial Sch6ol, and that he had said he could not hut advised her to go to Mrs Macdonald. She went, and Mrs Macdonald said she could do nothing, as she (Walker) was not a married woman. She went then to Mr Bullen, who said he would if he could, hut had not the .power. She also went to Mr. Jiush and the priest, telling them that the father of the child was in Australia, but nobody would do anything. She had been then reduced very much, as to be compelled to sleep on the bare boards, when Mrs Miller took her in and gave her shelter, for which she felt very grateful. Defendant then said she had been decent before the misfortune fell upon her, and that her mother was decent, and she was quite willing to work for her living if she could get it. Mr Bullen said the account of defendant was quite correct; she had come to him, and he had advised her to do what other girls similarly situated do, put the child out and pay for its maintenance. She said she would desert the child, and then came with the other defendant. Since Bhe had been with Annie Miller complaints from neighbors had been more frequent. It had been long known in what manner Mrs Miller existed, and so long as she did not render herself a nuisance, the police did not interfere, but in consequence of the complaints the present action had to be brought. He had no desire to press heavily on defendants. In answer to His Worship, Walker said the father of her child was in Sydney, the had not means to support her child since its father went away, who had been _ paying 5s per week towards its maintenance. She. would work if she could get her child into the Industrial School; but everybody turned from her when she had the child, saying they would not employ a girl who had an illegitimate child.

Mr. Bullen said there wore many similar cases to his own knowledge where the girls were getting a living. William Martin, a miner, deposed — He knew the women by. appearance. Hesided close to them on Block 27. Didn't know that defendants worked for their living. They resided together. Last Sunday morning witness and wife were awakened by cries of murder. The sounds seemed to come from the house inhabited by defendants. Had been disturbed on previous occasions. Had seen men enter the house at different times. Never complained to either of them of their conduct.

Elizabeth Baillie deposed that she resided with her husband on Block 27 Knew defendants (by sight), who lived in Sandes-street, Block 27. Had frequently seen men in tbe house. The house was conducted rather noisily. On Sunday, about 11 or 12 o'clock at night saw Mrs. Miller rush inside with an axe to strike a man. He came out and ran in at the back, followed by defendant. Heard nothing said by either party. Had heard noises frequently. Had seen Mrs. Miller about the house outside—sometimes looking indecent, being scantily attired. Constable Brennan deposed—That he knew defendant. Had known Mrs. Miller for 2 or 3 years. She had made her living during that time by prostitution. Had known defendant Walker for about a couple of years. She resided with Miller now. Had frequently seen them together, about the streets at night. Had heard complaints. Visited Mrs. Miller's house yesterday, and saw Mi's. Orr lying on a bed in a drunken state. By Mr. Dodd —Knew Annie Miller lived by prostitution, because she had never worked for her living. Had visited her place. Had not stopped a considerables time. Had no ill-feeling. Had spoken to her recently because of the complaints which had been made.

Mr. Dodd gave the Court the version of defendant Miller. She was not without means of support) as she had been receiving support. It was only within the last few weeks —according to the evidence —that she had not conducted herself in a proper manner. Annie Miller had simply taken the girl Walker into her house out of charity. Ho supposed they would separate now.

His Worship said he would take care of that. With regard to Walker he (His Worship) and Mr Storey had taken a great deal of trouble in trying to do something for her, beleiving that she had been a decent girl. Begarding Annie Miller, it was notorious that she lived by prostitution, and it was not the only girl she had led astray. He considered the police had acted quite properly in bringing the case before him. 'When the neighbours of these people were annoyed it was the duty of the police to abate the nuisance.l He thought he should meet the case by committing Annie Miller to three months imprisonment; and Walker he would detain for 7 days that it might be ascertained whether anything could be done for herself and child. The Court then adjourned.