I left Port Pirie in the year 1879 for Port Germein, as the Police Department had decided to open a new station there.

One morning, shortly after my arrival there, a German woman and a young girl (her daughter), about 14 years of age, came to my office. The poor woman and girl were crying and in a dreadful agitated state of mind. The mother kept on repeating, 'Mine Gott! Mine Gott! My poor little girl!' I tried to pacify her so that I could understand what she wanted to tell me, but was unable to do so. I got her a glass of water and told her to compose herself, and that I would leave her for a short time so that she might do so. On my return I found her more composed, and the story she told me was a most revolting and disgusting one.

She informed me that her husband was most cruel to her, and constantly beating her, and that he had for a considerable time been committing incest with her daughter, and it was because she remonstrated with him that he beat her, and that he was a most cruel man, for only that morning he had, cruelly beat her son, a lad about 16 years of age, while they were sinking a well, and had knocked the poor boy down the well. I saw the poor boy afterwards, and he seemed half demented; from the brutal treatment he had received from his father.

I asked the girl if what her mother had told me was true, and she replied, "Yes. Father made me do it or he would beat me." The story, told me was the most shocking case I had ever heard of, and it was hardly conceivable that any human being could act as I was told he had done. The poor woman told me that she was afraid to go back to her home, as she was sure that her husband would kill the both of them, for he had repeatedly told them if they informed the police or any one of the neighbours he would do so. I told her to remain in my office until I went and got a justice of the peace, and that she need not be afraid, as I would protect her and see that no harm befell either of them.

I returned shortly afterwards with one of the local justices, and after hearing what she had to say, he issued a warrant for this man's arrest. The mother and daughter then went away with the justice, and were placed by him in the care of some kindly neighbours.

Without loss of time I got in uniform, saddled up, and proceeded to this man's farm, some miles distant from the township. On nearing his place I met him in a wagon drawn by bullocks. He had a big whip in his hand. I rode up, and when along side of him, sharply pulled up my horse, at the same time drawing my revolver. I told him to drop his whip and get out of the wagon.

He was a big, powerful man, a German, and stood over 6 ft. high. I told him I had a warrant for his arrest, told him the charge, and cautioned him. He appeared not to know the meaning of incest, and asked me to explain it, which I did and told him that he would have to come to the police station with me.

The son, whom I presume had been walking at some distance behind the wagon, now came up. I told him to take charge of the team, as the father was coming with me to Port Germein, and that I also wanted him at the police station at 9 a.m. the next day. The father looked at me, and scowled dreadfully, for without a doubt he was a most repulsive fellow.

I told him to walk ahead of me, and not to attempt to run away, for I would shoot at him if he did so. After an hour or so we arrived at my police quarters. There being no police station or cells, a small cottage was rented by the department, for police purposes. I, therefore, handcuffed my prisoner, to a chain on to an old wagon.

By this time a number of the townspeople had gathered around. I arranged for the hire of a conveyance to take my prisoner to Port Pirie, and shortly afterwards left for my destination. I can assure my readers that it was a great relief to me when he was placed in a police cell, and the bolt shot on it.

On the following day he was brought before the Police Court on the charge, and defended by counsel. The evidence disclosed was of a most shocking and revolting nature; in fact, it proved the prisoner to be little better than a brute beast in human form. He was committed for trial at the Adelaide Supreme Court, found guilty by the jury, and received a well-merited sentence by the presiding Judge.

There was a feeling of great relief by the farmers in the neighbourhood in which he had resided, for he was a man feared and shunned by them. They knew be would not hesitate to do them a serious injury, for he was a menace to the residents of the district.

Amateur Architect's Mistake.

Port Germein at this time was but in its infancy. The township had been laid out but beyond the main street was scrub and saltbush. There was one licensed hotel, and another in course of construction. A peculiar thing happened when the first was being built, which caused a considerable amount of amusement, and was considered a standing joke by the residents. It appeared that the landlord, who was his own architect, had proceeded with the erection of the second story when he discovered that he had made no provision for a staircase. It had, therefore, to be built outside of the building— a lasting monument to the would-be architect, who, no doubt, realised by then the truth of the old saying, 'Every man to his trade, and the shoemaker to his last.'

Old-timers, of whom I met a few last February, at the septuagenarian bowls match in Adelaide, in the course of our chats about days gone by, remembered this, and also the peculiarities of the then landlord, for he was really a great character, and a source of amusement to his customers.

Dick Turpin and "Frying Pan Tommy."

Among the stores, the one of note was that of Messrs. Dowdy & Laffin. A number of aborigines were also about the place, foremost among whom were two noted characters, named Dick Turpin and Frying Pan Tommy. It was a happy hunting ground for them, as there was plenty of fish, wallaby and kangaroo to be had.

Dick Turpin was recognised as the king or boss of the tribe. He and his chum, Tommy, had knocked about sheep stations a good deal, and had acquired a great liking for rum, which no doubt, was often supplied to them by unscrupulous blackguards, who when given money by these natives, would get it for them.

I had just returned one afternoon from one of my patrols, and was wearing riding pants and long boots when Mr. Dowdy came to me in a great state of excitement and informed me that Dick Turpin and Frying Pan Tommy were the worse for liquor, and were smoking cigars and throwing lighted matches about the place, and as there was a quantity of straw and inflammable material about the store, he was afraid of it catching on fire. He had requested them to go away but they took no notice of him, no doubt in that happy state of mind they thought they were as good as white pfellas, or a trifle better.

I proceeded at once to the store, and there found Turpin and Tommy strutting about like peacocks with tails extended, and, as I noticed, under the influence of liquor. I asked them, what they meant by not going away, when Mr. Dowdy, had requested them to do so. Turpin, who took upon himself to be spokesman, said to me, "This public place; can walk about here." "Oh," I said. "You can, can you?" With that I made a rush at him, and caught him by the scruff of the collar, and introduced with full force the toe of my boot to the rear part of his anatomy. He uttered a tremendous yell, and jumped about 4 ft. in the air. He then turned and looked at me as if he meant fight, and I made another rush at him; but he was not disposed to have another forcible introduction to my boot, and cleared off as fast as his legs would carry him.

Tommy, in the meantime, with eyes and mouth wide open, seeing the persuasive method I had used to his friend, also took to his heels. Thus ended the argument, of the rights of a public place.

A Drover's Peculiar Pranks.

A new station having been built at Redhill, and as I was contemplating entering into the blessed state of matrimony, I was transferred from Port Germein to Redhill, a more important station, to take charge of it.

Redhill at that time was a busy and important town, having two banks, two hotels, several stores, and among them a blacksmith and wheel wrights shop; where Senator Pearce's father worked. The police district was a large one and included the supervision of he following townships: Redhill, Koolunga, Yacka, Georgetown, Narridy, Rochester, Collinsfield, Mundoora, and Port Broughton. In addition the mounted police were at that time also Crown lands rangers, so my time was fully taken up.

The barman of Reynolds's hotel was a fine young fellow, a stanch teetotaller, and a good judge of a horse. He was also well able to take care of himself. One morning while I was at the stables he came to me. He had a black eye and a swollen nose. "Hullo," I said, "been running up against a mule?" for he looked as it he had been having a bad time.

He then told me that a drover had brought in his horse through the hotel bar door, and had fastened the reins to one of the handles of the beer engine. When he had told him that was no place for his horse, and that he would take it for him to the stables, he drover had told him to leave his — horse alone, as he wanted him there, so that he could keep his eye on him.

He had gone to remove the horse; he was afraid that something serious might happen, as the bar floor was not very sound, when he was struck several violent blows in the face by this man, who was a most determined fellow, and used obscene language. He had taken possession of the bar, and defied any one to remove him or his horse. I could hardly conceive what he told me was possible, for I had never heard of such a monstrous thing being done before.

I put on my uniform cap, and went with him. I entered the hotel by the side door, and, looking into the bar to my astonishment I saw that what he had described to me was correct. I went into the bar, and said to this drover, "My good man, this is no place for your horse. The landlord wants you to remove it at once.' By this time, the bar was full of men, who had come to see the fun, as they termed it.

He said to me, "Who the,-— hell are you?" I told him I was police officer. He made a violent blow at me, but forewarned is forearmed, and I avoided the blow, thank goodness. I then struck him with full force a blow with my clenched fist in the stomach, which doubled him up, and before he could recover, gave him what Cousin Jack calls the flying mare, throwing him on his back. He was a most determined scoundrel, for he resisted and kicked violently before I managed to put the handcuffs on him, assisted by others.

Upon my taking him to the station his language was disgusting in the extreme, and his yelling brought half the township people to the scene. They thought murder was being committed. After a desperate struggle I placed him in the cell.

He was heavily fined when brought before the Court, and left, no doubt, a sadder, if not a wiser, man, or his little escapade. My sea training had well fitted me for the rough and tumbles, which police officers encounter when arresting violent prisoners, for then you have to act promptly and decisively.

A Regular Virago.

A. A. Robinson's implement works were in full swing at this time. There was a great demand for agricultural implements of all kinds. The northern areas had not been long opened up, and a great amount of land was under cultivation for wheat. A number of young men were employed at these works, and among them was Mr. W. Essery, the present Mayor of Norwood, who, no doubt, will remember the incident I am about to relate.

About half a dozen of these young fellows were married within a short time of each other and were living in cottages, back yards of which faced that of a regular termagant of a woman of immense size and height. She was greatly addicted to drink, and when in her bouts was most quarrelsome and insulting to their wives; so much so that they were afraid to go in their yards.

They complained to me, and I advised them to lay an information against her, but they declined to do this as their wives dreaded having to go to Court to give evidence.

'Well,' I said, 'the next best thing to do is when she gets drunk, and is in the street, come to me and I will arrest her, on condition that you will assist me to take her to the station, for otherwise I will not be able to get her there as she weighs fully 17 stone.' This they readily agreed to do.

Shortly after this a couple of these young men came to the station in great haste and informed me that Mother 'So--and-So' was drunk, and carrying on high jinks, and that they would assist me to arrest her. I had to use strategy to get near her, otherwise, if she saw me she would have bolted into her home, and locked the door. She was in a lane using vile language to men who were about. We got in the lane between her and her house so that her retreat was cut off, I went up to her, and told her I was arresting her for being drunk and using bad language. She defied me to take her, and threw herself on the ground and yelled, kicked, and squealed to the top of her voice. As she would not get up I got one of the men to get me a large wheel barrow from the works, and with their help put her in it, and fastened her to it. We took it in relays to wheel her to the station, for we found her dreadfully heavy.

After some time she screamed out, 'I'll walk if you let me.' 'Very well,' I said. I unfastened her, and let her get out of the barrow, but she declined to walk and sat on the ground and commenced her old tactics of kicking, so that we had to go through the whole performance again to get her in the barrow. Men, women, and children were in the road and outside of their doors to witness the novel sight of her being taken to the police cell, and were pleased, be cause she was such a notorious character.

She was brought before the Court on the following day, and fined. This taught her a severe lesson, but sometimes she would forget herself, and some one would call out, "Go for Mr. LeLievre." This brought her at once to her senses. I am thankful to say that I never had occasion to arrest another woman.