Narandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser, Fri 16 Jul 1920 ¹

[NARRANDERA] QUARTER
SESSIONS.
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Thursday, July 15.
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(Before His Honor Judge Bevan and a jury.)

    The Quarter Sessions opened here yesterday before His Honor Judge Bavan [sic]. There were only two cases set down for hearing, in one of which a jury was empanelled, while the other was an appeal from the decision of a magistrate, and no jury was required.

    Mr ET Lapthorne acted as deputy sheriff, and the legal profession was represented by Messrs J Mason, LLB (Crown Prosecutor); Breckenridge, LLB, JJ Quirk, OOH Dangar, ECH Matthews, and R Cater.

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ALLEGED INDECENT ASSAULT.

    John Harris was charged with indecently assaulting a boy, [Reuben Steepe], (aged 10 years) at Ardlethan on 26th June.

    Mr Mason, CP, introduced the case to the jury.

    After hearing evidence the jury returned a verdict of guilty, and accused was sentenced to 12 months in Grafton gaol.
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LOCAL AND GENERAL.
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    MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE.—The annual general meeting of the members of the Mechanics’ Institute will be held on Friday evening, 23rd July, when the annual report and balance sheet will be presented, and office-bearers for the ensuing year elected. The committee hopes that a large number of members will attend. The committee is desirous of popularising the Mechanics’ Institute, and it will therefore welcome criticisms from members and suggestions as to the best method of inducing the public generally to take a more lively interest in its affairs. All sections of the community are eligible to membership on payment of the moderate quarterly, half-yearly, or annual subscription. This subscription entitles members to access to the reading room, where the most popular daily, weekly, and monthly journals may be found on the tables. It also entitles members to the loan of books from the library, and the access to the billiard room, where two tables are in use, and where billiards may be played at half the price charge in ordinary billiard saloons. In regard to the library, we may state that one of the largest and most up-to-date selection of books in the southern districts is shelved, and new books are added monthly.
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    THE RIVER BRIDGE.—The new bridge across the Murrumbidgee is now nearly completed, and the formation of the approaches is in progress. This work should be completed at an early date, and the bridge made available for traffic. With regard to the southern approach, the Shire Council is justified in urging the Public Works Department to have it straightened, for if allowed to remain as at present intended, it will be a constant source of annoyance, and even danger, to farmers and carriers. The Shire Council has invited the district representatives in the State Parliament to visit the town and inspect the approach with a view to their urging the Department to adopt a less cheese-paring policy in regard to this approach.

    HOSPITAL WATTLE FAIR DAY.—The subject of holding a Wattle Day Fair in aid of the funds of the Narandera Hospital was considered by the Committee at its meeting on Tuesday evening last, and it was decided to convene a meeting of all interested at the Mechanics’ Institute on Thursday evening, 22nd inst, to fix the date for holding of the fair and make arrangements for its organisation. The Hospital Committee is in need of funds, both for maintenance and building purposes; and it is therefore hoped that the meeting will be well attended both by ladies and gentlemen in order that sub-committees and stall holders may be appointed, and the organisation of the fair put in hand without delay.

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John Harris, Gaol photo sheet ²

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 17323

Date when Portrait was taken: 5-8-1920

Name: John Harris

Native place: Ballarat Vic Year of birth: 18-6-1880 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: BS Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: R. C. Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 6¾" Weight     On committal: 135 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Blue

Marks or special features: Scar on right shin

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Narrandera Q.S	15	7	1920	Indecent assault on a male person	12 months HL

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John Harris, Gaol photo sheet ³

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 1925
Maitland

Date when Portrait was taken: 15-1-1925

Name: John Harris

Native place: Ballarat Vic Year of birth: 18-6-1880 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 6¾" Weight     On committal: 140 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Blue

Marks or special features: Scar on right shin

(No. of previous Portrait .. 17323) CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Narrandera Q.S Lismore PC Tamworth PC ditto Gunnedah PC	15 29 29 29 18	7   5 11 11 10	1920 1922 1923 1923 1924	Indecent assault on a male person Vagrancy Offensive Behaviour Indecent Language Indecent Behaviour	12 months HL 3 months H.L. £2-3-6 or 14 days H.L. £3.3.6 or 1 month H.L.  |  Concurrent £5-3-6 or 2 months H.L. & sureties or 6 months Imprisonment

 

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1     Narandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser, (NSW), Fri 16 Jul 1920, p. 2. The newspaper title is consistently—between 1902 and 1925, the period included in these documents—named ‘Narandera’ and not ‘Narrandera’ as it currently is spelled.

2     SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6104], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 5 Jun 1920-9 Oct 1920, No. 17323, p. 90.

3     SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5991], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1875-1930, No. 1925, p. 142, R5132.

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