CITY POLICE COURT
Truancy. — Francis Wackeldine, the parent of Violet Wackeldine, was charged on two informations with failing to send his child to Kensington School. — Defendant pleaded "Guilty." and said he could not watch the child as his work sometimes kept him away from home during school hours, and the mother neglected to do so. — Mr Ryan, the truant officer, said the child lived only 100 yards distant from the school, and had been a constant offender. — The Magistrate said it was rather a hard case to deal with. If the child was to he neglected in this manner she would have to be sent to a reformatory. He would dismiss the case under the circumstances, but he would ask defendant to do his utmost to see his child was sent to school regularly. -Otago Daily Times, 14/5/1906.
A DROOPING VIOLET.
A St. Kilda Home of Dirt and Neglect.
[From "Truth's" Dunedin Rep.]
A sorry state of affairs was shown to be existent In a domestic circle at St. Kilda, when Violet Wykendine, a young girl in her sixteenth year, was charged, in the S.M.'s Court last Monday, before Mr Bartholomew, S.M., with being an idle and disorderly person, without any visible means of support, and had been found in a self-made home at 35 Calder-street, St. Kilda.
The story, as related by the police, was a disgusting and disgraceful one of parental disregard, and so great an interest did the father, who is her sole guardian, take in the girl that he could not state the girl's age in court. The closest he could gel to it was that she was born just at the time of the celebration of the "Great Reign," and "Truth" informed them that that was 1897. The girl herself said that her birthday was May 28, and in that way her age was determined.
Sub-Inspector Foughy prosecuted on behalf of the police. The accused did not plead, but evidence was led In order that the S.M. might learn the facts.
Francis Edwin Wykendine, father of the girl, said that she had been employed at Irvine Stevenson's for some time. He thought she had been doing "laboring work." For the last, four or five months she had been housekeeping for him. About two months ago she had left home and stayed away for four or five days. She left again on the previous Tuesday, and he had not seen her since until in court that morning. This time he understood that she had been with Mrs Moore, who was housekeeper to a Mr George, and Mrs Moore had been harboring her. She had been beyond control lately.
The S.M. started to question Francis as to her home life, and how he treated her, but Francis turned on some beery tears, and left the box, saying, "I can do nothing with her."
William Gingle George, laborer at Hillside, said he was the proprietor of the house at 35 Calder-street, which was at present unoccupied. He understood that Violet had been there for the last few nights, but it was not with his permission.
At this point, Violet sobbingly said that Mrs Moore had said that Mr George knew quite well, and that he didn't mind her staying there so long as she didn't tell anyone.
William Gingle denied this.
Constable Havelock said that on November 12 Francis Wykendine reported that his girl had left home again. On Sunday night William Gingle George told film that he thought there was a girl, sleeping at 35 Calder-street, and if he went there late at night he might catch her. He went there at 5.30 a.m. and found the accused sleeping in a back bedroom. There were no bedclothes, and she had nothing but an old overcoat thrown over her. He had known the girl for some time. She kept late hours, and was often seen with young boys.
Detective Alf. Ward said he had known the family for some considerable time, and the girl's home environment was such that it was not surprising that she was before the court. The step-mother had died about two months ago, and the father had devoted himself to looking after this girl and her two sisters by hanging around hotel bars and going home at all hours. He did not think that Violet was a bad or vicious girl, but was simply neglected. The three young girls were always dirty, but he did not think bad.
The Sub-Inspector: Perhaps it would be better if all were brought before your Worship.
The S.M.: It would be just as well, perhaps, if you kept that in view. On the admission of the father, he is not evidently taking great interest in the family. The evidence of Detective Ward shows very sordid conditions.
Violet was commited to Booth's Boodlery for six months. -NZ Truth, 30/11/1912.
CITY POLICE COURT
A Charge of Theft — Violet Wackeldine was charged with stealing (1) a costume, valued at 7s 6d, the property of Christopher Boddy, second-hand dealer; and (2) a pair of boots, valued at 10s, the property of the Salvation Army. — Sub-inspector Fouhy stated that the girl, who was 18 years of age, had been placed in the Salvation Army Home by her father. She had run away from the institution, taking with her a pair of boots to wear. A few days later she stole the costume mentioned in the information. — The Magistrate said the defendant would be Convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon during 12 months, on condition that she remained in the institution. -Otago Daily Times, 12/9/1914.
CITY POLICE COURT
A Young Girl's Downfall. — Violet Wackeldine, a neat and attractive young girl, in her latter teens, was charged with being an idle and disorderly person, having insufficient lawful means of support. She was also charged with having, on November 15, at Oamaru, stolen 5s 9d, the property of Charles Hawkins, and on September 10, 1914, at Dunedin, a costume, valued at 7s 6d, the property of Christopher Boddy. — Constable Palmer, of Oamaru, said that the girl had been employed at the Oamaru Woollen Factory, but for the last month had done no work. She had been living in Oamaru for four months, under the name of Maud Wilson, and had been keeping an immoral life and consorting with a girl of questionable character. The two of them had lived for some time with two men, and had then entered a house of ill repute. Adjutant Hawkins, of the Salvation Army, had taken the girl to his home to do what he could for her, and she had stolen 5s 9d from collection money kept there. She had twice been committed to the Salvation Army Home, and on each occasion she had escaped. — A conviction was entered on the vagrancy charge, and the girl was ordered to be detained in the Salvation Army Home for 12 months. -Otago Daily Times, 1/12/1915.
HOUSES OF ILL-FAME
CHARGES AGAINST TWO PERSONS.
MARGARET PARKER SENT TO GAOL.
At the City Police Court yesterday two persons were charged under the War Regulations with keeping houses of ill-fame. — Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., who presided, ordered the court to be cleared.
Margaret Parker, for whom Mr Irwin appeared, pleaded "Not guilty" to a charge of keeping a house of ill-fame at St. Kilda during the months of May, June, and July.
Evidence in support of the charge was given by May Annie Tabernacle, Violet Wackeldine (single, 20 years of age), Mary Fowler, Olive Fowler (17 years of age), and Detective Hammerley. The women witnesses stated that they took men for immoral purposes to the Grand Pacific Boarding-house, kept by accused, and another woman (Clara Robinson) was named as having also gone to the promises. The witnesses mentioned several men — "Charlie" Greenaway, Andrew Townley, "Georgie" Ross, a steward of the name of Miller, George Ross, and Albert Dawson — as having visited the place with them, but could not give the names of other men, one of whom was said to be an officer on the Ulimaroa. The women also gave evidence as to their earnings. May Tabernacle stated that she paid no board while she stayed at the Grand Pacific during May, June, and July because she was taking men there, whom the accused charged for the use of the room. There was a discrepancy in the evidence in one respect, the witness Tabernacle stating that on one occasion the accused refused admittance to the Fowler girls because they had no "boys" with them, whereas Mary Fowler stated that the reason why she was refused admittance was that the man with her would not pay the 15s demanded by the accused. According to Mary Fowler, she spent that night in the lupins, but her sister was admitted by the accused, the man who had accompanied her going home. Detective Hammerley stated that accused was alone in her house when ho arrested her. The house was particularly clean and well furnished.
Mr Irwin asked that the case should be dismissed. He directed attention to the conflicting. statements made by the witnesses for the prosecution. He pointed out that the woman had stated that accused had refused to let the girls Fowler in because they had not men with them, whereas the Fowler girls stated that she would not let them in with men because they would not pay her charge. He asked if it was likely that this woman, if she was keeping a house of ill-fame, would argue with people outside the place as to the money they should pay her for admission. The witnesses for the prosecution were more or less accomplices in this business if it existed.
Accused said that the girls Fowler were at her house on two occasions — once by themselves and the other with two men, and on this occasion she refused them admittance. She did not know the woman Wackeldine. The woman Tabernacle stayed with her between three weeks and a fortnight. So far as she knew Tabernacle did not have men stopping with her. There were eight men connected with horses here for the races staying at the house. One night there were some men with the Fowler girls outside the house kicking up a row, and she cleared them away. She let one of the Fowler girls in and told her to go to bed, and to go away in the morning. The other one went to the lupins.
In reply to Chief Detective Bishop, she denied that her house was a reputed house of ill-fame. The evidence given by the women who were called for the prosecution was "all lies."
The Magistrate said that counsel had very properly criticised the evidence given by one witness in particular, and it merited that criticism. But the case did not depend merely upon her evidence, nor upon the fact that one was contradicted by the other witnesses. The two Fowler girls were not contradicted in the evidence they had given, and the Wackeldine woman told a straight-out story. It was admitted that the woman Tabernacle stayed on the premises for some time and inferences must be drawn from her admitted reputation. The strongest thing in the accused's favour was that it was not suggested that she was a procuress, or that she actively induced these young women on to her premises. Even so, when he regarded the youth of some of those who were suffered to prostitute themselves on her premises, he could only deal with the offence in one way. He would make the sentence as light as possible. Accused would be sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour.
Peter Reilly was charged that between May, June, and July last ho did keep a house of ill-fame in Maclaggan street.
Mr Scurr appeared for accused, and asked for a remand for a week, pointing out that his client had been arrested only on Saturday, and had no time to prepare his defence.
Chief Detective Bishop asked for permission to call one witness in order that she might not be kept here any longer than necessary.
This was agreed to.
Mary Fowler said she knew accused, who kept a boarding-house in Maclaggan street, at which she stayed there nearly a week with a '"boat fellow." She stayed there only at night. They stayed there as Mr and Mrs Crossley for four or five nights. This was about two months ago. The room was engaged from Reilly. Crosslev was on the Waihora. There were other men boarders in the house. Reilly knew they were not married, and she did not lead him to believe they were not married.
The case was then adjourned for a week, accused being admitted to bail in one sum of £50. -Otago Daily Times, 7/8/1917.
ALLEGED HOUSE OF ILL-FAME
CHARGE AGAINST PETER REILLY.
Peter Reilly appeared on remand to-day before Mr Bartholomew, S.M., charged that, during the months of May, June, and July, at Maclaggan street, he kept a house of ill-fame.
He was defended by Mr C. N. Scurr, and pleaded not guilty. Chief-detective Bishop prosecuted. The court was cleared.
Detective Hammerly said that, in company with Detective-sergeant Kemp, on August 4 he went to accused's boardinghouse, and arrested him. Witness accompanied him to his room while he dressed and had a look round the top flat. There were a number of bedrooms, single and double. He had known accused for about three years. When witness first knew him he was a licensed cabman. His conduct as a cabman was unsatisfactory, and as the result of cases heard against him in the court the City Council cancelled the license.
Mr Scurr objected to the admission of this as evidence. In view of the fact that in this case the onus was on the defendant, surely that was serious enough without statements being made which might exist solely in the mind of the detective.
The Magistrate said that it would not be admissible unless to show certain facts within the knowledge of the accused having bearing on this charge.
The Chief Detective said that was what was intended.
Witness continued that when Reilly was a cab-driver his knowledge of the women of the unfortunate class was "pretty good." Amongst those frequenting his house were Clara Robinson, May Tabernacle, Violet Wackeldine, Mary Fowler, and Maggie Evans.
To Mr Scurr: He had found everything in the house clean and in good order. It was possible that the woman Evans might have been there in the capacity of domestic servant, and had slept in a room with Reilly's children; but he had evidence that she had been there for other purposes.
Witness proceeded to give further particulars, stating, in answer to His Worship, that his information was given him by witnesses.
The Magistrate said he would not admit such evidence, and directed the witness not to waste the time of the Court in relating it.
Mr Scurr: Did you say to accused on the way to the police station "Reilly, you have been threatening you were going to break my neck?
Witness: I did not.
May Annie Tabernacle, a married woman living apart from her husband, said that she left her husband three months ago, and went to board at the accused's house in Maclaggan street. Violet Wackeldine went with her. She boarded there a week; and then Reilly gave her a job as waitress. In the first week Reilly brought five strange men to her. When she went there Reilly knew she was a woman of ill-fame. She received money from these men.
To Mr Scurr: She believed she did go to the boarding-house giving the name of Mrs Maxwell, and stating that her husband was at the front. She would not again know the men of whom she had spoken. She had no spite on Reilly. One Saturday night she went and stayed at Mrs Parker's, and on the next day she had trouble at Reilly's.
Mr Scurr: Yes, when he discovered what you had been doing, is it not a fact that he and Mrs Reilly ordered you out of their place?
Witness denied this, and stated that Reilly had said the police had been, but if she kept things quiet and said nothing she could continue to stay there.
After lunch, witness was further cross-examined by Mr Scurr. When he put his first question Tabernacle seemed amused.
Mr Scurr: Don't treat this as a joke. It a no laughing matter for this man. What is your age?
Witness hung her head and smiled coyly.
Mr Scurr: Don't be modest about it.
The Magistrate: None of this nonsense here. Just keep a straight face and answer the question.
Witness said she left Reilly's because Mrs Reilly was nagging, and because she had been at Mrs Parker's.
Mt Scurr: Yes and because Mrs and Mr Reilly told you to go.
Witness: They never told me plainly to leave. I told Mrs Reilly that I was leaving.
"Why did you leave your husband" — "I do not wish to answer that," and she commenced to weep.
Mr Scurr: You'll have to answer. You were laughing a moment ago; now you are crying.
Witness: I left him to go with another boy.
Mr Scurr proceeded to examine as to other boarding-houses witness had stopped at with or without "boys." At one she and a man called themselves Mr and Mrs James. She failed to remember other places she had boarded at, and Mr Scurr said she was hedging.
The Chief Detective said it not proper to say that.
The Magistrate said he did not think the witness required any particular protection.
Violet Wackeldine, single, 20 years of age was the next witness. She went to Reilly's house to board just before Winter Show time with the last witness. She was there about a fortnight. On one occasion Reilly came to their bedroom door in reference to an appointment Tabernacle had with a man. Tabernacle refused to go, so witness went. (Continued in Stop Press.) -Evening Star, 13/8/1917.
CITY POLICE COURT
Saturday, September 15. (Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.)
A Rogue and Vagabond. — A young woman named Violet Wackeldine, aged 20, charged with being a rogue and a vagabond having insufficient lawful means of support, pleaded guilty. — Chief Detective Bishop informed the court that the girl was of the unfortunate class and had been previously convicted on a similar charge. Defendant was beyond parental control, having run away from her home with a stepsister. She had been committed to the Salvation Army Home, but had escaped. Her father had stated that the girl was beyond his control. His Worship said the only way to deal with the girl whom, he considered, was quite incorrigible, was to commit her to prison for a lengthy term. She would be sentenced to 12 months' hard labour at Addington Gaol. -Otago Daily Times, 17/9/1917.
VIOLET'S VAGARIES
Wackeldine's Wrong-doing
12 Months' Imprisonment.
(From "Truth's" Dunedin Rep.) . During the hearing of the so-called white slavery cases at Dunedin, the police produced, among other witnesses, a young lady of the streets, one Violet Wackeldine. She tendered important "evidence" in one case, but in the other her "evidence" upset officialdom's calculations with the result that Magistrate Bartholomew had his eyes opened. Very properly he threw the case out of court and severely commented on the characters who had given evidence in the cases generally —
"THE RUINED SCHOOL GIRLS," as a gushing parliamentarian called them.
The other day Miss Wackeldine was picked up by the police again, the same branch of the force for whom her previous evidence had failed — the "D." branch. She figured in the dock this time, being charged with being a rogue and a vagabond and having insufficient lawful means of support.
Chief- Detective Bishop: The young woman is only 18 years of age, and has been previously convicted aa an idle and disorderly person and for theft. She had two illegitimate children. Your Worship will remember her as being mixed up in the recent brothel cases.
The S.M.: Yes, I recollect.
The Chief-Detective: After which she ran away from her home with a step-sister named Ruby Mitchell. The father complained, and Detective Hammerly picked her up in the streets late one night and took her home. But she
RAN AWAY AGAIN, sleeping wherever she could get in. She was in a bad condition of health at present. She had been in the Salvation Army Home and had run away from there, too. Her father states that she is quite beyond his control, and he cannot do anything with her.
The S.M.: This young woman is quite incorrigible. The only way to deal with her is to send her to prison for a lengthy period. She is sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment, with hard labor, at Addington gaol. -NZ Truth, 29/9/1917.
POLICE COURT
MIXED COMPANY.
Alexander James Harrhy was charged with being a rogue and vagabond, in that he had insufficient lawful means of support and had been previously convicted as an idle and disorderly person. Albert Robert Wilcoxson alias Albert Bailey was charged with being idle and disorderly, in that he habitually consorted with persons having no lawful means of support. Violet Maude Jamieson alias Wackeldine faced a charge of being an incorrigible rogue, in that she was the occupier of a house frequented by persons who had no visible lawful means of support, and had been previously convicted as a rogue and vagabond. Doris Victoria Mills and Ella May Scott were each charged with being idle and disorderly, in that they had insufficient lawful visible means of support.
All pleaded guilty. Sub-inspector Cameron asked tor a remand till to-morrow, stating that Mr C. J. L. White, who appeared for the women Jamieson and Scott, was engaged in the Supreme Court. He also expected a report from Invercargill regarding the young woman Mills.
The remand was granted. -Evening Star, 26/10/1932.
“A PEST HOUSE”
IMMORALITY AND FILTH
ABANDONED MOTHER SENT TO GAOL
MAN DESCRIBED AS PARASITE
“The statements and report in this case show, as discreditable and unsavoury a state of affairs as I have ever had to deal with,” said the Magistrate (Mr J. K. Bartholomew, S.M.) in the Police Court this morning, when Alexander James Harrhy was charged with being a rogue and a vagabond, Albert Robert Wilcoxson with being idle and disorderly, Violet Maude Jamieson with being an incorrigible rogue, Doris Victoria Mills, with being idle and disorderly, and Ella May Scott with being idle and disorderly.
The accused all pleaded guilty. Sub-inspector Cameron prosecuted, and Mr C. J. L. White appeared for the accused Jamieson and Scott.
The Sub-inspector stated that, as the result of police observations and complaints from the residents, a house in South Dunedin had been raided, and the accused were all found there in a filthy condition, as were the premises. They were taken into custody by Sergeant McEntee and Detectives Russell and Power. The accused Scott was a single girl seventeen years of age, Jamieson being her mother. Scott’s father died when she was very young, and she had continued living with her mother, who married again about six years ago. Scott had been living with Harrhy since July last, with her mother’s approval. About eight months ago, Wilcoxson came to live at the house, and it was while he was living there that he was sent to gaol. When Wilcoxson came out of gaol he commenced living with Jamieson, who had a child fifteen months old living in the house with her. The accused Mills came to live with Jamieson about four weeks ago, and she had also been leading an immoral life at the instigation of Jamieson. Wilcoxson had a very bad record, her last conviction being in 1917. For the past three years she had been leading an immoral life, shifting from house to house, and she had been the source of a good deal of trouble in the south end of the city by reason of her immoral conduct. Mills, who was 19 years of age, had not been under proper control before she came to Dunedin, and had been the subject of police and child welfare attention. Harrhy was a low type, and in fact a parasite.
Mr White said that Mrs Jamieson was thirty-five years of age, and her present position had been brought about through a series of misfortunes. She had been married twice, the accused Scott being a child by the first marriage. Recently she had had an illegitimate child. Her second husband died three years ago, and since then her life had been one perpetual struggle. It certainly appeared as if she had kept the whole household in the best manner she could. She was a semi-cripple. The girl Mills had had trouble with her parents and had come to Dunedin, where she had been befriended by Mrs Jamieson.
His Worship: Befriended her? Hm!
Mr White said that Scott was seventeen years of age, and it would be a pity for her to be convicted of being idle and disorderly. He suggested that the charge against her might be adjourned for some lengthy period, on condition that she remained in the Salvation Army Home.
The Magistrate said that Harrhy was an absolute parasite, and seemed to be living on the immorality of these women. He was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment with hard labour.
As to Wilcoxson, His Worship said that he seemed to he qualifying in the same manner as Harrhy, and he would be sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour. So far as Jamieson was concerned, the statements showed that she was quite abandoned. The conditions at the house wore absolutely filthy, and the fact that she led her daughter into living with a blackguard like Harrhy seemed hardly credible. She would be sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment with hard labour. Mills seemed to have settled down quite readily in this “pest house,” and would be convicted and ordered to be detained in the Salvation Army Reformatory at Addington for twelve months. Scott was quite young, and from the report it seemed that the girl had not had a chance with an impossible mother of the sort she had. No conviction would be recorded against her at present. The matter would stand adjourned meantime, providing she remained in the Salvation Army Home at Caversham for the next two years. -Evening Star, 27/10/1932.
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