Harry Braham, 1924
Below also see: Harry Braham, 1925,
Harry Braham, 1926,
Harry Braham, 1929 – Indecent exposure,
Harry Braham, 1933,
Harry Braham, 1936
Illawarra Mercury, Fri 14 Nov 1924 1
BULLI POLICE COURT
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BULLI.— Tuesday.
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(Before Mr Longfield, SM.)
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Harry Braham, of Wollongong, did not appear on a charge of using indecent language in the Esplanade, Thirroul, on November 2.
Fined £2, with 8/- costs in default one month.
Harry Haberley was similary fined for using indecent language in the Main Road, Bulli, on October 23.
Harry Braham, 1925
Illawarra Mercury, Fri 17 Jul 1925 2
SEARCHLIGHT.
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Team to represent Glebe 1st v Port, at Port, to-morrow: — Harry Braham, J Frost, G Murray, J O’Brien, O McGrath, N O’Neil, A O’Neil, Jerry Lowe, E Heininger, F Wright, Jack McCloskey, G Hanley, Jim McCloskey. Reserves: J Moon, E Larkin, Ratcliffe . Cars leave O’Brien’s corner at 2.15 pm.
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South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Fri 17 Jul 1925 3
RUGBY LEAGUE.
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Glebe lsts v. Port Kembla at Port Kembla, Saturday, July 18th: — Harry Braham, J Frost, G Murray, J O’Brien, O McGrath, A O’Neill, N O’Neill, Jerry Lowe, E Heininger F Wright, G Hanley, J McClosky, Jim McClosky. Reserves: J Moon, E Larkin, W Ratcliffe. Car leaves O’Brien’s corner 2.15 pm.
Harry Braham, 1926
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Fri 12 Nov 1926 4
WOLLONGONG COUNCIL
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Fortnightly meeting last night. Present: Aldermen Smith (Mayor) Lang, Tubman, Powell, Stoyles, Kelly, Krippner, Howarth, Payne, Kierhan, Lee.
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A report was received from the Sergeant of Police in connection with the riding of a bicycle on the footpath in Keira street,
Recommendation that legal proceedings be taken against Harry Braham for the offence.
Report Adopted.
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Illawarra Mercury, Fri 19 Nov 1926 5
The Health Committee’s Report.
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Police Report.—A report has been received from the Sergeant of Police in connection with the riding of a bicycle on the footpath of Keira Street.—We recommend that legal proceedings be taken against Harry Braham for the offence.
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South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Fri 26 Nov 1926 6
WOLLONGONG COURT
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MONDAY
(Before Mr Scott SM.)
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RIDING ON FOOTPATH.
Harry Braham pleaded guilty to riding a bicycle on the footpath in Keira-street.
Constable Bennett said there were a good many children about at the time. Defendant said he rode only a distance of about ten yards, as the main road was bad. Fined 10/-, costs 8/-.
Harry Braham, 1929
Illawarra Mercury, Fri 18 Jan 1929 7
Offensive Behaviour.
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Harry Brahain [sic] and Fred Badran were charged with behaving in an offensive manner at Thirroul, on January 6. They were represented by Mr Gallagher and pleaded not guilty.
(Wollongong, NSW), Fri 6 Apr 1928, p. 11.
Reproduction: Peter de Waal
Constable Maher deposed: On Sunday, January 6, from complaints from the caretaker of Woodhill Ltd, I went down near the Kookaburra Cafe where I saw the two defendants, and there were about 20 other men near by. I saw the defendants spar up and get into holts. Badran pulled the other defendant along the footpath towards Douglas’ gate. They were wrestling and struggling. Other boys called out “Go it Fred, give it to him.” They shuffled back to where the boys were, a distance of about 20 yards, where they made blows at each other. Later I met Braham near the Furnishing Shop, and said to him “What sort of behaviour is this on Sunday night?” He replied “Nothing, only a bit of fun.” I said “It nearly came to a fight.” Braham was bleeding from several cuts on the face. When I asked him his name he said Johnstone, and the he came from Albion Park. Badran came along and said he was the driver of a car near by. I asked him for his driver’s license, and he gave his correct name and address. When I spoke to the later about his behaviour he said he had only been in the country a short time, and did not know he was doing wrong. He said he only knew Braham as “Matey.” A man named Copas then came along and said he knew Braham, giving his name. The latter then gave his correct name and address. Nightwatchman Douglas came along and said that he had spoken to the two defendants they were sitting in the car drinking beer and using “choice” language.
To Mr Gallagher; The scuffling about it what I complained of. It almost amounted to a fight. It being Sunday night, did make a difference, as there are three Churches in the vicinity. The Churches were certainly out, but a number of people were still about. It would have been bad conduct on any night. Their conduct amounted to more than a little “horseplay.” No complaints were made to me that night, but I have had complaints previously from others about cars pulling up outside their houses, and men drinking beer in them.
Constable Dawes deposed: On January 6 about 9.30 o’clock, I saw the defendants outside the Kookaburra Café. They were sparring with each other. Constable Maher came along and took their names. There were about 15 or 20 young men about the entrance to the Café. Some of them were calling out. The two defendants pulled each other about. I don’t think they were actually fighting, but their conduct was offensive, I have received complaints from residents, with regard to similar conduct.
Mr Gallagher contended that there was no case for his clients to answer,
Fred Braden, draper, of Wollongong, deposed: On the night in question I was outside the Kookaburra Café. We were about to go home, and Braham said he was going to get in front. I told him he wasn’t and caught hold of his wrists and pushed him away a couple of yards.
To Constable Maher: I arrived at Thirroul about 8.30 pm. I have only been out there about four times. I never brought any beer. I was in the café all the time. It was not Braham who brought up a bottle of beer and the proprietress him to take it away. It must have been someone else. The proprietress did complain about bringing out drunken men. The man she complained about this night might have been Braham.
Harry Braham labourer, Wollongong, deposed: I was at Thirroul on the Sunday night. I did have a bit of a scuffle with Braham, but it only lasted a minute.
To Constable Maher: I have been in court before. I did not have a fight with a man that night over a bottle of beer. The proprietress of the café did complain about a man with a bottle of beer. It wasn’t me. It was a smaller man. He was in our party.
George Copas, foreman driver, Wollongong, deposed that he was at the Kookaburra Café about 9.30 pm the night in question, and gave similar evidence as to a short scuffle between the two defendants over Barham getting into the front seat of the car.
After legal argument, the police withdrew the charge against Badran, provided he paid the costs, but pressed for a penalty against the defendant Braham, who was fined 10/- with 8/- costs, in default three days.
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South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Fri 18 Jan 1929 8
OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR.
Fred Badran and Harry Braham were charged with offensive behaviour at Thirroul.
Mr JV Gallagher appeared for the defendants, who pleaded not guilty.
Constable Maher, Thirroul stated about 9 pm on January 6th, he received a complaint from Woodhill and Co’s nightwatchman, and went to the Kookaburra Café. He saw about twenty men there. He noticed the two defendants. They sparred up and shortly after got into holts. Badran pulled Braham right along the footpath. They were wrestling and struggling. Some of the other boys were calling out, “Go on, Fred, give it to him.” Witness came out through the gateway and met Braham in front of the furniture shop, and said, “What sort of behaviour is this on a Sunday night.” He replied, “Oh, nothing we’re only having a bit of fun.” Braham’s face was scratched, and he was bleeding from a scratch under the chin. When asked what his name was Braham replied “Johnston,” and said he came from Albion Park. Badran came along then and said he was the driver of the car. He produced his license and gave his correct name and address, and asked what was wrong. Witness replied, “This is not correct behaviour on Sunday night.” He replied that he had only been in the country a few years and did not know he was doing wrong. Badran said he knew the other man by the name of “Matey.” Another man came forward then, and said he knew the defendant, whose name was Harry Braham. Witness called Mr Douglas, the nightwatchman, who said he spoke to the defendants’ about an hour before when they were drinking beer and using choice language. A man named Copas then came forward and said the nightwatchman had spoken to him.
By Mr Gallagher: What I saw nearly developed into a fight; there were three churches in the immediate vicinity, and although the services were out some people were still about; the police had had general complaints from the church folk and others in respect to similar incidents; when I spoke to the defendants there did not appear to be any ill-feeling between them; noticed some empty bottles lying near Badran’s car.
Constable Dawes, Austinmer, stated, at 9 pm on January 6th, in consequence of a message from the previous witness, he went along into the grounds of the Church of England. Constable Maher went through into the rear of Woodhill’s store. About half an hour latter he saw the defendants in Raymond Road near the Kookaburra Café. He gave evidence to the previous witness in^respect to defendants’ actions. Some time later witness noticed defendants and some others drive off towards Wollongong. Witness had had complaints from several people about similar disturbances.
By Mr Gallagher: I did not speak to the onlookers; in fact I would not expect any complaints from them had complaints about the cars but I would not say the defendants were in the cars concerned.
Mr Gallagher submitted there was no evidence to support the charge. He contended the defendants were being made the scapegoats.
Fred Badran, draper, Wollongong, stated Braham wanted to get into the front seat of the car, so witness caught him by the arm and pushed him away about two yards.
By Constable Maher: Arrived at Thirroul about 8.30 that night, was not a frequent visitor to Thirroul; did not out a car load of half drunken men and a car load of beer. One man was put out of the Café for having a bottle of beer, but I do not know who it was; Mrs Barwick told me that it was a respectable hall and she did not want any drunken men about, she did complain about one man being drunk; had been before the Court on traffic charges.
Harry Braham, labourer, of Wollongong. stated he and Badran came on to the footpath and witness said he was going home and tried to get into the front seat of the car. Badran pulled him back, but that was all the scuffling there was.
By Constable Maher: Had only been at Thirroul on a few occasions; you did not say you were a policeman; Mrs Barwick ordered out one man in our party; the nightwatchman did not complain to me; told the constable I was at the booth not the “boob,” meaning the publican’s booth at Albion Park Show.
George Copas, foreman driver, Wollongong, stated he was outside the café when Constable Maher arrived. He gave corroborative evidence of the so called “scuffle.” Witness offered to give his name to the constable, but was told it was not required.
In Badran’s case the charge w as withdrawn on condition he paid the costs,
The SM said this was a very serious offence, but he would not make Braham the scapegoat on this occasion.
Braham was fined 10/- with-8/- costs or three days.
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Illawarra Mercury, Fri 15 Feb 1929 9
A SENTENCE SUSPENDED.
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Harry Braham was charged with indecent exposure on December 4th.
Evidence was given by Constable Bennett as to the complaint having been made by Mrs Gittens.
Mrs Emily Anne Gittens, Kenny Lane, Wollongong, described the offence.
Miss Annie Elizabeth Gittens gave corroborative evidence.
By Mr Harris: I do not remember my father saying that he would get Braham either through the police or a solicitor.
John Frederick Bendyke, Wollongong, said that he preferred not to give evidence until he was paid.
Segt Pye: That will be all right, you will get it afterwards.
Witness then deposed that he remembered defendant saying something improper about Annie Gittens, on January 3rd.
Harry Braham, carter, Wollongong, denied that he was in that neighbourhood on the day in question, and said that it would be about 8 months since he had been in the habit of using that lavatory.
To Segt Pye: I call Bendyke “The Rat,” and I still owe him 19/-.
Witness (to his Worship): I can give not reason why these people should say these things, unless it is because they are spiritualists.
His Worship: Do you say Constable Bennett is a spiritualist too (laughter).
Witness: No I don’t accuse him.
Hector Roy Templeton, carter, Wollongong, deposed that he worked as a carter on the Wollongong Sewerage Works, and was never away from defendant. They were not in the vicinity of Kenny Lane on the day in question.
Alfred Mahony, navvy, W & S B, and Francis Henry Woods, labourer, also gave corroborative evidence.
Sgt Pye: Five previous convictions for other offences, Your Worship.
His Worship imposed a sentence of 6 months hard labour, to be suspended upon defendant entering into a bond of self in £25, and one other in £25, to be of good behaviour for 12 months.
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South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Fri 15 Feb 1929 10
SENTENCE SUSPENDED
Harry Braham was charged with indecent exposure. He pleaded not guilty.
He was defended by Mr Harris (Sydney).
Constable Bennett stated at 7.45 pm on January 19th, he saw the defendant in the charge-room at the police station, and said “I have received a complaint from Mrs Gittens in Kenny Lane, that you behaved indecently.” He denied any knowledge of it. Witness went on to say that Mrs Gittens alleged that on December 4th, defendant walked from the lavatory in Kenny Lane and acted indecently. Defendant replied “That is wrong.” He said he remembered going to the lavatory that day but could not remember the time. “They’re trying to put something over me; I would not come at things like that,” he added.
Mrs Emily Gittens, of Kenny Lane, stated she saw the defendant on December 4th, about noon. He came from the direction of the lavatory at the rear of Castles’' shop. Witness was standing at her front doorway and noticed the defendant behaving indecently. He was right opposite the door and was calling out to witness’ daughter. Her daughter, had said he had molested her on several occasions.
Annie Elizabeth Gittens, daughter of the previous witness, stated she had known the defendant about eight or nine months. On December 4th, she saw him coming around the corner in Keira street and she ran inside. A few minutes later her mother called her and witness went into the front room and saw defendant. Some time before Braham had stopped her in the street, but she had refused to have anything to do with him.
By Mr Harris: My parents said they would put a stop to this interference.
John Frederick Bendyke, laborer, of Keira street, stated he had known the defendant for some time. About January 3rd, in the tool shed of the sewerage works, defendant told witness what he had done on a previous occasion, and added that he had called out to Nancy Gittens, inviting her to come out.
Harry Braham, carter, of Wollongong, stated he knew Nancy Gittens but did not know her mother. He denied the allegations made by Mrs Gittens; in fact, he had not been in the vicinity of the house for some weeks prior to that particular day. Bendyke was known on the job as the “Rat”, so witness would not have anything to do with him.
By Sergt Pye: I have never stopped the girl in the street and spoken to her.
In answer to a question by the SM as to why the charges were preferred against him, defendant said the Gittens were spiritualists and witness and some of the others used to “poke fun at them.”
Hector Roy Templeton, carter, of West Wollongong, stated he and the defendant were carting for the sewerage works. They were not working near Kenny Lane on Dec. 4th.
By Sergeant Pye: I know Samuel Davies, the iron founder, by sight, but I did not talk the case over with him.
Alfred Marney, laboured, of Wollongong, gave corroborative evidence.
Francis Henry Woods, labourer, of Tarrawanna, stated he was working on the sewerage, but was not with the defendant during December.
The SM said he must convict. Sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, such sentence to be suspended on his entering into a bond of £25 to be of good behaviour for twelve I months.
Harry Braham, 1933
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Fri 28 Jul 1933 11
“MATEY” RE-APPEARS
Wollongong were so pushed for players in the reserve grade match against Keira last Saturday that the services of that one-time general, Harry Braham, had to be requisitioned. Matey is said to be the hero of a thousand games, or thereabouts. But not since 1928 have showground crowds witnessed him speed down the lines till his re-appearance on Saturday. There is still glimpses of those dashes concealed about him, but he has entirely forgotten where the showground goal posts are planted, and proved it against Keira that he is far from the accurate shot he was in his hey-day.
Harry Braham, 1936
Illawarra Mercury, Fri 1 May 1936 12
“LANGUAGE.”
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The following were fined for using indecent language: Harry Braham, £2/10/0, or 5 days; Patrick Kelly, £2/10/0 or 5 days; Thomas Amatto, £2 or 4 days; Thomas Hunter, £2 or 4 days.
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South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Fri 11 Sep 1936 13
ACCIDENTS
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Illawarra District Ambulance has attended the following accidents since last issue.
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Harry Braham, of Kembla street, received a lacerated wound to the right shoulder when a piece of timber which he was carrying slipped.
1 Illawarra Mercury, (Wollongong, NSW), Fri 14 Nov 1924, p. 3. Emphasis added.
2 Illawarra Mercury, (Wollongong, NSW), Fri 17 Jul 1925, p. 2. Emphasis added, and names transcribed as found.
3 South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, (NSW), Fri 17 Jul 1925, p. 16. Emphasis added, and names transcribed as found.
4 South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, (NSW), Fri 12 Nov 1926, p. 16.
5 Illawarra Mercury, (Wollongong, NSW), Fri 19 Nov 1926, p. 9. Emphasis added.
6 South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, (NSW), Fri 26 Nov 1926, p. 26. Emphasis added.
7 Illawarra Mercury, (Wollongong, NSW), Fri 18 Jan 1929, p. 7. Emphasis added.
8 South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, (NSW), Fri 18 Jan 1929, p. 5.
9 Illawarra Mercury, (Wollongong, NSW), Fri 15 Feb 1929, p. 5. Emphasis added.
10 South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, (NSW), Fri 15 Feb 1929, p. 7. Emphasis added.
11 South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, (NSW), Fri 28 Jul 1933, p. 5.
12 Illawarra Mercury, (Wollongong, NSW), Fri 1 May 1936, p. 5. Emphasis added.
13 South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, (NSW), Fri 11 Sep 1936, p. 16.