The Queensland Police Gazette from 1864 onwards, can be found on the Queensland State Library website. It is a fascinating reflection of the early days of Queensland, its characters, crimes, and concerns. Here’s a selection from 1864-1867.
The appearance of a confirmed drunkard.
Keep an eye out for Awkward Tom.
How to spot an escapee.
In October 1864, two accused horse thieves managed to get away from Condamine Police. Their appearance and clothing got a detailed run-down in the Gazette, and both were eventually caught.
William Jones, alias Ned Randall, – a native of Ireland, more like a native of the colonies, about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, 25 years of age, fair complexion, rather pale, long fair hair, small straight nose, blue eyes, small fair whiskers, slight moustache (if any); dressed in moleskin trowsers, brown felt hat, grey Crimean shirt, a tweed coat in swag, and pair of Wellington boots.
John Nelson, – a native of Denmark, about 25 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches high, fair complexion, long fair curly hair, small straight nose, blue eyes, foreign accent, very small fair whiskers, slight moustache (if any) dressed in moleskin trowsers, Blucher boots, and old cabbage tree hat; gold ring on his left hand; tattooed on the arm; has been a sailor. Jones and him are like brothers.
I hope the two men continued to enjoy their almost brotherly bond. Brisbane Gaol and St Helena Penal Establishment would wear out the best of friendships.
A fugitive with “extraordinary small feet.”
You’re not safe from pickpockets…anywhere.
STOLEN from the person of Christopher Bennett, in a brothel in Albert Street, Brisbane on the 2nd of January: –
A chamois leather bag, containing a cheque for £46 3s 6d, on the Oriental Bank Corporation, Sydney, dated 8th August 1864, drawn by Ward, Bell and Co, in favour of Christopher Bennett. A cheque for £21 16s 3d, on the English, Scottish and Australian Chartered Bank, Sydney, post-dated 8th January 1865, drawn by Alexander Goulston, in favour of cheque exchanged.
A man of the following description suspected: – 43 years of age; 5 feet 6 inches high, stout build, grey hair, bald on top. Clean shaved, heavy eyebrows, small brown or hazel eyes. Englishman, a carpenter, dressed in plaid coat and drab trowsers.
(Through a currency calculator, we can determine that Mr Bennett was deprived of – in today’s money – $8227.00 in cheques. Small wonder that he reported the matter to the police, despite the rather embarrassing circumstances of the crime.)
It fascinated me that the Police had the exact age, profession and description of the offender, but no name. As it turned out, the Gazette was published just before the matter came to court. Mr Bennett and the accused (a Thomas Williams) had been staying at the same boarding house, and, after a few drinks, they decided to go to the house of a Mrs Wilson. There Bennett fell into a boozy doze, and Williams stole the cheques. Mrs Wilson returned Bennett’s cheques to him, but only after trying to cash them all over Brisbane Town. And failing. Williams got 14 weeks for stealing from his unconscious friend.
January 1865 was also the month when the Sub-Inspector of Police, one John Devine, lost a pair of pink coloured tweed trousers, a hairbrush and four yards of violet silk ribbon from the Sportsman’s Arms Hotel. I don’t know what he was going to do with his pink pants and violet ribbons, but “Sporties” as the hotel is affectionately known, was and is a suitable place for a spot of unconventional costuming.
It’s bad enough taking money from a drunk man, but from someone having a seizure?
Perpetrators missing, presumed fed.
But did you have to take the Tennyson?
Someone nicked a strange assortment of things from a boarding house in Spring Hill. Clothes, jewellery, and a copy of Tennyson’s Works. I can’t imagine the average colonial thief suddenly experiencing an urge to read “Maud.”
Missing friends.
If you were looking for a friend or relative, you could advertise in the newspapers. If your concerns were serious, the Police Gazette could send all the constables in the colony on the hunt.
Sounds like a peach.
I would be happy, however, to help look for Mr Ward:
Nothing like an agreeable conversationalist. Hope they found him.
Moreton Bay and More 