Forbes and Parkes Gazette, Fri 7 Nov 1890 1
QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4th, 1890.
(Before His Honor Judge Docker.)
Mr Wade, Crown Prosecutor.
David Cockle, charged with indecently assaulting a male person, [William Dutch, 8 years of age, also assaulting William Kelly , 8], pleaded not guilty. (The evidence in this case is unfit for publication.) After a short retirement the jury found prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to 12 months hard labor in Forbes gaol.
…
OPEN COLUMN.
———◦———
We do not necessarily endorse the opinions of our correspondents
————
TO THE EDITOR.
Sir.—I have been thinking lately what a time Forbes has been without a fire—I mean of course a conflagration such as that which demolished the corner—and I have also been thinking what a grand mess we should be in if a fire did break out during the prevalence of these equinoctial gales; where would it end if some of the old rookeries caught fire? Where is the firebell, the engines and all the paraphernalia belonging to the Fire Brigade” Echo answers where? And when found what state of efficiency will they be in after their long term of disuse. I think this is a matter that should be seen to without delay, especially as the hot weather is setting in and will have no good effect upon the leather hose. Hoping the fireman are as usual, “Ready aye Ready.”
Yours &c.,
Observer.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 7 Nov 1890 2
FORBES QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———
(By Telegraph.)
(From Our Correspondent.)
———
Forbes, Thursday.
The Court of Quarter Sessions was held here on Tuesday, before his Honor Judge Docker, Mr Wade acting as Crown Prosecutor.
David Cockle, charged with [indecent] assault, was found guilty, and sentenced to one year’s imprisonment in Forbes Gaol. A second charge of a similar nature was withdrawn.
Charles George, charged with robbery, being armed with a butcher’s knife, was found guilty, and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. His Honor said he would, however, submit the case to the Supreme Court, as it was a very peculiar one. It appears that the prisoner is a foreigner, having lately come to the country, and a dispute arose between the prisoner and another foreigner over £1 alleged to have been borrowed by a third foreigner from the prisoner while under the influence of drink. The foreigner, Mark Joseph, refused to repay the prisoner, whereupon the former put the knife to Joseph’s throat and took a watch and chain from him. The prisoner says he simply took the watch for security. On a second charge of assault the prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment.
Thos Briggs, for stealing a cheque and five £1 notes, was found guilty, and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in Forbes Gaol.
At the close of the proceedings his Honor drew attention to the retirement of Mr James Stephenson, inspector of police here, and spoke of the high estimation in which Mr Stephenson is held by the department, also of the appreciation of his valuable services during so many years, more particularly with regard to the bushranging era, when he distinguished himself by his acts of bravery. Mr Stephenson had been injured, but, fortunately, not seriously, during that time. He had been in the service of the Queen for 43 years, and he trusted that he would live a long life to enjoy his well-earned rest.
1 Forbes and Parkes Gazette, Fri 7 Nov 1890, pp. 5, 6.
2 The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 7 Nov 1890, p. 3. Emphasis added.