Below also see: Albert Edward Price, 1920
The Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal, Sat 14 Feb 1914 1
POLICE COURT.
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Tuesday Night.
(Before Mr PB Kemp, JP.)
…
Wednesday.
(Before Mr E Bunn, JP.)
…
ALLEGED INDECENT ASSAULT
ON A MALE PERSON
Albert Edward Price was charged with that he did, at Braidwood, on December 23 last, indecently assault Thomas Godfrey, a male person.
Mr WL Fell appeared for accused.
A remand for eight days was asked by Mr Fell.
The police asked for one witness’s expenses as that witness had come in eight or nine miles to attend court.
Mr Fell objected, as accused had only arrived under arrest that morning, and had not been able to instruct a solicitor.
The Bench refused to allow expenses.
Bail was allowed, self in £80, and two sureties of £40 or one of £80.
Bail was forthcoming.
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The Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal, Sat 21 Feb 1914 2
BRAIDWOOD POLICE COURT.
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Wednesday.
(Before Messrs OA Edwards, PM,
and R Kennedy, JP.)
…
ALLEGED INDECENT ASSAULT.
Albert Edward Price, on remand, was charged with having on the 23rd December last, at Braidwood, indecently assaulted one Thomas Godfrey, a male person.
Mr Thomas appeared for accused.
The PM said the Bench had a discretion in these cases to hear them either publicly or privately. As the accused had not made any request that it should be heard publicly he ordered that it should be heard privately. The press, of course, would remain and report anything for the benefit of the public.
The evidence of senior-constable [Thomas] Chaney, stationed at Eden, was read over, in which he stated that he arrested accused near Eden; in reply to a question accused said he met a man named Thomas Godfrey at Braidwood; he said he last saw him before Christmas, not since; asked him if he saw him on the morning of the 23rd December at 1.30; defendant replied that he could not remember; when arrested accused said “this is rather a surprise to me; I am an innocent man.”
Thomas Godfrey, baker, residing at Braidwood, deposed: I know accused by sight, that’s all; on 23rd December last at the Courthouse Hotel I saw defendant; I slept there on the balcony; I went to bed about 10 o’clock; I was woke up by defendant about 11 o’clock; defendant said, will you have a drink? I replied I don’t need one he said, you might as well; I said I’ll have one to satisfy you; he then brought me up a beer, which I drank; accused then brought his stretcher out alongside mine; I was woke up about half past one next morning; I felt defendant’s hand coming across me; then I laid awake for a while—a quarter of an hour, 20 minutes, or might have been longer; accused reached across me again; then I struck a match, and said “This game is no good to me”; accused said “What’s the matter?; I said “There’s a lot the matter”; I told accused that if he did not clear out I would throw him over the balcony; he picked up his bed and went away; accused shortly afterwards came back and said I am very sorry for what I done; I said I will not take an apology from a man like you; accused then went away; Cecil Mulligan and Paddy Burns were sleeping on the balcony about 20 feet away; Wright was sleeping in a bedroom just off the balcony about 12 feet away; his bedroom door was open; I was sleeping in pyjamas, which were fastened; when I was awakened I found them unfastened; I did not make a complaint about the accused to anybody within his hearing.
By Mr Thomas: I do not know whether others were sleeping in the same room with accused; it was a very hot night; accused said it’s very hot in here, and then he brought out a stretcher, put some clothes on it, and got into bed; accused deliberately woke me up, although I was asleep; I just simply drank the beer to please him; I went to sleep within half an hour of having the drink; there were sheets, blankets and a quilt on my bed; the balcony faces the west; I threw accused’s hand off, and he turned round towards the street; I got him by the shoulders and asked him what he meant; I did not say to accused—I will not take an apology from you, I want something more than that; I always tie my pyjamas in two ordinary knots; nothing else of an indecent nature except what I said took place that night; I never told anyone else anything more indecent took place; I have not talked to anybody about this case; I objected to remaining in the same house as accused; I was not away from Braidwood from December 23rd until January 14; I only had about 3 hours sleep that night.
By the PM: The sergeant came to me and spoke about the matter; if he had not spoken to me I would not have taken action.
By the Police: There was no need for accused to pass where I was sleeping to go to his room; I had been working long hours at this time, and it was hard to wake me; I am a heavy sleeper; people have asked me questions about the case, but I told them I knew nothing about it.
By Mr Thomas: Accused brought the stretcher from the other end of the balcony to near my bed; I did not see any other stretcher on the balcony when I went to bed.
Harold Percy Yonge Wright, a bank clerk deposed: I remember December 22nd last; I was sleeping at the Court House Hotel; I saw accused there at tea time; that night I heard two people having an altercation on the balcony, and recognised their voices as those of Godfrey and Price; my room was just off the balcony, and the door leading on to the balcony was open; there were several beds on the balcony; I heard Price say if I have done anything I should not have done I am very sorry; Godfrey replied, I won’t take an apology from a man like you; Price then left the balcony.
By Mr Thomas: I heard Godfrey say I won’t take an apology from a man like you, but I did not hear him say I want more than that; I have known Price about 12 months, and have always found him straight and upright.
By the PM: Bother were speaking slightly above the ordinary, but not much; the talking between the two of them woke me up.
Cecil Mulligan, laborer, residing near Mongarlowe, was sleeping on the balcony of the hotel. I was awakened by hearing Godfrey say a man ought to throw you over the balcony; I did not hear accused make any reply; after a little while he left the balcony and went into another room, accused took some of his bedclothes with him; he came back on to the balcony after a little while. I heard him speaking to Godfrey, but could not hear what he was saying; I heard Godfrey say I would not take an apology from a man like you; accused then left the balcony.
By Mr Thomas: I was not listening very carefully; I have not had a conversation with Godfrey since.
By the Bench: I could not say whether the remark about throwing you over the balcony was addressed to Price or not.
This was the case for the prosecution.
Accused pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence.
Accused was thereupon committed to take his trial at the next Court of Quarter Sessions as Braidwood on March 31st next.
Bail was allowed—self in £50, and one surety in £50 or two sureties in £25 each.
Bail was forthcoming.
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Queanbeyan Age, Tue 24 Feb 1914 3
BRAIDWOOD.
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…
At the Police Court on Wednesday before the PM and Mr R Kennedy,
…
Albert Edward Price, on remand, was charged with indecent assault on 23rd December last, at Braidwood. Mr Thomas appeared for the accused. Accused pleaded not guilty, and reserved his defence. He was committed to take his trial at the next Court of Quarter Sessions at Braidwood on March 31 next. Bail was allowed—self in £50, and one surety in £50 or two sureties in £25 each.
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The Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal, Wed 1 Apr 1914 4
BRAIDWOOD QUARTER SESSIONS.
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The Braidwood Quarter Sessions opened on Tuesday morning before His Honor Judge Fitzhardinge.
Mr J Dawson, prosecuted for the Crown.
Several jurors were excused on evidence being given of their inability to attend.
…
Crown v Albert Edward Price, charged that on 23rd December, 1913, he did indecently assault Thos Godfrey, a male person.
A plea of not guilty was entered.
Mr Thomas, of Goulburn, appeared on behalf of accused.
The following jury were empanelled:—JJ Feehan, George Doolan, Matthew Anderson, Norman Mutton, Terence Kennedy, James Rex, George Higgs, Albert Graham, Richard Kennedy, Matthew Flynn, Walter Flack, and Charles Crown.
Thomas Godfrey deposed: Remember 23 Dec know accused; he was staying at same [Court House] hotel; known him by sight for some time; I went to sleep on the balcony of the hotel; I saw him about 11 at night, when he woke me up, asking me to have a drink; afterwards he brought his stretcher alongside of mine; he then went into his room; afterwards he got in the stretcher alongside of me; he was dressed in pyjamas when I went to bed; accused woke me up about 1.30; accused then reached across me, and committed the assault; when he assaulted me I said that game is no good to me; I then threatened to throw him over the balcony, and he then went to his room, shortly after coming back and apologising; I did not see him again till court proceedings.
Cross-examined by Mr Thomas:—My pyjamas were tied in two ordinary knots; I say that Price untied the knots, accused was undressed before he came out of his room; did not tell a different tale about Braidwood; too many blankets and quilts were on my bed, and I was covered by them; the weather was very hot then; do not remember Price saying so; remember getting Price by the shoulders, and he said “What is the matter”; remember telling others that Price did committ [sic] other offences; I never slept in any room with Price; Price is a well conducted fellow.
By Mr Dawson:—Never spoke to Price before this night.
Harold Wright deposed:—I am a clerk in the Bank of NSW; know a man named Godfrey, who was sleeping on the same balcony as my room opened on to; heard Godfrey and Price speaking throughout the night; heard Price say if anything has happened I am very sorry; Godfrey said he did not want any apology; the voices woke me up.
By Mr Thomas: It was all one conversation.
Cecil Mulligan deposed:—I was at the Court House Hotel on 23rd Dec; know accused and Godfrey; both were sleeping on the balcony, also myself; during the night I heard a conversation between Godfrey and Price; I heard Godfrey say a man ought to throw you over the balcony; I heard accused say something in a low voice; Godfrey said he would not take an apology from a man like accused.
By Mr Thomas:—Could not hear what Price said; was a hot night.
Albert Edward Price deposed:—I have been in Braidwood seven years; I usually stay at the Court House Hotel; it was a very hot night on 22nd December; after the concert I went to the hotel; met some friends there; I went up stairs, then went down stairs, and on the way down saw Godfrey; know him by sight; I asked him to have some refreshment, and he said he would have a beer; I then brought out a stretcher and made up a bed; I again spoke to Godfrey about the heat; the next I know was Godfrey tugging at my shoulder; he threatened to throw me over the balcony; I said I was sorry if I did anything to him; I then went to bed; and next day went to Araluen on my professional duties; I was then arrested on 29th January; was brought before the court here; did not commit any offence on Godfrey; was asleep when he put his hands on me.
By Mr Dawson:—I remember Godfrey saying something about a woman; did not ask Godfrey why he was going to throw me over the balcony; the reason I did not have any row was that I did not want any trouble with men of this sort; was very indignant; I have no recollection of sleeping in the same room as a man named Davis; I did not try and get into bed with Davis; I am not married; have no idea why he wanted to throw me over the balcony.
John Charles Dawson deposed:—I remember Moruya races about 8th February; a conversation took place between myself and Godfrey; Godfrey said Price came across to him, and Godfrey laid awake to see what he would do.
William Shepherd deposed:—I remember coming from Moruya races, and Price’s case was discussed; one of the party made mention that the remarks would not stand before a jury.
Thos McDowell deposed:—I have known accused seven years; he was tutor for my children for three years, his character during the whole time was exceptionally good; is a constant visitor to my place.
Rev Father Macnamara deposed:—I am a Roman Catholic Priest in charge of Araluen parish; accused has come under my notice very much, and always bore an excellent character.
Constable Corcoran, called by Mr Dawson deposed: Know accused; I made inquiries about accused; Mr Thomas here objected.
This closed the case.
Mr Thomas made a forceful appeal on behalf of Price to the jury.
Mr Dawson replied on behalf of the Crown.
His Honor in a brief address to the jury, summed up against accused, and said that if they were satisfied that Godfrey told the truth they must find the prisoner guilty. His evidence had been corroborated by accused except in one little detail. Of course, if the jury had any doubt, they must give accused the benefit of the doubt, and acquit accused.
The jury then retired, and after a short absence returned with a verdict of not guilty. Accused was then discharged.
Albert Edward Price, 1920
Singleton Argus, Sat 13 Nov 1920 5
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS
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…
DEATH OF MR AE PRICE.
Image: NSW State Library collection. Reproduction: Peter de Waal
News was received in Singleton on Thursday that Mr Albert Edward Price, the well-known piano tuner, had died in Moruya Hospital. The deceased was admitted to the institution of Friday of last week with pneumonia, and the death occurred on Tuesday. The late Mr Price was well-known and very highly esteemed through out the Singleton district, and for the past 22 years made the Royal Hotel his home while following his calling in this district. He was about 47 years of age, and his untimely end will be deeply regretted by a very wide circle of friends here, as well as in other parts of the State. The deceased was a native of Wee Waa, being the son of an Anglican clergyman for many years resident of Wee Waa, where his parents and an only sister died. A brother died in New Zealand, and the deceased had no living direct relatives. The late Mr Price was a man of much travel, having in his earlier life sojourned in the United States and India, and had since traversed almost every part of New South Wales and Queensland. He was private tutor for two years to the family of Mr Fowler, of Urasina, west of Bourke, and his accounts of the hardships endured by the pioneers in that district were very interesting. It is three weeks since the deceased left Singleton, and his itinerary included periodical visits to the South Coast and many towns in the north and north-west. The late Mr Price was a man of great integrity, and was conscientious and scrupulous in all his dealings, and those who knew him best esteemed him most.
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The Maitland Weekly Mercury, Sat 20 Nov 1920 6
DISTRICT NEWS.
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…
SINGLETON.
There were general expressions of regret when new was received in town last week, that Mr Albert Edward Price, the well-known piano tuner, had died in the Moruya Hospital. The deceased was admitted to the institution on Friday of last week with pneumonia, and death occurred on Tuesday. The late Mr Price was well-known and very highly esteemed throughout Singleton district, and for the past 22 years made the Royal Hotel his home while following his calling in the district. He was about 47 years of age, and his untimely end will be deeply regretted by a very wide circle of friends here, as well as in other parts of the State. The deceased was a native of Wee Waa, being the son of an Anglican clergyman for many years resident of Wee Waa, where his parents and an older sister died. A brother died in New Zealand, and the deceased had no living direct relatives. The late Mr Price in his early life travelled in the United States of America and in India, and had since traversed almost every part of New South Wales and Queensland. It is three weeks since the deceased left Singleton, and his itinerary included periodical visits to the South Coast and many towns in the north and north-west. The funeral took place at Moruya.
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Queanbeyan Age and Queanbeyan Observer, Fri 26 Nov 1920 7
NEWS AND NOTES.
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The death is announced at Moruya of Mr AE Price, piano tuner, who has been periodically visiting Queanbeyan for many years. Mr Price only arrived at Moruya a few days previously. He caught a chill, which developed into pneumonia and pleurisy. He was admitted to the hospital, where he died. The deceased was 54 years of age.
1 The Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal, Sat 14 Feb 1914, p. 6.
2 The Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal, Sat 21 Feb 1914, p. 2. Emphasis added.
3 Queanbeyan Age, Tue 24 Feb 1914, p. 2.
4 The Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal, Wed 1 Apr 1914, p. 2. Emphasis added.
5 Singleton Argus, Sat 13 Nov 1920, p. 4.
6 The Maitland Weekly Mercury, Sat 20 Nov 1920, p. 8.
7 Queanbeyan Age and Queanbeyan Observer, Fri 26 Nov 1920, p. 2.