Mosman Street, 1888

News of the day

The Evening Telegraph, Monday 25 September 1905:

A Mosman Street Melee

On Saturday evening about dusk a brawl took place in the vicinity of the Waverley Hotel, where a young fellow and his lady love, both of whom appear to be particularly fond of intoxicants, had a row. For a long time it was blow for blow, but not being able to do sufficient damage to each other with their hands their tongues were let loose, and the atmosphere soon became impregnated with sulphurous fumes of blasphemy. 

It got so strong that the police had to be telephoned for and on the arrival of one constable the booser went for him, and a catch-as-catch-can rough and tumble took place. Timely aid in the person of a second constable secured the young fellow, and he was safely marched off in triumph. Later on the limbs of the law returned for the female friend of the man they had just taken, but it is said she kept them at bay for a few brief seconds by splashing beer at them from a bottle. 

The constables were afraid to let any of it get on their clothes for fear their superiors might smell it and think they had been drinking ; but, all the same, they perhaps thought it a pity to waste it, and that woman would doubtless have given a trifle next morning to have had the contents of that bottle at Constable Andrews' establishment. 

This pair are most perculiar, for, like true lovers, they fight for the purpose of making it up again, and drink together as long as their silver holds out. They both appeared at the Police Court this morning. The man gave the name of William Boyce and pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. He was further charged with using indecent language.

Defendant stated he did not know if he had used the language, as he had taken a few drinks. He had received a cut on his head at one time and was silly whenever he took a few drinks.
The P.M. : Well, you should not take drink.
Sub-inspector Sweetman said the disorderly conduct consisted of jostling people on the footpath.
Defendant : There were a lot of us larking, your Worship.
The P.M. : You are fined £1 on each charge or seven days imprisonment.
Defendant : Can I get time to pay the fines, your Worship? I have got good work to go to to-day and I don't want to lose it, as work is hard to get.
Sub-inspector Sweetman said he could recommend time being given, otherwise he would only be too willing to do so.
Defendant : I have got work to go to, but if I stay away for a few days I will lose it and be idle again.
The P.M. refused to allow time.

The female defendant, who looked tidy and respectable, but carried marks of the melee on her face, answered to the name of Margaret Chantler. She was only charged with drunkenness and had a fine of 5/- inflicted or six hours in the cells.

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