The previous story in this blog, concerning Isabella Tassy, has led to the story of where she died. Frank Tod's "Pubs Galore" places Bristol House on the corner of Cumberland and St Andrew streets, noting that the license was held by William Hall in 1864 then in 1867-8, until it lapsed.
AN IRATE AMAZON.
Mary Ann King alias Hall, one of the inmates of the notorious Bristol House, was charged with assaulting the police while in the execution of their duty. Mr Catomore defended. It appeared from the evidence that Detective Farrell and Sergt. Naden went to the house to execute a search warrant, when the prisoner, in an ungovernable rage, kicked the detective in the pit of the stomach, broke a jug over his head, and endeavored to strike the sergeant down with a poker, and was only prevented from doing so by his drawing a revolver. She was fined in the full penalty of L20 or three months’ imprisonment. The fine was paid. -Evening Star, 20/1/1871.
MAYOR'S COURT.
Yesterday. (Before his Worship the Mayor, and W. Mason, Esq , J. P.)
DRUNKENNESS.
Charles Ramage was discharged with a caution.
SLY GROG SELLING.
William Hall, the occupier of the notorious Bristol House in Cumberland street, was charged with the offense. It will be recollected that on the 19th inst., Detective Farrell and Sergeant Naden went to the place to execute a search warrant. While there they met a boy leaving the house having purchased sixpenny worth of beer there. The offence was fully proved and the defendant, who did not appear, was lined L10 and costs.
KEEPING A DISORDERLY HOUSE.
William Hall was further charged with this offence. Sergeant Thompson said he believed the defendant was about to abscond; he therefore applied for a warrant for his apprehension, which was granted. -Evening Star
, 25/1/1871.
MAYOR'S COURT.
Wednesday, 25th January. His Worship the Mayor, and W. Mason, Esq., J.P.
Assaulting a Police Officer. — William Hall, the keeper of the notorious Bristol House, was charged on information with assaulting Sergeant Naden, whilst in the execution of his duty. As he did not appear a warrant was, on the application of Serjeant Thompson, who said he believed that he had absconded, ordered to be issued for his apprehension.
Neglected Child.—Mary Jane Walsh was brought before the Court as a neglected child. Its mother, who was a servant at the Shamrock Hotel, left her in the charge of the person who had since kept her, and who said that she went to Waikouaiti, and was afterwards supposed to have gone to Christchurch, and that she had not heard from her for the past nine months. The mother was an Irishwoman, and witness believed her to be a Roman Catholic, but was not quite sure. The Bench committed the child to the Industrial School for a period of 7 years, stating that as it was not quite clear to them, they would not make an order as to the religion in which she should be brought up. Subsequently an order was inside, directing that she should be brought up in the Church of England form of religion.
Breach of the Licensing Ordinance — William Hall, who did not appear, was charged with having, at the Bristol House, Cumberland street; on the 19th inst., sold, or permitted to be sold, 6d worth of ale, without a license to do so; Sergeant Thompson informed the Bench that in bringing forward this case the Police relied on the clause which says delivery is sufficient to prove sale, until the contrary be shown. Sergeant Naden deposed that he, accompanied by Detective Farrell, went to the house of the defendant in Cumberland street on the 19th inst., with the object of executing a search warrant. Just as they approached the side door, they saw a little boy of about 6 years going in with an empty jug in one hand and a shilling in the other. Detective Farrell questioning him, he told him that he was going into the house for some beer. When he came out he had the jug with ale in it in one hand, and in the other a 6d, which he said he had got in change for the money he had given for the ale. They then went into the passage, where Margaret King, a reputed prostitute, took the jug of ale from the boy, and threw it at Detective Farrell. There was a room inside, which appeared to be used as a bar, and contained liquors. Mary Cameron, a reputed prostitute, was in that room. Detective Farrell gave similar evidence, and said that after the boy had come out they sent him in again to find who had given him the beer, upon which Margaret King threw it in witness's face and assaulted him. In the room which was used as a bar-room when the house was licensed, they found a barrel of beer on draught, and numerous bottles of brandy, as well as whisky, cordials, lemonade, and other kinds of drink. John Kennedy, a seaman, living in Cumberland Street, said that the little boy in Court was his son. On the 19th of the month, which he remembered by coming home later than usual to dinner, he on that account gave him a shilling to get some beer. He brought back a sixpence, but no beer. Johnny Kennedy said: My father gave me a shilling to get beer. I went $o Mrs Hall's and got sixpence-worth. "Mary, Anne" gave it to me. I gave her a shilling, she gave me a sixpence back. The last witness was not sworn. The Bench was of opinion that the sale of the beer had been clearly proved, and fined the defendant L10 and costs. -Otago Daily Times, 26/1/1871.
LICENSING MEETING
George Haughton. — This was an application for a general license for the notorious Bristol House, in Cumberland street.
Mr Harris, on behalf of the applicant, said the house was formerly used as a hotel, but it acquired such an unenviable notoriety, in consequence of the conduct of the persons who frequented it, that the Bench took away the license. It was then kept as a boarding-house for some time, but in this character gained an equally unenviable reputation. The present applicant was a thoroughly respectable man, and could produce undeniable proofs of sobriety, good conduct, and fitness to take charge of a hotel; while the inhabitants of the immediate neighbourhood would prefer to see the. house duly licensed, and in the hands of a respectable man, than to be kept as a boarding-house.
The Commissioner of Police opposed the application, stating that the house had been the haunt of a notorious brothel, which had but recently been broken up, and he wondered that any respectable man should think of going into it, as there is still a certain amount of infamy attached to the house, and many persons who were not aware of the brothel having been broken up might go to the house under the impression that it still existed, and, misconduct themselves. — Moreover, a licensed house in the locality was quite unnecessary, as the Auld Scotland Hotel was not 250 yards off. He was quite satisfied that if this license was granted, Hall, the keeper of the the brothel, ultimately return, as he did once before.
The applicant said he had no connection whatever with Hall, and all he knew of that person was that he owned the house. Mr Strode said that the Bench, looking at the former character of the house and at the statements of the Commissioner of Police, were of opinion that the license must be refused. The house appeared to be under the entire control of the man Hall, who was about the most disreputable character in the city; and the Bench could not for a moment be a party to an arrangement by which Hall, by some manoeuvre of his own, might get the present applicant out of the house, and continue his old game under colour of the license. Seeing that consequence might ensue if the license were granted, the Bench had but one course to pursue, and as being safe to the interests of the public, to refuse this application. They did so without the slightest reflection on the character of the applicant, whom they believed to be all that Mr Harris had stated. -Otago Daily Times, 8/3/1871.
QUARTERLY LICENSING MEETING
George Horton renewed the application made by him at the last licensing meeting for a license for premises in Cumberland street, lately known as “Bristol House.” The application was opposed by the Commissioner of Police, who expressed his belief that if the license were granted, it would in the course of time fall into the hands of the notorious Hall, who owned the promises. Mr Harris, who appeared for Horton, submitted that this was an uncalled-for assumption on the part of the Commissioner. His client had obtained a seven years’ lease of the premises; he was a man of irreproachable character, and would never be a party to such a transaction. Mr Strode said that so long as that detestable character, Hall — than whom he was prepared to say there was none worse in the Colonies — no license would ever be granted for it. There were a thousand and one ways, known to himself and all other justices, whereby the man could get the house into his hands. Application refused. -Evening Star, 6/6/1871.
MAYOR'S COURT.
This Day. (Before his Worship the Mayor.)
DRUNKENNESS.
John Sinclair and Thomas Todd were each fined 10s. Annie McPherson, alias Mrs McKenzie, was fined 40s, or fourteen days’ imprisonment.
OBSCENE LANGUAGE.
Samuel Farra was fined 40s, or a month’s imprisonment.
OFFENCE AGAINST THE BYE-LAWS.
Alexander Cameron was lined 2s fid and costs for allowing cattle to stray.
SLY-GROG SELLING.
William Hall, proprietor of the notorious Bristol House, was charged with this offence. It appeared from the evidence that on the evening of the 20th inst. three men named Moir, Porter, and Low, went to the defendant’s house, to see some women there. One of the men told the woman who represents herself as Hall’s wife, to get some beer, which she went for, and he paid her for it. All present, including Hall, who was in the room the whole time, partook of it. Moir went to a bedroom with a woman named Annie Lockwood, and immediately after she left him he missed from his coat pocket the sum of L35. He went down stairs, and in Hall’s presence accused the woman of stealing it. Hall said such a thing could not have happened in his house, and threatened to strike the man with a whip-handle which he held in his hand. The police were sent for, but a search being instituted by Inspector Thompson and Detective Farrell, resulted in no trace of the stolen property being found. In a cellar were found a barrel of beer on tap, and receipts of very recent date for large quantities of beer, one receipt being for L14. It was stated in evidence that before the robbery Moir and the woman had had some words about money; when the other wished to take him away with them but Hall quieted their fears by saying it was all right, as Moir had been there before.
Hall’s defence was that he knew there was beer in the house and that he drank with Moir, but he denied having received any money for it, or that he was present when it was sent for.
His Worship considered the evidence to have been of the clearest description, and there was not the slightest doubt that the defendant had been guilty of a breach of the Licensing Ordinance, because it mattered not whether he had actually received the money or not. The evidence was conclusive on the point of his being present when the beer was ordered, when it was brought in and when it was paid for. The evidence also showed his servant had taken the money — of course with his knowledge, which brought him under the Ordinance. The house he occupied was a most notorious one — in times past it gained a frightful notoriety; but he had been in hopes that its character had been changed. It appeared, however, that the defendant had resumed the practices which he formerly carried on there, and it was the duty of the Bench to stop those proceedings as far as possible. The defendant would be fined L25, The fine was immediately paid. -Evening Star, 23/2/1872.
MAYOR'S COURT
Affiliation. — Elizabeth Clarke v. George Harrington, cabdriver, was a claim for maintenance for the support of an illegitimate child aged three weeks. Mr Wilson for defendant. Plaintiff said defendant was a shipmate of hers, and, on discovering she was in the family way, he had gone into the country, and now wanted to say the child was not his. He first had connection with her some two years ago, while on board ship, on the passage out, and on many occasions subsequently. After leaving the ship she took a situation with her aunt. By Mr Wilson: She could swear, with a clear conscience, that no one has had connection with her, except defendant, during the last twelve months. She did not know a house called Bristol House. She never slept with anyone there, nor told anybody that she had. She did not know anyone of the name of Ross. (Ross was then called, and plaintiff said she knew him by sight.) She did not know anyone of the name of Fielding. (Fielding was then called, and complainant said he was a shipmate of hers.) He came to her when she was at Mrs Frazer’s, and took her to Mrs Hall’s (Bristol House). He said he would find a home for her. She stopped there because she had nowhere else to go to. That was the Friday before Christmas, and she would not say Fielding did not sleep with her that night, she also knew a man called Frank, a lamplighter, but could not say he had not connection with her. —Fielding denied having told plaintiff that George (defendant) would give her L5 to say no more about it. When she told him (witness) that her child’s father was a certain party, he told her the best way was to summons him. — Mr Wilson said he would not insult the Court by calling any more witnesses. The case was then dismissed. -Evening Star, 21/2/1873.
R M COURT
ILLEGAL DETENTION.
Isabella Lyle, an unfortunate but apparently well-educated young woman, charged William Hall, of Bristol House notoriety, with detaining a box, her property, containing five dresses — one white muslin, one violet coloured, one black and red, one Rob Roy, and one black and Brown, together with other wearing apparel, to the value of £10. Prosecutrix stated that she had been living at defendant's house for six weeks, and owed 15s for board. Of this she paid 10s to defendant's wife, who stated that the amount due was 30s. Defendant harboured young women for the purpose of prostitution, and allowed disorderly characters to frequent the house. He also sold spirituous liquors, but witness did not think he held a license to do so.
The Bench ordered the things to be returned within three days, or their value to be paid, with costs of Court. -Otago Daily Times, 26/9/1873.
RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.
Friday, December 19. (Before A, C. Strode, Esq., R.M.)
Drunkenness. — Margaret Downie was fined ds, with the usual alternative; Alex. Cowie, 10s, with the option of 48 hours’ imprisonment; and Marion Mconnell, 40s, or seven days.
Obscene Language. — Jane Monson was charged with making use of obscene language in a right-of-way off Great King street, yesterday afternoon. Constable Rooney heard the defendant making use of obscene language towards some one in Bristol House. — Prisoner stoutly denied the charge, whereupon his Worship informed her that it was no good her feigning injured innocence. She had frequently been convicted; he and she were in fact very old friends. (Laughter.) Prisoner wanted a remand, so as to produce evidence to show that she had not used the words imputed to her; but his Worship would not entertain the application, believing it was an “old affair," and fined her 10s, in default seven days’ imprisonment with hard labor. -Evening Star, 19/12/1873.
The following story is presented as published and with the knowledge that the language used in it is of its day.
A treat of no ordinary nature was afforded in the Resident Magistrate's Court in the early part of the present week, the litigants in the cases, which were the cause of the entertainment, being gentlemen of color. The plaintiff in the first case called (for there were cross-actions) is a hair-dresser in Maclaggan-Street, well-known in Dunedin, and is generally dressed in a manner which completely takes the shine out of most of his fairer colored fellow-men. He hails from Virginia, and it was in consequence of acting the good Samaritan towards a Virginian brother, that circumstances occurred which led to the Court proceedings. The last-mentioned individual held the responsible position of cook on board the Gamecock about a couple of years since, from which vessel he ran away, and he came to the plaintiff for refuge, after having paid a bill for board and lodging elsewhere. This Christian (the barber) paid, and took the ebony cook to live with him at his own house, where he boarded him for various periods, and where also the latter had the extravagant allowance of two white shirts per day, done up by plaintiff's wife, and had supplied to him by plaintiff black kid gloves, black silk hats, neckties, &c. After treating the cook in this liberal manner, it came to the ears of the hairdresser and his wife that their guest was in the habit of visiting Bristol House — an establishment whose fame has been often noted in the annals of our Police Court. This was not to be tolerated, and the ex-cook was turned away. This action was subsequently brought to recover about £18 for board and lodging. Parker, the defendant, instituted a cross-action for money lent, and also pleaded a set-off in the first case to the extent of about £6 for fowls, ox-tongues, eggs, and other choice fare which, he maintained, he had brought to plaintiff's house while living with him, and the receipt of which Christian absolutely denied. The evidence was very conflicting, but was intensely amusing, and was accompanied with such grotesque gestures by the rival darkies, as to cause suppressed laughter in the Court during the hearing of the case. Mr. Strode seemed to be in great doubt which side to believe; and in order to further investigate the matter, postponed the case till Wednesday, when judgment was given for £13 15s. -Tuapeka Times, 7/2/1874.
In 1875 Bristol House had a new name and a new liquor licence. The Victoria Hotel it became and so it remains to this day, in a new building on the original site.
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