Becoming A City: Law & Order

Ipswich was basically a law-abiding city in 1904. However there were seven serious cases including manslaughter and one person was found guilty of an offence against property. A large number of minor cases were heard in the Police Court. By far the most common was drunkenness with 102 cases. There were also 78 civil cases and the courts granted 21 publicans licences and one wine-sellers licence. [1]

Ipswich Police Station
In December 1916 approval was given to spend £1553 for day labour on the Ipswich police station, new quarters for the senior-sergeant and improvements alterations to barracks, etc. [2] The new residence for the officer in charge was a wooden building which was located in the horse yard. [3]

Little Ipswich Police Station
Constable James Conway was appointed to succeed Constable T. Dempster as officer in charge of the police station at West Ipswich. Constable Conway, previously stationed at Cleveland was stationed at Little Ipswich from 1905 to 1908. In 1905, Loynes and Paten won the tender to undertake repairs and painting of the Little Ipswich Police Station.

Constable Kavanagh was stationed at West Ipswich in 1910. The Queensland Police Museum records show that the West Ipswich Station was closed between 1908 and 1919, it is not known where Constable Kavanagh was located.

North Ipswich Police Station
In June 1909, tenders were invited for additions, repairs and painting of the North Ipswich police station.