The Wellington Times, Thu 27 Feb 1919 1
WELLINGTON POLICE COURT
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CASES DEALT WITH.
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The following cases were dealt with by Mr AR Perry, PM, on Tuesday:—
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COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
At the Children’s Court on Tuesday afternoon before Mr AR Perry, a man named Thomas Drew, horse trainer, was charged with attempting to commit an offence on a boy. Accused was defended by Mr Kelly. After hearing evidence for the prosecution Drew was committed to stand his trial at the Dubbo Sessions on Wednesday next. Bail, self in £80, one surety in £80, or two in £40.
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Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Fri 7 Mar 1919 2
QUARTER SESSIONS
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(Before Judge Armstrong.)
The Dubbo Quarter Sessions opened on Wednesday, before his Honor Judge Armstrong. Mr WF Robertson, Deputy-Sheriff, and Mr AR Perry, PM, occupied seats on the bench. Mr AT Cochrane was deputy clerk of the peace, Mr JT Steel, Sheriff’s officer, and Inspector Grenenger represented the Police Department.
The legal profession was represented by Messrs Crawford (Crown Prosecutor), S Mack, KC, and N Pilcher (barristers), and the local solicitors.
HIS HONOR CONGRATULATED.
As soon as His Honor took his seat, Mr D McGuinn, senior solicitor present, congratulated him on his elevation to the Bench, and welcomed him to Dubbo. Though the lower branch of the profession had not personally known his Honor before, they had seen the records of his career at the University, and they had watched his career at the Bar. From this experience of his Honor they wished to congratulate him on his appointment to the Bench and they desired to express their confidence that in his Honor’s hands the interests of justice would be absolutely safe and that the legal profession would be fairly treated. In welcoming his Honor to Dubbo, Mr McGuinn expressed the hope that Judge Armstrong would long be spared to preside in the courts.
In reply his Honor said he thanked Mr McGuinn and the legal profession for their sentiments. This was his first visit to Dubbo and he hoped it was far from being his last. He trusted the relationship between the profession and the Bench would always be cordial, and he assured them he would always try to hold the scales of justice evenly between the parties.
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QUARTER SESSIONS
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(Continued from Another Page.)
Thomas Drew pleaded not guilty to an unnatural offence at Wellington. After evidence had been taken the jury intimated that they did not wish to hear counsel’s addresses, and that they had agreed on a verdict of not guilty. Accused was discharged.
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The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Fri 7 Mar 1919 3
QUARTER SESSIONS.
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Wednesday, March 5, 1919.
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(Before his Honor Judge Armstrong).
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His Honor took his seat on the bench at (10 o’clock ?).
Mr TS Crawford appeared to prosecute for the Crown.
Mr WF Robertson, Deputy Sheriff, and Mr AR Perry, PM, occupied seats on the Bench.
Mr AT Cochrane acted as Clerk of the Court.
Mr D McGuinn, on behalf of the legal profession welcomed Judge Armstrong and complimented him upon his appointment to the Bench. He hoped that the relations between the Bench and legal profession would be of an amicable character.
His Honor briefly thanked Mr McGuinn for his words of welcome, and assured the legal profession that he would endeavour to act in a cordial manner with them. He would, as far as lay in his power, hold the scales of justice fairly between parties appearing before him.
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ALLEGED UNNATURAL OFFENCE.
A middle-aged man named Thomas Drew was charged with attempting to commit an unnatural offence upon a boy named Harold Riley de Looze, at Wellington, on February 21st, 1919. A second count charged accused with indecently assaulting the boy at the same time and place.
Mr S Mack (Sydney), instructed by Mr WP Kelly (Wellington), appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty.
Evidence was given by Sergeant Williams, the little boy de Looze, and his father.
Accused denied the charge in toto, and according to his statement the boy’s story was a pure fabrication. He had never assaulted the boy indecently or in any other way.
Evidence of character in favor of accused was given by Messrs WJ Gardner, official handicapper of the WDRA, O Neich, JE Nolan, E Stewart.
The jury, without hearing addresses, found Drew not guilty, and he was discharged.
1 The Wellington Times, Thu 27 Feb 1919, p. 6.
2 Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Fri 7 Mar 1919, pp. 1, 2.
3 The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Fri 7 Mar 1919, p. 5. Emphasis added. Some text obliterated in the article.