Below also see: William Benge, 1924
The Maitland Daily Mercury, Fri 27 Feb 1914 1
SINGLETON LETTER.
———◦———
(From our Representative.)
————
Singleton, Friday.
QUARTER SESSIONS.
His Honor Judge Gibson presided at the opening of the Court of Quarter Sessions yesterday.
Mr CP Breckenridge prosecuted for the Crown, and Mr A Grainger, Deputy Sheriff, occupied a seat beside his Honor.
…
William Benge, an old man, was charged with committing an unnatural offence, [bestiality with a dog], at Merriwa on January 3rd. He pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr WJ Cragg, who was assigned by the Crown. The evidence on which the Crown case would depend was briefly outlined by the Crown Prosecutor. The accused made a statement from the dock, denying the charge, and evidence was given as to the general moral character of the accused. The jury retired at 4.50 pm, and were brought back at 5.50 pm, by his Honor who told the jury that he would come to the Court if sent for any time up till 9.30 pm. The jury again retired, and at 8.15 returned with a verdict of not guilty, and the accused was discharged.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Singleton Argus, Sat 28 Feb 1914 2
QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———
(Before His Honor Judge Gibson).
————
…
A sitting of the Court of Quarter Sessions was held at the Court House yesterday, before his Honor Judge Gibson. There were three defended cases set down for hearing. Mr CP Breckenridge prosecuted for the Crown. Mr A Grainger, Deputy Sheriff, occupied a seat on the Bench by the side of the Judge.
…
OLD MAN IN TROUBLE.
An old man named William Benge was charged with committing an unnatural offence at Merriwa on January 3.
He pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr WJ Cragg, who was assigned by the Crown.
The following jury was empanelled:—H McFadden, S Patton, J Larney, W Wood, HJ Geary, J Sanders, JA Clark, H Morris, EW Capp, M Anderson, H Knodler, R Spinks, jun.
The evidence on which the Crown case would depend was briefly outlined by the Crown Prosecutor, and evidence was given by Constables [Hilary Patrick] McGroder and [Everard Digby] Rippon, of Merriwa. The accused made a statement from the dock denying the charge. James Ball, Singleton, and formerly of Jerry’s Plains, gave evidence as to the general moral character of the accused.
After the addresses and the summing up by his Honor, the jury retired at 4.50 pm, and were brought back at 5.50 pm by his Honor, who told the jury that he would come to the Court if sent for at any time up till 9.30.
The jury again retired, and at 8.15 pm returned with a verdict of not guilty, and the accused was discharged.
William Benge, 1924
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 29 Oct 1924 3
NEWS OF THE DAY
———◦———
…
Mr William Benge, one of the oldest residents of Merriwa, has died at the age of 84.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thu 30 Oct 1924 4
MERRIWA.
————
(From Our Representative.)
…
Image: NSW State Library collection. Reproduction: Peter de Waal
CIRCUS VISIT
Lloyd Bros’ circus visited Merriwa on Saturday, playing in the town the same night.
…
DEATH
Mr William Benge, aged 84, passed away on Sunday night. The old chap attended the circus on Saturday night, was taken to the local hospital on Sunday afternoon, where he died the same evening. Mrs J Donohue, of Merriwa, is a daughter. Mr Benge for many years was a resident of Jerry’s Plains. The funeral took place on Tuesday to the Church of England cemetery. The Rev TD Rees officiated.
1 The Maitland Daily Mercury, Fri 27 Feb 1914, p. 2.
2 Singleton Argus, Sat 28 Feb 1914, p. 6. Emphasis added.
3 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wed 29 Oct 1924, p. 3.
4 The Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thu 30 Oct 1924, p. 24. Emphasis added.