Below also see: Patrick McCormack, 1872
The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Sat 17 Dec 1870 1
LOCAL NEWS.
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FIRE IN EAST MAITLAND.—About eight o’clock on Thursday evening a little boy the son of Mr Paton, who resides in Rouse-street, East Maitland, was sent into a bedroom of the house for some article, to find which required him to go to the dressing-table. He lighted a match, but not exercising sufficient care over the light while making the search for the article wanted, the pincushion caught fire, and blazing up the flames were soon communicated to some curtains. Mr John Paton, the elder, was at home, and he rushed into the room on the alarm being given, and by removing a bed and pulling the curtains down diminished the danger of the spread of the flames, but not before they had done a good deal of damage. Plenty of water was available, and by its means the flames were got entirely under. Mr Paton’s hands are severely burned, one being almost roasted. The loss of property, which consisted of clothing, &c, is estimated at £30; but there is no doubt if less promptness had been manifested by Mr Paton, the whole house must have been burned. There was no insurance upon any of the property burned.
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POLICE BUSINESS.—Three cases were disposed of at the temporary court-house, West Maitland, on Thursday, by Mr James Smith, PM, and Mr WH Smith.—Mr James Smith, PM, was the sitting magistrate at the East Maitland police court, yesterday, and disposed of one case.
CHARGE OF INDECENT CONDUCT.—At the temporary court-house, West Maitland, on Thursday, Patrick McCormick was charged with having, on Saturday last, exposed his person on the Louth Park Road, to Mary Lawlor, a girl of thirteen years of age. The evidence proved that a very gross outrage had been committed, and the bench sent prisoner to Maitland gaol to be kept to hard labour for six months.
OBSCENE LANGUAGE.—Robert Brown was charged at the temporary police court, West Maitland, on Thursday, with the use of obscene language, and pleaded guilty. He was fined 5s and 5s 6d costs, or one week in gaol.
BREACH OF INDENTURES.—On Thursday, at the temporary court house, West Maitland, John Falkiner charged Joseph James Sims, his indentured apprentice, with having, on the 6th instant, refused to obey the lawful commands of his master. The cas was dismissed by the bench on a technical objection to the evidence raised by Mr RW Thompson for defendant, and upon the boy promising to go back to his service, and to be obedient, Mr Falkiner resolved not to carry the matter further. Mr Briggs appeared for plaintiff.
Patrick McCormack, 1872
The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Sat 9 Nov 1872 2
LOCAL NEWS.
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POLICE BUSINESS.—On Thursday, at the temporary police court, West Maitland, Mr WT Mitchell and Mr WH Smith were the sitting magistrates.
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CASES REMANDED.—Two charges against Patrick McCormick, [sic] set down for hearing at the East Maitland police court yesterday—one for indecent assault, and the other for exposing his person—were remanded till Monday at West Maitland.
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The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Thu 14 Nov 1872 3
LOCAL NEWS.
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POLICE BUSINESS.—On Tuesday, at the East Maitland police court, Mr Brunker, Mr James E Wolfe, and Mr WH Smith were the sitting magistrates, and dealt with four cases.
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EXPOSURE.—At the East Maitland police court, on Tuesday, Patrick McCormack, for indecently exposing his person, last Thursday, to a little girl, was sent to Maitland gaol for three months, as a vagrant. Mr H O’Meagher appeared for the prisoner
1 The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Sat 17 Dec 1870, p. 2. Emphasis added.
2 The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Sat 9 Nov 1872, pp. 2, 3.
3 The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Thu 14 Nov 1872, pp. 2, 3.