Daily Photo – Kaka Point (2)

The marriage of Percy Redwood and Agnes Ottaway had been the talk of the region for weeks. Yet, even as the festivities wound down, there was an undercurrent of unease among some of those present. It was quietly noted, that none of Percy’s relatives had appeared, and there were many unpaid bills

By the following morning, the whispers became serious talk. Agnes’s parents and several close friends of the family met with Percy, confronting him over the unpaid debts. They agreed to grant a week for the accounts to be settled, but until that time, the planned honeymoon would not proceed. Still uneasy, a handful of the Ottaways’ friends began making private inquiries, determined to ensure that Agnes had not been misled. Their suspicions only deepened as conflicting stories emerged about Percy’s background, prompting them to turn to the police for assistance.

It was then that the truth began to unravel. A local detective, well acquainted with the exploits of a fraudster named Amy Bock, was shown a photograph of the groom. Percy Redwood was then identified as well known con-artist Amy Bock. Three days after the wedding, Bock was arrested, went to trial and was sentenced to two years of hard labour and declared a “habitual criminal.” 

I’d first heard the story of Amy Bock many years ago and I’d come to Kaka Point hoping to track down the old boarding house or its location, but I couldn’t. After driving up and down the streets a few times, I eventually gave up and parked by the beach. Staring out at the sea, I said to no one in particular, “How does a lady born in Hobart end up being arrested as a man for impersonation, forgery, and theft in Kaka Point, of all places?” Of all the spots in the world she could have chosen, she picked here. I think that’s just swell.

Daily Photo – Kaka Point (1)

In early February 1909, a man by the name of Percy Redwood disembarked at the busy Romahapa Railway station, eventually arriving at the popular seaside settlement of Kaka Point on The Catlins coast, a short time later. The wealthy farmer from South Canterbury, had come to the region via Dunedin, where suffering from ill-health, a Doctor had advised him to get plenty of rest and relaxation by the sea. Short, but well presented in his forties, Percy, who came from a middle-upper class family with plenty of money, presented himself at a local boarding house where he stayed over the next few weeks. During this time, he endeared himself to the locals with his outlandish tales and lavish spending, while at night he would entertain with his musical talents. In fact, so popular was the eligible Mr Redwood that many of the families started to view the charming man as a fine match for the young, unmarried ladies in the area. So, when Mr Redwood approached Mr George Ottaway – the owner of the boarding house and asked permission to marry his daughter Agnes, both George and his wife Martha were delighted.

At the time, it was noted by locals that Percy did seem to owe a number of people in town money. However, on occasions he would disappear to Dunedin for business, reappearing a few days later settling most of his bills. However, before a wedding could take place, George Ottaway, wanting to make sure his daughter Agnes would be well cared for, wrote to Percy’s mother asking for assurance on financial matters and was delighted when the reply arrived, confirming that Percy was a man of considerable financial means. He had savings of fifteen hundred pounds, a further fifteen hundred pounds invested in his uncle’s farm, an income of one hundred and fifty pounds per year and was to be given a furnished house to the value of one thousand pounds when married  

With Percy being such a good catch for an unmarried young lady, a lavish wedding was planned with all the businesses in town (and the local area) receiving vast orders to ensure the large crowd would be well catered for. The finest material was ordered to suit the groom and dress the bride – who delighted in showing off with pride the ring with five diamonds her fiancé Percy had bought her. 

When the big day arrived, the ceremony was an enormous affair, the only disappointment being that none of Percy’s family could attend, due to another family wedding taking place on the same day. So, the marriage between Mr Percy Redwood and Miss Agnes Ottaway was held in Kaka Point on April 21, 1909. 

The problem with all this was that Mr Percy Redwood didn’t exist. Mr Percy Redwood was actually a lady named Amy Bock.