While poring through "Papers Past" for references to the Cargill Monument, the name of Mr John McLaren came up. It was a familiar one to me - he had been arrested for orating from the Monument after the end of the trial of a Mrs Reid, who had been accused of starving and beating her 17-year old servant girl who had died in her home. McLaren accused the jury of having been "stacked" by the Court. His was a lone voice in defence of a young woman whose life was cut short by a pitiless social and class system.
It has not been easy to plot the course of John McLaren's life. His name is not a unique one, and it is possible that I have confused his actions with those of another John McLaren. It has also been the first time for me to use the Australian counterpart to "Papers Past," named "Trove." I had initially thought that the John McLaren of the Cargill Monument was the same as one buried in Dunedin's Southern Cemetery - but no, John left Dunedin society in a steamship rather than a coffin.
RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
It has not been easy to plot the course of John McLaren's life. His name is not a unique one, and it is possible that I have confused his actions with those of another John McLaren. It has also been the first time for me to use the Australian counterpart to "Papers Past," named "Trove." I had initially thought that the John McLaren of the Cargill Monument was the same as one buried in Dunedin's Southern Cemetery - but no, John left Dunedin society in a steamship rather than a coffin.
RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
This Day. (Before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R. M.)
BREACH OF THE PEACE. John McLaren and Frank Mountain were charged with fighting in the public streets. Sergeant Doran proved having seen them fighting, and arrested them. Frank Lissington stated that about 5 o'clock yesterday McLaren had a tin of paint, which he was offering for sale; he took off the top to show it to some one, some children were there, and McLaren put his finger in the paint and drew it across one of their mouths. Mountain reproved him for this, saying he should have done it to a man, some words ensued and Mountain put his finger in the paint and drew it across McLaren's mouth — this brought on a fight. Mountain said he was challenged by McLaren, and accepted the challenge. McLaren harangued a little in his usual style about the prejudice existing against him. He was fined 20s or 48 hours, and Mountain discharged. -Evening Post, 15/7/1869.
Local and General News
Assaulting Constables. —An individual named John McLaren, but who is also known by a variety of sobriquets, has been slashing round considerably lately. His weakness, some time back, was oratory, but his reception at some public meetings satisfied him that the public did not appreciate his style of eloquence. Quartz was his next foible, and he devoted a good deal of his valuable time trying to organise a company, but with a similar result. Like many a disappointed genius, Mac sought solace in the bottle, and got very drunk on Saturday night. Constable Chapman kindly took charge of him; but Mac proved to be a Hittite, and argued the point by a series of forcible reasons delivered from the shoulder with great energy. Three other constables came to support the majesty of the law, and Mac began to get the worst of it. However he fought like a maniac and damaged their uniform considerably. His appearance in the box yesterday morning was pitiful. He was naked and abject, and had to be assisted into the box. His Worship inflicted a fine of £5 and cost of damage to clothes of constables, or a month's imprisonment in default. A month on the hill would do this individual good.
-Wellington Independent, 20/7/1869.
-Wellington Independent, 20/7/1869.
News from the South
The Wanganui Bridge is proceeding steadily. It occupied some weeks to get the first cylinder down, having to be sunk 28 feet; but the second was fixed with great rapidity, only about three days having been occupied. On Friday some excitement was produced by an individual of an engineering turn having washed a quantity of the sand brought up from the bottom of one of the cylinders, and found a number of fine specks of gold in it. The matter, however, had a ludicrous turn. An individual whom our Wellington friends have denominated the "Wanganui Loafer," was so industriously at work that he did not observe one of the spectators slyly cutting little pieces from a gold coin, and dropping them into his dish; however, it threw discredit on the whole investigation. I have little doubt, however, that the discovery of the specks was right enough. A few miles up the river gold in small quantities is to be found in all the creeks, and on the celebrated island of Moutoa, which is in the centre of the Wanganui river, fine gold is to be found in every dish washed. — Correspondent of the Advertiser. -Hawke's Bay Herald, 10/5/1870.
RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
Wednesday, Nov. 9. (Before Walter Buller, Esq., R.M.)
DRUNKENNESS. Three inebriates were brought up this morning for the above offence, and two of them were fined 20s each and costs, and the other (a woman) was discharged with a caution.
FIGHTING AND USING OBSCENE LANGUAGE. John McLaren, John Burns, and T. Carr were charged on the information of Constable Coakley with committing a breach of the peace last night about 11 o'clock, in Campbell Place.
Constable Coakley swore that Burns and Carr were drunk and fighting, and were prostrate on the street, apparently just having relaxed their grasp of each other, when he came up. McLaren was swearing and using obscene language, and attempted to rescue Burns.
The statements of the Constable were very clear, and were borne out by another witness who had been threatened by McLaren.
Sergeant Reid said the whole of the prisoners were drunk when they were brought to the lock-up. Carr formerly belonged to the 18th R. I. and had just come from Sydney, and he believed was led into the scrape by Burns.
McLaren made a rambling speech, charging the prosecution with maliciousness and "unchristian" conduct.
Carr was fined in 20s and costs, or 48 hours confinement. McLaren and Burns were each fined £5 and costs, or in default of immediate payment, one month's imprisonment with hard labor. Mr Buller remarked that in the case of McLaren, but for the provision in the Vagrant Act, he should not have given the option of a fine. -Wanganui Herald, 9/11/1870.
The Independent is sadly forgetful of its old acquaintances. It has "cut" the illustrious "John McLaren" with a contemptuous "Don't know you, sir." Now, the Independent knows "John McLaren" remarkably well; indeed, in some seven numbers of its back files, there is special mention made of the redoubtable "Johnnie," whose varied fortunes and chequered career the Independent has watched and recorded with special and peculiar care. In fact, we believe that "Johnnie" received his christening as "The Wanganui Loafer," at the hands of the gentleman who edited the Independent in its days of strength and power. We can remember as it were yesterday, a meeting in the Odd Fellows' Hall about the Patent Slip, when warm and excited speeches were made, and party feeling ran very high indeed. All at once there appeared upon the platform a queer looking personage, whose physiognomy, physique, and dress, irresistibly reminded the onlooker of the "Artful Dodger" in Oliver Twist. This apparently demented being, stamped and yelled and roared and danced, all the time pouring out a torrent of eloquence upon "things in general and the Romans in particular." Nobody knew the orator, so everybody "laughed most consumedly" at his antics, thinking the performance capital fun. Then of a sudden the "we" of our contemporary, followed by the "inevitable dog," came to the front of the platform, and touching the coat-collar of the ragged biped who was still "spouting," remarked, "This thing, gentlemen, is the Wanganui loafer." Then there was an uproar, and then "Johnnie" subsided and left the platform with a new alias for life. The Independent should surely not now disown a bantling of its own christening. Our contemporary says it knows nothing of criminals or lock-ups. Well, perhaps not. Some people never do get their deserts in this world. -Evening Post, 15/3/1871.
The Independent is sadly forgetful of its old acquaintances. It has "cut" the illustrious "John McLaren" with a contemptuous "Don't know you, sir." Now, the Independent knows "John McLaren" remarkably well; indeed, in some seven numbers of its back files, there is special mention made of the redoubtable "Johnnie," whose varied fortunes and chequered career the Independent has watched and recorded with special and peculiar care. In fact, we believe that "Johnnie" received his christening as "The Wanganui Loafer," at the hands of the gentleman who edited the Independent in its days of strength and power. We can remember as it were yesterday, a meeting in the Odd Fellows' Hall about the Patent Slip, when warm and excited speeches were made, and party feeling ran very high indeed. All at once there appeared upon the platform a queer looking personage, whose physiognomy, physique, and dress, irresistibly reminded the onlooker of the "Artful Dodger" in Oliver Twist. This apparently demented being, stamped and yelled and roared and danced, all the time pouring out a torrent of eloquence upon "things in general and the Romans in particular." Nobody knew the orator, so everybody "laughed most consumedly" at his antics, thinking the performance capital fun. Then of a sudden the "we" of our contemporary, followed by the "inevitable dog," came to the front of the platform, and touching the coat-collar of the ragged biped who was still "spouting," remarked, "This thing, gentlemen, is the Wanganui loafer." Then there was an uproar, and then "Johnnie" subsided and left the platform with a new alias for life. The Independent should surely not now disown a bantling of its own christening. Our contemporary says it knows nothing of criminals or lock-ups. Well, perhaps not. Some people never do get their deserts in this world. -Evening Post, 15/3/1871.
MR STAFFORD AND "BONES"
After coming out of'the Wanganui gaol, in which he had been doing two months' imprisonment with hard labor, John McLaren, alias "Bones," has found himself at Timaru, where he has been cross-examining the ex-premier on his policy in reference to the Patea mail and the Wanganui Bridge. The following took place on the occasion of Mr Stafford's address to his constituents, as reported by the Timaru Herald:—
Mr John McLaren (who did not at first give his name, to repeated demands from the audience, and who was received with some mirth) asked whether, as a casual visitor to this part of the country, he might be allowed to put a few questions to Mr Stafford, who he believed had been giving the future policy of the members of the Opposition.
The meeting seemed to hesitate.
Mr Stafford said, provided the meeting had no objection, he would have pleasure in answering any questions that might be put to him.
The meeting having consented
Mr McLaren said he was led to believe that there had been a great, regardless, and reckless expenditure for the past number of years, by the Government of New Zealand, and he would put to Mr Stafford three questions:— Whether he (Mr Stafford) had taken any active part in the expenditure of £14,000 for the purpose of building the present house occupied by the Governor; also, of the £3,000 for the Patea mail; also, of the £10,000 for the Wanganui bridge, at the expense of the colony? Was he a supporter of that policy which took money from the southern parts to free the pockets of the northern parts.
Mr Stafford said there were three questions; First that of the Patea mail: There was no vote at all —(laughter) — at least he remembered none. A contract had been entered into for a sum which might possibly be charged against the general vote for roads in the North Island; but he did not believe it would be found in the estimates. (Cheers) The £l4,000 was not voted for Government House only but for repairs and extension to the Government offices. A considerable sum had been thus spent in making new committee rooms, and for extension of the buildings, &c. Between £9,000 and £10,000 had been spent on Government House. He took an active part in that, and would again. (Hear, hear! and cheers.) As long as they had a representative of the Queen here, that representative should have a suitable house. (Cheers.) And he questioned whether such a house could be put up elsewhere for the same cost. The Wanganui bridge was not charged against the colony at large, but against the Province of Wellington.
Mr McLaren professed to know better.
Mr Stafford said, if the gentleman, whose name he did not know — [A voice: "John McLaren."] —would look into the records he would find amongst the amounts authorised to be borrowed last sessions that the advance for that bridge was expressly stated amongst other items which some Provinces were not able at the time to pay for, but which were advanced to them, and that the interest of the Wanganui bridge money was charged against the Province of Wellington. The Government would be justified in charging the amount amongst the general lines of roads in the North Island, which under their large scheme they proposed to construct. [Cheers]. That was simply an advance on which was charged interest and sinking fund against the Province of Wellington.
Mr McLaren: I think that was a mistake. [Impatience; cries of "Chair" and "Turn him out."] The Government guaranteed the money.
Mr Stafford: They would find, he thought, that the advance was charged to the province of Wellington. An advance of £50,000 was similarly placed on the loan for the Province of Otago, and certain other sums for Auckland and Taranaki. These advances were put upon the loan: the interest and sinking fund was charged against the Provinces.
Mr McLaren said: Mr Stafford had spoken as in favor of settling new immigrants upon the land. Now, there was no necessity for that. (Hear, hear, "sit down," and impatience.) He would read an article in a paper called the Lyttelton Times - a petition from the unemployed to the Superintendent (Renewed impatience) Now the fact was quite patent to a great many people here that thousands of men in the colony - from the northernmost part of the North Island to the southernmost part of the South Island (Laughter) — were roaming about like wandering Arabs, who would be glad to settle down under the proper scheme of laying out the land, &c, &c. -Wanganui Herald, 13/3/1871.
A Teetotal Lecturer.—The Timaru Herald thus refers to a character well known in Wanganui:— "A meeting was called by the above society on Saturday last, to hear Mr John McLaren give his views on temperance. The diction and action of the lecturer were so peculiar, however, that the audience signified its disapproval by repeated calls to order, and at last the meeting was brought to an abrupt termination." -Wanganui Herald, 17/3/1871.
DUNEDIN.
May 27th 12.36 p.m.
The unemployed held a meeting today for adopting a petition to the Council.
John McLaren (the "Wellington loafer") heads the movement. -Wanganui Herald, 27/5/1871.
Mr John McLaren, who was recently quoted as an authority by the Independent, in relation to the part he took at Timaru when Mr Stafford addressed his constituents, has, it seems, found his way to Dunedin. As usual, his mission there is to stir up discontent and dissatisfaction amongst the working men, and the only wonder is that he finds followers even amongst the unemployed. Although he has played his little game in most parts of the Colony, Wellington seems to have been, the only place where Mr McLaren's genius was properly appreciated. Here he frequently appeared, on various charges, before the Police Court, and the greater part of his time was accordingly spent under the guardianship of Mr. Read, in the red house. Some suspicion of his true character must have dawned in the minds of the Otago Police, as yesterday the Commissioner there telegraphed up to the police here, to know whether McLaren was known to them. Of course Inspector Atcheson hastened to avow his intimate acquaintance with the Wanganui loafer, and it is probable that as the Otago Vagrant Ordinance is of rather a stringent nature, the character given of Mr. McLaren by his friends here may serve as an introduction to Mr. Caldwell, the Governor of the Dunedin Gaol. -evening Post, 30/5/1870.
Mr John McLaren, who was recently quoted as an authority by the Independent, in relation to the part he took at Timaru when Mr Stafford addressed his constituents, has, it seems, found his way to Dunedin. As usual, his mission there is to stir up discontent and dissatisfaction amongst the working men, and the only wonder is that he finds followers even amongst the unemployed. Although he has played his little game in most parts of the Colony, Wellington seems to have been, the only place where Mr McLaren's genius was properly appreciated. Here he frequently appeared, on various charges, before the Police Court, and the greater part of his time was accordingly spent under the guardianship of Mr. Read, in the red house. Some suspicion of his true character must have dawned in the minds of the Otago Police, as yesterday the Commissioner there telegraphed up to the police here, to know whether McLaren was known to them. Of course Inspector Atcheson hastened to avow his intimate acquaintance with the Wanganui loafer, and it is probable that as the Otago Vagrant Ordinance is of rather a stringent nature, the character given of Mr. McLaren by his friends here may serve as an introduction to Mr. Caldwell, the Governor of the Dunedin Gaol. -evening Post, 30/5/1870.
"Bones" at Dunedin. — A meeting of the unemployed was held at Dunedin on the 25th ultimo, headed by John McLaren, late of Wellington, and Wanganui. It adopted a petition to the Provincial Council. -Wanganui Herald, 18/7/1871.
CORRESPONDENCE.
A CONTRADICTION. TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —From information gathered from various sources, I find there is a rumour being circulated in the city to the effect that the lecture I have announced for Friday evening next at the Music Hall will not be given by the original John McLaren.
In the first place I wish you, and the public through your medium, to know that this is an old device resorted to by the enemies of truth on purpose to throw dust in the eyes of the public, they knowing full well from my past lectures that I have proved from facts which cannot be controverted such glaring inconsistencies in the administration of the affairs of New Zealand, which they would wish unsaid before a Christchurch audience.
I need say no more upon this subject, at present: that I am what I have represented myself to be —John McLaren, of Dunedin and that my lectures are delivered not from any mercenary motives, but following my usual course, I intend giving the proceeds to the charitable institutions of the town.
Yours, &c, John McLaren. Christchurch, Aug. 7, 1872. -Press, 8/8/1872.
NEW ZEALAND AS IT WAS AND AS IT IS;
Or the Dinornis Giganteus Robustus; or the was-was of New Zealand, and a vivid view of New Zealand politically.
A LECTURE BY JOHN McLAREN will be delivered, under distinguished patronage of the leading citizens of the town,
ON FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 9, AT THE CANTERBURY MUSIC HALL,
On the above subject.
Doors open at 7.30, to commence at 8, Admission, 1s. -Press, 9/8/1872.
A Declaimer of the Government.
CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday, 12.40 p.m. Mr John McLaren delivered a lecture last evening in the Music Hall on the past and present condition of New Zealand.
During the course of the discourse the lecturer made the most outrageous assertions as to the corruption of the present Government.
Only thirty people were present, and so distasteful were the speaker's remarks that a majority of them left the room before the lecture was half over.
The Canterbury Acclimatization Society will meet to-day specially to consider the proposed amendment bill to the Protection to Animals' Act. -Auckland Star, 12/8/1872.
CANTERBURY.
John McLaren, the Wanganui loafer, delivered a lecture last night in the Music Hall, on the "past and present condition of New Zealand," making most outrageous assertions regarding the corruption of the Government. About thirty people were present. The majority left when he was half way through. The Acclimatisation Society meets today, to consider the amendment of the Protection to Animals Act. -Taranaki Herald, 17/8/1872.
THE GAS MEETING.
Mr John McLaren made hie appearance last evening at the Canterbury Music Hall in a new phase of character, viz., that of a public benefactor, one who, despising filthy lucre, but animated with the purest sentiments of philanthropy, comes forward to do good to an ungrateful community. In theatrical parlance he made a tremendous hit, and for two hours the hall resounded with shouts of laughter. As the hour approached for the meeting the room was tenanted by a posse of small boys, and about half a dozen choice spirits, who had come to enjoy an evening's amusement, the prospect of the meeting taking place seeming very remote.
However, the flame of patriotism burnt too fiercely in Mr McLaren's breast to allow a the meeting coming to this lame and impotent conclusion, and a foray was made, resulting in a few more — not gas consumers, who were by the bye conspicuous for their absence at this time — coming in and taking their seats.
Mr McLaren then ascended the stage, and coming forward to the small table, proceeded to address those present. He commenced by stating in a somewhat injured tone that he had been accused of interested motives in taking the part he had in this matter, that some — "sordid miscreants" he called them — had stated that he wanted to make money by it, but he denied it; pure love of his species had prompted him to it. He saw the people of Christchurch groaning beneath the tyranny of a grasping and monopolising Gas Company, and he had come to the rescue. In the meantime, no doubt attracted by the shouts of and interjectional comments from the youths in the gallery, which interspersed and diversified Mr McLaren's remarks, a number of persons entered the hall and took their seats.
Mr McLaren having read a letter signed "Anti Humbug," appearing in one of the local journals, and commented upon it in a withering manner, requested the audience to nominate a chairman. No one seemed ambitious to occupy so exalted a station, and for a short time, a lively and exciting scene ensued. Ultimately, Mr Leake came forward and asked Mr McLaren whether he was a ratepayer or a consumer. Mr Leake was requested by the audience, who saw fun looming in the distance, to go on the platform, and accordingly he did so after considerable gymnastic effort. Whether it was Mr Leake's somewhat imposing figure, or that he looked more than ordinarily belligerent, was not quite clear, but at any rate Mr McLaren beat a hasty retreat round the table, pertinaciously followed by his questioner, amid roars of laughter. Mr McLaren then appealed to the audience, who were convulsed with laughter, whether he was to be insulted, and took a seat up the platform; his obnoxious friend also took a chair quite close to him glared wrathfully at him. The scene was irresistibly comic, and no one could help joining in the shouts of laughter which arose on every side. After a short interval Mr McLaren appeared to have got over his fright, and came forward again, followed by Mr Leake, who returned to his seat in the body of the hall amid cheers.
Another slight pause ensued, and a gentleman who held in his hand a large bundle of manuscript notes which he had been industriously taking during Mr McLaren's address, and who subsequently turned out to be Chancellor of the Exchequer to that gentleman, rose and proposed that Mr M. B. Hart, who was in the body of the hall, should take the chair. This was received with loud cheers, and Mr Hart gracefully acceded to the request, on the ground that he was an advocate for fair play. He was accordingly escorted to his seat on the platform by Mr McLaren, the gentleman of note-taking propensity before referred to, acting as usher. and right-hand supporter. Thus installed, the chairman dilated briefly upon the great importance of the question to be discussed, glancing slightly at Malvern Hills coal in the course of his address, and formally introduced Mr McLaren to the audience - rather a superfluous proceeding, seeing that that gentleman had been entertaining them for at least half an hour.
Mr McLaren then again went over the same ground, pointing out that the Dunedin people had got their gas so much cheaper than Christchurch, and after a slight geographical fog, in which Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Newcastle, Port Lyttelton, and Christchurch were inextricably mixed up together, resumed his seat, his address being interspersed with numerous conversational skirmishes with the audience in general, and his friend Mr Leake in particular.
Mr McPherson followed, giving it as his opinion that it was neither Mr McLaren's nor his business to interfere with the gas question, a statement which appeared to find great favor with the audience. This brought up the chairman's right hand supporter a Mr Wright, who prefaced his remarks by stating that he had signed the requisition, and reiterated his pleasure at finding himself in such good company on that requisition. Indeed so far did his feelings of pride carry him that he volunteered to read out the whole 150 names, an offer which, however, was declined. Selecting a handful of papers from the table, a somewhat unnecessary proceeding, as he literally bristled with them, he dashed into the subject, stating that in his two establishments he burned a lot of gas; and then flying off at a tangent, he made a dive into one of his pockets, produced therefrom a manuscript of portentous size, which he stated was the half of a letter he had forwarded to the Lyttelton Times, but which that journal had not inserted. He said he would read the half he had left, which he did, and give the audience the other half from memory, which he also did. A slight dissertation on the history of a gas company in London, started some twenty years back, concluded his speech, and he sat down, looking deadly vengeance on some of the audience who had interjected remarks.
But now came the climax — the fun had been waxing fast and furious, when after three upheavals from his seat, Mr Leake, the indomitable, stepped forward, and with some difficulty clambered up the narrow steps placed to the platform, and stated that he had a resolution to propose. However the exertion of getting upon the platform had so completely taken away his breath that he could not make himself heard for some time. At last he submitted this extraordinary resolution:— "That this meeting is surprised at Mr McLaren's cheek and impudence in coming forward to meddle with a matter he has no concern in." To say this evoked yells of laughter is but a faint description. Amidst the storm Mr Leake dared the dangerous descent, and again resumed his seat. The chairman, however, declined to take the resolution verbally, and the gentleman at his right produced from another pocket in his coat a piece of paper and a pencil, and the resolution was duly written. Some of those in the gallery only imperfectly heard the resolution at first, but when it was read a second time, yells and laughter, mingled with hisses, drowned the voice of the reader. The chairman declined to put the resolution, and then entered into a very lively description of the apathy and sleepiness of Canterbury as compared with the other provinces, diversified by a return to the Malvern Hills coal, and a vivid picture of the large amount of money sent out of the province, winding up with a splendid peroration which fairly brought down the house.
The indefatigable right hand supporter again came to the front and proposed a vote of thanks to the promoter of the meeting, Mr McLaren, which was seconded by Mr Pengelly, put to the meeting, and declared to be carried. A chorus — "For he's a jolly good fellow," with cracker accompaniment, the latter let off by some of the larrikins in attendance, concluded one of the liveliest and most amusing meetings ever held in Christchurch. -Press, 17/8/1872.
THE GAS QUESTION.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS.
Sir,—The committee of gas consumers and myself most emphatically deny that Mr John McLaren has anything whatever to do with them in the above question; neither at their private meetings or otherwise do they recognise him. As he had left the city, nothing more was thought of him; but within the last few days he seems to have turned up again, and has been acting upon his own responsibility. The committee feel that in justice to the public and themselves the above facts should be known.
A. W. Wright, Hon. Sec. pro tem, High street, 9th September, 1872. -Press, 10/9/1872.
Old residents of Dunedin will remember the name of John McLaren, who, in by-gone days, was always to the fore at open air meetings in the Octagon, or any other place where abuse of the Province and denunciations of all and sundry in office formed the staple subject of discourse. Mr. McLaren at last left Otago in disgust. There was a world elsewhere, and he would thither go. He went. He traversed the United States, and we believe Canada also, he wended his way to his native heath, and breathed once more the free air of Scotland; but nowhere found he any place for his foot. He enjoys the repute of being a first-class artizan, but his skill brought him no sufficient profit in those countries. So, a few months since he returned to Dunedin, and, in a letter which appears in the Guardian, he makes full recantation of his past errors, avowing that he "never found a better place than Otago;" and telling how he landed here without sufficient funds to pay for a bed, and that now he has "plenty to keep him, and a little to spare." Our contemporary commends this letter to the perusal of all the discontented and desponding souls in the Province. -NZ Times, 26/8/1874.
A Returned Agitator.
The Wellington takes up a very distinguished personage named John McLaren, who, after enjoying considerable notoriety in every town in New Zealand as an agitator, visited many strange lands, but he liked them not, and hied him lovingly back to New Zealand. His mission on this little planet is to champion the working man. -Auckland Star, 26/4/1875.
The Latter we know. — Political -demagogues of the J. G. S. Grant and McLaren type do not appear to be appreciated in Dunedin. The 'Times' says: — "The irrepressible John McLaren, whose endeavours to thrust himself forward into the political arena have been more troublesome than useful, was forced to retire in subdued silence on Saturday. In response to his announcement that he would hold a monster meeting, too large for any Dunedin building to contain, and expatiate upon the rotten state of Provincialism, there was not a single individual to listen to him. Mr McLaren should take this as a hint that his oratorical efforts are not appreciated." -Wanganui Chronicle, 20/12/1875.
The London Times of the 20th December drew attention in a leader to meetings held in Dunedin of the unemployed, in which farther immigration, was protested against. The article did not think that there was anything to prove the statements made by the malcontents, and on the following day a letter from Dr. Featherston, the Agent-General for New Zealand, appeared, exposing the character of the meeting, and showing that it was got up by well-known demagogues of the Colony. The same issue of the paper contained a letter from a New Zealand sheepfarmer staying in England, stating that he had heard by the mail from his manager to the effect that he could not get labourers for the summer's work for less than 30s. a week, besides rations. It is much to be regretted that the real state of things in Dunedin should be so unscrupulously misrepresented by wretched creatures like James Gordon, Stewart Grant, and John McLaren, otherwise known as "Bones" and "the Wanganui loafer." Men like these are a pest to any colony. They are known and utterly despised by the real working men, but still they sometimes contrive to get together an audience of "fellows of the baser sort," and having harangued them, their false statements find their way into the local Press, and with considerable additions and embellishments are specially sent to newspaper editors at home. The real working men and the Press should use every means to put down such mischievous agitators. They should be promptly contradicted at their meetings and exposed by the Press. Nay, we are not quite sure but that if one or two of the tribe were "put under the pump" much good might come of it. -Evening Post, 29/2/1876.
The London Times of the 20th December drew attention in a leader to meetings held in Dunedin of the unemployed, in which farther immigration, was protested against. The article did not think that there was anything to prove the statements made by the malcontents, and on the following day a letter from Dr. Featherston, the Agent-General for New Zealand, appeared, exposing the character of the meeting, and showing that it was got up by well-known demagogues of the Colony. The same issue of the paper contained a letter from a New Zealand sheepfarmer staying in England, stating that he had heard by the mail from his manager to the effect that he could not get labourers for the summer's work for less than 30s. a week, besides rations. It is much to be regretted that the real state of things in Dunedin should be so unscrupulously misrepresented by wretched creatures like James Gordon, Stewart Grant, and John McLaren, otherwise known as "Bones" and "the Wanganui loafer." Men like these are a pest to any colony. They are known and utterly despised by the real working men, but still they sometimes contrive to get together an audience of "fellows of the baser sort," and having harangued them, their false statements find their way into the local Press, and with considerable additions and embellishments are specially sent to newspaper editors at home. The real working men and the Press should use every means to put down such mischievous agitators. They should be promptly contradicted at their meetings and exposed by the Press. Nay, we are not quite sure but that if one or two of the tribe were "put under the pump" much good might come of it. -Evening Post, 29/2/1876.
Local and General News
"Bones" and his Doings. — At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Dunedin, lately, 21 cases were heard against shareholders in the Albion Brewing Company, who had not paid up the calls on their allotted shares. Some little amusement was occasioned by the well-known John McLaren, who is a shareholder, defending his case. He alleged that the Company was only a "bubble," and objected to pay on the grounds that he had not signed the articles of .association, and that a certain James Brown, who was entitled a director, had no right to hold that position, as he was not a shareholder. His Worship, however, overruled his objections, and gave a verdict for the plaintiffs for the amount claimed with costs. On costs being mentioned, McLaren again spoke up and said it was not fair. His Worship remarked that perhaps the Company would turn out a good speculation, but McLaren assured his Worship that there was not the slightest chance of it. -Wanganui Chronicle, 27/4/1876.
"Bones."
— Mr John McLaren, alias "Bones," or "The Wanganui Loafer," who used to give the police some trouble here, has been coming to grief in Dunedin. The 'Otago Daily Times,' of the 26th ult., says: "John McLaren was charged with making use of abusive language in Princes street; and, further, with conducting himself in a disorderly manner. Prisoner admitted the offences, but pleaded being drunk. In reply to the Bench, Inspector Mallard described prisoner's conduct in this case as most reprehensible and improper. Accused said the police had assaulted him most villainously, squeezing his throat until the blood flowed from his mouth and face. Prisoner was fined 20s, with the option of 48 hours' imprisonment, on the first charge; for disorderly conduct, he was ordered to pay a penalty of 10s, in default, 48 hours' imprisonment. -Wanganui Chronicle, 5/6/1876.
TELEGRAMS
DUNEDIN, Monday. A meeting was held this afternoon of the so-called unemployed, at which some two hundred were present. It was presided over by the notorious John McLaren. A deputation appointed by the meeting went to the Provincial Government offices to lay their grievances before the Deputy Superintendent. Mr Turnbull not being there, they went to his private office, where he refused to give them an audience. They then went to the Mayor, who promised them stonebreaking tomorrow at 2s per yard. The deputation returned to the meeting, who gave three groans for the Deputy Superintendent, and three cheers for the Mayor. -Southland Times, 22/8/1876.
A recent Dunedin telegram informed us that John McLaren, alias "Bones," or "the Wanganui Loafer," has been disposed of at last. We now learn from the Dunedin Herald that "Bones" was brought up in the Police Court on the 17th inst. on a charge of having been drunk and disorderly on Tuesday night, and also with having assaulted Police Constable Dunleary while in the execution of his duty. Mr. E. Cook appeared for the accused. From the evidence it appeared that it had taken four policemen to convey McLaren to the lock-up, and that within the last twelve months he has been twice charged with assaulting constables. Mr. Cook stated to the Court that his client intended to leave Dunedin on Monday next for Melbourne. His Worship said that he would remand the case till Wednesday, the 24th inst., in order that the accused might have an opportunity of clearing out, and thus ridding Dunedin of a nuisance. "Bones" agreed to "git" forthwith. Thank Heavens! New Zealand has now seen the last of a lazy, drunken, filthy, and foulmouthed blackguard. Farewell "Bones." Reform and live cleanly, or else go hang yourself. -Evening Post, 26/4/1878.
Concerning the notorious Wanganui loafer, John McLaren, the Otago Daily Times says:— "McLaren, the great un-washed, evidently either is about to seek legal redress for some of the not very flattering comments of which he has been made the subject of late, or he intends to act on the tu quoque principle and libel his assailants in return, and therefore wishes to ascertain how far he may safely go in this direction. He yesterday made application to the Librarian of the Supreme Court Law Library for the loan of 'Starkie on Slander,' a well-known authority on the law of libel. His request was not complied with, so there is nothing left for him under the circumstances but to cast up the inevitable 6s 8d — if he can raise that amount. -Evening Post, 6/9/1879.
A recent Dunedin telegram informed us that John McLaren, alias "Bones," or "the Wanganui Loafer," has been disposed of at last. We now learn from the Dunedin Herald that "Bones" was brought up in the Police Court on the 17th inst. on a charge of having been drunk and disorderly on Tuesday night, and also with having assaulted Police Constable Dunleary while in the execution of his duty. Mr. E. Cook appeared for the accused. From the evidence it appeared that it had taken four policemen to convey McLaren to the lock-up, and that within the last twelve months he has been twice charged with assaulting constables. Mr. Cook stated to the Court that his client intended to leave Dunedin on Monday next for Melbourne. His Worship said that he would remand the case till Wednesday, the 24th inst., in order that the accused might have an opportunity of clearing out, and thus ridding Dunedin of a nuisance. "Bones" agreed to "git" forthwith. Thank Heavens! New Zealand has now seen the last of a lazy, drunken, filthy, and foulmouthed blackguard. Farewell "Bones." Reform and live cleanly, or else go hang yourself. -Evening Post, 26/4/1878.
Concerning the notorious Wanganui loafer, John McLaren, the Otago Daily Times says:— "McLaren, the great un-washed, evidently either is about to seek legal redress for some of the not very flattering comments of which he has been made the subject of late, or he intends to act on the tu quoque principle and libel his assailants in return, and therefore wishes to ascertain how far he may safely go in this direction. He yesterday made application to the Librarian of the Supreme Court Law Library for the loan of 'Starkie on Slander,' a well-known authority on the law of libel. His request was not complied with, so there is nothing left for him under the circumstances but to cast up the inevitable 6s 8d — if he can raise that amount. -Evening Post, 6/9/1879.
Many of our readers will remember the notorious John McLaren or "Bones." He figured as a prosecutor before the Dunedin City Bench on the 30th of September: The Guardian says that while a young woman named Farra was being dealt with for drunkenness, McLaren advanced mysteriously to the clerk of the Court, and dropping some silver and coppers into the hands of that functionary, with a significant wink resumed his seat in the foremost row of benches. The charge against Miss Farra having been dismissed, McLaren immediately entered the witness-box to prosecute her for an unlawful assault. Handing the justices a copy of the Guardian, he called their attention to a paragraph in which he stated full particulars were given of the treatment to which he was subjected. He related how the woman waylaid him, and, incited by the crowd, made a desperate attempt to seize an eight-day clock which he was hawking, and swung him round by the coat tails. In answer to the Bench, he complained that his feelings had been hurt, and his clock damaged so much that instead of getting 35s for it he had to sell it for 20s. The Bench testified their sympathy by finding the case proven, and inflicting a fine of 1s., with costs. -Wanganui Herald, 9/10/1876.
Local and General
"Bones."— A Dunedin telegram in the 'Argus' of the 5th says:- "John McLaren has been locked up for creating a disturbance and breaking the window of Nations Hotel." -Wanganui Chronicle, 10/1/1877.
The notorious John McLaren has been satirised in the Queen's Theatre, Dunedin in a comic song. The song is set to a doleful air, but the words are full of tolerably good local hits. In one verse an allusion is made to McLaren's adventures in the Octagon when he was "run in" by the police, and his name is mixed up with the cayenne pepper business, the chorus appropriately winding up with "He's a fraud! he's a fraud!" During a performance the chorus was immediately interrupted by the well-known ring of McLaren's voice from the pit, demanding to know what right the singer had to call him "a fraud." The only reply from the stage was an ironical expression of regret, and a repetition, amidst roars of laughter, of the doleful chorus. This tended to thoroughly arouse the irate McLaren, who could be heard in stentorian accents vigorously denouncing the liberty which "a parcel of strolling players had dared to take with the name of a gentleman.'' The fun occasioned formed for the time a sort of agreeable interlude in the Pantomime, and, thanks to the presence at the door of a friendly constable, the interruption was exceedingly temporary. -Auckland Star, 17/1/1877.
The Notorious "Bones." — John McLaren, of Dunedin, has been figuring in the R. M. Court in that city, in a manner eminently characteristic of his former self, as he was known in Wanganui. According to the report of the proceedings in the 'Southern Mercury,' Mr Sibbald, the proprietor of the Provincial Hotel, was charged on the information of the redoubtable McLaren, with having, on a certain day last year, improperly conducted his licensed house. In the course of the cross-examination, complainant had to be required to detail his gaol experiences in Wanganui, Wellington, and Dunedin, which he did somewhat reluctantly, and also admitted that 'there was no doubt he was himself a bad character, perhaps the worst character in town,' though he objected to the term notorious as applied to himself. As might have been expected, through being laid by such a character, and considering the time which had elapsed since the date of the commission of the alleged offence, the information was dismissed. We wish Dunedin joy of the quondam Wanganui agitator. -Wanganui Chronicle, 31/3/1877.
The notorious John McLaren is again to the fore in the character of an agitator. Yesterday, as a telegram informs us, he presided over a meeting of choice loafers who drew up a petition to His Excellency the Governor, praying for employment. McLaren has hitherto borne a close resemblance to men who look for work, and at the same time pray that they may not find it. -Auckland Star, 20/4/1877.
The irrepressible John McLaren, erstwhile a resident in Wanganui, but now in Dunedin, has been again distinguishing himself. He prepared a petition for presentation to the Governor on his arrival in the Southern metropolis, in which he set forth that the Hospital, Benevolent Asylum, and Industrial School were overcrowded, "that the authorities are compelled to turn a deaf ear to the cry of suffering and misery. Homeless children have been turned out in the streets for want of an asylum, the fever hospital has been closed against our families, and we and our little ones have been treated worse than beasts of the field. Unlike the birds of the air, we cannot fly away to other colonies where work can be found, and owing to the distance of Wellington, we are unable to represent our wants and wrongs before the seat of Government. We humbly beseech your Excellency to take our hard case into consideration, and if necessary, to advise the Government to employ their Agent General to contract another loan for the purpose of chartering steamers to convey us away from a colony in which we and our families have only the prospect of future starvation." The Dunedin correspondent of the Post in describing the arrival of the Governor says: — "John McLaren, with a few sympathisers, in procession, and headed by a dirty piece of calico, on which the single word "unemployed " was daubed, took up a position along the side of the platform from which the Corporation address was presented, and when the Governor was about to enter the carriage, he said, "Your Excellency, an address," flourishing the document which he held in his hand, but the police closed on him, and the carriage drove away amidst cheers from the crowd, and much to McLaren's chagrin. He followed the procession to Fernhill, but received the right about on presenting himself there. -Wanganui Herald, 24/4/1877.
John McLaren of Dunedin, who said he was a Good Templar in principle, opposed the granting of a license to the Provincial Hotel in that town. His opposition was based on two grounds — lst, That the house was not properly kept, and 2nd, that it contained too many bars. In connection with the first charge Mr McLaren said a portion of the house was known as the "saddling paddock," and was the resort of improper characters. The charges were held by the Court not to have been substantiated, and "Bones" was let in for costs. -Wanganui Herald, 28/6/1877.
John McLaren appeared before the Bench on Monday last, at the City Police Court Dunedin, to answer a charge of having conducted himself in a manner calculated to provoke a breach of the peace in Princes street on Saturday evening. The arresting constable stated that about 8 o'clock, when the street was full of people, McLaren collected a large crowd by taking up his stand on the Cargill Monument, and in an excited tone of voice expressing his opinions on the recent manslaughter case. The tenor of McLaren's remarks was that "the Special Jury was packed, that there were a lot of Freemasons, and that their conduct was villainous and a disgrace to the community." he had also denounced the counsel for the defence in terms of excessively vulgar abuse, and as the constable was apprehensive of a row arising in case any of the parties assailed or their friends happened to be among the listeners, he took McLaren into custody for his own safety. The defendant acknowledged that he had used strong language, but pleaded that he had been accustomed to lecture from the Cargill fountain, and that he was not aware that by exercising the privilege of expressing the popular opinions and his own convictions he was breaking the law. The Mayor reminded him that his convictions were numerous, and his general turbulence was a matter of notoriety, it was admitted by the police that when arrested McLaren walked very quietly to the station, and that although the crowd yelled at and hooted the police, he offered no resistance. The Mayor intimated that be was liable to a severe penalty, but that the Bench had decided to deal leniently with him in the hope that he would be more cautious in future. A fine of 40s was imposed, with the alternative of 48 hours imprisonment. The fine was immediately paid. -West Coast Times, 30/7/1877.
MEETING OF UNEMPLOYED (EXCERPT)
Mr Kent then rose and gave the meeting some excellent advice as to the inexpediency of trusting Mr John McLaren — the expected delegate from Dunedin. He pointed out that the working men of Christchurch were quite able to settle their own affairs, and that to mix themselves up in any way with Mr McLaren would only tend to bring discredit upon them. His speech was warmly applauded. The meeting having decided to appoint the deputation, the names were handed in, and the meeting, which was most orderly throughout, came to a conclusion. -Globe, 4/8/1877.
"Bones," it is said, has got a Government billet at last, At all events, the Age, a Dunedin paper, states that the notorious John McLaren, otherwise "Bones," the "Wanganui Loafer," and more lately a troublesome stump orator in Dunedin, is to get a situation in the Railway department in the North Island. If this be true, "Bones" will be an acquisition to the public service. -Wanganui Herald, 9/3/1878.
DUNEDIN.
April 18. A writ for £2,000 was served yesterday on the proprietors of the Daily Times, at the instance of C. E. Haughton, for an alleged libel contained in a leading article in the Times of the 15th March, and in a letter signed "Morality" which appeared in last Tuesday's issue of the same journal.
John McLaren, leader of the Working Men's Demonstration, was charged with drunkenness and riotous behaviour; he was released on bail, on promising to clear out to Victoria. -Wanganui Chronicle, 20/4/1878.
Dunedin is congratulated by the Times upon the exportation of John McLaren, the notorious "unemployed" agitator to Victoria. Our contemporary connects McLaren with the recent unemployed deputationizing in Melbourne, and says:— McLaren, as we affectionately call him, has an affinity for non-employment, and was as sure to graviate towards the loaferdom of the democratic metropolio as the needle turns to the pole. Before his appearance in Melbourne, the wretched inhabitans of that place do not appear to have realised their wretchedness, but we can now with confidence reckon on finding the unemployed becoming an institution. McLaren, it will be remembered, followed his calling in Auckland until Mr T. B. Gillies, then Superintendent, made the North too warm for him. -Auckland Star, 13/6/1878.
Very Latest
The Irrepressible John McLaren. — According to the Auckland Star, John McLaren, of unsavory memory, has made his appearance in Melbourne as a lecturer, and rival of ex-priest Chiniquy. He hired one of the principal theatres, and announced his intention of lecturing on the question, "Should religion be made a trade?" Long before the appointed hour a numerous and angry crowd of Chiniquists assembled at the door of the building, and their demonstration so dismayed the lessee that he altered his intention, and refused to give McLaren the key. The irrepressible agitator appeared in due time, dressed in a faultless Chadband rig-out, with black swallow-tailed coat, bell-topper of the orthodox pattern, and white cravat. Finding he could not get admission to the stage, he took up his post in the street, and rigorously denounced the ex-priest and controversionalists generally. It is stated that McLaren, since his departure from Dunedin, has been in Melbourne, where he attempted to get up an unemployed agitation, but his efforts were not approved of by the Government, and his harangues were put down by the police. In Sydney, so far, he has had a better reception. -Timaru Herald, 15/1/1879.
John McLaren, the leader of the present unemployed movement, is taking steps to get up a large meeting of the unemployed on Saturday morning. It is stated that McLaren is a recent arrival from Dunedin, where he was instrumental in causing agitation of the unemployed -Evening Journal (Adelaide), 24/1/1879.
John McLaren, the leader of the present unemployed movement, is taking steps to get up a large meeting of the unemployed on Saturday morning. It is stated that McLaren is a recent arrival from Dunedin, where he was instrumental in causing agitation of the unemployed -Evening Journal (Adelaide), 24/1/1879.
Australian News
The indignation meeting against John McLaren was held at the corner of King and Flinders streets. He hid in a public-house, watching the proceedings from a window. He was, however, seen and brought out, and after being denounced by the chairman, a rush was made for him, but the chairman shielded him from harm. -Thames Advertiser, 5/2/1879.
Police Courts
John McLaren, charged with insulting behaviour at the entrance of the Theatre royal, was fine L1. -Evening Journal (Adelaide), 2/2/1880.
McLaren's career in Australia was punctuated by serious of convictions for insulting behaviour and assaulting police in Adelaide, culminating in this -
John McLaren was charged on the information of Eliza Ann McKay with burglariously entering the house of the informant at North-Terrace on March 2. Mr O. M. Muirhead for the prisoner. It appeared that the prisoner effected an entrance into the prosecutrix's house by means of the window, and went into her bedroom, where he sat down. The prosecutrix ordered him to go out, and he then left, but was a few minutes later found sitting in the doorway of a neighbouring house. He had been at the house on the previous day offering goods for sale. He stated in court that he thought the place was a brothel and he had made an assignation with one of the inmates. Committed for trial. -South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail, 13/3/1880.
Burglary
John McLaren (33) was charged with burglariously entering the dwelling house of Eliza Ann McKay with intent to steal at Adelaide on March 3. It was stated that prosecutrix while in bed on the night of March 3 heard at 12.30pm a noise at the window, saw it open, and, on getting up, found prisoner standing on a box outside with his head and shoulders in the window. She struck him with a tumbler and gave the alarm. Meanwhile prisoner went away to an adjoining house, where he was stopped by an elderly man. He had been at the house on the previous day offering lace for sale. Corroborative evidence was given, and prisoner called in defence a witness, who, however, said he knew nothing about prisoner and had never seen him that he was aware of. Prisoner sought to prove an alibi by this witness, who, he said, saw him at Glenelg, but the witness assured the Court that he had not been at the Bay for for three months, and was quite taken by surprise by the prisoner calling him. Another witness knew nothing about him, and a third did not appear. Prisoner then made a most extraordinary and frantic speech to the jury, in which he characterised the evidence of the witnesses for the prosecution as a mass of falsehood and contradiction, and the whole case as "one of the most disgraceful and horrible persecutions that ever disgraced the Court." He ridiculed the idea that a man of his talents should have descended to a burglary in "a little insignificant house" such as the one in question, adding that he was "a man with a certain amount of mechanical knowledge, and could open a safe with any man in the colony," therefore he would not lower his dignity by breaking into a paltry little house on North Terrace, with nothing in it worth taking. He attributed his treatment to his "outspokenness at public meetings elsewhere" and complained that he had had his photograph taken and his name handed down to posterity as a felon. He quoted Shakespeare liberally, and begged the Jury to remember and apply the old song "Never shove a man downhill." He asserted that he was arraigned because he was "John McLaren, that mountebank, that maniac, who had aroused the public ire by his honest outpourings against the tyranny and corruption existing in high places." He indignantly denied having had any intention to steal, and insinuated quite another reason for seeking to get into the house. The Jury, after a short retirement, found prisoner guilty and he was sentenced to four years' imprisonment with hard labour. -South Australian Register, 8/4/1880.
I find it interesting that reports of McLaren's trial for burglary should not have been shared with the people of New Zealand by their newspapers - surely it would have been yet another adventure - or misadventure - of the "Wanganui Loafer" with which to titillate the intellectual palates of their readers, and prove that he'd been "a bad 'un" all along.
McLaren was again at liberty in early 1883, and again addressing political meetings.
Mr John McLaren, who expressed a wish to speak upon the motion, commenced by stating that he was urged by a strong sense of duty to say a few words words, and proceeded to declaim violently against the official despotism under which the people groaned, and which was enough to put one in mind of the bloody days of Rome. His forcible language and excited manner appeared to afford amusement to a large proportion of the audience, and confusion ensued, which was aggravated by the wild gesticulations of the speaker in his efforts to obtain a hearing. After order was partially restored he expressed the opinion that the depressed state of the labour market was due to the fact that the people of the colony were allowing machinery and other manufactured goods to be landed here in broad daylight, whereas they should be manufactured in the colony, and he urged that they should take united action to keep the labour market in a prosperous state. They must not support shilly shally politicians, but should elect working men who possessed intelligence and ability equal to that of the highest members of the aristocracy. The speaker was proceeding with a few rambling remarks when he was called to order by the Chairman, and was at length induced to leave the platform. -SA Register, 26/6/1883.
It was not long before Mr. McLaren sought a more official way to represent the working man -
John McLaren was charged on the information of Eliza Ann McKay with burglariously entering the house of the informant at North-Terrace on March 2. Mr O. M. Muirhead for the prisoner. It appeared that the prisoner effected an entrance into the prosecutrix's house by means of the window, and went into her bedroom, where he sat down. The prosecutrix ordered him to go out, and he then left, but was a few minutes later found sitting in the doorway of a neighbouring house. He had been at the house on the previous day offering goods for sale. He stated in court that he thought the place was a brothel and he had made an assignation with one of the inmates. Committed for trial. -South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail, 13/3/1880.
Burglary
John McLaren (33) was charged with burglariously entering the dwelling house of Eliza Ann McKay with intent to steal at Adelaide on March 3. It was stated that prosecutrix while in bed on the night of March 3 heard at 12.30pm a noise at the window, saw it open, and, on getting up, found prisoner standing on a box outside with his head and shoulders in the window. She struck him with a tumbler and gave the alarm. Meanwhile prisoner went away to an adjoining house, where he was stopped by an elderly man. He had been at the house on the previous day offering lace for sale. Corroborative evidence was given, and prisoner called in defence a witness, who, however, said he knew nothing about prisoner and had never seen him that he was aware of. Prisoner sought to prove an alibi by this witness, who, he said, saw him at Glenelg, but the witness assured the Court that he had not been at the Bay for for three months, and was quite taken by surprise by the prisoner calling him. Another witness knew nothing about him, and a third did not appear. Prisoner then made a most extraordinary and frantic speech to the jury, in which he characterised the evidence of the witnesses for the prosecution as a mass of falsehood and contradiction, and the whole case as "one of the most disgraceful and horrible persecutions that ever disgraced the Court." He ridiculed the idea that a man of his talents should have descended to a burglary in "a little insignificant house" such as the one in question, adding that he was "a man with a certain amount of mechanical knowledge, and could open a safe with any man in the colony," therefore he would not lower his dignity by breaking into a paltry little house on North Terrace, with nothing in it worth taking. He attributed his treatment to his "outspokenness at public meetings elsewhere" and complained that he had had his photograph taken and his name handed down to posterity as a felon. He quoted Shakespeare liberally, and begged the Jury to remember and apply the old song "Never shove a man downhill." He asserted that he was arraigned because he was "John McLaren, that mountebank, that maniac, who had aroused the public ire by his honest outpourings against the tyranny and corruption existing in high places." He indignantly denied having had any intention to steal, and insinuated quite another reason for seeking to get into the house. The Jury, after a short retirement, found prisoner guilty and he was sentenced to four years' imprisonment with hard labour. -South Australian Register, 8/4/1880.
I find it interesting that reports of McLaren's trial for burglary should not have been shared with the people of New Zealand by their newspapers - surely it would have been yet another adventure - or misadventure - of the "Wanganui Loafer" with which to titillate the intellectual palates of their readers, and prove that he'd been "a bad 'un" all along.
McLaren was again at liberty in early 1883, and again addressing political meetings.
Mr John McLaren, who expressed a wish to speak upon the motion, commenced by stating that he was urged by a strong sense of duty to say a few words words, and proceeded to declaim violently against the official despotism under which the people groaned, and which was enough to put one in mind of the bloody days of Rome. His forcible language and excited manner appeared to afford amusement to a large proportion of the audience, and confusion ensued, which was aggravated by the wild gesticulations of the speaker in his efforts to obtain a hearing. After order was partially restored he expressed the opinion that the depressed state of the labour market was due to the fact that the people of the colony were allowing machinery and other manufactured goods to be landed here in broad daylight, whereas they should be manufactured in the colony, and he urged that they should take united action to keep the labour market in a prosperous state. They must not support shilly shally politicians, but should elect working men who possessed intelligence and ability equal to that of the highest members of the aristocracy. The speaker was proceeding with a few rambling remarks when he was called to order by the Chairman, and was at length induced to leave the platform. -SA Register, 26/6/1883.
It was not long before Mr. McLaren sought a more official way to represent the working man -
Look at the West Adelaide nominations. John McLaren, of Adelaide, gentleman. -Express and Telegraph (Adelaide), 3/4/1884.
VOTE FOR McLAREN
The enemy to tyranny and despotism
The Advocate of Truth in our Courts of Justice, who advocates Colonial Industry without Hypocrisy, who uses no claptrap to catch the votes of the people, but speaks Truth.
REMEMBER, and VOTE for the man who has been persecuted for speaking the Truth.
JOHN McLAREN -Express and Telegraph (Adelaide), 5/4/1884.
West Adelaide (excerpt)
Whilst some of the candidates amused them, it was the absurd rhetoric of Mr. John McLaren and his gesticulations that bore off the palm. This gentleman acted the part of the clown with the greatest opossible amount of success. When he was most in earnest he was most amusing. With fiery eloquence he told the "free and enlightened" how corruption and bribery flourished in their midst. Then he would give them his own "sound" views on taxation, and before his listeners were aware of it he would take them in fancy back to the days of the bloodthirsty Nero, and thrill them with accounts of the gladiatorial contests that occurred in Rome in those days. All this was done with the endeavour to point a moral and adorn a tale, but somehow or other Mr. McLaren's efforts here would fall short and the rest of his fluency would be drowned by uproarious laughter. Mr. McLaren was determined to go to the poll,an the result of his oratorical efforts is that he received 13 votes. -Express and Telegraph (Adelaide), 9/4/1884.
His formal political career on hold, his efforts were directed to the spritual needs of his fellow men, and especially the threats to their immortal souls from that moral scourge of the day - "free thought."
His formal political career on hold, his efforts were directed to the spritual needs of his fellow men, and especially the threats to their immortal souls from that moral scourge of the day - "free thought."
I am willing to MEET Mr SYMES in the TOWN HALL, Adelaide, to Discuss any Theological Question he may choose at any time convenient to himself. The whole of the proceeds taken at the doors to be handed over to the charities of this city.
John McLaren -South Australian Register, 30/4/1884.
MR SYMES AND HIS OPPONENTS
TO THE EDITOR
Sir - some days ago I publicly challenged Mr. Symes, Mr. Bradlaugh's emissary, to a discussion in the Town Hall upon any theological question he might choose, for the purpose of giving him an opportunity of showing the pope of Adelaide how much he knew of the Unknowable, and add to his questionable notoriety. I must believe that he was afraid to meet me in open discussion. I am not unknown to Mr. Symes. I met him in discussion, and when I made a few good homely thrusts and confuted his assertions his supporters kindly told me to shut up. Of course this language one must expect from these free lances.
But I tell Mr Symes and his coadjutors that I am perfectly competent to meet him upon and independent platform where freedom of speech will not be construed as licence of tongue, and where a Chairman will see that this modern Solon will have to keep to the question, and he will not be allowed to raise side issues when cornered or shelter himself in scientific blasphemy.
This champion of infidelity was very anxious to meet only a representative man. Christianity, I am happy to say from experience, respects every man, no matter how humble he may be, and extends to him a welcome which is unknown to Atheism. The Hon. G. W. Cotton had the pluck to say some good, homely things which were very unpalatable to this extemporised leader of Atheism, and the Hon. G. W. Cotton was not considered sufficiently knowing to combat in argument against Mr. Symes, by Mr. Symes. He wanted something better, uttering the lame excuse, 'I want a representative man.' This was a gratuitous insult to an old a respected citizen who has shown his intellectual capacity as a statesman, and I could only wish that Mr. Symes was blessed with as much common sense. No doubt he has not forgotten to take with him his carpet bag and share of the proceeds of his five profane lectures - that was the metal which had the greatest attraction to him.
In conclusion I would with Mr. Symes and his followers' permission commend to their attention the following lines:-
Better to weave in the web of life
A bright and golden filling,
And to do God's will with ready hearts,
And hands that are swift and willing.
Than to snap the delicate silver thread;
Of our curious lives asunder,
And then blame Heaven for the tangled end,
And sit to grieve and wonder.
I am, sir, &c, John McLaren. -South Australian Register, 6/5/1884.
Tomorrow evening Mr. John McLaren intends lecturing at the Central Market on "freethought murderers of bygone ages." -Express and Telegraph (Adelaide), 24/5/1884.
CHRISTIANITY V. FREETHOUGHT
The Town Hall, Adelaide, was crowded in every part on Sunday evening, when Mr. John McLaren delivered a lecture on 'The Fallacies of Infidelity and Blasphemy, the Bible its own Witness, with a Vivid View of the Jezebels on Ancient and Modern History.' Mr W. Jamieson presided at the meeting, which was a very orderly one. Printed circulars were handed around the room, headed 'A Heartless Case.' They were copies of an article published in Queensland referring to the death in abject poverty of of Madame Wilmot, a popular lecturess among the Freethinkers, and who is alleged to have been saved by Christian people from death by starvation. Mr. McLaren stated that Freethinkers had jailed the Bible to appease their guilty consciences. Instead of science contradicting Scripture, as they alleged, he maintained that it corroborated the truth of it. The earth's history was divided into two classes, the historic and pre-historic, and the latter proved conclusively the truthfulness of the Bible in connection with the Deluge. The whole context of Scripture carried truth with it in the face of scepticism, from the fact that it did not pander to the vices of the rich, but always advocated the laws of equity. Freethought presented a dark, bleak form of nothing, and its advocates could not be relied upon, their evidence not being worth having. The English Parliament had acted very wisely in rejecting Bradlaugh, and if a Parliament were composed of such men as he, it meant to the country poverty, misery, collusion, sin, abomination and murder. He asked, what had Freethought done in days gone by? Where had its supporters ever helped the distressed and needy? and had any of its supporters assisted England to the position she now held in the world? Comfort and solace could be found in the bible; but Freethought meant blood, cruelty, tyranny and anarchy. Freethinkers were wanting in brains from a phrenological point of view; but they had most objectionable bumps fully developed. The lecturer during the evening spoke in strong terms against Miss Ada Campbell, stating that the indelicate manner in which she delivered her discourses was an insult to the people and a standing disgrace to those who listened to her. On the motion of Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Langsford, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. McLaren. A collection was made, and and as a result the sum of L12 6s. 4d. will be handed over to the Home for Incurables. -South Australian Register, 25/8/1884.
CHRISTIANITY V. FREETHOUGHT
The Town Hall, Adelaide, was crowded in every part on Sunday evening, when Mr. John McLaren delivered a lecture on 'The Fallacies of Infidelity and Blasphemy, the Bible its own Witness, with a Vivid View of the Jezebels on Ancient and Modern History.' Mr W. Jamieson presided at the meeting, which was a very orderly one. Printed circulars were handed around the room, headed 'A Heartless Case.' They were copies of an article published in Queensland referring to the death in abject poverty of of Madame Wilmot, a popular lecturess among the Freethinkers, and who is alleged to have been saved by Christian people from death by starvation. Mr. McLaren stated that Freethinkers had jailed the Bible to appease their guilty consciences. Instead of science contradicting Scripture, as they alleged, he maintained that it corroborated the truth of it. The earth's history was divided into two classes, the historic and pre-historic, and the latter proved conclusively the truthfulness of the Bible in connection with the Deluge. The whole context of Scripture carried truth with it in the face of scepticism, from the fact that it did not pander to the vices of the rich, but always advocated the laws of equity. Freethought presented a dark, bleak form of nothing, and its advocates could not be relied upon, their evidence not being worth having. The English Parliament had acted very wisely in rejecting Bradlaugh, and if a Parliament were composed of such men as he, it meant to the country poverty, misery, collusion, sin, abomination and murder. He asked, what had Freethought done in days gone by? Where had its supporters ever helped the distressed and needy? and had any of its supporters assisted England to the position she now held in the world? Comfort and solace could be found in the bible; but Freethought meant blood, cruelty, tyranny and anarchy. Freethinkers were wanting in brains from a phrenological point of view; but they had most objectionable bumps fully developed. The lecturer during the evening spoke in strong terms against Miss Ada Campbell, stating that the indelicate manner in which she delivered her discourses was an insult to the people and a standing disgrace to those who listened to her. On the motion of Mr. Bryant, seconded by Mr. Langsford, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. McLaren. A collection was made, and and as a result the sum of L12 6s. 4d. will be handed over to the Home for Incurables. -South Australian Register, 25/8/1884.
MISCELLANEOUS
On Sunday evening, September 21, Mr. John McLaren delivered a lecture in the Town Hall, subject: "The treasonable utterances of Miss Ada Campbell refuted." The attendance was large, and the lecturer listened to with marked attention throughout. The lecturer fairly dealt with the subject, and expressed his dissatisfaction of Miss Ada Campbell's freethought advocacy. There being no charge for admission a collection was made, the gross proceeds of which are to be handed to the Benevolent Strangers' Friends Society for the benefit of that institution. -Christian Colonist, 26/9/1884.
THE CASE OF MR. J. McLAREN
Some time ago Mr. McLaren was sent to the Lunatic asylum, though he protested that he was perfectly sane. After being kept there three weeks he was released, on the order of Mr. W. Cavanaugh, and has been in the city ever since. Today Mr. Stirling will ask in the assembly - "Whether Mr. John McLaren, who was detained for a short period in the Lunatic Asylum, was not subsequently discharged in consequence of there being no grounds for such detention, and do the Government intend to grant a sum of money to him as compensation for such detention? -Evening Journal, 13/11/1884.
THE CASE OF MR. J. McLAREN
Some time ago Mr. McLaren was sent to the Lunatic asylum, though he protested that he was perfectly sane. After being kept there three weeks he was released, on the order of Mr. W. Cavanaugh, and has been in the city ever since. Today Mr. Stirling will ask in the assembly - "Whether Mr. John McLaren, who was detained for a short period in the Lunatic Asylum, was not subsequently discharged in consequence of there being no grounds for such detention, and do the Government intend to grant a sum of money to him as compensation for such detention? -Evening Journal, 13/11/1884.
MR. McLAREN'S DETENTION IN THE LUNATIC ASYLUM
TO THE EDITOR
Sir - from the Parliamentary report you will observe that a question by Mr. J. L. Stirling, M.P., was asked re my illegal incarceration and detention in the Lunatic Asylum. The Chief Secretary's reply was that the Government did not intend to give any compensation. To those who know the circumstances of the case the action of the Government will appear not only harsh but cruel. Permit me to explain that several applications have been made to the Government to consider my case and dispense to me that justice which as a law-abiding citizen who had been made to suffer in his feelings to such an extent that passes all power of description, and that would almost make one forget that he was a British subject living under British laws, I deserve.
Mr Colton, previous to his elevation to the Chief Secretaryship, and while acting as Chairman of the Lunacy Commission, in conversation with me admitted that I was entitled to compensation. But now, Sir, that he is Chief Secretary of the Colony he has seen fit to change his mind without reason, which I apprehend is a characteristic feature of the successful political diplomatist, I would remind Mr. Colton that the report of the evidence taken before the Commission, if submitted to any unbiased, not to say Christian, gentlemen, would be amply sufficient to show that my claim for compensation is based, as he himself admitted, upon undisputable grounds.
Justice, I admit, is not to be had at the hands of Mr. Colton, but I can with confidence appeal to the highest tribunal in the land - the tribunal of public opinion - where both Mr. Colton and myself have evenhanded justice meted out to us.
I am, Sir &c., John McLaren. -Evening Journal (Adelaide), 14/11/1884.
Mr. McLaren on the Lunacy Commission
On Sunday afternoon Mr. John McLaren addressed a large assemblage in the Botanic Park on the report of the Lunacy Commission. In the course of his remarks he criticised in very strong language the action of the Government in refusing to compensate him for his temporary detention in the Lunatic Asylum. At the instigation of Dr. Schomburg he was ultimately desired to remove, as he had not obtained the permission of the Board to hold the meeting. -SA Register, 17/11/1884.
Mr. McLaren on the Lunacy Commission
On Sunday afternoon Mr. John McLaren addressed a large assemblage in the Botanic Park on the report of the Lunacy Commission. In the course of his remarks he criticised in very strong language the action of the Government in refusing to compensate him for his temporary detention in the Lunatic Asylum. At the instigation of Dr. Schomburg he was ultimately desired to remove, as he had not obtained the permission of the Board to hold the meeting. -SA Register, 17/11/1884.
MR. McLAREN'S CLAIM
TO THE EDITOR. Sir - It seems to me a monstrous injustice that Mr. McLaren's claim to compensation for wrongful incarceration should be so summarily dismissed by Mr. Colton. Those who know Mr. McLaren, know him to be a little eccentric, or should I say that temperamentally he is pitched a little high key, but to those who know him best the idea of lunacy would not for a moment suggest itself. I would ask you, Sir, who of us would be safe were we liable to be confined in a Lunatic Asylum because of a few harmless idiosyncrasies we might possess? I had the pleasure of listening to the debates and listening to the proceedings of the House of Assembly during the last few days, and I believe I could name not a few honourable members of that Chamber whose eccentricities are very much more pronounced than those of Mr. McLaren. What, sir, would be the consequence were one of them seized and hurried off to durance vile, and kept there for three weeks? Mr. McLaren is a working man; he has not the means which in the case of an M.P. would be forthcoming to press a claim for compensation or solatium, and consequently he must suffer. Mr. Colton knows this well, and, secure in the helplessness of his petitioner, he snuffs out his claim with a single sentence. I may say, in conclusion, Mr. McLaren's claim for compensation was recognised by the Hon. J. C. Bray and other members of the House.
I am, Sir, &c., JUSTICE. -South Australian Register, 18/11/1884.
In accordance with the announcements today in the papers, a meeting was held at the Central Market last night with a view of passing resolutions anent the character of Mr. Gladstone, and the impropriety of the proceedings at the Town Hall when the annexation question was discussed. John McLaren officiated as chairman and proposed the first resolution, which was to the effect that the meeting wished to convey its thanks to Mr. Gladstone for his noble acts as a statesman, and for his consistent Christian conduct in acting as a protector of the liberties of the poor. The gentlemen who spoke at the town Hall were severely commented on by Mr. McLaren, who denounced in strong language Mr. Ebenezer Ward as being a supporter of the conservative Party, and one who for his predilections for that body should in future be addressed as "Lord" Ebenezer Ward. Similar complimentary titles were in the course of his address awarded by Mr. McLaren the the Hon. John Colton, who was spoken of as "His Holiness Colton the First," and the Mr. Hugh Fraser, who will hardly recognise his individuality as "His Grace the Duke of Inverness." In the course of a windy, desultory and incoherent speech, Mr. McLaren occasionally succeeded in making some remarks which had connection with the subject of the meeting... -Express and Telegraph (Adelaide), 23/1/1885.
THE DEARTH OF EMPLOYMENT
MEETING AT TOWN HALL (excerpt)
He would further advise that the representatives of each trade should prepare a statement of the number of men in their trade who had left the colony, and the reduction in the amount paid in wages as compared with the sum paid nine months ago. These would be facts that the Government could not deny. They professed not to believe that there were so many men out of employment who were willing to work. (Cries of "Turn them out." Mr. McLaren - "Put them in gaol & - Voice - "In the Lunatic Asylum." Loud laughter.) This Ministry pretend to have a superabundant amount of backbone. He did not know if it was made of whalebone - (Laughter) - but they must be made to do something (Applause.)
Mr. John McLaren, who was received with cries of "Sit down," commenced a speech on free trade and the inaction of the Government but one of the audience demanded that the subject of the dearth of employment should be dealt with.
The MAYOR said he thought Mr. Johnson had gone rather beyond the limits of the subject before them, and no doubt Mr. McLaren felt he was entitled to go on in the same strain (Hear, hear.)
Mr. McLAREN said it was a strange coincidence that whenever he got up to speak at a public meeting it was a signal for disturbance. (Laughter.) He did not know the reason why... -Evening Journal (Adelaide), 25/2/1885.
MR. CLEMENTS REPLIES TO MR. McLAREN
TO THE EDITOR. Sir - I see by the report of your evening paper that John McLaren thought fit to abuse me, for what reason I know not. If there remains one inch of a man in him he will meet me at the Sir John Barleycorn Hotel tomorrow night, and if he, or any other man, can prove that by either act, word, or deed, I have ever committed a dishonourable action, I will promise never to open my mouth in South Australia again. I have had from a boy to work very hard for my living, and have yet. Thank God for health and strength to be able to do so. He says that I have always made out to have the interests of the working man at heart, but the only one that had benefited by that interest was myself, which is a wicked lie; and I hope he is not so entirely lost to all sense of manhood, but will give me an explanation re the contract business. That is also a falsehood. Any person that has the least doubt of me is at liberty to go down to the meeting of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners - on July 7, and make all enquiries; he can also come to my house, and I will prove to his satisfaction that I never did any work for the Government, or any member of the Government, or any member of either House. I do hope you will publish this explanation, as some people may believe such unfair and untruthful statements. All I want is fair play.
I am, etc., JAS. CLEMENTS. - Express and Telegraph (Adelaide), 30/6/1885.
EXPLANATION - MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT
The Hon. J. COLTON, on a formal motion for adjournment, said he wished to make an explanation with reference to a statement made by Mr. John McLaren, at Ulney, which reflected on him as a public man and as a Minister of the Crown. He would not have taken any notice of the statement had it not been for the fact that there were many people who did not know Mr. McLaren. Mr. McLaren was reported in the advertiser as follows:- 'He referred to the gigantic swindle between the Ho. John Colton and the New Zealand Government, and said he knew all about it as he was behind the schemes. Mr. Colton had bought out a whole lot of worn-out broad gauge railway material from New Zealand, and that had never been used since.'He thought he would be able to show Hon. members that there was not a particle of truth in this statement. - (Cheers) - excepting that he would not be able to prove that Mr. McLaren was not behind the scenes. (Laughter.) At the time Mr. McLaren was in New Zealand, and possibly might have been advising the Government of New Zealand. (A laugh.) On October 26, 1877, he (the Hon. J. Colton) and his colleagues resigned office, and it was not until the succeeding Government came into power that Mr. Pendleton reported that additional rolling-stock was required...
...He was sorry that he should have to occupy the House by denying Mr. McLaren's statement, but it had been made with the idea of damaging his position as a public man, and was even unworthy of Mr. McLaren. Had Mr. McLaren been well known he would not have taken the trouble to answer the remarks... -S. A. Weekly Chronicle, 18/7/1885.
PARLIAMENTARIANISMS
John McLaren, the political mountebank, wants compensation because he was detained in a Lunatic Asylum. The public should seek compensation because he was let out! -The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser, 11/12/1885.
Mr. John McLaren received the sum of 21 guineas on Tuesday from the Government as compensation for having been wrongly incarcerated ion the Lunatic Asylum. Mr. McLaren intends distributing the money among various charities. -Southern Argus (SA), 17/12/1885.
EAST ADELAIDE ELECTION
A MEETING will be held at the Exeter Hotel, Bundle Street THIS (Friday) EVENING at 8 o'clock when Mr. JOHN McLAREN will deliver an address on SHAM CANDIDATES and those so-called WORKING MEN'S FRIENDS.
N.B. - No Beer, no Brains, no Bribery. The Candidate will explain. -The SA Adveriser, 21/5/1886.
At the East Adelaide election on Monday five electors voted for John McLaren, the man with a grievance and leathern lungs. In the morning papers he advertised a desire to meet those who voted for him at the Imperial Hotel. Probably he intended to shout for them, as it would only cost half a crown to treat the crowd. -Narracoorte Herald, 4/6/1886.
A Melbourne paper states that a middle-aged individual of dilapidated appearance named John McLaren has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment for insulting behavior. It was stated that on certain days, when John McLaren had no harder work to do, he devoted himself to preaching religion to the vagrant crowd. Can this be the long lost one? - Express and Telegraph (Adelaide), 14/7/1887.
THE LATE JOHN McLAREN
There are few Adelaide residents who were not acquainted with "Jack McLaren" whose voice earned for him the sobriquet "Leather Lungs." Poor old Jack has handed in his checks, having died in Melbourne recently. Jack had a long standing grievance against the Government, and nothing pleased him better than to stand on a box at the corner of one of the squares and expiate to a crowd of unemployed on the wickedness of those who sat in high places. Some of his addresses were decidedly interesting, for, being a Scotchman, he possessed a wonderful knowledge of the bible, and as a consequence his language was much superior to that of the ordinary stump orator; this was particularly noticeable when he undertook to condemn the sins of the present day. It is said that the reason of Jack's opposition was that he once suffered a term of imprisonment wrongfully. It seems that he was boarding with a person who did not bear the best of characters, and one night when he returned home he was locked out. Being of an excitable turn of mind he made a terrible row, and eventually broke a window and forced his way into the house. For this he was charged with housebreaking and was convicted. Jack used to hint darkly at times that the reason why he was prosecuted was that a legal luminary, who now holds a very high position was an inmate of the lodging house on the night in question, and having been discovered thought the best way out of the difficulty was to have McLaren sent to jail. He brought his case before Parliament and eventually succeeded in getting L25. It was generally understood that this was given conditionally upon his clearing out of the colony, and as he never appeared in Adelaide since, this seems probable. Jack talked so much, and made such wild charges at times that but little notice was taken of him, but still it was known that some of his shafts against both members of the ministry and leading members of the House took effect and consequently many were pleased to do anything to get rid of him. -The Kidna and Wallaroo Times, 12/2/1890.
MISSING FRIENDS
HEIRS WANTED
If the CHILDREN or HEIRS of the late Mr. John McLaren, who left Glasgow for Australia about 40 years ago, will communicate at once with Messrs. W. A. D. Andrews, Solicitors, Girvan, Ayrshire Scotland, they will hear something to their advantage. -Adelaide Observer, 14/3/1891.
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