The Wellington Gazette, Mon 17 Feb 1902 ¹

QUARTER SESSIONS.
Before Judge Docker.

    The above court was opened at Wellington on Friday before Judge Docker. Mr JHP Murray, Crown Prosecutor. RTB Gaden, Deputy Sheriff, occupied a seat on the bench.

NEW MAGISTRATES.

    The undermentioned newly appointed Justices of the Peace, were sworn in.
    Mr William Henry Moore.
    Mr Thomas Brummell.
    Mr Arthur Stain.
    Mr Trevor A Poile.
    Mr Frederick William Wise.
    Mr Edward Boundy Edwards.
    Mr Alexander Douglas.
    Mr Sylvester James Sullivan.
…

UNPRINTABLE CHARGE.

    George H[enry] Flower, a youth about seventeen, was charged with assaulting a boy eleven years named Charles Fisher, at Stuart Town on the 8th Jan last.

    Accused pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr Kelly.

    The lad Fisher, gave evidence that the assault took place at Mr Spratt’s slaughteryard, in the fat house. Senior Cons Nancarrow and Elmott Spratt also gave evidence.

    The jury returned a verdict guilty of an attempt, and recommended accused to mercy on account of youth.

————
Saturday.

    The Court was opened at nine o’clock.
…

————
SENTENCES.

…
    George Henry Flower, found guilty of an attempt, asked to have his youth considered, and permission to call evidence as to character.

    Sen C Nancarrow said there had been no previous complaints about the prisoner, and he knew nothing against his character. He lived with his mother and crippled brother.

    His Honor said he concurred with the verdict of the jury. In his opinion the proper punishment in these cases was a good sound flogging. He doubted, until this method was generally adopted, whether such offences would be stopped. The jury had recommended accused to mercy on account of his youth. He was very glad, when he could, to acquiesce in a jury’s recommendation. He would not order a whipping, but young boys and girls must be considered, and he could not pass a light sentence, but would give one that the prisoner would remember all his life. The sentence was twelve months hard labour in Bathurst jail.

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The Wellington Times, Mon 17 Feb 1902 ²

QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———
(Before His Honor Judge Docker.)
——————

    The Wellington Quarter Sessions opened on Friday morning. Mr JHP Murray appeared as Crown Prosecutor.

    The following local and visiting members of the legal profession were present:—Mr JTB Bassett, Mr WS Chauncy, Mr AJL Stockwell, Mr WP Kelly, Mr James Moriarty (Barrister at Law), Mr LS Veech (Barrister at Law).
…

ALLEGED UNNATURAL OFFENCE.

    George Henry Flower, 17, on bail, was charged with that he did, at Stuart Town, attempt to commit an unnatural offence on one James Fisher.

    Accused pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr Kelly.

    The following jury was empanelled:—Thomas Giddings, WH Moore, AS Baird, J Matthews, FJ Rodda, Thomas Brummell, M Veech, JD Brownhill, GF Whiteley, Angus Campbell, William Brummell, James Croake.

    The evidence taken in this cas is unfit for publication. James Fisher, Constable Nancarrow, Mr Spratt, and the accused gave evidence.

    The jury found the prisoner guilty of attempted unnatural offence, with a recommendation to mercy on account of his youth. He was sentenced to 12 months in Bathurst gaol.

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Evening News, Wed 19 Feb 1902 ³

WELLINGTON SESSIONS.
————

    WELLINGTON, Tuesday.—At the Quarter Sessions, before Judge Docker,
…
    George Henry Flower, was found guilty of attempting a serious offence at Stuart Town, and sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment in Bathurst gaol.

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The Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thu 20 Feb 1902 ⁴

WELLINGTON QUARTER SESSIONS.
————

    The Wellington Quarter Sessions were opened last week before his Honor Judge Docker. Mr JHP Murray appeared on behalf of the Crown. Nine criminal cases were set down for hearing, and were not concluded until a late hour this afternoon. The Court was crowded during the hearing of the case, [sic] as most of these were confined to this district. A very large number of witnesses was called.
…
    Henry Flowers, charged with an attempted unnatural offence at Stuart Town, was found guilty and sentenced to twelve months’ hard labor in Bathurst Gaol.

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George Henry Flower, Gaol photo sheet ⁵ 

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 1396
Bathurst

Date when Portrait was taken: 29th April 1902

Name: George Henry Flower

Native place: Rookwood (NSW) Year of birth: 1885 Arrived       Ship: – in Colony }   Year: BS Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: C. of E. Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 6" Weight     On committal: 118 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Blue

Marks or special features:

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Wellington Q.S	14 27	2 12	1902 1902	Attempted Sodomy Discharged from Bathurst Gaol	12 months HL

 

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¹     The Wellington Gazette, Mon 17 Feb 1902, p. 2. Emphasis added.

²     The Wellington Times, Mon 17 Feb 1902, pp. 2, 3.

³     Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Wed 19 Feb 1902, p. 6.

⁴     The Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thu 20 Feb 1902, p. 16.

⁵     SRNSW: NRS1998, [3/5961], Bathurst Gaol photographic description book, 1874-1930, No. 1396, p. 93, R5086

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