As readers might know, nearly all of my stories begin with the inscription on a gravestone. This one kind of has, but at one remove. While looking for "Papers Past" references to a certain name, a girl's case came to view, her having stolen from his house just before he died. Also in court that day was Sydney Knight.
Sydney Herbert Knight, a prisoner, caused a deal of amusement to those in attendance at the City Court this morning. He was charged with disorderly conduct while drunk, and on being called on to plead explained that he had been to the Princess’s Theatre to see the sensational play “Drink,” and on his way home commenced to rehearse the more telling passages. Naturally he was of an excitable temperament, and the arresting constable had mistaken his actions for that of a drunkard — the best tribute that could be paid to his powers of delineation. His audience (before the constable’s arrival) comprised his wife and child; and he wanted to see if he could get money by acting, because he was “bothered” if he could obtain employment at his trade. The Bench could not credit the ingenious defence set up, seeing that three witnesses called for the prosecution had unhesitatingly said that the man was drunk; nor were they willing to avail themselves of the prisoner’s offer to display his capabilities as an actor. -Evening Star, 21/4/1884.
Occasionally something laughable turns up to relieve the tedium of the Police Court sittings, and on Monday much amusement was caused by an individual named Sydney Herbert Knight, who was charged with being drunk and disorderly. Accused, who was of the loquacious order, stoutly denied the charge. He said he had been at the theatre on Saturday night seeing the famous drama "Drink" produced, and being much taken with it he commenced to rehearse the more sensational passages to his wife and child on his way home. Being naturally of an excitable temperament, he went briskly into the spirit of the thing, and surrounded himself so completely with the imagery of his subject that he lost all consciousness of his whereabouts, and acted his part so well that the constable actually believed him to be really in a state of insobriety. He wished to call his wife as a witness; and he informed the Court that she was young, but they had been married 11 years, and she had the certificate in her pocket. "She was rather young," he said; "and more than that, she was goodlooking." The Court, however, was proof against the temptation, and upheld the law by refusing to allow the wife to be called. He also told the Court that he thought he would come out as an actor, because he was "bothered" if he could get money by working in this Colony. Eventually his garrulousness was cut short by the intimation that he would have to hand over a pound sterling to pay for the right to reproduce passages of "Drink " on his way home on early Sabbath mornings, with the alternative of going to gaol for three days. -Otago Witness, 26/4/1884.
Sydney's luck might have changed shortly after his acclaimed appearance in the Dunedin Court, for he was able to find theatre work.
CITY POLICE COURT
Breach of the Peace. - John Murray and Sydney Herbert Knight were charged with fighting. — The latter admitted that he was the aggressor. The fact of the matter was that he had a cut in his head, and the least drop of drink went to it, and there seemed to be nothing to do here but get "boozed." — Sergeant Bevin said the accused was wrong in saying he could get nothing to do, for he had been employed at the theatre for a fortnight. — The accused said he was, but unfortunately the manager went away without paying anybody. He had received some money from London, and he was so pleased that he was proceeding to enjoy himself. — Murray was discharged, and Knight was fined 80s, or seven days’. On a further charge of using obscene language the latter was fined 40s, or ten days’. -Evening Star, 9/5/1884.
CITY POLICE COURT
Riotous Behaviour. — Sydney Herbert Knight, for behaving in Walker street on the 9th inst. in a manner whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned, was fined 20s, or in default four days' imprisonment. -Otago Daily Times, 12/1/1885.
The venue for Sydney's first 1885 performance is significant. Walker St no longer has that name. It was one of the streets in the area of Dunedin known as "the devil's half acre." Sydney made a second appearance the following April, on the same charge.
AN UNMITIGATED SCOUNDREL.
DUNEDIN, May 29. At the City Court, Sydney Knight was sentenced to two months' hard labour for assaulting a Chinaman. The evidence disclosed a shocking state of immorality, the prisoner compelling his wife to live with the Chinese. He is well connected in England, and is understood to be a remittance man. His children appeared in Court yesterday, charged with theft. -Star, 29/5/1885.
A "remittance man" was something of a colonial phenomanon. Usually, they were the sons of good families and had disgraced themselves in some way. They were shipped off to one of the Colonies on the understanding that they would receive a monthly or annual remittance - on the understanding that they remained "colonial." This would have been the source of Knight's "money from London" as referred to above.
The reference to his children prompted a search which revealed this:
Ten boys, whose ages ranged from seven to 12 years, were charged at the City Police Court yesterday morning with stealing a quantity of raisins, the property of Mr D. M. Spedding, from a store in Police street. The Resident Magistrate (Mr Carew) thought the merits of the case would be met by the parents giving the children a beating, and adjourned the case till to-day, in order to give them an opportunity of satisfying the police that they had inflicted punishment. One of the parents present (Sidney K Knight) asked his Worship if the parents would have to show marks of violence on the children. Mr Carew remarked that he was inclined to be very impertinent. Knight thereupon replied, "No; not at all, your Worship." Subsequently he ventured the opinion that Mr Spedding should have summoned the parents instead of the children. "Babies," he remarked, "would be brought before the Court next." His Worship was satisfied with again warning him to be quiet. -Otago Daily Times, 29/5/1885.
One of various searches for the Knight family - and Sydney Knight sometimes had his first name spelt "Sidney" - finds their names on a list of passengers from London to Port Chalmers on the "Marlborough" - Sydney, Jennie, Sydney jr. and Alfred - in 1883.
CITY POLICE COURT.
(Before the Hon, J. Bathgate and Mr A. Bartleman, J.P.s.
Assault — Sydney Knight was charged with assaulting Maggie and Johnny Knight. — Maggie Knight deposed that last night the accused, who was her husband, came into the house, and after assaulting her and the child broke all the windows. The reason of her husband’s ill-treatment was that she would not comply with his demands that she should lead an immoral life with Chinamen. — Constable Madden deposed that he arrested the accused at his house last evening. The place had been made a perfect wreck of. There was not a whole pane of glass in the windows, and the furniture was all broken up. Witness also saw the remains of some clothing lying about. — The accused owned that he was a very excitable man and that a little drop of drink drove him mad. — The Hon. J. Bathgate, addressing the accused, said: Let me tell you that a man who is guilty of assaulting his wife is guilty of a double crime. At your marriage you took an oath to protect that woman. You have broken that oath. It is a very aggravated case. — The accused: Well, your Worship, I have been married for twelve years and have children, and I think it is a very hard case. — The Hon. J. Bathgate: It is a very painful thing for a strong man to beat a woman. — The accused: But I say I didn’t do it. — The Hon. J. Bathgate: It is without apology or excuse of any kind. — The accused was fined L5 and costs, in default a month’s imprisonment; and he was also ordered to find two sureties of L2 10s each to keep the peace for six months. — Knight here pointed out that he was perfectly unable to get anyone to go security for him, and again referred to the hardness of his case. — The Hon. J. Bathgate: I have not the slightest sympathy for you. — The accused: I never saw anyone who had for a man who was down. Of course you do not know all the facts of the case. — The Hon. J. Bathgate: You will have to turn over a new leaf. — The accused: I shall have plenty of time to do it in six months. -Evening Star, 12/2/1886.
Knight's reference to being married 12 years put the wedding year as 1874. Jeannie, being born in 1858, would have been 16 when she married Sydney. Although 26 when her husband suggested her for a witness two years previously, it is significant that she carried the wedding certificate in her pocket. It might have been force of habit which kept the document there.
Jeannie, as will be seen below, came from a respectable, possibly noble, background. She would have hoped that news of the following did not reach as far as her native hearth.
THE COURTS TO-DAY.
CITY POLICE COURT.
[Before Messrs E. H. Carew, R.M., and J. P. Jones, J.P.)
The Industrial Schools Act. — Sydney Alfred Knight and Alfred Cyril Knight were charged within the meaning of the Industrial Schools Act, 1882, with being children residing in a brothel, the mother of the said children being a reputed prostitute. Mr E. Cook appeared for the mother — Sergeant Geerin gave evidence that Mrs Knight was in the habit of living with Chinamen, and was also the keeper of an opium saloon. — Sergeant-major Bevin went into the witness-box and stated that from what he had heard and seen he had reason to believe that Mrs Knight led an immoral life. — The children were committed to the Industrial School, the mother to be allowed to obtain custody of them as soon as it was proved that she had altered her mode of living. -Evening Star, 18/2/1886.
A man named Sydney Knight, who has recently been working with the unemployed, was sent to gaol for a month by the Police Court magistrates on Friday for beating his wife. Knight has not been very long in the Colony, but during the past two or three years he has been several times charged in the Police Court dock. Formerly he was connected with an old-established and well-to-do London firm. -Otago Witness, 20/2/1886.
At the City Police Court yesterday, before Messrs W. L. Simpson and J. P. Jones, one first offender was convicted and discharged. Sydney Knight was charged with breaking a pane of glass in a window in Stafford street, value 10s, the property of Num Lee. Sergeant-major Bevin said that accused was rather drunk and threw the stone through the window as his wife was inside. He was convicted and ordered to pay the value of the window, with the alternative of seven days' imprisonment. -Otago Daily Times, 11/8/1888.
Obscene Language. Sydney Herbert Knight, charged with this offence, pleaded guilty, but urged that the place where the language was used was not a public thoroughfare. — Sergeant Geerin gave evidence to the effect that frequent complaints had been made as to accused’s conduct, who, when drunk, was one of the most disorderly men in Dunedin. He had been frequently cautioned by the police, and his wife had repeatedly applied for protection. On Monday last accused made use of the language complained of in the hearing of about thirty or forty persons, principally children, who were assembled in Stafford street. — Constable Crawford gave corroborative evidence. — Eleven previous convictions were proved against accused, who was described by Sergeant-major Bevin as one of the basest men in Dunedin. — Accused was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with hard labor. -Evening Star, 13/2/1889.
We are requested to state that the Sydney Herbert Knight who behaved himself obstreperously the other day on the Dunedin railway platform was not Mr S. H. Knight, of Kakanui. -North Otago Times, 3/3/1890.
CITY POLICE COURT.
(Before E. H. Carew, Esq., R.M.)
Theft — Sydney Herbert Knight and Jane Knight were jointly charged with stealing, on the 8th inst., sundry articles of the value of L4, the property of Ann Sherry. Mr Meatyard appeared for accused, and pleaded not guilty. — Accused having elected to be dealt with summarily, Chief-detective Henderson said he would like to make a few remarks to show how matters stood. Complainant insisted on getting a search warrant from the clerk of the court. — Mr Carew: You must not tell me that any person can insist on getting a warrant. It is at the discretion of the magistrate. — Detective Henderson continued that the parties lived in a double house, and they had been mixed up together. The articles were found in the house, and the accused did not deny that they belonged to complainant, but said they held them on lien for money lent. — Complainant stated that the houses occupied by herself and the two accused were adjoining each other. On a search being made under the search warrant, the articles were found in the house of accused. The accused were very “obstreporous’’ when witness wanted to take the things, and said that witness should “suffer for it.” They had no right or title to the goods “whatsomdever.” The accused were in the habit of coming into witness’s place frequently. She could not keep them out. — To Mr Meatyard: Never got a penny from the accused nor lent the goods at any time. A fortnight ago found the door broken. — Detective Henderson gave evidence that he searched the house and found the goods mentioned in the charge-sheet. In the cell female accused said she had lent Mrs Sherry a pound at one time. She said her husband had been away, but was returning, and that she asked Mrs Sherry to return the pound, as she wanted to get some things, and she had no money. Complainant said: “I have the articles you require; you can have them in the meantime," — Mr Meatyard having addressed the court, called Henry Richmond, who stated that he saw Mrs Knight give a pound to Mrs Sherry, saying that she could hardly spare it. — Male accused sworn said he had been away in one of the Union Company’s boats, and knew nothing about the transaction. — His Worship, in giving his decision, said the goods appeared to belong to Mrs Sherry; but he was not satisfied that there had been any taking with felonious intent, — In reply to a query from Detective Henderson as to the returning of the goods, he said he could only make an order if he found that the goods were stolen, but that he did not find that these were stolen goods. -Evening Star, 20/11/1890.
CITY POLICE COURT
Maintenance. — Sydney Herbert Knight, a laborer, employed on the Otago Central Railway, was ordered to pay 2s 6d a week towards the support of his son, an inmate of the Industrial School. -Evening Star, 23/11/1893.
CITY POLICE COURT
Sydney Herbert Knight was charged by Jennie Knight with assaulting and beating her. — Defendant pleaded not guilty. — Complainant said if her husband would promise to let her alone she would withdraw the summons. — Defendant said he was perfectly willing to let his wife go her own way. He had tried to prevent certain things, but would not try any more. He reckoned the best thing was for them to go their own ways, and promised not to molest complainant again in any way. — Summons withdrawn. -Otago Daily Times, 16/11/1895.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (excerpt)
The Gas Committee recommends that in consideration of his long and faithful service that the salary of Mr Atthur Wadie be increased to a rate of £100 per annum. The gas engineer has been instructed to dismiss Sydney Knight, a casual hand on the lamplighting staff for disorderly conduct. -Otago Daily Times, 20/11/1895.
Assault. — Mary Ann, Scott was charged with assaulting Jeannie Knight on the 13th inst., by striking her on the head with a bottle. — Accused pleaded guilty. — Sergeant O'Neill stated that the woman Knight went to a house in Walker street in the afternoon, and found a woman named Scott and a man named Simmonds there. She (Knight) took a bottle of gin with her, and after a while a dispute arose, and the assault was committed. Complainant had to be taken to the hospital to have the cuts in her head stitched. — Accused was fined 10s. -Otago Daily Times, 15/9/1898.
Sydbey's dismissal from the position of lamplighter is the last reliable mention of him that I can find. Perhaps he died or was divorced by his wife.
At the end of 1898 Jeannie married William Ysker, Chief Steward of Lloyd's German Steamship Co. But it seems not to have been idyllic.
I, JEANIE YSKER, will not be answerable for any DEBTS contracted by my husband from date. (Signed) J. YSKER, Springfield, Redcliffs. -Lyttelton Times, 26/6/1901.
ALONG THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.
LITTLE-KNOWN CANTERBURY.
FROM PATTERSON'S CREEK TO BROKEN RIVER. (excerpt)
(BY OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.)
PATTERSON'S CREEK. The rails are laid on the portion of the Midland line between Springfield and Patterson's creek, and a train runs between the two places on Saturdays for the convenience of the men working on the line who wish to visit town. Patterson's Cieek, which gives the locality its name, is a mountain torrent, small enough usually, but a turbulent stream in time of flood. At this point it runs between two high bluffs which have yet to be bridged. At one time there was a temporary bridge, and portions still remain. The cylinders for the railway bridge have been placed in the creek and it is expected that the contractors for the bridge, Messrs Alcott Brothers, will commence its construction in a month or so, and that they will have completed it about a year hence. Just before reaching Patterson's Creek, the first tunnel on this end of. the Midland line is seen. By the roadside, before the road dips into the valley, is situated the house and office of the resident engineer, Mr W. H. Gavin. To this gentleman "The Press" party presented and made known their intentions. Mr Gavin placed the party under the guidance of Mr W. E. Fitzgerald, engineering assistant, who proved of great assistance in piloting them through the unknown regions beyond. At Patterson's Creek there are a number of workmen living, some in tents which are picturesquely dotted over the valley, and some in more substantial dwellings. Indeed, the buildings here are generally of a more permanent nature than those met with further on, and the place has more the appearance of a settlement. Most of the dwellings have gardens attached to them, and from the glimpses got of their interiors they appeared comfortable and in some instances cosy. To provide for the workmen who will be engaged in the erection of the bridge one of the storekeepers at Springfield is building a corrugated iron building as a boarding-house.
A CANVAS TOWN. After climbing the hill on the other side of the creek, the first of the miniature canvas-towns are met with. The line has been made up to the opposite side of Patterson's Creek, but has not yet been ballasted. About a quarter of a mile from the creek is a typical co-operative works settlement. On the side of the road, on the hill elope, there are a number of tents of different sizes, and the presence of women and children indicate that it is a settlement for married men. The tents are not arranged with any regularity, and there are no "streets" in these towns. The selection of a site has depended a great deal on the amount of shelter that can be obtained. The children romping about are quite all healthy-looking and as well-dressed as any brought up under more favourable circumstances, and the wives of the workmen do not appear to be greatly handicapped by the disadvantages that are associated with such surroundings. On the other side of the road are numerous tents for single men, arranged in a similar picturesque disorder, but always with the view of obtaining as much shelter as possible. On this side of the road the visitor's eye is arrested by a signboard — an unusual thing in these wilds. It bears the legend: — "Ysker's Refreshment Rooms. Board and Residence." A brief stoppage was made here. Going down a path the refreshment room is reached, and the building is found to be a wooden one, built of timber from the bush that at one time existed close by, and of which there are still remnants left. The roof is low, but the interior is neatly arranged, and on the walls are several coloured prints, which consist chiefly of the portraits of British Generals, engaged in the South African war, which were published by the "Weekly Press." There is a piano in the large front room in addition to a table and chairs. A cup of coffee with biscuits and bread and butter were partaken of, Mrs Ysker apologising for the tablecloth, by remarking that the men were unaccustomed to that particular form of luxury. After a brief chat with Mrs Ysker, from which it is learned that as regards stores the different settlements along the line are well supplied, the party make another start. Ere leaving this settlement, a one-roomed building, of dressed timber, is pointed out where a family of eight or ten live. -Press, 21/10/1901.
Some clue as to Jeannie's origin comes from this notice:
DEATHS
DRUMMOND — March 7, 1903, at the residence of her son-in-law, W. Carson, Esq., of Inland Revenue, Glasgow, Lady Janet Drummond, dearly loved grandmother of Dr H. Nimmo, J. P. Nimmo, Esq., Registrar B., D., M., Glasgow, and Mrs W Ysker, of Midland Hallway, Springfield, and Redcliffs, Canterbury, great-grandmother of Anneti, Sidney, Alfred Cyril K. Ysker; in her eighty-eighth year. Deeply loved and mourned by ill. (By San Francisco mail.)
If ever to see or hear thy voice again, grannie; Never to be as once we were of yore;
Never to clasp thy hand in mine again, grannie; Never in this weary world any more.
Inserted by her loving granddaughter, Janet Ysker, Midland Railway, Springfield. -Star, 29/4/1903.
And a clue as to her inventiveness from the following:
Late Advertisements
FRAU YSKER, Face and Head Massage, Phrenologist and Palmist, 11 till 1, 2 till 5. Baker Bros.' Rooms, Manchester Street. -Star, 8/7/1907.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF LADY JANET DRUMMOND
Who died May 3rd 1902, Aged 85. Grandmother of Mrs W. Ysker of Otira and Redcliffs and great grandmother of S. K. Ysker, A. K. Ysker, A. E. K. Ysker, and great great grandmother of A. J. Knight of Pukerau. Loved by all.
You loved me all your life Granny, And I loved you the same,
Altho' far away when you died Granny, In Heaven we'll meet again.
Inserted by her loving grand daughter. — Mrs W. Ysker, Otira. -Grey River Argus, 5/5/1908.
In 1908 comes an advertisement that would fit well in a Victorian era novel:
WANTED KNOWN.
THE Present Address of ALFRED KNIGHT, a Caversham Industrial School boy, who, some years ago, was boarded out with Mr Brook, of Evans Flat. As there is news from England which is to his advantage, a reward will be given for information that will disclose his whereabouts.
Reply to this Office. -Tuapeka Times, 1/7/1908.
It seems to prove the moneyed origins of Alfred's father, the remittance man who brought his children to "the devil's half acre" of Dunedin.
Meanwhile, Jeannie, in her later years, seems to have slipped into old habits.
PUBLIC NOTICE.
T. W. YSKER will not be responsible for any debts incurred by his wife. Jeanie Knight Ysker. Redcliffs, September 25. 1931. -Star, 25/9/1931.
MAGISTRATE'S COURT
SATURDAY (Before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M.)
DRUNKENNESS Jeannie Knight Ysker, aged 75 years, who was charged with drunkenness and a breach of a prohibition order, was convicted and discharged. It was stated that the woman possessed jewellery and valuables, which she carried about in a portmanteau. -Press, 30/4/1934.
MAGISTRATE'S COURT
DRUNKENNESS. A fine of 20s, in default 48 hours' imprisonment, was imposed on Jeannie Knight, a domestic, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of drunkenness, the second offence within the last six months. Accused was first charged in the name of Ysker, but denied the charges, claiming that that was not her name. -Press, 4/2/1938.
Funeral Notices
YSKER — The Funeral of the late Jeannie Knight Ysker will leave the Chapel of George Barrell, 225 Durham street, on Tuesday, at 2 p.m., for the Bromley Cemetery. George Barrell. -Press, 2/6/1941.
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