The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate, Sat 19 Feb 1898 1
THE QUARTER SESSIONS.
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Monday February 14.
(Before Judge Murray.)
Mr Herbert Dawson acted as Crown Prosecutor.
…
UNNATURAL OFFENCE.
George Seymour was charged with the committal of an unnatural offence at Nattai on December 10. Mr C Bull appeared for the accused.
Joseph Smith, laborer, deposed that he and accused had been stripping wattle bark on the Nattai River. They had camped together about a fortnight. There was a man named O’Brien with them. Witness went from his work to the camp to get a drink of water, and saw accused on the other side of the camp. Witness described the offence and brought O’Brien to whom he showed what was occurring. They went back to work, and next day told the boss, who “sacked” the accused.
To Mr Bull: They did not call out. Did not remember if they had their meals as usual or not. The alleged offence was committed in the afternoon. The camp was a bark gunyah, in which the three of them slept. They never said a word to the accused of what they saw.
Joseph O’Brien corroborated.
Cross-examined: Had not known the accused long. Did not that the accused was engaged to a girl named Dunn. Witness was not paying the girl attention himself.
Constable Nies, of Picton, deposed that he arrested the accused at Westbrook.
Cross-examined: The accused, whom he had known for twelve months, bore a good character. Did not known Smith much. O’Brien had a reputation for telling yarns that were not true.
The accused [George Seymour] gave evidence and said he was working getting wattle bark on the Nattai River with O’Brien and Smith. Had heard their evidence and never did such a thing or attempted to do it. He gave evidence as to all his actions that day.
The accused Seymour was cross-examined at some length.
Mr Bull read a number of certificates as to the character of the accused.
The jury found a verdict of not guilty, and regretted that such a charge should be laid against a young man with such a character.
1 The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers’ Advocate (Parramatta), Sat 19 Feb 1898, p. 7. Emphasis added.