100 years ago this week - Bunyip Court

One hundred years ago, this week in January 1914,  the Bunyip Court had to deal with this case of  bicycle theft. A seventeen year old, William Ayres, was found guilty of stealing a bike from Michael Dineen, of Cora Lynn. He was sentenced to three months in gaol, an extraordinary sentence compared to what he would have got today and, of course, today his name would not be published as he is under 18. 

Theft at Cora Lynn

Bunyip Free Press January 8, 1914   http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129628102

The Bunyip Court Bench, consisting of Messrs. Chas. Pearson and A. J. Botterill, J's P., was occupied for some time in hearing a case of bicycle theft preferred against a young man named William Ayers. The evidence of Constable Boxhall, of Campbellfield, was to the effect that from information received he arrested Ayers at Craigieburn on a charge of stealing a bicycle, valued at £6, the property of Michael Dineen, of Cora Lynn. Michael Dineen swore that Ayers had worked for him and after leaving returned and took away the bicycle which was witness's property. The machine had new tyres on it now, but the old tyres (produced) he could identify as well as the frame. Accused pleaded guilty, asked to be dealt with at once, and admitted a prior conviction for a similar theft in Gippsland last year. In answer to questions from the Clerk of Courts Ayers said he was a native of Bullarto, near Daylesford, and was 17 years of age. Accused was then sentenced to 3 months' imprisonment and the Bench ordered that the bike be returned to the owner.

This article made me wonder when the Bunyip Court first started - I found this article, below, in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal.  The first court session took place on March 15, 1905 in Kraft’s Hall which was a privately owned hall operated by William Kraft, of the Gippsland Hotel. Kraft's Hall was located where the public hall is now.

First  session at Bunyip

South Bourke and Mornington Journal March 22, 1905  

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66142961

As reported in my last, a court of petty sessions was held in Kraft's Hall on Wednesday, March 15. Naturally, being the first, some little speechifying was looked forward to, which however did not come off. Mr. Cresswell, P. M., and Messrs. Ramage and a'Beckett. J's.P., occupied the bench. Only two cases were listed. Myrtle Morris was charged by Constable J. Ryan with having no visible means of support, and was remanded to Prahran for further bearing.

John Mannix, aged twelve, was charged with endangering the property of R.McAllister by setting fire to some scrub whereby a quantity of grass and fencing was destroyed. After hearing the evidence the Bench stated its unwillingness to record a sentence, and on the father entering into a recognaissance for the boy's future good behaviour, the case was dismissed.

Once again, this article shows how the legal system has changed (for better or worse depending on your view point) a 12 year old would never have his name mentioned in relation to a legal trial today.

I have written in more detail here about the Bunyip Court here