SATURDAY, JULY 22.
John Olsen, life, charged with having stolen a tether rope, and swivel thereto belonging; the tether rope was found in his possession, and he at first denied he had the swivel, and, for reasons best known to himself, he afterwards handed it over to the district constable, who had waited upon him on this occasion, in the execution of his duty, and who had told the prisoner to give it up, or he must search; expressions like these, when there is only one room to the dwelling, are rather harsh in the ears of the guilty; the prisoner pleaded he had found it, but one Norris Mahony swore he had not lost or mislaid it, but that it was stolen; 2 years to a penal settlement.
Robert Simpson, prisoner of the crown for seven years, government servant to Richard Ridge, farmer, Portland-head, charged by his said master with having used threats, tending to disturb the peace and quiet of deponent, and of having uttered obscene language in the presence of the children; the prisoner said, if I was once free I would serve you out, or words to that effect; Mr. Ridge anticipated the infliction of divers blows and bruises, at no far distant day; the obscenity is best in modest silence; sentenced 50 lashes.
Cornelius Sullivan, life, government servant to Mr. John Atkinson, charged by his master, that he had mis-spent last Sunday afternoon in a public house, the house of Isaac, at the sign of the Safe Retreat, at Wilberforce. In Isaac Gorrick's they had been, for it seems he had prevailed on Eleanor Savage to accompany him from their master's kitchen, to the Retreat aforesaid. "A little wine, if you please!" Sharp as the word, as quick the motion, and the lady, who is Mrs Gorrick, by courtesy, complied instanter. "Travellers, I suppose," with a smile, as she placed the decanter, and rubbed the glasses with her apron; but the customers did not at the moment reply, adverting to the necessity of the now, bona fide travellers; but without disguise, no evil being anticipated at the Safe Retreat, answered, "We are Mr. Atkinson's servants;" an evidence proved this fact on oath, a disinterested witness. We did not hear that the toasts were such as "God save the King;" but, good health ma'am was repeated, till repetition was passed unnoticed. An unsuspected person was pleased to watch their movements, and his reconnoitering led him into the very same room, and he partook of the wine; it was time to go, and Eleanor well knowing the Retreat she had to encounter, was prevailed upon to "Just put it to your lips, Ellen, it will keep the cold out," and thus a little rum was disposed of; alas! it took a bad effect; the wine became turbulent, and Ellen was ill disposed, in consequence. Mr. Atkinson gave his man a general good character; sentenced 25 lashes.
The KING v. ISAAC GORRICK.
Just as the above sentence was pronounced, the all expectant rib of Isaac appeared before the Bench, propelled by a desire to retreat as soon as possible, and went before the said Isaac Gorrick had been called; she appeared in behalf, and on account of Mr. Gorrick; she did not present any power of attorney under the hand and seal of the said Isaac, but custom has rendered it notorious, that all power has long been vested in her hands. The particulars need not be enlarged upon, they are expressive enough in the foregoing case. The defendant pleaded, "I thought they were travellers; a little wine; no harm;" and a few other incoherent remarks, altogether inapplicable. Let it be understood, that the evidences were all separately examined in this case, as well as the former; and all form was attended to — guilty — fined ten
Spanish dollars, and costs. John Welsh was charged on suspicion of stealing a bag and its contents of flour; acquitted.
James Hepton, prisoner of the crown for life, and Joseph Palmer, for seven tears, both government servants to Mr. John Atkinson, were charged with stealing corn from the place whereat it was deposited on his master's premises; the fact was clearly proved; sentence, Hepton, one year to a penal settlement; and Palmer, two years additional sentence.
Thomas Pamphlet, alias Thomas, alias James Groom, all of which titles are contained in his certificate of freedom, was this day brought up, and charged with a larceny; remanded.
The KING v. THOMAS ROLLINSON.
Charged, that he had harboured and employed a runaway prisoner, one Coalfax, for 24 days, contrary to the Act of Council, &c. Witnesses were called to support the charge, and the defendant had placed the pleadings in the discretion of his wife, who acknowledged that the evidence was perfectly correct; that she had not enquired of the man if he was free, and when she had so far advanced in her pathetic story, as to bring herself to tears, then she pleaded ignorance of the law. The Act was imperative, "not less than five dollars, and one dollar per day;" Rollinson's character stands well with the Bench, but this matter of complaint did not rest upon character, but upon a breach of a Colonial Act of Council; fined in the penalty of five dollars, and one dollar per day for 24 days. It will not be all loss to Rollinson; he stood indebted to the man for his services as a well sinker, 2s. per. day, being 24 days, £2 8 0.
Source: Police Reports (1826, August 2). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), p. 3.
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