Queanbeyan Age, Tue 21 Oct 1930 ¹

SENSATIONAL CHARGE
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WELL-KNOWN RESIDENT
ARRESTED
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ALLEGED SERIOUS OFFENCE
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HEAVY BAIL FIXED
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    At Queanbeyan Police Court to-day, before Mr JWT Forrest, PM,

    Alfred Underhill, 26 was charged that on 21st October, he did indecently assault Edward Arthur Thompson, a male person.

    Edward Arthur Thompson, 22, was charged with aiding, abetting, and assisting Alfred Underhill to commit the said felony.

    First-class Constable Patrick Looby stated: At 1.30 this morning, in consequence of complaints I watched the rear of Mr Gallagher’s chemits’s [sic] shop. Saw four men in the shop; saw them through the window. Two of the men are now before the Court. They were speaking very loudly and using most disgusting words. In the conversation I heard, “I am in with Mr Percy Deane at Canberra. He’ll get me out of —– Alaska if we are in trouble.” The men were also talking about cocaine and “snow” and having a whiff of it. They used most disgusting language right throughout the conversation. I was about 18 feet from the door when this conversation took place. At about 1.45 Underhill and Thompson came out of the back door of the shop and left the door partly open behind them. Could see them by the light through the door.

    Witness then described the alleged offence, and continuing his evidence, said: I brought them to the Police Station. On the way up Underhill threw himself down on to the street, and said, “Oh, my God, what will my people say when they hear of this.” I replied, “You should have thought about that before you started.” Cautioned both men and charged them.

    To First-class Constable Prangley: When Underhill was charged he said, “I don’t remember anything about it; I was too drunk.” This morning at 9 o’clock, Underhill was brought to the cell where Thompson was. They were both given the usual caution by Constable Prangley. Thompson said that they went into the chemist’s shop last night and had a good lot of drink. He then detailed the alleged occurrence at the rear of the shop. Constable Prangley said to Underhill, “You have heard what he said. What have you got to say about it?” Underhill said, “I don’t remember anything about it.” Constable Prangley said, “Do you deny it?” and Underhill said “Yes.”

    To Underhill: I saw you by the light coming through the window and out of the back door. Could not tell who was using the language.

    To Thompson: Heard you speak to Underhill out the back.

    Sergeant [Frederick George] Ruffles stated: This morning, about quarter past two, Constable Looby reported something to him. Witness immediately got up and went with the constable to the lock-up, from where Mr Gallagher was telephoned, and he then proceeded in Mr Gallagher’s shop in Monaro Street. Mr Gallagher arrived shortly after and they entered the shop and found two men in the back of the shop. Told the constable to take the names of the men. They were Reginald Byron Leonard and Leo McClaren journalists, of Hotel Kurrajong, Canberra. Returned to the lock-up and from something he was told, saw defendant Thompson, who said, “I want to put you right on to the biggest “snow” traffic going on in the country, they are bringing it from Melbourne out to Canberra. Those two men down in the chemist’s shop have “snow” with them. I want to get on to the CID right away. Don’t let them slip through your fingers.” Witness asked Thompson did he know the charge made against him, and he replied “Yes.” Asked was it right, he said “I would not like to say.” Asked him would he deny it and he said “No.” Then had the two men, who were in the shop, brought into Thompson’s presence (before bringing them in, had them searched) and said “Thompson tells me you have “snow” (meaning cocaine) in your possession.” One of them said, “No, brother; do not lie.” Thompson said there was no cocaine there to-night.

    Both accused were committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions at Cooma on a date to be fixed, bail was set at self in £100 with two securities of £50 each, or one of £100.

    Underhill appeared in court in a soft white shirt with grey trousers, and appeared to feel his position keenly.

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The Canberra Times, Wed 22 Oct 1930 ²

SORDID STORY
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Of Night Life in
Queanbeyan
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ALLEGATIONS OF DRUG
TRAFFIC
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TWO MEN SEARCHED
————

    A startling suggestion that cocaine is being brought to Canberra from Melbourne and that “snow” parties are a practice was made during the hearing of a case at the Queanbeyan police court yesterday, which revealed a sordid story of night life incredible to local residents.

    The case was in which two men, Alfred Underhill, 26, and Edward Arthur Thompson were charged before Mr JWT Forrest, PM, with having been concerned in an indecent assault.

    Police witnesses described happenings at the rear of a Queanbeyan chemist’s shop at an early hour yesterday morning where there were the two accused and Reginald Byron Leonard and Leo McLaren, who were described as journalists of Hotel Kurrajong , Canberra.

    Alfred Underhill, 26, was charged with having indecently assaulted Edward Arthur Thompson, who was jointly charged with having aided, abetted and assisted Underhill in committing the offence.

    In evidence, Constable Looby, of Queanbeyan stated that at 1.30 am yesterday, in consequence of complaints, he watched the rear of the chemist’s shop of Mr Gallagher and saw four men in the premises. The defendants were two of the men. All were speaking loudly and using most disgusting words.

    Witness added that the men were talking about cocaine and “snow” and having a whiff of it.

    Witness, who stated that he was about 18 feet from the door of the shop, said he saw Underhill and Thompson come out of the back door, which they left partly open. Witness then described the alleged offence and, continuing his evidence, said that he brought the two men to the police station. On the way, Underhill threw himself on the street and said: “Oh, my God, what will my people say when they hear of this?”

    Witness replied: “You should have thought about that before you started.”

    In reply to Constable Prangley, witness stated that when Underhill was charged he said: “I don’t remember anything about it; I was too drunk.” Underhill was later brought to the cell where Thompson was and the latter said that they went into the chemist’s shop last night and had a good lot of drink. He then detailed the alleged occurrence at the rear of the shop. Constable Prangley said to Underhill: “You have heard what he said. What have you got to say about it”? Underhill said: “I don’t remember anything about it.” In answer to a question by Constable Prangley, Underhill denied having committed the offence.

    In reply to Underhill, Constable Looby said: I saw you by the light coming through the window and out of the back door.

    Witness could not tell who was using the language but stated that he heard Thompson speak to Underhill.

    Giving evidence, Sergeant Ruffles said that he accompanied Constable Looby and Mr Gallagher to the latter’s shop where they found two men at the rear of the premises. He told the constable to take their names. They were Reginald Byron Leonard and Leo McLaren, who said that they were journalists of Hotel Kurrajong, Canberra.

    Later, continued witness, he interview Thompson at the lock-up. Thompson said: “I want to put you right on to the biggest ‘snow’ traffic going on in the country. They are bringing it from Melbourne out to Canberra. Those two men down in the chemists’s shop have ‘snow’ with them. I want to get on to the CID right away. Don’t let them slip through your fingers.”

    The two men who were in the shop were then brought into Thompson’s presence, continued the witness, and, after searching them, he said: “Thompson tells me you have ‘snow’ (meaning cocaine) in your possession.”

    One of them said: “No brother; do not lie.” Thompson then said that there was no cocaine there on the night in question.

    Both men were committed for trial at the Cooma Quarter Sessions on a date to be fixed. Bail was allowed at a personal surety of £100 with two securities of £50 or one of £100.

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The Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal, Fri 24 Oct 1930 ³

SERIOUS CHARGE

    At the Queanbeyan Police Court on Tuesday, before Mt JWT Forrest, PM, Alfred Underhill (26) was charged that on 21st October he did indecently assault Edward Arthur Thompson, a male person.

    Edward Arthur Thompson (22) was charged with aiding, abetting and assisting Alfred Underhill to commit the said felony.

    Constable Looby gave evidence that he watched the proceedings through a window at the rear of a chemist’s shop.

    Both accused were committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions Cooma on a date to be fixed. Bail was set at self in £100, with two sureties of £50 each, or one in £100.

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The Daily Telegraph, Wed 3 Dec 1930 ⁴

IN THE COURTS TO-DAY

…

QUARTER SESSIONS

    Alfred Underhill and Edward Arthur Thompson, indecent assault; Claude William Smith and Ernest Egan, breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony; Carl Wallace Stig, breaking and entering, with intend to commit a felony; Cecil Colin Frazer, forging and uttering (for plea only).

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 4 Dec 1930 ⁵

QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before Judge White.)
Mr TS Crawford, Crown Prosecutor.

FOUND GUILTY.

    Edward Arthur Thompson, 22, a car assembler, was charged that at Queanbeyan he indecently assaulted a male person. Alfred Underhill, 26, a chemist’s assistant, was charged that, being present, he aided, abetted, and assisted in the commission of the alleged offence.

    Thompson and Underhill were each found guilty. The jury recommended Thompson to mercy.

    His Honor: On what ground?

    Foreman: “Because we think that Thompson was induced to commit this act by the other accused.”

    Thompson and Underhill were remanded for sentence.

    Mr FW Berne (instructed by Messrs RD Meagher, Sproule, and Co) appeared for Thompson; and Mr Windeyer, KC, and Mr Little (instructed by Messrs RD Meagher, Sproule, and Co), for Underhill.

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 6 Dec 1930 ⁶

QUARTER SESSIONS.
(Before Judge White.)
Mr TS Crawford, Crown Prosecutor.

…

Report Once A Month.

…
    Edward Arthur Thompson, 22, a motor driver, who had been convicted of an indecent assault on a male person, and Alfred Underhill, 26, a chemist’s assistance, who had been found guilty of aiding and abetting in the commission of the offence, were each sentenced to 12 months’ hard labour in Maitland Gaol. Thompson had been recommended to mercy by the jury.

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Alfred Underhill, Gaol photo sheet ⁷

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details 

Name Alfred Underhill No. 25325 Date when Portrait was taken: 4-12-1930								Finger Print Classification
Native Place Bega Year of Birth 1-8-1904 Arrived in State   Ship                        }                        Year Trade or occupation previous to conviction      } Chemist Religion C of E Education, degree of R & W Height, without shoes 5' 9¾" Weight in lbs.    On committal 145                      }              On discharge Colour of hair Brown Colour of eyes Grey Marks or special features Surgical scar right side abdomen					(Nos. of previous Portrait ... )
CONVICTIONS Convicted with Edward A Thompson St 7574 97939
Court.	Date			Offence.		Sentence	Name.		Gaol No.
Sydney Q.S	3	12	1930	Did aid and abet indecent assault on a male person		12 months HL	Alfred Underwood		6907

 

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Edward Arthur Thompson, Gaol photo sheet ⁸

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details 

Name Edward Arthur Thompson No. 25326 Date when Portrait was taken: 4-12-1930								Finger Print Classification
Native Place Gulgong Year of Birth 22-10-1908 Arrived in State               Ship                          }                      Year Trade or occupation previous to conviction      } Laborer Religion R. C. Education, degree of R & W Height, without shoes 5' 7" Weight in lbs.                On committal 134                      }              On discharge Colour of hair Fair Colour of eyes Blue Marks or special features Nil					(Nos. of previous Portrait ... )
CONVICTIONS Convicted with Alfred Underhill St 7574 97939
Court.	Date			Offence.		Sentence	Name.		Gaol No.
Sydney Q.S	3	12	1930	Indecent assault on a male person		12 months HL to date from 21-10-1930	Edward Arthur Thompson		6755

 

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¹     Queanbeyan Age, Tue 21 Oct 1930, p. 1. Emphasis added.

²     The Canberra Times, Wed 22 Oct 1930, p. 3.

³     The Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal, Fri 24 Oct 1930, p. 2. Emphasis added.

⁴     The Daily Telegraph, Wed 3 Dec 1930, p. 7. Emphasis added.

⁵     The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 4 Dec 1930, p. 5.

⁶     The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 6 Dec 1930, p. 9.

⁷     SRNSW: NRS– [17/1498], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 25 Sep 1930-31 Dec 1930, No. 25325, p. –.

⁸     SRNSW: NRS– [17/1498], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 25 Sep 1930-31 Dec 1930, No. 25326, p. –.

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