City Police Court
Obscene Language. — Alexander Lockhart, a young man, for using obscene language in Machin's right-of-way was fined 20s, or seven days. Margaret Williams, a prostitute, was fined 40s, in default, one month's imprisonment. -Evening Star, 24/7/1877.
CITY POLICE COURT.
Thursday, 3rd January. (Before I. N. Watt, Esq., R.M.)
Drunkenness,— James O'Hara was discharged. Alexander Kilgour was fined 20s, in default three days' imprisonment. Vagrancy — Margaret Williams, an unfortunate, who was trembling from the effects of opium, was sent to gaol for three months for vagrancy. -Otago Daily Times, 4/1/1878.
The body of a woman named Margaret Williams was found by a Mr L. McDermott in the Southern Recreation Ground, between eight and nine o'clock yesterday morning. Dr Brown made an examination of the body, and found no marks of violence. Exposure during the previous night is supposed to have been the cause of death. A bottle of brandy was found lying alongside the deceased. -Evening Star, 27/5/1878.
It will be recollected that on the 26th ult. the dead body of a woman was found lying on the Southern Reserve, and as a bottle of whiskey was found lying alongside the body it was supposed that death was accelerated by intoxication. At the coroner's inquest, held a couple of days afterwards, the body was identified by Inspector Mallard, Sergeant Anderson, and a woman named Garwood as that of Margaret Williams, and as such the deceased was duly registered as dead and buried. It now transpires that Williams was at the time mentioned an inmate of the Female Refuge. From some facts which recently came under the notice of the police inquiries were set on foot and it was ascertained beyond doubt that the body was that of a woman named Elizabeth Brown. The woman was so much given to acts of intemperance that post mortem appearances were beginning to develop themselves, and deceased's face was so much swollen as to be almost beyond recognition — hence the mistake. As showing the similarity between the two women, it may be mentioned that when Brown was arrested for drunkenness some months ago she was recognised in the police yard as Williams, and it was only on closer examination that she was really found to be Elizabeth Brown's. On the Saturday before her decease Brown was discharged from the Gaol after serving a sentence for drunkenness. -Evening Star, 17/6/1878.
Dunedin City Council cemetery records show an Elizabeth Brown was buried in the Southern Cemetery, in January of 1876, in a family grave. It might have been the woman found on the Oval - I have found more than one discrepancy in the records of that time.
CITY POLICE COURT.
Thursday, October 17.
(Before J. Logan, R. B. Martin, Esq., J.P.’s.)
Vagrancy. — Margaret Williams was charged with having no lawful means of support. — Sergt. Anderson said that prisoner had been in the Female Refuge for six months, but that she left a few weeks ago and since then had been knocking about the town amongst the Chinese, and behaving in a most disreputable manner. — The charge was remanded till to-morrow, to give the accused an opportunity of again going to the Refuge. -Evening Star, 17/10/1878.
CITY POLICE COURT.
Tuesday, October 22,
(Before J. Logan, Esq., and J. Hazlett, Esq., J.P.s.)
Vagrancy. Margaret Williams pleaded guilty to charges of drunkenness and vagrancy. — Inspector Mallard said that she was a continual source of annoyance to the police. She had been sent to the Female Refuge, but refused to stay there. — Prisoner expressed her preference for the gaol, and their Worships committed her to Mr Caldwell's care for three months. -Evening Star, 22/10/1878.
CITY POLICE COURT.
(Before E. Schlotel, Esq., and A. C. Begg, Esq., J.P.'s.)
Drunkenness. McComestry was fined 5s with the alternative of twenty-four hours imprisonment; John Reilly 10s or forty-eight hours.
Vagrancy. Margaret Williams was charged with drunkenness and with having no lawful means of support. — Prisoner said that for the last two years she had been working for Government, and that as soon as she got her liberty she was re-arrested. — Serjeant-Major Bevan said that he had known prisoner for the last two years as a vagrant. She only came out of gaol yesterday after serving a sentence for drunkenness. Whenever she was out of gaol she went to the Chinaman's right-of-way, where she smokes opium and drinks brandy until unable to move. She often gave herself up to the police, and it was a charity to send her to gaol as he feared she would be found dead some morning. —The Bench relegated her to her old quarters for three months. -Evening Star, 18/3/1879.
An abandoned character named Margaret Williams was brought before the Bench at the City Police Court this morning on a charge of drunkenness. The woman admitted the offence, explaining that she had only come out of gaol yesterday after serving a sentence of three mouths for vagrancy, and that she had naturally got rather highspirited in consequence of obtaining her liberty. The Bench were obdurate to her appeals to be allowed "a chance," and, thinking that the gaol was the best place for her, fined her L5, in default three months' imprisonment. A reminder from the clerk to the Court and the police inspector that the maximum penalty allowed by the Court was L5, or fourteen days, however, caused them to reduce the fine to that term; and the woman on retiring gratefully thanked Mr James for his considerateness. -Evening Star, 13/6/1879.
A degraded-looking woman named Margaret Williams was brought before the Police Court yesterday, charged with vagrancy. Inspector Mallard stated that the unfortunate woman was addicted to opium-smoking, and he attributed all her misery to that habit. -Otago Daily Times, 6/1/1880.
By 1880, Margaret is being described in court news as being an "old offender," or "habitual drunkard." The nickname "Opium Mag" is also first being used in 1880.
Several vagrants were dealt with at the City Police Court yesterday. Anne Manning was sentenced to seven days', Elizabeth Barber to 14 days', and Rose Jackman to a month's imprisonment. Ellen Parkins was remanded for a week. Margaret Williams, on being charged, "soft-sawdered" the Bench in an amusing style. She pleaded that she never got a chance of reforming her ways, for she was no sooner let out of gaol after doing three months than she was "run in" again. She must, however, acknowledge that his Worship (Mr Watt) had shown her mercy, and was different to Mr Logan, who always gave her three months. After the woman had proceeded in this fashion for some time, Inspector Mallard suggested that an opportunity should be given to her to leave the town. His Worship agreed, and remanded the charge for a week, much to the satisfaction of the prisoner, who, as she left the Court, was lavish in her praise of the Bench. -Otago Daily Times, 16/9/1880.
CITY POLICE COURT.
(Before J. Logan, Esq., J P., and R. Paterson, Eq., J.P.)
Drunkenness. Mary Jarvey, who pleaded that the had walked in from Waikouaiti to see a clergyman and had taken some refreshment on the road which, in her fatigued state, overcame her, was fined 5s, in default twenty-four hours' imprisonment.
Vagrant. Margaret Williams alias "Opium Mag" was charged with having no lawful means of support.— Prisoner was before the Court last week, and got a week to leave the place, but instead of doing so, went to live with the Chinese, where she had since remained. — The charge was remanded until Wednesday in order that prisoner might have an opportunity of gating work at the Steam Laundry. -Evening Star, 24/9/1880.
CITY POLICE COURT.
Saturday, 10th September. (Before Messrs G. E. Eliott and J. Brown, J.P.'s.)
Drunkenness. — Three persons were dealt with for this offence.
Obscene Language. — Margaret Williams was charged with using obscene language within the hearing of persons passing in Walker street. — From the statements of the police it appeared that the accused was a notoriously bad character, and when out of gaol spent her time in the Chinese quarters smoking opium. — She was fined 40s, or in default 14 days' imprisonment. -Otago Daily Times, 12/9/1881.
Margaret Williams was charged with having no lawful visible means of support. — Sergeant Gearin said he found the accused in a house of ill-fame in Maclaggan street that was a perfect den of infamy. It was not a fit place for a dog to sleep in. He knew her to be one of the worst women of her class, and the associate of rogues, thieves, and vagabonds. — Their Worships sentenced her to three months’ imprisonment. -Evening Star, 3/11/1881.
In February of 1884, a reporter for the "Otago Daily Times" explored the sordid areas of his town and wrote about what he had see. Below is a brief excerpt, mentioning someone who is likely to be Margaret Williams. The full article, with a long list of abominations, is included below the excerpt and is very much of its time. What shines through for this writer is the entitlement with which the reporter makes his way into people's houses to chronicle their misery, and the resistance which he encounters from those who object to his invasion of their privacy.
After visiting one more den, in which a Chinaman is lying smoking in solitude and "expecting Mag home every minute," as he informs us, we have seen about enough of this alley. There is a monotony about the interior of all the residences, and the smell is anything but refreshing.
OUTCAST DUNEDIN.
(by our special reporter.)
There are in Dunedin no long stretches of narrow courts and alleys where a stranger may walk for miles without seeing anything to vary the depressing monotony of vice and misery. The offscourings of the population are of course less in quantity than is the case in larger cities, and in comparison with these the dimensions of "outcast Dunedin" are small indeed. Still we are not free from plague-spots, and it is scarcely advisable that they should always be hidden from view — perhaps forgotten altogether. There are, in close proximity to our most prosperous and busy thoroughfares, haunts in which no respectable man, woman, or child would venture unless impelled by absolute necessity or duty. We pass them by within a few yards only, daily, hourly. Our wives, daughters, and sisters pass them also, and do not dream that they are there. Yet there they have stood for many years past, and there they are permitted to stand to-day, dens certainly unfit for human habitations from the enlightened builder's point of view. In most instances they are well out of sight — they front upon no street, and thus are conveniently situated for the fostering of dirt, and possibly of disease. Here live amongst others the lowest class of criminals, and those who will be criminals in the future, and are perhaps in the present merely vicious.
These places are probably visited by the police often, but seldom by anyone else. In fact, to carry on a work of reformation in these dens presents more difficulties than are immediately apparent. The tenements are, for one thing, not fixed habitations. The inhabitants that are congregated in one kennel this week are separated and scattered broadcast about the town the next. Their household gods are easy of removal, and frequent experiments have proved that they are more easily removed to the pawnshop than to any other locality. These people belong to a class the members of which herd together in a happy-go-lucky style until quarrels or failing finances effect a separation. Among them intimacies are quickly formed, and as quickly dissolved, but they are close while they last — so close, that it is no uncommon thing to find a moderately numerous party huddled together in a one or two-roomed tenement, sometimes for a considerable period at a stretch. The inhabitants of these hovels eat when they can, and drink always. Their life is from hand to mouth, and they are in no possible danger of sinking lower in the social scale. A stroll around a few of the dens of Dunedin may be interesting in a philosophical sense, but it is anything but a pleasant excursion.
Almost under the shadow of a building to which we in Dunedin are accustomed to resort for our amusement is situated one of the most disreputable of the alleys of which this city can boast. A narrow right-of-way, close to the dress-circle entrance of the Princess Theatre, leads round to the stage end of the house, and at the rear of this, dimly distinguishable in the darkness, is a double row of small, dingy wooden shanties. They are partitioned off like dolls' houses, save that the exteriors present not the smallest attempt at gaudiness. Of paint there is none — of dirt there is a superfluity, and some of the window-panes are whole. The residences are low-lying, and they are approached down a tolerably steep incline — facilis descensus.
On errands of this nature it is useless to be over fastidious. It is no good picking and choosing, or spending time in selecting a particularly clean or particularly dirty specimen of the "row." Flinders Lane — the legitimate title of this locality — boasts little variety in such matters. On the occasion referred to the writer and companion decided without waste of time by entering with a timid knock the nearest domicile. It proved one of the most aristocratic in the neighbourhood. The interior presented nothing worse than an innocent form of recreation, carried on in a dim religious light that served to partially veil the uncleanness of the apartment. It measured, possibly, 9ft by 8ft. The furniture was simple — consisting solely of a low bedstead, covered with a blue blanket of unhealthy aspect. Upon this were seated two Chinamen of unostentatious tastes, engaged in a friendly game of euchre, by the light of one of those small lamps specially useful for opium-smoking. For foulness of appearance the cards were almost entitled to count honours, but it was nearly a neck-and-neck race between them and the players. There was little encouragement to remain long in this habitation, for after the first glance of surprise the Chinamen were not communicative. No, they were not smoking opium just then. They were "welly" comfortable there; and the night was, as we remarked, "welly" bad. Thereafter their conversation was confined to grunts; they continued their game, and we discreetly withdrew.
A few minutes' peering through unwashed panes of glass at the domestic life in other interiors, and the second call is made. This time the den boasts a little more furniture (all suffering severely from rickets) and a little more dirt. At a small table is seated a lank Celestial of advanced years. He rejoices in a scanty tuft of grey beard, and perhaps it is his venerable appearance and obvious cunning of expression that has earned him the soubriquet of "the doctor." In front of him is a small box with some little apparatus of wooden blocks, and from various explanations we gather that he "runs" a lottery of some description. Possibly he is following humbly, and at a distance, in the footsteps of the sweep promoters of civilised life. Near the table stands a young European girl, who has called to visit the "doctor" and enjoy a quiet chat. She is not ill-looking or particularly ill-dressed, but she leans against the wall for support, being considerably more than half intoxicated. It must be remembered that this alley, like most others, is situated in convenient proximity to a hotel — in fact, at the rear of one. The remarks of. the "doctor" are scarcely comprehensible, and those of the young girl are not improving, so that there is no temptation to prolong our visit. A few inquiries as to the names and occupations of the neighbours (the latter, however, an inquiry which is never answered) and we depart. But before leaving it is impossible to avoid making a cursory inspection of the very interesting ceiling of this domicile. It is bulged like the cushion of a leather chair, save where it is hanging in shreds. The paper — or whatever the material may be — is stained to every imaginable shade, and is horrible to contemplate. It is impossible for a visitor to stand beneath it without anticipating momentarily the descent of some noxious insect on to the nape of his neck.
Hovel No. 3 is again Chinamen's quarters, and proves to be an opium-den. There is a dim fire in the grate, and upon the wretched bed recline two Chinamen, the lamp placed conveniently between them. One is smoking his few rapid whiffs as we enter, and the gurgling sound is interrupted for a moment and immediately continued. He finishes his turn, passes the pipe over to his companion in silence, and sinks backward upon the blanket. He is not yet blissfully insensible, but will probably be so in a few minutes. Number two reveller lights and follows suit, and whilst he is so occupied a back door opens, and a third villainous-looking individual enters. He starts, and stops dead at the sight of visitors. A half-fierce, half-frightened glance from face to face, and he precipitately retreats. This gentleman, as we mentally note, is evidently ill at ease in the presence of strangers.
After visiting one more den, in which a Chinaman is lying smoking in solitude and "expecting Mag home every minute," as he informs us, we have seen about enough of this alley. There is a monotony about the interior of all the residences, and the smell is anything but refreshing. The same fetid atmosphere and unwholesome surroundings in each.
There is not far to go to the next haunt. Turning into a right-of-way off Stafford street, a small nest of misery is found at the farther end of an open court. These hovels, like the last, are built closely side by side.
In the first entered there is no difficulty whatever in taking a quick inventory of the furniture and effects. It is absolutely bare. Not a chair, not a table, not a bed, or even a blanket. The tenant of this emptiness is a young Irishwoman, dishevelled and very much inebriated. Her poverty has not been so extreme as to prevent her obtaining stimulants, although very possibly she has gone without food. The furniture has, however, temporarily made way for the entrance of the beer-jug. Nevertheless its loss is evidently pressing heavily upon the woman, and there is a consciousness of humiliation in her greeting. She is standing in the very centre of her bare apartment, holding a flaring candle above her head, with unsteady hand. Her annoyance at the ill-timed intrusion takes the form of sarcasm, and she beseeches us not to "take the dimensions of the furniture." Throughout our short stay this is the constantly-repeated burden of her song, and it is repeated each time with growing irritation. She makes no attempt to conceal the fact that "the sticks are at the pawnshop."
Next door the single apartment boasts a small deal table, a low iron bedstead, and a chair. On the bed is seated a woman, dishevelled and untidy as regards hair and dress. She is suckling a puny infant, and has company in the shape of another woman equally miserable in appearance, who is seated at the table reading a tattered journal. Not a scrap of food is visible in this place, but both the occupants are sober. The cause of their immediate distress is the absence of the first-mentioned woman's husband. He had been away for two days and nights, probably on the "spree," and is likely to return out of temper and out of pocket. Still this is the most honest form of misery we have yet encountered on our round, and it is the most pitiable. It is satisfactory to be able to remark that the presence of children in these dens is the exception rather than the rule. The hungry looking infant encountered in this home was almost the first we had seen in the course of the evening, and it may also be stated that it was domiciled in the most evil-smelling apartment we had entered.
Outside, the young Irishwoman was still waiting with her door half opened to wish us a jeering good-bye, and to offer another allusion to the "dimensions of her furniture" As we passed up the court her voice bawled out a satirical "Happy New Year," and quavered off abruptly into a drunken chuckle.
A little higher up Stafford street there is a small opening bounded by two fences, which is just wide enough for the passage of a human body — that is, a body not too robust in form. Following this for 20 or 30 yards, another small cluster of tenements is reached. The first of these is larger than the hovels hitherto visited, but it is more difficult of access. In fact, prudence suggests that we should strike matches before attempting an entrance, and we have reason to congratulate ourselves upon the precaution, as a couple of formidably-sized pails are found neatly barricading the gateway. Those prove to have been deposited there by a lady visitor who has dropped in for a gossip, and apparently desired to avoid the risk of intrusion, or to make matters particularly unpleasant for the intruders, She retreats hastily at our entrance, and we are left face to face with our hostess for the time being — a gaunt-visaged but not untidy-looking woman. Her cottage is two-roomed, and is by far the most neatly furnished that wo have yet visited. There are even a few cheap prints adorning the walls.
From a conversation with this woman we learn that her husband is in the Hospital, and has been there for many months. She is "truly his wife," as she protests, wiping her eyes on the corner of her apron, and although she has a hard struggle to live, she "never interferes with nobody." But the neighbours will not leave her alone. Until lately she was receiving the price of her rent from the Benevolent Asylum, and eked out a living by washing. But the neighbours interfered, and finding out that she received on one occasion a few shillings only from her husband, communicated with the Benevolent Asylum authorities and got the allowance stopped. This, if true, is a hard case, and we express sympathy, whereupon the woman leads us into the inner apartment and shows us her baby sleeping under a heap of passably-clean bedclothes. The most apparently deserving case met with so far.
The cottage across the narrow right-of-way we are unable to enter. The occupant (the lady visitor with the pails encountered just before) plants herself inhospitably in the doorway and blocks ingress. Over her shoulder we catch a glimpse of an uninviting den and a couple of rough-looking characters seated at cards within. There is beer upon the table. We are now close upon Walker street, the special locality of abominations, and a few steps farther brings us to that celebrated nest of vice known as "the Devil's Half-acre."
But there is no space in the present article to pursue the journey further. -Otago Daily Times, 4/2/1884.
In 1885 Margaret begins appearing in the pages of Christchurch newspapers. There is a possibility of confusion here, as there is also a woman of the same name on the West Coast who was occasionally in court of drink and language at the same time as "Opium Mag" is appearing in Dunedin. But the appearances in Christchurch are accompanied by the words "an old offender" and it must be that Mag has moved from Dunedin.
MAGISTERIAL.
CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. (Before E. Beetham, Esq., E.M., E. Westenra, and F. J. Kimbell, Esqs.)
Drunkenness. — Margaret Williams, whose list of previous convictions is a very long one, was sentenced to a month's hard labour. -Star, 16/4/1885.
In 1885 she also appears on similar charges in Waimate and Timaru, before returning to Dunedin. She is being referred to as "Margaret Williams alias Lynch."
Margaret Williams admitted being a common prostitute, and having been guilty of importuning passengers in Jetty street at 9.55 on Saturday night. Sergeant-major Bevin stated that prisoner, who was an inveterate opiumsmoker, was known as "Opium Mag" among the Chinese, with whom she was intimate. — he was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labor. -Evening Star, 18/7/1887.
Drunkenness. — One offender was fined 5s. A Female Vagrant. — Margaret Williams was charged with having insufficient lawful means of support. — Accused: I do not plead guilty at all. — Sergeant-major Bevin said the accused was a constant associate of Chinese. She had every chance of doing well, and they did not know what to do with her. She had been before the court 36 times. — Sergeant Gearin said she was called "Opium Mag," and was a most incorrigible character. — Accused was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. -Otago Daily Times, 7/11/1887.
In March of 1888 Margaret appears yet again in court in Dunedin, then, in June, she is in Wellington.
A middle-aged woman named Margaret Williams, otherwise Opium Mag, a well-known habitue of the police courts down south, made her first appearance in the local Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr. H. W. Robinson, R.M., on the charge of drunkenness. There was nothing exceptional in the case except that Sergeant-Major Morice stated that there were no fewer than 35 previous convictions within 10 years recorded against her in the Magistrate's Courts at Dunedin, Christchurch, Timaru and other places for drunkenness, vagrancy, and other minor offences against propriety. The accused was fined 5s, or six hours' incarceration in default. Sergeant-Major Morice mentioned that the woman had only recently loft the Home for Friendless Women. -Evening Post, 8/6/1888.
At the Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr. H. W. Robinson, R.M., a first offender was brought up on a charge of drunkenness, and was discharged with a caution. Margaret Williams, alias "Opium Mag," similarly charged, begged hard of his Worship for "one more chance," which the Court was pleased to allow. -Evening Post, 18/1/1889.
A hardened character named Margaret Williams, who also figures in the police records with the choice nickname of "Opium Mag," was arrested for vagrancy by Constable Harnett at Lower Hutt yesterday. She was taken this morning before Mr. W. A. Fitzherbert, J.P., who sentenced her to a months' imprisonment with hard labour, Williams has now nearly fifty conviction recorded against her. -Evening Post, 31/12/1889.
In 1890 Margaret returns briefly to Dunedin, as reported in the papers there for the usual reasons, before returning to Wellington.
MAGISTRATE'S COURT.
This Day. (Before Mr. H. W. Robinson, RM.)
A "HARD CASE."
Margaret Williams, against whom the police had got a long list of previous convictions, appeared and pleaded Guilty to being drank in Lambton-quay last night. The Magistrate, recognising that a fine would have no effect, sent the defendant to gaol for 14 days. -Evening Post, 14/10/1890.
The "record" of a woman named Margaret Williams, alias "Opium Mag," who was convicted in the Wellington Magistrate's Court yesterday morning for drunkenness, is somewhat remarkable. Since August, 1877, she has been convicted of 58 offences, consisting principally of drunkenness, disorderly conduct, and vagrancy. The sentences when totalled together amount to over eight years, and the unfortunate woman has therefore served more than half of the last 14 years of her life in gaol. She is under 50 years of age. -Hawkes Bay Herald, 6/3/1891.
“Opium Mag,” of Wellington, went up last week for her 59th conviction. Since 1877 she has spent more than half the time in gaol on charges of drunkenness, or vagrancy. She is aged 48, but bears few traces outwardly of what she has gone through.
In the neighborhood of Temuka it is stated that the week before last the grass grew at the rate of an inch a day. It would have been just as well to add that anyone could see it growing by looking through a glass — a tumbler just emptied. -Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, 10/3/1891.
In 1891 Margaret moves to Auckland, as shown by her appearances in local papers there.
A sad career was commented upon at the Police Court this morning by Dr. J. Giles, R.M. The subject was a middle-need woman named Margaret Williams, who was convicted of habitual drunkenness. His Worship said it was one of the worst cases that had come under his notice. Going back to 1877, the woman had spent no less than seven years and four months in gaol. His Worship added another three months to the list on the sentence he imposed. -Auckland Star, 29/8/1891.
After many Auckland adventures, Margaret moves to Christchurch in 1900 and features in the papers there., returning again to Dunedin at the end of the year.
CITY POLICE COURT.
Friday, April 12. (Before Messrs D. Pinkerton and A. G, Christopher, J.P's.) Drunkenness. — Margaret Williams, alias "Opium Mag," who had been four times previously convicted within the past six months, and who made her 80th appearance, was sent to gaol for two months. -Otago Daily Times, 13/5/1901.
CITY POLICE COURT.
(Before C. C. Graham, Esq., S.M.)
Inebriety. A first offender pleaded guilty to drunkenness, and was fined 5s with the usual alternative. Margaret Williams, who had been previously convicted seventy-four times, and had just been released from serving a sentence of one month for drunkenness, pleaded guilty to committing the same offence. "You seem to spend nearly the whole of your time in gaol." said the magistrate, "I'll give you another three months in gaol, and by that time the new inebriate home will probably be finished. If you then get drunk again you will be sent there.'' -Evening Star, 15/11/1901.
In July of 1904 Margaret is back in Auckland, being guiven three months in July for "habitual drunkenness."
POLICE COURT.
THIS DAY.
(Before Mr. R. W. Dyer, S.M.)
A Hopeless Case — The chance to reform by being allowed a place in the Salvation Army Home for three months lad been recently given to a middleaged woman named Margaret Williams, alias "Opium Mag," but she came before :he magistrate this morning on a charge of drunkenness and using obscene language in Karangahape-road. The language was described by the magistrate as very filthy, and the defendant excused herself by explaining that at the time she was in a bit of a temper. "She's been in nearly all the courts in the colony during the last 25 years," remarked Sub-Inspector Black, as he handed the woman's ominously record sheet, to the magistrate. His Worship came to the conclusion that all chances of leniency had been exhausted. He sentenced accused to 14 days' hard labour for drunkenness, and two months imprisonment for the use of the bad language, the sentences to be concurrent. -Auckland Star, 1/7/1905.
Police Court News
"OPIUM MAG."
Margaret Williams, alias "Opium Mag," pleaded guilty to a third offence of drunkenness, and also to using obscene language. She said she had taken a "drop," but asked the Bench for a chance. Sub-Inspector Black said the woman two or three weeks ago was allowed to go to the Salvation Army Home for three months, but had cleared out. She had a "very long list" of previous convictions, and had been before nearly every Court in the colony. For the drunkenness she was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment, and for using obscene language received two months' imprisonment. -NZ Herald, 5/7/1905.
POLICE COURT NEWS.
A DOUBLE CHARGE.
Margaret Williams was charged before Mr. G. O. Kettle, S.M., at the Police Court on Saturday with drunkenness (a fifth offence), and with wilfully damaging a galvanised iron bucket, valued at 7s 6d, the property of the New Zealand Government. The defendant pleaded guilty. Sub-Inspectort Black stated, that the defendant broke the bucket while in the cells at the lockup. The defendant: "Give me another chance, and I will reform, and leave the town. I am no sooner out of gaol than I am back again. If Your Worship will give mc another chance I will never come back to Court again, and if I do it will be my own fault if I get 12 months for it. They all try to crush me down. It is like throwing water on a drowned rat." The defendant was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. -NZ Herald, 4/12/1905.
"This woman," said Sub-Inspector Gordon, when introducing Margaret Williams to the Police Court officials yesterday, "has 170 convictions against her. She is a bit of a romancer when in the box, and on Monday, when she was charged with drunkenness, succeeded in getting another chance on the promise that she would not drink again." During the past six months she had been five times convicted. When before the Court last Monday she had a prohibition order issued against her, and when arrested yesterday for being drunk, this order, as well as a bottle of liquor, was found on her. She was sent to Mount Eden by the magistrate, which will at least prevent her from committing a breach of the prohibition order for three months. -NZ Herald, 4/8/1906.
NOT WANTED.
AN HABITUAL CRIMINAL’S TROUBLES.
A case that showed the necessity of some of the new prison legislation recently introduced by Dr. Findlay, Attorney-General, came before Mr. H. S. Fitzherbert, S.M., this morning. Five or six weeks ago there was discharged, on probation, from the indeterminate prisoners’ section of the New Plymouth Gaol a woman of some 62 or 63 years of age, who in a long life of crime or acquaintance with criminals has become notorious throughout New Zealand as “Opium Mag.” Work in the country had been found for her by the prison authorities, and she kept the job for three or four weeks. Then, perhaps because the quietness of country life proved too monotonous to one who had spent so much time in the greater quietness of prisons, she came to New Plymouth, and worked for a week. Then she renewed acquaintance with a male criminal who had just been released from gaol, and she began to slip back into her old life. With her companion she haunted the Esplanade, more or loss intoxicated most of the time. This morning she was charged, before Mr. Fitzherbert, with drunkenness. Under Dr. Findlay’s proposed Probation Act a conviction for any offence would cause her to be sent back to gaol as an indeterminate, but under the present law a conviction involving a sentence of at least three months’ imprisonment is necessary for her return to gaol. The police are prevented from charging her with vagrancy by the fact that she has a few pounds which she earned while in gaol. But she is not wanted in the town. “Opium Mag,” in pleading guilty to the charge, pleaded to be allowed to go to the Salvation Army Home at Wellington, and added that she would stay there if permitted to go. Mr. Fitzherbert formally adjourned the case until a later hour to allow .the police to see that she left the town by the mid-day train for Wanganui. Whether she will resist the temptation to return to her old life, now that she has once again tasted of it, remains to be seen. -Taranaki Herald, 14/10/1910.
MISPLACED CHARITY.
(To The Editor.) Sir, —
“Thoroughly honest, but a rough Cornish woman, I have every confidence in leaving her with you.” These were the words of a well-known local lady philanthropist to my wife when recommending the notorious “Opium Mag” to her as a general servant. Two days later on, we had a very rude awakening. This household treasure, after staying out all .night, put in an appearance at noon next day in a filthy condition and reeking with the fumes of bad whisky. In spite of my wife’s protestations she forced herself upstairs to her bedroom, cursing her with a fluency which would have made a Thames bargee envious. The lady philanthropist, on being taken to task for recommending this creature as “honest and reliable,” excused herself on the plea that she knew that “Mag” had not touched liquor for over a year. (It has since transpired that most of this period was spent in gaol). So she did not think it necessary to say she had been addicted to drink. How these so-called charitable persons can reconcile it to their consciences to recommend this class of gaolbird as honest and reliable passes my comprehension. I suppose that this is one of the multitude of sins charity is said to cover.
— I am, etc., DISGUSTED. -Taranaki Herald, 15/10/1910.
A prohibition order was issued against Margaret Williams, who protested that she was not given to drink, and that her occasional lapses were caused by the behaviour of her husband who she recently had to have bound over to keep the peace. -Auckland Star, 9/8/1911.
In November of 1911 Margaret is back in her old home town on Dunedin.
Margaret Williams, with two previous convictions against her within the past six months, said: “I am paralysed. I think I had a touch of a stroke this morning. I cannot lift my arm." She was remanded till Wednesday in order that evidence may be led to justify her commitment to the Salvation Army Home. -Evening Star, 27/11/1911.
A Salvation Army Home Escape — Margaret Williams, alias Opium Mag, pleaded "Guilty" to being drunk in Park street on April 13, and also to escaping from the Salvation Army Home on that date — On the first charge she was sentenced to seven days, and on the second to one month's imprisonment, both sentences to be concurrent. She was also ordered lo return to the Army Home at the expiration of her sentence. -Otago Daily Times, 15/4/1912.
NEW YEAR OFFENDERS
115 TIMES CONVICTED.
While New Year's Eve was comparatively quiet in the matter of cases of excessive indulgence in liquor, only one man requiring police assistance, the glad day itself was the means of half a dozen persons finding themselves before the Police Court charged with drunkenness.
The familiar figure of Margaret Williams was among the number. She pleaded guilty quite serenely, adding that she had had a drop of drink as it was holiday time.
The Sub-inspector: One hundred and fourteen previous convictions, sir.
Mr Widdowson, S.M.: She was here two days ago. (To prisoner:) I thought you told me you were going away to a situation.
Defendant: Well, sir, I thought so, but unfortunately I missed the train. I'm very sorry I made such a fool of myself.
The Magistrate: Is she altogether sober at the present time?
The Sub-inspector: Oh, yes, your Worship.
The Magistrate: This woman has a terrible record.
Defendant: I'll try to do better again. You are very good to be so lenient.
The Magistrate: The best thing that can happen is for you to take a rest and get the drink out of you. Fined 20s, in default seven days.
Defendant (benevolently): Thank you, sir. You have been so very good to me that I could not ask you for any more.
And she left the dock for familiar quarters. -Evening Star, 2/1/1913.
Of "the troubles that afflict the just" a sample was quoted to the magistrate this morning by Margaret Williams, making her third appearance for the holiday season. "Yes, sir, I am guilty," she said, but listen — I was going out to the Old Women's Home, I was really, when I fell in with a lady, and she asked me to her place, and I didn't mean to stop, and...." Mr Widdowson intimated that he understood, and he suggested that the police had better see that she get to the home this time. -Evening Star, 9/1/1913.
In 1913 Margaret is in court in Wellington in April then Christchurch in July and then Wellington again in October. At the beginning of 1914 she is in Wellington once more, then Christchurch again.
Mary Brown was fined 3 0/-, but another female offender, Margaret Williams, 78 years of age, was not disposed of so easily. "I've just given her a fortnight,'' said Mr Bishop; "I don't know what to do with her. These short sentences do no good at all, and as far as I can make out she has had about 200 previous convictions." She was remanded for a week. -Sun, 16/5/1914.
MAGISTRATE'S COURT
There was a very small charge-sheet at to-day's sitting of the. Magistrate's Court, which was presided over by Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M. "I only had a little over half a cup of beer," said Margaret Williams, who was charged with drunkenness. "Then I collapsed," she continued, "and the next thing I remember was a policeman coming to me." She pleaded not guilty. There were numerous previous convictions against Williams, and his Worship said it was desirable to keep her away from drink for a long period. She received a sentence of three months' imprisonment. -Evening Post, 11/6/1914.
THE COLOSSEUM.
FULLER'S PICTURES. (excerpt)
Current offering at the popular' Gloucester-street picture dispensary is headed by "The Wreck," which features a sensational train smash and not, as might be imagined, the life story of "Opium Mag" who generally stars at the Christchurch Court. -NZ Truth, 20/6/1914.
THE DAY IN COURT.
UNWILLING BREADWINNERS.
MAGISTRATE SAYS "PAY, PAY, PAY!"
The drunks were only a minor part of to-day's Court proceedings. Mr Bishop was busier with the unwilling husbands and sons. The drunks were soon disposed of. It was "Home, John," for Margaret Williams (three times convicted in six months). There will be a fortnight's war news for her to cover when she emerges. -Star, 25/8/1914.
POLICE COURT NEWS.
TO-DAY'S CASES.
(Before Mr H. A. Y. Bishop, S.M.)
DRUNKENNESS.
Margaret Williams, alias "Opium Mag," with about two hundred convictions to her discredit, was charged with drunkenness. She was declared an habitual inebriate and committed to Pakatoa for twelve months. -Star, 14/12/1914.
POLICE COURT.
(Before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M.
BEEN THERE BEFORE. "According to the list, she has been 153 times before the Court, but it is by no means complete," stated the Sub-inspector respecting Margaret Williams (57) otherwise known as "Opium Mag," She had been found wandering the street on Tuesday night, and was without shelter, friends or means. The Sub-Inspector added that he had intended asking that the woman be sent to Pakatoa Island, the matron there had intimated that she could not have Williams there, having had previous unsatisfactory experience with her.
The woman was sentenced to three months' hard labour. -Auckland Star, 3/2/1916.
POLICE COURT NEWS.
UNDESIRABLE CHARACTERS.
SENTENCES PASSED.
An elderly woman named Margaret Williams, alias "Opium Mag," denied a charge in the Police Court yesterday that she was an idle and disorderly person. Constable Wallington stated that he found the accused sitting on a doorstep in Customs Street on Wednesday night. She told him that she had slept out on the two previous nights, and that she had no money or friends. Sub-Inspector McIlveney produced a list which showed that the accused had been before the Court no fewer than 153 times. He had intended to suggest that the accused be sent to Pakatoa Island, but he had learned that the authorities would not have her there. A sentence of three months' imprisonment was inflicted by the magistrate, Mr. F. V. Frazer. -NZ Herald, 4/2/1916.
POLICE COURT.
(Before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M.)
DRUNKENNESS. Margaret Williams (59), with 162 previous convictions of sorts, presented a problem to the Court when she came up once again for drunkenness, as she had worn out her welcome at Pakatoa Island and all the charitable institutions. A way out of the difficulty was found by Salvation Army Adjutant Gordon offering to find a place for the old woman where she could get a home in exchange for light work, and defendant was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called on. -Auckland Star, 1/11/1917.
POLICE COURT
IN FOR THE WINTER.
Margaret Williams (60), with a very long list of previous convictions, admitted that she got drunk yesterday, breaking her prohibition order, and that she also broke a plate-glass window of Henning's garage in Customs Street. A crash of glass drew attention to her outside Henning's at 7.30 p.m. yesterday, and she said that she saw someone inside the garage to whom she objected, and at whom she threw a stone, not noticing that the window was in the way. It was stated that the old woman was incorrigible, and could not be kept in the various charitable institutions which had made efforts at redemption. She was sentenced to three months' hard labour, with a view to providing her with shelter for the winter season. -Auckland Star, 22/5/1918.
POLICE COURT
CAUGHT IN THE WET.
Margaret Williams (61), charged with drunkenness on Saturday, and with having been found illegally on private premises in Hobson Street by night, said she only got out of Mt. Eden on Saturday afternoon, and as it wad very wet, and she could not get a bed for the night, she went into the wash-house, where she was found at 1 a.m. She wished she could get on "the island."
His Worship remarked that it was clear the woman only went into the wash-house for shelter. She would be convicted and committed to Pakatoa Island for twelve months. -Auckland Star, 19/5/1919.
POLICE COURT.
(Before Mr. J. E. Wilson, S.M.)
GLAD TO GET SHELTER.
"I'd be just as well locked up for a few days as going about in the cold and wet." philosophically declared Margaret Williams, alias "Opium Mag" (62), who said she had taken a drop of drink yesterday to keep the cold out when she couldn't find a bed; as she had been found drunk twice in the last two days, she was given the chance of getting in out of the wet, being fined 10/. in default 48 hours' imprisonment. -Auckland Star, 20/5/1920.
POLICE COURT
Yes, Margaret Williams (64) admitted she had been drunk again, and that this was her fourth appearance within the last six months on a similar charge. "1 have been workin' very 'ard and livin' very respectable." said Margaret, thereby indicating that the strain had been too great, and there had been some excuse for yielding to sudden temptation. It transpired that Margaret's job had only lasted a fortnight, however. "She's not a bad old sort," said Sergt. Rowell kindly, despite the fact that the lady's list showed no less than 189 previous convictions. The old party was given the opportunity of doing another week's work — at Mt. Eden this time. -Auckland Star, 9/8/1921.
Local and General
“A notorious woman, she does not work,” said a police sergeant of Margaret Williams, at the Wellington Police Court. A long tale of her being seen in undesirable company was unfolded by the police. Forty-four previous convictions “of every sort,” said the Bench. “She’s already done one year’s reformative treatment — she’d better do another. That will keep her out of the road." “Well, can I go down to Addington, Your Worship?” asked the prisoner eagerly. “You’ll go where the department send you,” said the Magistrate. -Waikato Times, 28/4/1922.
The refusal of two women to leave a Chinese den at 42, Haining street, last evening, resulted in Sergeant Stark being called to the premises and both the intruders were arrested, one on charges of vagrancy and drunkenness, and the other merely for insobriety. The vagrant, Margaret Williams, was described by the sergeant as a woman of the worst type and a menace to the public. She had a long list of previous convictions, and was sentenced to twelve months' reformative detention at Point Halswell. The other defendant was convicted and discharged. -Evening Post, 20/9/1923.
HOLDER OF THE RECORD.
"This is the holder of the record," said Senior-Sergeant Rawle, exhibiting a list of 213 convictions to the discredit of Margaret Williams, aged 74, once popularly known as "Opium Mag," who was charged with being an incorrigible rogue.
Constable Petty said that he found accused sitting on the steps of the Wellesley Street post office on Tuesday evening. She said she had no money and had been turned out of her lodgings for being drunk.
\Accused: Give us a chance; I have not been here for two years.
The senior-sergeant said that accused had recently been discharged from gaol and had been given £5. The money was about exhausted arid the old woman was again destitute.
Mr. Poynton: She has been in every home in Auckland, but she will not stay. She will be found dead if she is allowed to sleep out. It is very nice and comfortable up at Mount Eden.
The Senior-Sergeant: It is quite like home to her up there. She does not have to do any work. Her list of convictions commenced about 1877.
Mr. Poynton: For her own protection she will be sentenced to two years' reformative detention.
Accused: Twelve months is quite enough; indeed it is long enough, and for no crime at all.
Mr. Poynton: The Prison Board will let you out before the expiry of the sentence, if it is thought desirable. -NZ Herald, 23/10/1924.
Margaret Williams, alias "Opium Mag," 76 years of age, who holds the New Zealand record with 202 convictions, and who came out of gaol on Thursday from a two-years' sentence, retired for a further three months this morning. -Auckland Star, 23/10/1926.
An Auckland message states that a woman named Margaret Williams. 76 years of age, was killed through being knocked down by a car. driven by H. Sallery. Another car was following and it is thought possible that this car may also have passed over the woman. -Bay of Plenty Times, 15/8/1927.
AGED WOMAN'S DEATH.
STUMBLED IN FRONT OF MOTOR.
The last chapter in the history of Margaret Williams, a woman of about 76 years of age, was closed yesterday afternoon when the inquest concerning her death was held before the Coroner, Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M.
The evidence of a large number of witnesses showed that early on the evening of Saturday, August 13, three motor cars were proceeding along Patteson Street, Freeman's Bay, in the direction of the city, when deceased stumbled out from the footpath. The first car struck her, the second missed her and the third went over her. She died before she could be conveyed to the hospital.
Mr. McKean said that deceased died from injuries sustained through being knocked down by a motor car and subsequently run over by a following car. Which of the cars caused her death he was not prepared to say. The care were both proceeding at a speed which was not excessive. Deceased appeared to have stepped out on to the road without taking any precautions to see if the way was clear. The coroner was not prepared to say on the evidence before him that she was under the influence of liquor but from her record supplied by the police he thought it quite probable. There was no blame attached to either driver. -Auckland Star, 2/9/1927.
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