Charles James Stallard

Charles James Stallard was a policeman in Redan, <1898-1904.

History
Charles James Stallard was born on 7 November 1861, at Buninyong, to Edward Stallard and Mary Graham.

He joined the Victoria Police Force on 27 February 1883.

He married Ann Richardson Hocking in Hotham, on 10 July 1884. They had several children including:
 * Ethel Ann (1885), Hotham.
 * Ada Mary (1887), Hotham.
 * Charles Victor Hocking (1889), Hotham.
 * Lillian Richardson (1890), Ballarat East.

In March 1893, Stallard risked his life during a house fire in Redan: "During the fire at Mr George Williams residence on Thursday night, a very plucky action was performed by Constable Stallard, of Redan. At one time the children were in danger, hut Mrs Williams, at no small risk to herself, rescued them. Subsequently Constable Stallard, hearing that the children were still in the house, dashed in through one of the windows in a courageous manner, only to find that Mrs Williams had fore-stalled his good intentions. Subsequently Stallard rendered valuable assistance both in saving furniture and in keeping the crowd from hampering the operations of the fire men. His conduct on the occasion has been brought under the notice of Superintendent Parkinson, who will doubtless forward the favorable comments on Stallard to the Chief Commissioner of Police."

On 21 October 1898 Stallard was the policeman who had to investigate what the newspapers called the Windermere Street Tragedy. Two teenagers, Alfred and William Blomeley, had shot their father with a revolver after years of domestic violence directed at them, their mother, and their sisters. Stallard had dealt with the father before. When he arrived at dawn, he found the family huddling next to the furnace at the foundry of the Northern Star mine, trying to keep warm: "Constable Charles Stallard, stationed at Redan, stated that he had known the family about seven years. Frequent complaints had been made about Blomeley’s conduct. He was called to the North Star mine on the 2lst October, and saw Mrs Blomeley, who told him of the shooting. Witness then went to the house and broke in, and found Blomeley on the bed wounded. He was conscious, and made a statement. Witness said, ' What is the matter?” and Blomeley said, “ That young beggar Will fired at me with a blank cartridge;” and witness responded, “ Nonsense, there is more than a blank cartridge—look at all this blood;” and deceased said to the boy—' You young beggar; I’ll give it to you for this.” Accused admitted having shot their father with the revolver produced. Witness asked Blomeley what was the cause of this, and deceased replied “Mind your own business.” Witness found four loaded cartridges and two empty ones in the revolver. Witness arrested the boys, and Alfred said— 'We only did it in self defence and to defend our mother.' On the way to the lockup Alfred said—' We did it to save mother; he would have killed her only for us.”"

In June 1899 it was reported that he had been seriously ill: "The comrades and friends of Constable Stallard, of Redan, who for some days past has been seriously ill, will be pleased to hear that last night he was much improved, and has now a fair chance of recovery."

In November 1902, Stallard was named as the captain of the Redan Quoits Club.

In January 1903, his brother, Joseph, who had also been a policeman, was the publican of the Plough and Harrow Hotel in Mair Street, Ballarat. He died after falling down the hotel stairs, while drunk, and during a fight with several customers.

Stallard is listed as living at 143 Skipton Street, in 1903. (Is this the Redan Police Station).

Stallard was promoted to the Ballarat City Police Station in 1904: "Constable Stallard, of Redan, has been promoted to the rank of senior-constable, and will take Senior-Constable Breen’s place in the City. Stallard was offered his promotion eighteen months ago, conditionally on his going to Melbourne, but this he was disinclined to do, hence he retained the rank of constable until yesterday." "Senior Constable Stallard, recently promoted, and transferred from Redan to Ballarat city, was on Thursday night entertained by leading citizens at a farewell social, Mr. L. Phillips presiding. Several gentlemen spoke in very complimentary terms of the good work performed in the Redan and Sebastopol districts by the senior constable, and a purse of sovereigns was handed to the chairman for presentation to Mrs. Stallard in recognition of her kindly work among the poor during her residence at Redan."

In July 1905, Stallard charged Henry Francis Elliott with using insulting language to him: CONSTABLE AND CIVILIAN IN CONFLICT. THE CASE OF STALLARD V ELLIOTT. VERDICT FOR THE POLICE. CROSS SUMMONS DISMISSED. The case of Stallard v Elliott, in which the former, a senior constable of police, charged Henry Francis Elliott with using abusive language to him, was heard yesterday, before Mr W. Dickson, P.M., and Messrs J. W. Graham and J. M'Kay, J’s.P., at the City Court, which was crowded to the doors with persons interested in the proceed- A cross-summons, issued by Elliott against Stallard, for abusive language, was taken simultaneously with the other case. Inspector Balchin conducted the case on behalf of the police, while Mr M. Lazarus appeared for the defendant. Charles James Stallard, senior constable of police, stated that on the 1st July, at a quarter to 4, he was outside the Unicorn hotel, Sturt street, in the company of Raymond Stevens. He saw the defendant, whom he had known for fourteen years, there. One of two young men on the footpath spoke to witness, and he stopped to talk to them. Elliott was standing behind witness, and said, "It's lies; it’s lies; it lies ; that’s the after game as usual.” Witness replied—“I'm not in the habit of telling lies like some people.'’ Elliott answered—“You are a stinking liar, you heap of rubbish. All you are fit for is locking up Redan larrikins. Most of them are better than you. They might be frightened of you. I am not; I’ll take you on anywhere you like.” There were a lot of persons passing up and down at the time. Inspector Balchin —What led up to this ? Witness — I was talking about the Grand National Hurdles. I told a man named Albert Chibnall that I missed backing the winner. I gave those good things to my friends, but missed them myself, like a fool. Mr Dickson— Was the defendant sober? Witness—Yes, he appeared so. Did he speak loudly?—Yes; you could hear him at the Buck's Head hotel.

Mr Lazarus —I suppose that is as true as everything else you said. Were you betting this day?—No. Were you in uniform?—No. Where were you when this occurred ? —ln Sturt street, passing on my way home. Do you remember anyone saying to you, “Did you back the winner? "-No. Chibnall may have said it. Did you say “Yes? —”No: i couldn't have said yes; I didn't back it. Have you and Elliott been on speaking terms?—l had no occasion to speak to him, but we were not enemies. Did you say “I'll tell you what a fool I was?” —No. Did not Elliott say to you—"Don't play the after-game?" Didn't you say to him —“Mind your own business, you mongrel?”—No. Have you ever used such words to anyone?—No. Have you ever been charged with using obscene words to young women? —No. Was a charge of insulting young women laid against you—There was an office charge laid against me, but not of that sort. What was that charge?—l have forgotten how the charge read. Do you mean to say that you don't remember an important thing like that. Was the charge not read over to you?— Yes. You don't remember what it was?" No. I don’t remember the wording. Do you remember the effect ?—Yes. What was the charge?—Misconduct and using insulting words to a female. What happened you?—l was fined £1. Yet you say you did not use obscene language to anyone?—Yes, and I say it again. I never in my life used obscene language. This charge you talk of was not one of using obscene language. Did you not accost Elliott first?— No- he started the altercation, saying —“lt's lies, lies, lies.” Did you give him no provocation?— No. Does he tell lies?—l don t know. Were you in the Guiding Star hotel between 12 and 1 on that Saturday morning?—No; I was in bed before 12. If any person swears that, will you contradict it? —Most decidedly. Inspector Balchin —"Were you actuated by malice in bringing this charge against Elliott? —No. Mr Dickson—Now that something has been said about this charge against you, for which you were fined £1 after an enquiry held by your superior officer, do you wish to make a statement about it? Witness —Yes, your worship, I admit that I was hasty at the time, and said what I should not have said. The facts are these. When I was stationed at Redan I came upon some young larrikins and girls making a noise at one of the street corners. I went up to investigate and the boys ran away, while the girls stood their ground. I said to the latter, Get away out of this you dirty hussies. If I had my way I would skin your hacks for you. I was court-martialled over it, and fined £1. Mr Lazarus —Yet your superior officer heard that explanation you have just given and fined you £1. Witness—l was unfairly fined, most unfairly.

Several witnesses were called by Stallard's lawyer, and all gave similar evidence. These included Horace G. Troup, solicitor, Lydiard street, Albert Chibnall, horse trainer, Raymond Stephens, groom, Joseph Lane, miner and boxing trainer, John M'Phail, commission agent, Alfred Bullus, laborer, Raglan street, and Harold Fielding, bill-poster, 126 Lyons street south

Mr Lazarus stated that his client had been before the public of Ballarat for over forty years, and had never appeared in Court before. He might have his faults, but he was certainly not a liar nor a hypocrite. He had a high reputation for straightforwardness, and would swear that Stallard used a most insulting epithet to him. Mr Elliott was interested in the results of the racing, and was in front of the Unicorn Hotel to find out what horse won the Hurdle Race. Elliott heard Stallard say in answer to a friend’s query, “No, I didn’t back it, I should have.” Elliott then said jocosely, “Oh, don’t play the after game.” Stallard then turned round and said, “Oh mind your own business you mongrel,” and then Elliott, intensely excited by the insult, went off like a packet of crackers. If Senior-constable Stallard insulted Mr Elliott he must expect to get back with interest. Why didn’t Stallard run Elliott in when he used the language complained of? Mr Dickson—That is not usual when the defendant is well known.

Henry Francis Elliott said—l am a maltster, and have been a resident of Ballarat for 49 years. I have known Senior-constable Stallard for 15 years. We have often spoken to one another. On the date referred to I was talking to a Mr Grindley in front of Honan's Hotel. I had up to this period been friendly with Stallard. I saw Stallard and Stevens near that spot. A friend of Stafford's said, “Did you back the winner Charlie?’’—Stallard said, “What a fool I was. I gave it to my friends but missed myself.” I said in a joke, “Oh that’s the after game.” Then Stallard turned round and said, “Mind your own business you mongrel.” Then l lost my temper and said to Stallard. “You rotten cow to call me a mongrel, I am as good a man as you are at any game, and you can have it out now if you like." Mr Grindley said to me, “You ought to have given him in charge.” I said, “I ought to have hit the cow.” I was boiling over with indignation, and if it was to happen again I would hit him if I got three months’ for it. Mr Lazarus—ls there any cause for a coolness between you and Stallard? Witness—Oh it’s all over some trouble in the police force, and one of the officers is being shot at through me. We held a meeting in the south when a certain officer was leaving the district. I was chairman, and when I mentioned to Stallard at the racecourse one day that —Inspector Balchin—Oh, we don’t want anything of this. You admit then vising this very strong and insulting language to Stallard. Witness—l do, I am no Saint, and everybody knows it; but he provoked me to use the language, by grossly insulting me. You say Stallard called you “a mongrel.” Was it loud?—No, he said it sotto voice. How far were these previous witnesses from Stallard?—Three paces. Could they have heard Stallard say this?—l was much nearer Stallard than they were, and he said it in a low tone. These witnesses say that Stallard did not use the insulting words you complain of?—I say he did, what would make me open out on him if he had not insulted me? I am not fool enough to start a barney like that. Have you brought this matter be fore the constable’s superior officer?— No. I have enough to do to mind my own business.

Kenneth Grindley, of Vale Park, Ballarat North, said he was talking to Elliott in front of the Unicorn Hotel on the afternoon mentioned. Stallard looked at the result of the races, and someone said to him, “Did you back the winner Charlie.” Stallard said, No. I ought to have backed it.” Elliott said, “don’t play the waiting game Stallard.” Someone in the crowd said to Elliott, “Mind your own business you mongrel.” Witness was not sure who said it. Inspector Balchin—Did you hear Stallard say anything offensive to Elliott?—Not that I could swear to. This witness’s evidence completed the case.

The Bench announced that they had decided that the case of Stallard against Elliott was proved, and they fined the latter £5, with £2 7s 6d costs. The cross summons of Elliott v Stallard was dismissed. The fine was paid.

In January 1908, Stallard is a police sergeant at Russell Street, Melbourne.

In January 1912, Stallard is the police sergeant at Warragul.

In 1914, Stallard is listed as a police sergeant living with his wife, and daughters Lillian and Ada Mary, at the Oakleigh Police Station.

Stallard died at East Melbourne, on 4 February 1920. His wife died at St. Kilda, 10 October 1930.