HERE AND THERE.
The 'Argus' recently had this paragraph:
...At the Collingwood Police Court two women, who had been arrested for using obscene language, played a unique trick on the magistrates. They had been locked up all night in the cells. They were taken into court, and as soon as the magistrates had taken their seats one let down all her clothes, while the other partly undressed. The principal offender was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, and the other to three. While they were in the cells they arranged their garments so as to give the Court a surprise. Their character does not require to be specified. The incident recalls a scene nearly a quarter of a century ago, when the Mayor of Dunedin used to preside over a Mayor's Court in Maclaggan street. Barbara Weldon in those days held the record for convictions for drunkenness, and, as was her wont, was very voluble in the dock. The worthy chief magistrate made the mistake of arguing the point with her, and while he was so engaged she unfastened the greater part of her attire, with results that can be better imagined than described. It is hardly necessary to add that the court was promptly cleared, and Barbara hustled to the cells. We don't remember what punishment she got for her gross contempt of court.
Juvenile depravity is so rife in Adelaide that the Legislature of that colony is being appealed to to adopt stringent repressive measures.... -Evening Star, 7/8/1897.
Barbara Weldon first comes to the attention of Dunedin's newspaper readers in March of 1863, being fined - with a few acquaintances - twenty shillings for drunkenness. One of her fellow prisoners in court was known as "Jack the Rover." Barbara was already at that stage being described in the press as "notorious." TeAra, the Dictionary of NZ Biography, describes Barbara from her 1869 police record as "five feet and one inch tall, of stout build and sickly appearance, blind in one eye, and slightly bald on the back of her head. She could read, but not write. Her voice was loud and raucous..."
An Old Offender. —Barbara Weldon was charged with being drunk and incapable of taking care of herself. It appeared that she had only been discharged from gaol a few days, where she had been confined for a similar offence. She was fined 40s, or in default, to be imprisoned seven days, with hard labor. - Otago Daily Times, 19/6/1863.
Barbara features frequently in the court reporting of newspapers of the 1860s and 70s, for the same trio of offences - drunkenness, disorder, obscene language, vagrancy (or prostitution.) "notorious offender, "repeated drunkenness," "habitual drunkard."
Obscene Language.—Barbara Weldon, an old offender, was charged with having used obscene language in Maclaggan street on the night of the 27th instant. She was fined 40s, or seven days' imprisonment.
Vagrancy.— Barbara Weldon was further charged under the Vagrancy Act with having no visible lawful means of support, or insufficient means cf support. The constable who apprehended the prisoner stated that he had known her for eleven months, and during that time she had never done any work. She was an habitual drunkard and gained her living by prostitution. The Magistrate remarked that according to the constable's own statement there was no charge against the prisoner under the section of the Vagrancy Act under which this had been brought. Prostitution, although contrary to the laws of God, was unfortunately not contrarv to the laws of man, and a woman could not be stated to have no visible means of support if she was a prostitute. He knew the prisoner to be a most abandoned character, but he would not punish her unlawfully for all that. But the next time she came before him charged with drunkenness, be would send her to gaol for three months with hard labor, as being an habitual drunkard. The charge was dismissed. - Otago Daily Times, 31/5/1864.
The Incorrigible Again.— Barbara Weldon, whose case has been so often before the pubic, was brought up charged as an habitual drunkard, within the meaning of the Vagrant Ordinance. The Magistrate said that prisoner was the most drunken and disorderly woman in the town. She was certainly a most unfortunate person, having for the last twelve or fifteen months lived the greater part of the time in prison. She had been, probably, from 30 to 50 times sent to gaol during the last twelve months He (the Magistrate) would bring her present appearance in that Court to a temporary stoppage by sending her to gaol for 3 months, with hard labor. Prisoner was removed, saying—"Sure you're not going to keep me always in gaol!" - Otago Witness, 10/9/1864.
RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
This Day. (Before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R.M.)
DRUNKENNESS. A new importation from Otago, called BarbaraWeldon, well known to the Dunedin police, was brought up charged with being drunk. As her passage was paid in the Tararua, his Worship discharged her with a caution, to give her an opportunity of leaving the Empire City, where her presence is anything but desired by Inspector Atcheson. -Evening Post, 7/8/1869.
RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
Before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R.M.) Saturday, August 7. Drunkenness. Barbara Weldon, a most voluble woman, was charged with this offence; but as she alleged that she was a stranger in the town, and had her passage in the Tararua paid for, his Worship discharged her with a caution. -Wellington Independant, 10/8/1869.
Soliciting Prostitution. — Barbara Weldon was charged with the above offence contrary to the Vagrant Act, 1866, and Amendment Act, 1869. Sergeant Sugrue, sworn, said — I saw the defendant in North Revell-street last night. I saw her cross the street and accost two men. Subsequently I saw her speak to two other men, at different times. I heard what she said to the last man she accosted and I then arrested her. Constable Cushion gave corroborative evidence. Defendant was fined £l and lls 6d costs, or 48 hours imprisonment. - West Coast Times, 30/3/1870.
A rather notorious character, named Barbara Weldon, was apprehended yesterday. It appears that being rather elevated through worshipping pretty freely at tho shrine of Bacchus, she indulged herself with a quiet roll in the surf, as it is alleged, to the danger of her life, and the police becoming cognizant of the fact, conveyed her to durance vile. She will be brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day, we believe, on a charge of attempted self destruction. -West Coast Times, 10/9/1870.
RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
Saturday, September 10.
(Before G. G. FitzGerald, Esq., R.M.)
Attempted Suicide.— Barbara Weldon was charged with the above offence. Wm. Marks, sworn.— I am employed by Flexman and Co. First saw her near the the Slaughter-yards, on the top of the embankment, a few yards from the tramway. She was throwing her arras about in a most extraordinary way and commenced to run towards the sea. I ran towards the beach and saw her in the break. She was rolling about. Stood on the beach for two or three seconds until another swell brought her in, and as the swell was receding I rushed in and brought her out. She would have been drowned had I not rescued her. She made no attempt to save herself, being quite helpless. I persuaded her to go home and I assisted her. When going along the beach, some distance away, she made another rush to the sea and said she would drown herself. I brought her along as far as the Lancashire Arms, in Revell-street, and gave her up to the constable. There was a pretty heavy break on, but not nearly so heavy as I have seen. James O'Malley, sworn — I am a constable, stationed at Hokitika. The prisoner was given into my charge on Friday by the last witness, on a charge of throwing herself into the surf. She was talking to herself at the time Marks came up with her, and said she would go to Dunedin. I cautioned her in the usual way, and she replied she did not care what I would do with her; that she would drown herself again and again. She was bruised over the eye. She was very excited, but I would not say she was drunk. In answer to the usual questions from the Bench, the prisoner said that she had gone to clean a woman's house, who beat her, and she fell down in a fit, and did not know what she did. The prisoner was committed for trial at the next session of the Supreme Court, to be holden at Hokitika. The court then adjourned until this day. -West Coast Times, 12/9/1870.
Hokitika.—The Supreme Court sat at Hokitika on Monday. There are thirteen cases to he tried. These included a charge of libel....Three persons, Leopold Beit, Margaret Gilland, and Barbara Weldon were charged with attempting suicide. The notorious Barbara was acquitted, and appears to have celebrated her escape from durance vile, by getting beastly drunk. A few days afterwards she was brought before the Resident Magistrate, and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment as a habitual drunkard. -Evening Star, 29/9/1870.
Barbara's appearances in the West Coast courts, and subsequently the West Coast press, continue through the 1870s, roughly averaging an appearance a month and usually concerning her profession, her drinking and the effects of the latter. There are a few highlights...
— Barbara Weldon was charged with being drunk and disorderly, at one o'clock on Sunday morning, and was fined L1 or 48 hours' imprisonment. She was also charged under the Vagrant Act with being an habitual drunkard, having been thrice convicted since January. There were eight previous convictions against her here, and thirty-five in Hokitika. The Magistrate gave her a severe caution and "one chance more," and discharged her. -Grey River Argus, 21/3/1871.
For the thirteenth time during the current year Barbara Weldon made her appearance before the Magistrate on Saturday. Her previous convictions during the period named have been six times for. being drunk, twice for being drunk and disorderly, twice for using obscene language, and twice for habitual drunkenness. On the present occasion she was again charged under the Vagrant Act with habitual drunkenness, and was at first sentenced to one month's imprisonment, but in consequence of her remark on leaving the dock, that she would be out all right before Christmas, the Magistrate increased the sentence to one of six weeks. When this term is completed, she will have been under the care of Her Majesty's officers for four months and four days since January 1873. -West Coast Times, 24/11/1873.
The notorious Barbara Weldon, who has given so much trouble to the police in Dunedin, Greymouth, and here, was again giving the populace the benefit of her lungs, and the police some trouble in conveying her to the camp on Saturday night last. She was fined yesterday 10s for drunkenness, and £10, or in default three months' imprisonment, for having made use of abusive language. -West Coast Times, 19/5/1874.
Barbara Weldon, of former fame, after completing a sentence of three months a few days ago, was brought up again, charged with being drunk. She pleaded guilty to having had "a drop of drink," but said than when arrested she was seeking a bed, which she eventually secured in the lockup. She was fined 10s, or 24 hours' imprisonment. -West Coast Times, 1/9/1874.
At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, before W. R, Revell, Esq, R.M., Sarah Lynch was charged with having no visible lawful means of support. It is only recently that she was liberated from prison, and since then she has lived in a cottage in Albert street with another well-known character named Barbara Weldon. Their midnight orgies caused the neighbors, through fear of fire, to ask the interference of the police. When Sergeant Moller went to the house on Monday, at noon, the whole of the crockery in the place was smashed, and the defendant was in bed, not sober. There was some beer in a bottle, but no provisions in the house. He arrested her on a charge of vagrancy. Constable McKenna stated that the defendant's husband was working on the railway works at Westport, and that the contractor, Mr McLean, had offered to pay her passage there, but she positively refused to go. The defendant stubbornly refused to ask or answer any questions put to her, and the Magistrate, after remarking upon the number of times she had been before him, sentenced her to two months' imprisonment with hard labor. -Grey River Argus, 14/10/1874.
That notorious pest, Barbara Weldon, recently favored the Greymouth people with her company, but we regret to find that Mr Revell, the Resident Magistrate at the sister town, most unhandsomely returned her on our hands, having on Monday last sentenced her to two months imprisonment on a charge of vagrancy. She will serve her term at the gaol here, but it is to be hoped at the expiration that she will re-visit the scenes of her latest deportation. Turn and turn about is fair-play; Hokitika has had Barbara for some years, it is only right that she should give the sister town a spell. -West Coast Times, 14/10/1874.
Barbara Weldon, the notorious, pitying the forced inactivity of the Police, has afforded them a little occupation, by getting herself locked up for drunkenness. She will hold one of her periodical interviews with the Magistrate this morning. -West Coast Times, 16/7/1875.
At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr E. Patten J.P., Barbara Weldon was charged with habitual drunkenness, having been thrice convicted since her last term of imprisonment. She was sent to gaol for three months, notwithstanding her energetic and voluble protests. There was no other business, and it is probable there will be not much more until Barbara is released, until which time, the police will enjoy a calm repose. -West Coast Times, 27/8/1875.
RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT STAFFORD.
Wednesday, December 22, 1875.
(Before G. G. Fitzgerald, Esq., $.M.)
DRUNKENNESS.
Barbara Weldon was charged with being drunk at Goldsborough on the 17th, and at Stafford on the 21st inst. She pleaded guilty to both charges, and was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. Upon hearing the sentence the prisoner volubly expressed herself as much disappointed in the presiding Magistrate. -West Coast Times, 23/12/1875.
Barbara Weldon, was brought up on remand, charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Mary Ann Huntley. On the application of the police, the prisoner was remanded until Friday. As she left the dock, the prisoner, alluding to the prosecutrix, whose head was swathed in bandages, screamed out — "She's putrefying, your Worship; a cracked vessel like that is aisy getting broke or disfigured." -West Coast Times, 5/7/1876.
UNLAWFULLY WOUNDING. Barbara Weldon was charged with having, on the 1st July, unlawfully wounded Mary Ann Shepherd, alias Huntley, by striking her on the head with a bottle. The prisoner pleaded not guilty.
Dr Dermott said — On Saturday morning, the Ist July, about eight o'clock, Mary Ann Huntley came to my house. There was a quantity of blood about her head and face. I examined her head, and found two lacerated wounds on the top of the head. They were each about three quarters of an inch in length, and penetrated to the scalp. Both of the wounds were then bleeding. I dressed the wounds on that, and the following day. I do not consider the wounds were dangerous, unless unforeseen results followed the injury. The wounds were inflicted with a blunt instrument. I should think they were not inflicted by the tomahawk now shown to me. A blow with the bottom of a bottle would probably cause such a wound as I found.
The prisoner, on being asked if she had any questions to put to this witness, rattled off a number of irrelevant and amusing inquiries, until she was stopped by the Court.
Mary Ann Huntley said — I live in North Revell-street in the Bendigo right-of-way. I remember Saturday last, 1st July, I was in Louisa O'Brien's house all the night. The prisoner was there also. A man named Jack Kindley and Annie Wells were also there. They were in bed in one of the rooms of the house. Between six and seven in the morning the prisoner attempted to enter their room. I tried to prevent the prisoner from going into the room. I held the door. The prisoner took a brandy bottle and struck me on the head with it. I can't say how many times she struck me, because I was half stunned and silly after the first blow. About ten minutes after when I came to, I saw the neck of a bottle in her hand, and I also saw the handle of a tomahawk in her hand. She was holding the tomahawk close by the head. I run out. Before she attempted to go into the room, she said she would strike me. My wounds were dressed by Dr Dermott.
By prisoner: I did not see you anywhere before I saw you at Annie Wells's. I did not say that two sailors had beaten me.
Sergeant O'Malley said — About halfpast eight in the morning of the lst July, Mary Ann Huntley came to the Police Camp. She said she had beep assaulted; her head and face were covered with blood. I took her to Dr Dermott and got her wounds dressed. I went to the Bendigo right-of-way, North Revell street afterwards with the prosecutrix. Prisoner was in Mary Ann Huntley's house. Prisoner was drunk and talking incoherently. I went into the bed-room. A woman named Annie Wells, and a man named John Kindley were asleep in bed. I tried to rouse them but could not succeed. They appeared to me to be dead drunk. The floor of the front-room was spotted with blood. The pieces of bottle produced were lying all over the floor, and pieces of rag with blood on them. I found the tomahawk produced under a table in the centre of the floor. There was fresh blood on the blade and handle. I arrested the prisoner and told her the charge. She said something to the effect that she did not do it.
James Kindley, a miner, said — I remember the 1st July. I was in Annie Wells' house. I have an indistinct recollection of seeing the prisoner. I saw prosecutrix and prisoner. I heard some disturbance during the night. It seemed to be a general row. The prisoner after being cautioned in the usual manner, said — "I don't want to say anything. I want to call three witnesses." She called Annie Wells, whose evidence was quite immaterial. The prisoner was committed to take her trial at the next sitting of the District Court, held at Hokitika. -West Coast Times, 8/7/1876.
Barbara Weldon, the notorious, tired of the monotony of appearing at the Resident Magistrate's Court continually, yesterday made her bow before the District Court Judge. She, however, was acquitted by the jury, but during the progress of the case she managed to bring His Honor into violent collision with the police. Barbara abruptly left the dock shortly after the jury were empannelled, and was chased across the Court and brought back to her natural habitat by a very tall policeman, to the intense amusement of the public. His Honor hereupon remarked that Mr Commissioner James ought to be present in Court, and that the prisoner's box ought to be guarded by two policemen. He ordered another policeman to be placed by the box, and said if the Court was to be trifled with in such a manner, it might just as well shut up. He could not imagine that when Mr Justice Johnston came round he was treated so. If Mr James could not appoint some responsible person he ought to come to the Court himself, in spite of the Education Rates. Mr Inspector O'Donnell explained to his Honor that the police force was small, and that the duty of guarding the prisoners had hitherto devolved on the gaol department. Earlier in the day, his Honor also commented severely on the absence of Mr James. -West Coast Times, 3/8/1876.
Constable Barrett and Barbara Weldon visited the Police Station together, about nine o'clock last night. The lady protested vociferously against the visit, but was finally induced to remain. -West Coast Times, 28/8/1876.
Barbara Weldon made Sunday morning hideous with her yells and exertions, as she was being conveyed to the Police Station by two constables. It may be hoped that this woman will receive such a sentence as to deprive her of the power to make a further exhibition of herself for some time to come. -West Coast Times, 25/9/1876.
RESIDENT MAGISTRATES COURT.
Monday, September, 25.
(Before G. G. FitzGerald, Esq., R.M.)
STEALING FROM THE PERSON.
Barbara Weldon was charged with stealing six one-pound notes from Thomas Kiley.
The prisoner was undefended and pleaded not guilty. Mr James prosecuted. Thomas Kiley, a miner living at Callaghans said he came to town on Saturday. On Saturday night he went to a house in a right-of-way in Revell-street north. Several persons were there. On Sunday morning he was sitting on a font). The prisoner was beside him. He was larking with her. He had a chamois leather base in his trowsers pocket. Prisoner took off his hat. He missed his money shortly after prisoner had left his side. He said nothing about the loss at the time. Afterwards he went to the police-station. The notes produced were like those he lost. They were Union Bank notes.
Prisoner: I don't know you at all and I never saw you in my life. It was Dick gave me the money.
Sergeant O'Malley said — On Sunday morning at half-past eight o'clock, the prosecutor informed me he had been robbed in a brothel in a right-of-way. I went to the Bendigo right-of-way about nine o'clock, and I saw prosecutor and prisoner together in a house there. There were besides two men and two women in the house. One of the women was named Annie Wells. There was a lot of drink on the table, and all the persons present were nearly drunk. I did not arrest the prisoner. About half-an-hour, afterwards the prisoner was brought to the Camp on a charge of being drunk and disorderly. As watch-house keeper I asked her what money she had. She handed me the four one pound notes produced. I asked her where she got them. She said she got them from her uncle from Home.
Prisoner excitedly: I did not. I said Dick gave them to me.
Witness: This morning I charged her with the robbery, and she said Dick Norman gave her the money and that he was gone to the rush.
Prisoner: A lot of lies. I was drunk. I don't deny it.
Witness: I got the fifth one-pound note from Mr Fisher, bootmaker, Revell-street. I got the sixth note, now produced, from Mrs Slattery. The notes are all on the Union Bank, and were issued at Nelson.
Prisoner: That Kiley is a damned thief. He's been telling lies. That fellow wants to get my money. I never clapped my eyes on that man. Dick would give me £50. I hate a liar. You ould thief, you rogue, you robber. Oh, I can't stand a lie. (Laughter).
Prosecutor, recalled, said — I saw Sergeant O'Malley in a house in North Revell-street on Sunday morning. That is the house where I lost my money. On the application of the Police, the prisoner was remanded until Friday next, the 29th inst. Bail was allowed, prisoner in £100, and two sureties £50 each. The Court then adjourned. -West Coast Times, 26/9/1876.
RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
Friday, September 29.
(Before ii. G. FitzGerald, Esq., R.M.)
LARCENY
Barbara Weldon was brought up on remand, charged with the larceny of £7, from the person of Thomas Kiley. The evidence of the prosecutor and of Sergeant O'Malley has already been published.
The following additional evidence was offered by the Police: —
Maria Clarke said — I live in a right-of-way in Revell-street north, Hokitika, I recollect Sunday morning, 24th of this month. I know the prisoner. She came into the house I was stopping in. It was between 2 and 3 a.m. There were four men in the house. She pushed the door in. I recognise the prosecutor. He was present. Prisoner sat on Kiley's knee, took his hat off, and put it on herself. She tried to put her hand in his left hand trousers pocket. They had been over half an hour in the house when I left. When the prisoner came in I asked her to shout. She said she had no money, but afterwards showed me a shilling. That is all the money I saw with her.
By Prisoner, excitedly: Porpoise, or Clarke, or what ever you are, clear out of this you beast, you liar.
Mary Anne Slattery said — I am wife of John Slattery, of the Tramway Hotel. I remember Sunday morning, the 24th of this month. I saw the prisoner about that time, at the Tramway Hotel. She came in and had some drinks. I changed a note for her. The same note that I received from the prisoner, I handed to Sergeant O'Malley.
Prisoner: What that lady says, Sir, is true.
Witness: I had no other note, and I put it in the drawer in my bed-room.
George Fisher, bootmaker, living in Revell-street, said — I remember Sunday morning, the 24th of this month. Saw the prisoner between 9 and 10 o'clock. She came into my shop and asked for a pair of boots, I asked her if she had any money and she said, yes. I sold her a pair. She paid me a one pound note and four shillings I placed the note in my pocket. I had no other one pound notes. I gave the note to Sergeant O'Malley on the afternoon of the same day that I received it.
Prisoner: I don't want to cross-examine the man at all, Sir. I have yet the boots on my feet.
Reginald Fane, a publican, living in Revell-street, said — I remember Sunday, the 24th of this month. I saw the prisoner about seven o'clock in the morning. She changed half a sovereign in payment for drinks. I saw no other money in her possession.
This evidence concluded the case for the prosecution.
Oh being asked the usual questions the prisoner said the money was given to her by a man.
The prisoner was committed to take her trial at the next sittings of the District Court, on a charge of simple larceny Bail was allowed prisoner in £200 and two sureties of £100 each. -West Coast Times, 30/9/1876.
DISTRICT COURT
LARCENY. Barbara Weldon was indicted tor stealing six one pound bank notes and two half-sovreigns, the property of Thomas Kiley.
Mr South prosecuted, and the prisoner who was undefended, pleaded not guilty. Mr John Cross was chosen foreman of the jury.
It is unnecessary to recapitulate the evidence, which did not vary materially from that taken a few days ago in the Magistrate's Court.
His Honor having carefully summed up the evidence, the jury after retiring for half an hour returned to Court with a verdict of "not guilty," The prisoner was accordingly discharged. The Court adjourned until 9.30 a.m next (this) morning. -West Coast Times, 4/10/1876.
Barbara Weldon paid her usual Sunday visit to the Police Station yesterday. -West Coast Times, 6/11/1876.
Barbara Weldon has made a successful first appearance at the Kumara Police Court. -West Coast Times, 9/5/1877.
The notorious Barbara Weldon is now favoring Kumara with her presence. She recently held an interview with Mr E.Barff, J.P., and was compelled to retire from public gaze for 24 hours. -West Coast Times, 28/5/1878.
Yesterday we casually visited the gaol, and have to thank Mr Cleary, the gaoler; for the readiness with which be permitted inspection, and described the various arrangements. The gaol is, for its size, admittedly one of the best arranged and best controlled in the colony, and the impression left in the mind of a visitor is that apart from the indelible stigma attached to conviction and punishment for crime, the prisoners have no cause to repine. They are well lodged, sufficiently fed, and not over-worked, and so far as is consistent with good discipline and the regulations of prisons, their durance is ameliorated by judicious kindness and the encouragement of every inclination to reform. It was afternoon when we visited the gaol, and the hard labor prisoners were all away at work, thus there was a good opportunity of inspecting the wards and cells. Everything appeared in good order, and the few prisoners seen about the gaol were all employed in some useful occupation, not as task work, but evidently to keep them from brooding over their misdeeds or their fancied wrongs. Notably we saw one man employed, whose name is familiar in the criminal records of the Coast, we mean Chamberlain, who for nearly twelve years past has been an inmate of the gaol. His term of imprisonment has nearly expired, and in a few months he will be a free man again, but he will leave behind him many mementoes of his long abode there. He is a painter by trade, and yesterday he was engaged in "marbling" the walls of one of the cells, making it look quite cheery in comparison with the sombre surroundings. Throughout the gaol are signs of his handiwork in house painting, lettering, and here and there, were permissible, in sketching, for which he has some talent. We observed that there is a small library, for the use of prisoners, to which any philanthropic friends might well make contribution of books or magazines from their surplus accumulations. There is also a schoolroom wherein one of the prisoners, named Moore, essays at times to impart instruction. There are only some half dozen female prisoners at present undergoing sentence, and their supervision is well entrusted to Mrs Kidd, the matron, who has under her control the most wayward of their kind. The notorious Barbara Weldon is among them, and judging from her looks she should not be permitted to again leave the precincts of the gaol, except to be transferred to the lunatic asylum adjoining. -West Coast Times, 22/1/1879.
The evergreen Barbara Weldon recently had a morning interview with the Kumara Bench, the result being that she is now consigned to her old quarters in the Hokitika gaol for one month. -West Coast Times, 6/3/1880.
RESIDE MAGISTRATES COURT
LARCENY. Barbara Weldon was indicted that she did feloniously steal, take, and carry away from and off the person of Dominick Hatchet, of Kumara, on the 9th July, one £5 note. His Worship (to the prisoner): What have you to say—are you guilty or not guilty?
The prisoner: He gave me the £5 to get change.
Sergeant Emmerson conducted the prosecution. He called
Dominick Hatchet, who, being sworn said: I reside at Dillman’s Town. I am a miner. I know the prisoner. I saw her on Saturday night last about ten yards this side of the Tramway Station in the Main road, about 8 or 9 o’clock. She asked me for sixpence for a drink. I gave her a sixpence. In pulling out the sixpence I also pulled a £5 note out of my waistcoat pocket. The note was on the same bank as this note (£1 produced) which is the Union Bank of Australia. I had had it in my possession about a week. After giving the prisoner the sixpence I returned the note to my pocket. The prisoner saw I had the note. She then took hold of me under the coat. I did not then think of the note. I then left her, and came as far as Seddon street. I missed the money, as soon as I got to the corner. I returned and tried to find the prisoner. Not finding her, I went to the police and reported. I did not give the note to the prisoner. I did not know the prisoner; had never spoken to her before in my life, and did not know who she was. I only knew her by hearsay.
S. S. Pollock, being sworn, said: I am a storekeeper, at Kumara. I know the prisoner. I saw her on Saturday evening last between eight and nine o’clock, at my store, in Main street. She paid me for a dress which she had ordered that afternoon. I noticed that when she came in there was a man with her on the verandah. I gave her the change in her hand. I recognise the note produced as the one I took from her and gave change for. I sent out for the change. Mr Fitzsimmons brought it and paid it in to me as part payment of a debt he owed me.
William Upham, being sworn, said: I am 12 years of age. I know the nature of an oath. I am in the last witness’s employment, in his store. I saw the prisoner in Mr Pollock’s store on Saturday evening last, about eight or nine o’clock. I was present when prisoner bought a dress and some other articles. Accused produced a £5 note, I went out to get change for it. I got the change at Mr Fitzsimmons’—five single notes. Mr Pollock returned her four single notes and half-a-cronn or three shillings. I saw the prisoner take the change and leave the shop.
Henry Fitzsimmons, being sworn, said: I am an hotel-keeper, in Seddon street, Kumara. I do not know the accused. The last witness came to my house and changed a £5 note. About two hours afterwards I paid Mr Pollock £7 1s, the £5 produced being a portion of the money.
Sergt. Emmerson, sworn, said: I am Sergeant of Police, stationed at Kumara. Between 8 and 9 o’clock last Saturday evening, the informant came and told me he had been robbed of a £5 note. I went with the informant, and found the prisoner in a hut on the Main road, near the Tramway. I charged her with stealing the money from him, and she denied it. I searched the hut carefully, but could find nothing. I took the prisoner in charge to the watchhouse, searched her, and found only 7s on her. The prisoner asked me on the following day what I was going to do with her now? I said I did not know. She said the man gave me the money, and more to it.
The Bench (to the pri-oner): Have you anything to say?
The prisoner: The informant gave me the £5 note to get change. I gave him £4 back again.
The Bench: Have you any witnessess?
The prisoner: Not a witness in the world.
The Bench: You are convicted of having stolen a £5 note. You are sentenced to three months imprisonment in Hokitika gaol, with hard labor. -Kumara Times, 12/7/1881.
At the Resident Magistrates Court yesterday, before Dr Giles, R.M., Barbara Weldon was brought up on a charge of drunkenness by Constable Loftus, who said he found her in a state of helpless drunkenness. Barbara in defence, said she was very bad and sick, and was looking for a situation. She thought a change would do her good and hoped to give the hospital a turn for a fortnight; she took a glass of ale which made her stomach ache and upset her. Fined 20s or 48 hours imprisonment. -West Coast Times, 13/10/1881.
Our telegrams to-day state that Barbara Weldon, a woman of ill-fame, was burned to death in her house at Kumara last night. The deceased was a well-known character in Dunedin in the early days. Arriving here at the end of 1862 she soon made the acquaintance of the police, and spent most of her time in gaol for the next seven years, when she left for the West Coast. The local criminal records show that most of her sentences wore for habitual drunkenness and disorderly conduct. -Evening Star, 31/10/1882.
WOMAN BURNED TO DEATH.
[Kumara Times, October 31.]
Shortly before two o'clock this morning the firebell gave out its unwelcome peals of warning to the inhabitants of Kumara, which we are sorry to say, proved to be no false alarm, but a veritable fire in Upper Seddon street, and fatal to the occupant in whose abode it originated. The fire was first observed by Mr Lenton, a baker in the employ of Messrs Keech and Malloy, some two hundred yards lower down the street, who running to the locality, found the house completely enveloped in flames. Mr Foley, butcher, was at Drummond's corner at the time with his horse, and he hearing the word "fire!" immediately galloped up, but also found it was too late to save the home. The Fire Brigade turned out promptly, and, with other volunteer assistants, succeeded in extinguishing the fire, and confining the destructive element to a very small area around the cottage, saving even the fencing, which must have been but a yard or so off the building. The house was known to be occupied, and in a very short time the charred remains of a human being were found lying just within where the door leading to the street stood but a few minutes previously. These were of a woman named Barbara Weldon, a name which has figured very often and prominently in the records of the Police Court both in Kumara and Hokitika, and who has thus come, probably by her own act of incapacity, to a sudden and ignominious death. Constable Nash, who was on duty last night, passed the house at 20 minutes past 10 o'clock and again at 1 o'clock this morning, but saw no fire nor light in the house either time. The body was fearfully burned and not a vestige of clothing remained. It was conveyed to the Metropolitan Hotel, where an inquest will be held by Mr Stratford, the district Coroner, at half-past seven o'clock this evening. -West Coast Times, 2/11/1882.
IMPRISONMENT FOR DRUNKENNESS.
TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — For years past I have thought that it is perfectly useless to commit persons to prison for drunkenness. Such a course of action — no matter how long or how short the term of imprisonment — is perfectly futile in producing the least reformation. I have known hundreds of persons convicted and sent to prison time after time without producing the least influence on them, except it may be to make them worse. And very many I have known who have been sent to gaol scores of times, who have, in fact, lived for years in a gaol, and yet after all are found at last a corpse in some river or ditch, or what is still more tragical, with their brains blown out by their own hand, or burned to death amidst the ruins of some house. I am led to these remarks by seeing in your today's issue an account of the “charred remains" of the unfortunate Barbara Weldon being found amongst the ashes of a house which was burnt at Kumara, yesterday morning. This poor devotee to the insatiable god who is said to rule in the kingdom of drink, has at last yielded up her life as a willing sacrifice. I think that at Dunedin alone this poor woman has been convicted of drunkenness nearly a hundred times, and has been imprisoned in the aggregate not much short of three years, and with what result the Press Agency tell us this morning.
It strikes me, Sir, that it would be according to the eternal fitness of things if the Licensed Victualler's Gazette would insert in its columns an obituary notice of such melancholy deaths. To say the least of it, such a graceful recognition of faithful service “even unto death," is no more than the official organ of the “trade" ought, in justice to the deceased, to inscribe in its pages. It is time, quite time, Sir, that we turned over a new leaf in our judicial treatment of intemperance. If the State will continue to allow this murderous and inhuman traffic in liquor to go on, some provision at least should be made to take care of those whom our drinking customs have made incapable of taking care of themselves. If the accursed traffic is to go on, let us have, and have at once, inebriate asylums, and when a man or woman is brought up for the third time for drunkenness, let them be sent to the asylum, but make them work to maintain themselves. Such an asylum, therefore, should have a large area of land attached to it, and let it be the drunkards’ farm or factory, or both combined if you like. I do not regard this as at all likely to cure intemperance, but only as a means to take care of those who have lost or may lose all self-control; and in this our so-called Christian city there are hundreds of such. Our present system of lock-ups and fines and imprisonment is perfectly useless as a corrective of the evil of intemperance, and if society will continue this insensate folly of drinking, let us at once try to take care that people shall not be allowed to go on drinking after they have lost all control, and thereby end their sad lives by the pistol bullet, by apoplexy, by delirium tremens, by drowning, or as the unfortunate Barbara Weldon, by burning.
— I am, etc., HUMANITAS. -Lyttelton Times, 4/11/1882.
Barbara Weldon was buried in Kumara Cemetery. She has been commemmorated at the Theatre Royal Hotel with a room named after her. The page linked to says that, when the hotel was rebuilt, sawdust was found in the walls as a sound-proofing measure. I have to wonder - was it to muffle the sounds of Barbara's trade or her "extremely voluble tongue" which could make a Sunday morning "hideous with her yells."
AN ENCORE - completely unconnected with Barbara Weldon but something I can't resist sharing - here's how to deal with the newspaper which is, shall we say, slow in attributing its sources...
THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1870.
To-day we have an apology to make to our readers, or rather to those to whom our "extras," containing the latest and most important news, are gratuitously supplied. During the production of the San Francisco mail news yesterday, our printer's devil, "for a purpose," as he says, inserted the last three lines (which are not to be found in to-day's issue) regarding the Queen's marriage. This is the more to be regretted as it has evidently misled our evening contemporary, who has been in the habit of appropriating our telegrams without acknowledgment, and has induced him to expend upon the head of Queen Victoria a vast amount of virtuous indignation, which, if he had legitimately obtained his "latest news," he would have found to be quite unnecessary. It is to be hoped that by his timely interference the Queen will be prevented, as he says, from taking "a step so humiliating to herself and the British nation," and that "the foreign prince she is about to marry, who is much younger than herself, and who has neither the confidence nor the particular good-will of those of the English nation who know him," will not commence an action for damages against our contemporary for "forbidding the banns." While on this subject we may as well remind our up-river contemporary, the Grey Valley Times, that in its last issue it neglected to acknowledge the source from which it obtained its latest telegrams— viz., from the columns of the Grey River Argus.
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