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Nepean Times (Penrith, NSW : 1882 - 1962), Saturday 11 February 1911, page 8
Amos Parker v Bridget Gunnel.
Defendant was charged that she did on the 27th January, at Lambridge, behave in an insulting manner.
Plea not guilty.
Mr T K Waldron appeared for plaintiff, and Mr McDonald for defendant.
The P.M. suggested that something should be done towards a settlement.
After discussion the case proceeded. Amos Parker, sworn, stated: I am a grazier and cattle buyer, and reside at Lambridge, in the police district of Penrith; defendant resides on the adjoining property; on Friday, 27th January, between 1 and 2 o'clock in the afternoon, Miss Gunnel came to the end of her verandah, pulled aside a bag, put her fingers to her nose, and wound them round at me; there was no one else there it could be intended for; my brother, Oliver Parker, was near by; this was within 20 yards of the public road; about 6 o'clock I was coming into Penrith, and was on the road with my brother, who was driving a van; defendant was on a stool in the verandah facing the road, and did the same thing; (a good deal of argument ensued as to what was meant); I complain of this insulting conduct, and I want a guarantee that it won't happen to myself or my wife again; on the road I drew my brother's attention to it.
By Mr McDonald: I was in my own yard between 1 and 2 in the afternoon; my brother was also there; did not see anyone on the Castlereagh road, people on the road could see; know defendant well, and she has a twin sister; I know them apart; was driving along the Castlereagh road about 6 o'clock; when I had got about 30 yards past the house I saw defendant; have not the slightest doubt about it; have not continually passed defendant and sneered at her; have not done this either in High street or Castlereagh street; have not spoken to her for three months, nor has my wife; we have been neighbors for about seven years, and there has been no trouble until recently; have never been inside the house; I complain of her
insults to myself and wife; at 7 o'clock she was sitting on the verandah and gave me the usual sign; did not turn round just to annoy her; am quite sure of the action of the hands, and I attach an insulting meaning.
By Mr Waldron: Defendant has given me the usual sign in front of the Post Office at Penrith; this has been going on for over two months.
Oliver Parker, sworn, stated: l am a butcher, and reside in High street, Penrith, and am brother of the last witness; I know the defendant; I was in my brother's company on Friday, 26th January, at about one o'clock I was in my brother's yard loading a van, Miss Gunnel came from behind the bags at the back of her house, and put her thumb to her nose and spread her fingers out - that is regarded as a most insulting action by men of the world; anyone passing along Castlereagh road could have seen her do this; later on in the day I was in the van on the Castlereagh road, and my brother called attention to her as we passed along, and she was doing the same thing again; my brother did nothing of an insulting
nature to her.
By Mr McDonald: At one o'clock defendant could be seen from the street; could not say who the insult was intended for, but, as there was some grievance between my brother and her, I presumed it was intended for him; I know the two Misses Gunnell, they are a little alike in appearance and build, but defendant is stouter; could not say how defendant was dressed; am sure the Miss Gunnell I saw was the one now before the Court; I could easily tell them apart; my brother drew my attention when we were past the place; I will swear positively that the person I saw at one o'clock was the same as the one I saw at six o'clock.
Mr McDonald then addressed the Bench, and endeavored to point out that no insulting behaviour had been proved.
The P.M. decided to go on.
Bridget Gunnel, sworn, stated: I am a single woman and reside at Lambridge; remember Friday, 27th January, and have heard it stated that about 1 o'clock on that date I insulted Amos Parker; did not see either him or Oliver Parker that day till between 6 and 7 o'clock, they were then going up the Castlereagh road; I was on the front verandah making lacework; our front is screened; I saw plaintiff and his brother Oliver about 66 yards along the road; I was behind the screen in the middle of the six yards, sitting on a chair; I took up my work and shook it when oomplainant and his brother turned round; Amos Parker looked round first and he appeared to call his brother's attention; I went along with my work; plaintiff is constantly sneering at me for the last two months; he blames me for attacking him, but he has been attacking me; have never done what be accused me of doing in my life; this is the first time I have been in court; I have a twin sister, we are much alike and about the same size; did not make the gesture and do not know what it means; have been residing in the place for 22 years and have had no previous trouble with my neighbors.
By Mr Waldron: I do not blame Mr Parker for trying to get the house; never saw the sign made until I saw Mr Parker make it in court; I never used it; complainant has attacked me; my sister is about the house as I am; she comes to town sometimes; have known Mr Parker from childhood; know Burgess and Plunkett, they have never seen me make that gesture.
It was decided to call additional evidence for the complainant.
Ada Mary Parker, wife of Amos Parker, deposed she had seen Miss Gunnell pat her hand to her nose to complainant and to herself, for the last two months.
In answer to Mr McDonald, she said she was sure it was Miss Bridget, she was much stouter than her sister.
Arthur Burgess, employed by Mr Amos Parker, said he had seen defendant put her fingers to her nose. No doubt it was her, not her sister. The offence has been going on for months.
By Mr McDonald: I have heard defendant say 'Where's the old crawler' ? and put her hand to her nose; would easily know defendant 40 yards away; never saw the two sisters together; neither Mr nor Mrs Parker gave the slightest provocation.
Thomas Plunkett, a farmer, residing at Castlereagh, sworn, said he knew the parties in the case; last Sunday week he was talking to plaintiff in his yard, when defendant put her hand to her nose with her fingers extended, he regarded that as insulting; Mr Parker never gave her the slightest provocation; he was quite sure it was defendant.
By Mr McDonald: The gesture was, I felt sure, not intended for me, this was about 12 o'clock or later; saw Miss Gunnell at church, passed her coming home at Mr Lack's; I was at Parker's first; Miss Gunnell had her hat off when she made these gestures.
Defendant was bound over for 12 months - self in p10, and one surety of p10; and to pay p1 1s professional costs, costs of three witnesses (at 5s each), and costs of Court.
Surety was forthcoming at once.
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Nepean Times (Penrith, NSW : 1882 - 1962), Thursday 13 March 1941, page 5
MISS BRIDGET GUNNELL
Miss Bridget Gunnell, who, with her twin sister, Miss Mary Gunnell, resided in High Street, Penrith, died this morning in Nepean District Hospital to which she was admitted yesterday morning.
The funeral will take place tomorrow (Friday) afternoon in McCarthy's Cemetery, Cranebrook.
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Nepean Times (Penrith, NSW : 1882 - 1962), Thursday 20 March 1941, page 4
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Thursday 20 March 1941, page 2
IN the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Probate Jurisdiction - In the Will of BRIDGET GUNNELL, late of Penrith, in the State of New South Wales, spinster, deceased. Application will be made after fourteen days from the publication hereof that Probate of the Will of the abovenamed deceased, dated the seventh day of December, one thousand nine hundred and thirty-nine, may be granted to ALBERT EDWARD BAKER, of Penrith, solicitor, the sole Executor named therein, and all persons having any claims against the Estate of the said deceased are required to forward particulars thereof to the undersigned within the said period and all notices may be served at the undermentioned address. BAKER AND BAKER, Proctors for the Executor, 18-20 Martin Place, Sydney, and at Penrith.
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