NOTICE. — I shall not be responsible for any Debts contracted by my wife, Annie Pilet. Peter Pilet. -Evening Star, 24/11/1894.
CITY POLICE COURT.
(Before Messrs P. McArdle and W. Mendelsohn, J.P.s.)
Drunkenness. — Donald Bagley and John Black were convicted and discharged; Mary McIlroy was also convicted and discharged, to give her an opportunity of going to her husband in Central Otago; John Hornsby was fined 5s, in default twenty-four hours imprisonment.
Larceny. — Annie Pilet alias Margaret Jackson was charged with the larceny, on the 6th June, 1863, of two sheets, one counterpane, one necktie, one night-dress, and a shirt, value 14s 6d, the property of David Wilson, of Cumberland street. Accused was also charged with the larceny on the same date of two pillowslips, a nightshirt, two aprons, a skirt, a petticoat, a, sheet, and some articles of ladies’ attire, value £3. the property of John Black, of Cumberland street. Mr Hanlon appeared for the accused, who pleaded guilty to both charges. — Sergeant O’Neill said that in June of last year the clothing in question was missed from clothes-lines. The police made inquiries, but no trace was found of them until Saturday, when the police happened to be in the accused’s house on other business. They then discovered the clothes, with the exception of two shirts and a necktie. — Mr Hanlon spoke in mitigation of sentence on the defendant, pointing out that as recent possession could not be proved against the woman she might have succeeded, if she had pleaded not guilty, in being acquitted. The accused, counsel also said, was before the Court last April charged with a couple of larcenies, for which she was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon. She had been leading a new life since, and he (Mr Hanlon) therefore asked the Bench to allow the chance already given to her to continue. —The Bench, after consideration, fined the accused 20s on each charge, and allowed her a month in which to pay, the goods to be returned to the owners. -Evening Star, 26/11/1894.
CITY POLICE COURT.
Tuesday, March 19.
(Before Messrs A. Bartleman and Colin Allan, J.Ps.)
DUUNKENNESS. A first offender was convicted and discharged. James B. O'Flaherty was fined 5s in default 48 hours' imprisonment; and Annie Pilet, alias Margaret Jackson, was similarly dealt with. -Otago Daily Times, 22/3/1895.
THE COURTS-TO-DAY.
CITY POLICE COURT.
(Before Messrs H. North and D. Pinkerton, Justices.)
Drunkenness. — Esther Maria Montague, who had not been in the dock since 1888, was convicted and discharged and a first offender was let off with a caution.
Robbery from a Till. — Annie Pilet alias Margaret Jackson, charged with stealing 4s 6d from the till in the shop of Louisa G. Gardiner, of King street, pleaded guilty, but urged that the offence was committed while she was under the influence of drink and that the money had been recovered, and she added that if dealt with leniently she would not offend again. — Sergeant O’Neill said that Mrs Gardiner, who kept a second-hand shop, was in the back room yesterday evening when she heard a noise in the shop, and looking out she saw accused coming from behind the counter and holding 4s 6d in her hand. Mrs Gardiner sent for a policeman, who found the money in accused’s mouth. It was not the first time Annie Pilet had been before the Court. In April, 1894, she was convicted of larceny, and in November the same year she was sentenced for robbing a clothes line. The Bench passed a sentence of seven days’ hard labor; the money to be restored to Mrs Gardiner. -Evening Star, 3/5/1895.
CITY POLICE COURT.
Saturday, June 8.
Before Messrs G. L. Denniston and C. Colclough.
Drunkenness. — Annie Pilet, alias Margaret Jackson, against whom there were seven previous convictions, and who had been up three times within the past six months, was fined 40s with the alternative of 14 days' imprisonment. -Otago Daily Times, 10/6/1895.
CITY POLICE COURT.
Monday, 4 July 29. (Before Messrs R. Wilson, Caversham, and W. Wright, J.P's.)
Drunkenness — Two first offenders were convicted and discharged, and Annie Pilet, alias Margaret Jackson, who came within the habitual clause of the act, was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment. -Otago Daily Times, 30/7/1895.
The Evening Star TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1895.
Messrs W. A. Walton and J. B. Thomson were the presiding justices at the Police Court this morning. Annie Pilet, who was only released from gaol yesterday after serving one month for drunkenness, was sent back for a similar term. -Evening Star, 24/9/1895.
Procuring Drink for a Prohibited Person. Thomas O'Connor was charged with, on the 29th January, procuring liquor for a prohibited person. Mr Hanlon appeared for defendant, who pleaded not guilty. Sergeant O'Neill said that the defendant went to the Bowling Green Hotel on the 29th January with a woman named Annie Pilet, a prohibited person. They went in at a side door and entered a room off a passage. Leaving the woman there the defendant went to the and obtained a glass of beer and a glass of brandy, returning with them to the room, The woman drank the brandy and defendant the beer. Evidence would be given to show that on the day previously defendant was told by the police that the woman was a prohibited person, and he said he knew she was. — Evidence was given by Annie Pilet, who said that the defendant knew from herself that she was a prohibited person. — Mr Hanlon intimated to the Bench at this stage that defendant would not take his advice, and he (counsel) would therefore withdraw from the case. — Evidence was also given by Edward Holmes (licensee of the Bowling Green Hotel), Robert Ford, James Smeaton, Sergeant Brown, Constable Willis, and H. H. G. Ralfe (clerk of court). — For the defence, the accused called Joseph Hallinan and Edward Holmes, and also gave evidence himself; but his statements had little bearing on the case. — His Worship inflicted a fine of 30s and costs (27s). -Evening Star, 6/2/1896.
THE COURTS-TO-DAY.
CITY POLICE COURT.
(Before Mr J. P. Jones, J.P.)
Drunkenness. — A first offender, arrested on the wharf yesterday, admitted to bail, and an absentee when called on this morning, was fined 10s, in default forty-eight hours’ imprisonment. — Annie Pilet alias Margaret Jackson, now appearing for the sixteenth time, and described as a “terrible drunkard, a source of annoyance to her husband and her children,” was charged as a habitual drunkard, was let off, in consideration of her husband and children, with a fine of 5s, on condition that she took the pledge at once and reported the fact to the police. -Evening Star, 2/4/1896.
CITY POLICE COURT.
(Before Messrs R. Rutherford and I. Selby, J. P. s.)
Drunkenness — Annie Pilet alias Margaret Brady (her sixth appearance within six months) was fined 10s, in default fortyeight hours' imprisonment.
Alleged Indecency. Percy Brady, charged with this offence at Tomahawk, on the 20th March, pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr Hanlon. Witnesses were ordered out of court, and the case was heard with closed doors. — After evidence had been given by two witnesses for the prosecution, Mr Hanlon addressed the Bench on behalf of the accused. — The Bench said there was no evidence to substantiate the charge, and the case would be dismissed. — Mr Hanlon remarked that if he had been called on to produce evidence for the defence he could have proved a clear and distinct alibi. Witnesses would have stated that the accused was in his shop mending boots at the time he was supposed to have been at Tomahawk. — The Bench: Whether that is so or not, there is no evidence to sustain the charge. -Evening Star, 17/4/1896.
In the absence of the justices whose turn it was to sit, Mr D. H. Hastings was called upon to occupy the bench at the City Police Court yesterday morning. The only case was a charge of drunkenness against Annie Pilet, who made her fifth appearance within the past six months. Sergeant O'Neill mentioned that she was arrested last Sunday morning, and, becoming ill in the lock-up, was sent to the hospital. Accused denied that she was drunk, and said that she met her brother on the Sunday morning, and saw he was quite intoxicated. Two constables came past and arrested her brother, one of them saying to her, "You may as well come too," She had "not a drop in her head.'' Evidence to the contrary was given by Constable Findlay and the watchhouse keeper. Sergeant O'Neill stated that the woman had a quarrel with her husband, who gave her a black eye, and in consequence she became desperate and went out and got drunk. The accused having pleaded hard for a chance to reform, the Bench convicted her and ordered her to come up for sentence when called on. -Otago Daily Times, 4/6/1896.
At the Police Court this morning, before Mr G. L. Denniston, J.P., Maggie Anderson, who has on six occasions been before the Court, was fined 10s and costs for causing a breach of the peace in Moray place by lighting with another woman. Annie Pilet, with twenty-one previous convictions, was charged with using obscene language in Forth street on the 12th inst. Accused, who was only released yesterday after serving a month's imprisonment for drunkenness, promised faithfully to amend her ways, and was convicted and discharged on that condition. -Evening Star, 12/9/1896.
THE COURTS — TO-DAY.
CITY POLICE COURT.
(Before E. H. Carew, Esq., S.M.)
Drunkenness and Damaging a Coat. — Annie Pilet pleaded guilty to being drunk and to damaging a waterproof coat, the property of Constable Ward, to the amount of 40s. — Sergeant O'Neill stated that accused only came out of gaol yesterday, after serving a sentence of fourteen weeks' imprisonment. —Accused was convicted and fined 10s or forty-eight hours' imprisonment on the first charge, and on the second she was mulcted in the sum of 1s and ordered to pay the damage done. -Evening Star, 19/8/1897.
Drunkenness — Annie Pilet was charged with this offence, and the case was further remanded to Friday on the application of her solicitor (Mr O'Reilly), the object being to allow of her going to the Magdalen Asylum at Christchurch. -Orago Daily Times, 8/12/1897.
FLEEING FROM Temptation. — Annie. Pilet a frequent offender was charged with drunkenness —Sergeant O'Neill stated that accused was on remand from 3rd December. She had expressed her willingness to enter the Magdalen Home, Christchurch, and as the ladies of the St.. Vincent de Paul Society had made arrangements for her to leave by that afternoon's boat, the police would take no further proceedings against her. Mr O'Reilly appeared for the accused, and agreed to an adjournment till Monday, on the understanding that if accused went to the Magdalen Home the charge against her would be withdrawn. — Adjourned to Monday accordingly. -Otago Daily Times, 11/12/1897.
Alleged Theft. — Annie Mahon, alias Annie Pilet, alias Mary Jackson (on remand), was charged with stealing, on March 22nd, at Christchurch, £7 in money, one metal watch and guard, one pipe, and one pair of boots, of a total value of £8 8s 6d, the property of John White. John White, a labourer, of Cheviot, gave evidence that he came to Christchurch on March 22nd at about 7 p.m. He had eight or nine pound notes with him when he left. He went into the Railway Hotel with a woman, and shouted for the accused and several other persons. Accused and witness left the bar together about 11p. m. Witness could not remember exactly what took place or who were present in the hotel bar, as he was under the influence of liquor. Witness did not remember what took place after he left the hotel with accused until about the middle of the night, when he found himself lying on his back in a by-street, about 100 yards from the Railway Hotel. Witness then discovered that all his money, his pipe, watch and boots were gone. Witness identified the watch and chain produced. He did not give any of the articles named to the accused or any other person. Witness was subjected to a rigid crossexamination by the accused, with the object of showing that witness was too druuk to have any accurate knowledge of the events of the evening. Other evidence having been heard, accused elected to address the Bench. She stated that she met White and had a drink with him in the Railway Hotel. She then left him, returned half an hour later, and had another drink with him. She left him again, and when she was coming back along Manchester street White was outside the Railway Hotel lying on the footpath. The hotel was closed. White was asleep. She roused him up, and he asked her to take him home, as he had no place to stay. He said he had no money, but would give her his watch and chain until the morning until he got his money. It was White himself who handed her the watch. White had some whiskey in a bottle. He lay down and would not go home, so she left him and went home. She did not see a farthing of his money except what he spent in drinks. Accused was committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court. -Press, 1/4/1898.
There were eight "drunks," which is about the usual number for a Monday morning, dealt with at the Police Court this morning. Annie Pilet, a well-known inebriate, appealed to the Bench to let her off so that she might tidy herself up in order to appear at the Supreme Court, where she was awaiting trial for theft. Mr Solomon, one of the presiding justices, remarked that it was difficult to know how to deal with a woman of this sort. Sergeant O'Neill was afraid that if the woman were discharged she would get drunk again and fail to appear at the Supreme Court, and the Bench taking a similar view of the matter decided to inflict a sentence of one month. -Evening Star, 28/11/1898.
THEFT FROM A DWELLING.
Annie Pilet was arraigned on an indictment charging her with having, on September 12, stolen one tablecloth from the dwelling of Roderick McKenzie. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and stated that she had been drinking heavily for three weeks previous to the offence. She was dared to take the tablecloth from the Oban Hotel, and took it. In the morning she was taking it back to the hotel when she was arrested. The Crown Prosecutor said there were forty-one previous convictions. His Honor said that it was quite evident that short terms of imprisonment were of no use in the case of prisoner, and the sentence of the Court would accordingly be that she would be sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment, with hard labor. -Evening Star, 28/11/1898.
CITY POLICE COURT.
Thursday, September 28. (Before Mr E. H. Carew, S.M.)
Drunkenness. — Annie Pilet, who celebrated her liberation after a 12 months' sentence of imprisonment by getting intoxicated, was fined 5s, and allowed until Monday to pay the money. -Otago Daily Times, 29/9/1899.
A Notorious Offender. — Annie Pilet was charged with drunkenness, and with, on the 2nd inst., breaking and entering by day the house of Peter Pilet, situated on Forth street, and stealing therefrom a silver watch valued at £3 1s, a gold albert valued at £2 10s, and two shirts valued at 3s each. Accused pleaded guilty to the first charge, and was fined 10s or forty-eight hours’ imprisonments. Mr Barclay defended her on the other charge. — The Sub-inspector stated that Pilet, was the husband of accused, and had been living apart from her for about eighteen months. Pilet, who was a hard-working, industrious man, kept his children, and kept them respectably. Accused, who was discharged from gaol a week ago after serving a long term of imprisonment, was met by her husband at the gaol gate and taken home by him, in the hope that he might reform her. She was only in the house about a quarter of an hour when she went away and did not return until yesterday. She then appeared with a strange man, and broke into the house, Filet being away from home at the time. Accused and the strange man had some beer in the presence of her children, and afterwards she broke into the bedroom by breaking the window with a stone. She ransacked the room, and stole the articles enumerated in the charge. The shirts she disposed of to a second-hand dealer for a few shillings, and when she was arrested the watch and chain were found in her possession. She said if she had only had a little more time she would have sold them too. — Evidence was given in support of the charge, after which accused swore that the watch and chain belonged to her. — His Worship committed the woman for trial, bail being allowed in her own recognisances of £50, and two sureties of £25 each. -Evening Star, 3/10/1899.
SUPREME COURT.
CRIMINAL SITTINGS.
Tuesday, November 28. (Before his Honor Mr Justice Williams.) His Honor took his seat on the bench at 1) 30 a.m.,
HOUSEBREAKING.
Annie Pilet was charged with that on or about October 2, 1899, at Dunedin, she did break and enter by day the dwelling house of Peter Pilet, in Forth street, Dunedin, and stole therefrom a silver watch, a gold albert chain, and two shirts, the property of Peter Pilet. Mr Barclay appeared for the accused, who pleaded Not guilty. The Crown Prosecutor said that the peculiarities of the case were that the accused was the wife of the prosecutor. Provision was made in the Statutes for an offence by a wife against the property of her husband, and vice versa, but no prosecution could be if the parties were cohabiting at the time of the alleged offence. But if the parties were living apart, either was liable to criminal proceedings for offences against each other's property. In this case Peter Pilet would tell them that he and his wife had not been living together for 12 months. On the 6th September he went to the gaol to meet his wife after she came out. She went away the same day, and did not return.
On the 2nd October, he left his home, locking his bedroom door, and leaving his son behind. On his return he found that the bedroom window had been broken, and the articles mentioned stolen. The boy would tell them that the woman called with a strange man, and, breaking the window of the bedroom, got admittance to the room and stole the articles in question.
Evidence was given by Peter Pilet, sen., Peter Pilet, jun., Ann Stanley, and William Gilbert.
Mr Barclay submitted that the essential elements of housebreaking were here absolutely wanting. At the very outside, all that could be made of the case was that it was a drunken freak on the part of this unfortunate victim of the alcohol habit. The watch, she said, was her own; all that her husband did was to pay for its repair. She wanted money to pay a fine at the Police Court, and never dreamt there could be any harm in breaking the window and taking the things. What she did was done in the broad daylight, and in the sight of her son, whom she told to tell his father. How could that be called housebreaking? Accused was called as a witness, and the jury then (3.5 p.m.) retired, and returned at 6.30 with a verdict of "Not guilty." The accused was discharged. -Otago Daily Times, 29/11/1899.
On Sunday afternoon a woman named Annie Pilet went to the hospital and asked to be admitted, saying that she was very ill. Examination showed that she was suffering from severe inflammation of the lungs, and during the night her condition grew worse. Death supervened about 3 o'clock on Monday morning. An inquest has been deemed unnecessary. -Otago Witness, 14/12/1899.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
The Friends of Mr PETER PILET are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his late WIFE, which will leave the Dunedin Hospital (Cumberland street entrance), for the Northern Cemetery, THIS DAY (TUESDAY), the 12th inst., at 2.30 p.m.
A. J. WYNN & HOPE Undertakers, St. Andrew street. -Otago Daily Times, 12/12/1899.
One of the most notorious female inebriates who make work for J.P.s in Dunedin died in the hospital on Monday morning. As a "special pleader" for clemency Annie Pilet was unsurpassed, and many a time a soft hearted justice yielded weakly to her insistent appeals for "another chance." Her record for drunkenness and for offences directly traceable to her besetting sin was unusually bad, and the terrible certainty with which she flew to the open bar as soon as liberated was one of the strongest arguments in favour of an inebriates' home that could possibly be adduced. -Otago Witness, 14/12/1899.
SITUATIONS VACANT
WANTED, Good WOMAN, total abstainer. — Apply P. Pilet, Forth street, from 6 to 8 p.m. -Otago Daily Times, 6/4/1900.
CITY POLICE COURT.
Vagrancy.—Anastasia Pilet, charged with this offence, pleaded guilty.—Sergeant Gilbert explained that accused was only eighteen years of age. Her mother was dead, and the girl could not agree with her father, who had her placed in the Female Refuge for some time. A situation was then obtained for her, but she left it, and since then she bad been mixing up with people of bju| repute.—A Salvation Amy officer expressed * her willingness to take charge of the girl, who, on being asked by His Worship if she would go to the Amy’s Home, consented to do, so. Thu case was then withdrawn, it being Understood that if accused left the Home within three months she would again be brought before the Court. -es, 6/8/1901.
ANOTHER SUDDEN DEATH.
(Per Press Association.] PORT CHALMERS, August 13.
At the coaling of the steamer Miowera this morning, Peter Pilet, coal heaver, complained of not feeling well, and came up from the hulk's hold to get some fresh air. A few minutes afterwards, while sitting down on one of the steamer's seats, he fell over on his side and expired. His age was sixtytwo, and his death is attributed to heart failure. -Star, 13/8/1907.
DEATHS
PILET. — On the 18th August, at Port Chalmers (suddenly), Peter, the dearly beloved husband of Bessie Pilet, and son-in-law of the late George Worsdell; aged 62. "At rest." -Otago Witness, 14/8/1907.
MARRIAGES.
MATULOVICH—PILET. — On September 12, 1908, at Rev. M. Walker's, Wellington-street. Vincent. Matulovlch, of Dalmatia, Austria, to Annastasia (Annie) Pilet, of Dunedin. Dunedin papers please copy. -Auckland Star, 14/9/1908.
MORE DIVORCE STORIES.
A WIFE WHO DELVED. WHILE "HUBBY" GAMBLED.
BATCH OF AUCKLAND RELEASES.
Several more petitions in divorce were heard in the Auckland Supreme Court to-day before Mr. Stringer.
A WOMAN GUM-DIGGER. A curious story was narrated by a petitioner named Anastasia Matulovich, who asked for a divorce from Vincent Matulovich on the ground of adultery and desertion.
Mrs. Matulovich (who was represented by Mr. R. J. Coates) told the Court that she was married to respondent on September 12, 1908, at the house of the Rev. M. Walker, and until 1912 lived with her husband near Dargaville. There were no children of the marriage. In September, 1912, he forced her to leave the house. Prior to that she had kept the house going by digging gum. Her husband never allowed her money, and wasted his earnings on gambling and drink. On the occasion on which she left the house he demanded the money she had earned by gum digging, and when she refused to hand it over he threatened her with an axe. She had to give up her wedding ring before she left. Since then she had had to keep herself.
The Judge: Why didn't you sue him for maintenance?
Petitioner: I had maintained myself all the while, and did not want money from him then.
Proceeding, Mrs. Matulovich said that in September of last year, in consequence of an anonymous letter, she went to Mangawai, and found her husband living in a two-roomed gum-digger's shanty with another woman. There was also a child.
A solicitor's clerk gave evidence as to visiting the house, obtaining an admission that the pair were living in adultery, and that they intended to marry in the event of divorce proceedings. A decree nisi was granted. -AS, 26/2/1915.
Peter Pilet jr survived his Industrial School upbringing and lived in Christchurch.
ATTRIBUTED TO DRINK.
Peter Pilet admitted the theft of several sums, amounting to £4 13/5, from William Brown. The police stated that the man was in particularly poor circumstances, with a wife and two children, and had taken the money while employed by Brown. The lapse from honesty was attributable to drink. The accused was convicted and ordered to repay the money within 14 days. A prohibition order was issued against him. -Sun, 20/9/1916.
The following January, Peter Pilet joined the Canterbury Regiment. He was wounded in the disastrous attack on German positions at Passchendaele on October 12, 1917, and had his arm amputated, probably below the shoulder. He was back in Christchurch in early 1918.
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