Christchurch Crimes and Scandals 1876-99

Explore the captivating tales of Christchurch's dark history with 'Christchurch Crimes and Scandals 1876-99.' This engaging book by renowned historian Geoffrey Rice, published by Canterbury University Press, takes readers on a thrilling journey through the notorious crimes and scandals from the later Victorian period. Uncover the Boxing Day Riot of 1879, where tensions erupted between Orange Lodge members and Irish Catholic navvies, and delve into the mysterious Severed Hand case of 1885. This collection compiles chilling newspaper court reports from the 19th century, revealing the city's most infamous criminals, including fraudsters, forgers, and even a preacher who prompted the reading of the Riot Act. With 260 pages of spellbinding narratives, Rice brings to life the struggles faced by magistrates and judges in dealing with a wide array of law-breakers. From the Opawa axe murder of 1897, highlighted by rare photographs, to the desperate tales of women charged with serious crimes, this book provides an in-depth perspective on societal issues of the time. Discover how Christchurch's courtroom drama unfolded, featuring skilled defense lawyers navigating complex cases. Perfect for history buffs, crime enthusiasts, and anyone intrigued by scandalous tales, 'Christchurch Crimes and Scandals 1876-99' is a must-read that immerses you in an era of lawlessness and intrigue. Grab your paperback edition today and add a piece of Christchurch's vibrant history to your collection!

Author: Geoffrey Rice Publisher: Canterbury University Press
Bind: paperback

Pages: 260
Publication Date: 20-11-2013

The Boxing Day Riot of 1879 when a parade of Orange Lodge members was attacked by a mob of Irish Catholic navvies swinging axe-handles, a slander case involving one of the city's richest merchants, the famous Severed Hand Mystery of 1885 ... Following on from his first volume, Christchurch Crimes 1850-1875: SCandal and Skulduggery in Port and Town, historian Geoffrey Rice presents another fascinating collection of Christchurch crimes and scandals drawn from nineteenth-century newspaper court reports, this time covering the later Victorian period from 1876-1899.
We meet some of the city's most notoirous citizens of the period, such as the photographer Eden George, and the preacher-fraudster Arthur Bently Worthington, who caused the one and only reading of the Riot Act in Christchurch. The Opawa axe murder of 1897 includes a rare photograph of the body.
Magistrates and judges had to deal with a procession of society's law-breakers passing through their courts, from apologetic drunks and brazen prostitutes, shifty forgers and brutal thugs, rapists and arsonists, bigamists and embezzlers to desperate women charged with manslaughter or murder. The defence lawyers were often faced with a difficult task, yet Christchurch in this period had several highly skilled courtroom lawyers who knew how to persuade a jury.
The author's easy-to-read story-telling style and genuine enthusiasm for and knowledge of his subject bring to life another rich, colourful and intriguing chapter from the city's past.