John Patrick Terrance, 1924
Below also see: John Patrick Terrance, 1925,
John Patrick Terrance, 1926,
John Patrick Terrance and Stanley Sampson, 1927,
Norman Clifford Austin and John Patrick Terrance, 1927 – Indecent assault
Austin v. Austin, 1929 – Divorce
Evening News, Fri 21 Mar 1924 1
Sydney, 9 Feb 1947. Image: NSW State Library collection.
Reproduction: Peter de Waal
PUNCHED & DAZED
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CONSTABLE’S ROUGH TIME
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According to the story told at the Central Court to-day, Constable JS Brown was roughly handled in George-street West on the night of March 1.
John Patrick Terrance, 20, was charged with having used indecent language and assaulted the constable.
It was stated that the defendant was standing on the footpath with other men, and used bad language when told to “move on.” He resisted violently when arrested, and called, “Come on, Don’t be frightened.” Three other men rushed to his assistance, and when the constable tried to keep them off one dazed him with a blow on the jaw.
He fell against a wall, and was on one knee when the defendant punched him about the head and shoulders. With assistance Terrance was handcuffed, and taken to the police station.
Defendant denied the charges, and called evidence to the effect that it was the constable who did the hitting.
The magistrate (Mr Le Brun Brown) convicted him. He was fined 40/-, in default 10 days, for the language; and £5, with an alternative of one month for the assault.
John Patrick Terrance, 1925
The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 14 Jan 1925 2
RIOTOUS BEHAVIOUR.
———◦———
As the outcome of a fight with another man in Bay-street, Glebe, on December 10, John Patrick Terrance, 21 years of age, a dealer, appeared before Mr MJ McMahon, SM, at the Glebe Police Court, yesterday, to answer charges of riotous behaviour, using indecent language, and resisting the police.
It was stated by Constable McLean that on the afternoon of December 10 the defendant was fighting with another man in Bay-street, Glebe, and making use of very disgusting language. Witness arrested defendant, who resisted violently. Another constable came on the scene, and Terrance had to be carried to the police station.
Defendant, who said he was drunk at the time, and did not know what he was doing, pleaded guilty to all the charges. For the riotous behaviour he was fined £2, in default four days’ imprisonment; for the language £3, or six days; and for resisting Constable McLean, £5, or ten days.
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Truth, Sun 18 Jan 1925 3
PATRICK PROVES
ANCIENT PROVERB
———◦———
AND IT COST HIM A
TENNER
“When the wine is in, the wit is out,” Is a proverb that has withstood the fierce assaults of Time for many, many generations.
Yet it is just as applicable to-day as in the age in which it was penned or uttered.
John Patrick Terrance is quite willing to admit this assertion. In fact, he is eager to corroborate it.
John by occupation is a dealer, and in years has recently attained his majority.
On January 10 he put so much wine “in” that the evil spirit he absorbed wholly possessed him and temporarily drove the “wit” out of him.
When Constable McLean happened across him he was, with other men, indulging in a fistic melee. The copper, realising how things were, laid official hands on John Patrick.
Such impudent familiarity was intolerable, so John resented it with violent indignation.
“Don’t let him take me; give the —– a go for it,” he called to his cobbers.
Although his cobbers did not respond to the call John gave the constable such a willing “go” that he (John, not the cop) had to be carried to the police station.
On the way hither he fractured the atmosphere with frequent and powerful linguistic explosions.
Penitent was John Patrick at the Glebe Police Court on Tuesday. Three charges were laid against him, and he pleaded guilty before they were read.
He was fined £2 for riotous behavior, £5 for resisting the police, and £3 for contaminating the violet-perfumed atmospheric conditions of the Glebe.
…
LOPSIDED LAW
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PUNISHMENT AND DISPROPORTION
“The law is a hass,” quoth the immortal Bumble, thereby expressing a vague suspicion which had been gradually shaping itself in the popular mind for centuries.
It was a mouth-filling phrase, and it has satisfied many an unfortunate litigant from Dickens’s day until this year of grace and high income taxes. Burke said: “Law is beneficence acting by rule.” It is Bumble versus Burke, for it.
During the past week two courts, the one presided over by Mr Jennings, SM, and the other by Mr J McMahon, dealt with two offenders.
In the one case a man named Cook, a groom, was fined £20—the minimum penalty—for making a bet on the Sydney Sports Ground on the results of certain bicycle races. He made the bet with a constable.
It was a quiet, confidential transaction, unnoticed by the crowd, created no disturbance, led to no profanity—at least not at the moment—provoked no assault, tore no uniforms, and offended none. The law, “acting by rule,” as Burke puts it, slammed the bettor good and hard with a £20 fine, or four months’ gaol.
In the other case Magistrate McMahon had to deal with a ruffian named [John Patrick] Terrance, who was guilty of three offences, viz, using disgusting language, creating a riot, and assaulting and battering a policeman. The fines imposed on this hoodlum totalled £10, just half that imposed on the man who made a quiet bet on a bicycle race on a Sports Ground! And in default of paying the £10 fines he was given 20 days’ gaol.
The venerable Coke tells us that “Reason is the life of the law; nay, the common law itself is nothing else but reason.”
If that is so, then the law of New South Wales is most uncommon law, and very like that “hass” to which the disgruntled Bumble referred in his historic criticism.
Obviously the law which gives such differential treatment to offenders badly needs amendment.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 3 Jul 1925 4
QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before Judge Edwards.)
Crown Prosecutor, Mr LJ McKean.
…
ATTEMPTING TO BREAK AND ENTER.
George Wallace French and John Patrick Terrance, for both of whom Mr Spear appeared, were charged with attempting to break and enter the shop of Thomas Littlefair at Newtown, on June 6, with intent to steal.
Accused were both convicted, and were sentenced, French to nine months, and Terrance to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour.
John Patrick Terrance, 1926
Evening News, Mon 26 Apr 1926 5
MAN’S HEAD SPLIT
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SON IS ARRESTED
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Joseph Terrance, of Huge-street, Redfern, was treated at the Royal South Sydney Hospital, late on Saturday night. For a severe wound on the left temple, necessitating the insertion of eight stitches.
It is alleged that Terrance was struck with a jug, following an altercation.
Subsequently the injured man’s son John Patrick Terrance, 22, was arrested, and charged with having maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm.
John Patrick Terrance and Stanley Sampson, 1927
The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 25 May 1927 6
LAW NOTICES.
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Wednesday, May 25.
——
…
QUARTER SESSIONS.
…
No. 2 Court.—Charlie Gow, by wanton driving, cause bodily harm; John [Patrick] Terrance and Stanley Sampson, break, enter, and steal; Percy Lee, assault and robbery.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 24 Jun 1927 7
LAW NOTICES.
——
Friday, June 24.
——
…
QUARTER SESSIONS.
Neil McCullum, break and enter with intent to steal; David McGavin, stealing; John [Patrick] Terrance and Stanley Sampson, break, enter, and steal; Brian Travers, robbery (part heard).
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 25 Jun 1927 8
QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before Judge Edwards.)
Crown Prosecutor, Mr Neil McTague.
WAREHOUSE BREAKING.
John Terrance, 24, and Stanley Sampson, 25, both pleaded guilty to breaking and entering the warehouse of John Preston Beardhouse, at Sydney, on February 24, and stealing dress material. Prisoners were remanded for sentence.
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The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 28 Jun 1927 9
QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before Judge Edwards.)
Crown Prosecutor, Mr Neil McTague.
…
WAREHOUSE BREAKING.
John Terrance, 24, blind maker, and Stanley Sampson, 25, pipe maker, who both pleaded guilty last Friday to a charge of breaking and entering the warehouse of John Preston Boardhouse, were called up for sentence.
Terrance was sentenced to 12 months’ [imprisonment], with hard labour, and Sampson was bound over in his own recognisance in £25 to come up for sentence if called upon within three years.
Norman Clifford Austin and John Patrick Terrance, 1927
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 14 Jul 1927 10
QUARTER SESSIONS.
No. 1 COURT.
(Before Judge Edwards.)
Crown Prosecutor, Mr Neil McTague.
…
INDECENT ASSAULT.
Norman Clifford Austin, 28, pensioner, and John Patrick Terrance, 24, blind maker, were charged with indecently assaulting Henry James Ross, a new arrival from New Zealand, who at the time was penniless, and had failed to obtain any work, at Sydney, on June 4.
Both of the accused were convicted, and each sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, with hard labour.
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Norman Clifford Austin, Gaol photo sheet 11
![11 SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6119], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 5 May 1927-7 Oct 1927, No. 22375, p. 129.](../../images/trials/1927-Terrance-6119-gaol-photo-22375-Norman-Clifford-Austin.jpg "11 SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6119], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 5 May 1927-7 Oct 1927, No. 22375, p. 129.") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 22375
Date when Portrait was taken: 14-7-1927
Name: Norman Clifford Austin
(aka Norman Austin)
|
Native place: Queensland Year of birth: 14-7-1897 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: RC Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 6" Weight On committal: 129 Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Grey |
Marks or special features: Minus left leg |
|
(No. of previous Portrait .. 20694, 21779) CONVICTIONS Convicted with John Terrance |
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| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
|
Sydney Q.S Court Syd exd Children’s Court Syd exd Children’s Court Syd exd Central PC exd exd |
13 13 24 13 28 26 4 29 19 29 19 |
7 6 6 6 6 6 7 8 9 8 9 |
1927 1929 1929 1929 1929 1929 1929 1929 1929 1929 1929 |
Indecent assault on a male person Wife & Child desertion
Not pay costs
Not pay costs
Assault female
Release revoked by His Excellence the |
2 years HL Imprisoned till £9- 5-0 arrears
11/6 or 24 hours HL
£2- 3-6 or 14days HL
4 months HL |
|
And 18 previous convictions for which See Photos Nos. above |
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John Terrance, Gaol photo sheet 12
![12 SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6119], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 5 May 1927-7 Oct 1927, No. 22345, p. 99. Emphasis](../../images/trials/1927-Terrance-6119-gaol-photo-22345-John-Patrick-Terrance.jpg "12 SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6119], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 5 May 1927-7 Oct 1927, No. 22345, p. 99. Emphasis") |
Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details
No. 22345
Date when Portrait was taken: 25-6-1927
Name: John Terrance
(aka John Patrick Terrance, John Precott)
|
Native place: Sydney Year of birth: 15-12-1904 Arrived Ship: Trade or occupation Religion: RC Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 2¾" Weight On committal: 120 Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Blue |
Marks or special features: Two vertical scars in centre of forehead scar on left shin. Operation scar for appendicitis on right side of abdomen |
|
(No. of previous Portrait .. 21004) CONVICTIONS Convicted with Stanley Sampson |
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| Where and When | Offence. | Sentence | |||
|
Sydney Q.S ditto Glebe PC Central PC Glebe PC exd Glebe PC Central PC Newtown PC exd Central PC ditto Redfern |
24 13 14 6 12 17 10 17 5 3 19 20 16 |
6 7 10 11 12 1 2 10 12 3 7 12 2 |
1927 1927 1930 1930 1930 1930 1931 1931 1933 1933 1933 1940 1942 |
Break & enter a warehouse and steal Indecent assault on a male person Riotous Indecent language Drunk Indecent language Suspected person Stealing Assault Police Officer
Steal Indecent language ditto |
12 months H.L. 2 years HL £2-4-0 or 14 days HL ditto 14/- or 3 days HL £2-4-0 or 4 days HL 1 month HL £3-4-0 or 6 days H.L. £5-4-0 or 10 days HL
14 days HL £2 or 4 days 10/- or 24 hours |
|
and 7 previous convictions for which See Photo No. as above |
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Austin v. Austin, 1929 – Divorce
The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 31 Jul 1929 13
DIVORCE.
(Before Mr Justice Owen.)
…
(Before Mr Justice Stephen.)
…
Austin v. Austin, 1929
In this suit Marjory Alicia Austin (formerly Smith) petitioned for a divorce from Norman Clifford Austin on the ground of desertion, habitual drunkenness, cruelty, and that within five years respondent had undergone frequent convictions for crime, and had been convicted in the aggregate to imprisonment for three years and upwards, and habitually had left petitioner without means of support. Mr Isaacs (instructed by Messrs CM Marsh and Harvey) appeared for petitioner in whose favour a decree nisi returnable in six months was granted. There was no appearance on behalf of respondent. The parties were married on May 14, 1920, at Paddington, according to the rites of the Church of England.
1 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Fri 21 Mar 1924, p. 8.
2 The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 14 Jan 1925, p. 9. Emphasis added.
3 Truth, (Syd, NSW), Sun 18 Jan 1925, pp. 12, 13. Emphasis in original and added.
4 The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 3 Jul 1925, p. 8. Emphasis added.
5 Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Mon 26 Apr 1926, p. 7. Emphasis in original.
6 The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 25 May 1927, p. 12. Emphasis added.
7 The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 24 Jun 1927, p. 8. Emphasis added.
8 The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 25 Jun 1927, p. 12.
9 The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 28 Jun 1927, p. 8.
10 The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 14 Jul 1927, p. 8.
11 SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6119], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 5 May 1927-7 Oct 1927, No. 22375, p. 129. Emphasis added.
12 SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6119], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 5 May 1927-7 Oct 1927, No. 22345, p. 99. Emphasis added.
13 The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 31 Jul 1929, p. 10.