Some evidence relating to Garth Court around the time that Doris Mitchell was living there.
There was a lot of turnover in Garth Court. Looking at the 1901, 1911 and 1921 censuses there is no overlap between the families in the three returns, and none of those named in the newspaper items shown below are there either.
The properties in Garth Court are listed in a Clearance Order (demolition) in 1934. Nos. 1-5 are described as "Dwellinghouse, W.C., and Common Court"; No.6 as an outbuilding [possibly a common washhouse?] Annie Mitchell’s return in 1911 states that there are two rooms.
10 May 1904: South Wales Daily News
A "BEER WARRANT" VISIT.
Thomas Kiely, labourer, 24 years of age, was charged (before Alderman David Jones and other magistrates) at Cardiff on Monday with assaulting P. C. Edgar Dix (43A) at Garth-court on Sunday. P. C. Dix said he, in company with another officer, visited a house in Garth-court on Sunday evening, and instituted a search of the premises on a "beer warrant." He saw several bottles of beer on a table, and went to secure them. There-upon the prisoner caught hold of him by the collar, struck him in the side, and pushed him against the door, saying, " You don't take any of that -- beer. Prisoner now appealed for one chance more, for the sake of his wife and two little children. He faithfully promised to give no more trouble to their Worships. — The Chairman: We have considered your appeal on behalf of your wife and children, and you can go away now. See you try to behave yourself in future.—Kiely (saluting) : I will, sir. Thank you kindly.
11 May 1910: Western Mail
INSPECTOR'S ALLEGATIONS AGAINST CARDIFF PARENT.
When Stanley Parker, aged seven, of 4, Garth-court, was changed by Police-constable Giles at Cardiff Police-court on Tuesday with begging in Saunders road, Court-officer Beetle said he had served numerous summonses at the house, and had taken two boys of the family to an industrial school. There was a long family, and the children ran about like colts. Inspector Bingham said the boy had twice been charged with stealing letters from a letter-box. The Chairman (Mr. P. J. Veall): What, this little boy! Inspector Bingham: Yes, sir. The father has had 17 summonses recently for not sending his children to school. He gets them sent to an industrial school, and though orders are made, be does not pay a penny, so that the state has to maintain them. One of his children was caught begging, and the father was seen to meet him in the street. The boy was cautioned, but the father, William James Parker, was dealt with under the new Act, and fined 10s. and costs, or fourteen days.
26 January 1915: Western Mail
WATCHED BY THE POLICE.
Mary Evans (29) was charged at Cardiff on Monday (before Mr. W. T. Symonds, Mr. H. M. Thompson, and Mr. J. Chellew) with assisting in the management of a disorderly house in Garth-court. Police-constable Sparkes detailed the results of observations kept upon the premises by himself and Police-constable Chapple, and Court-inspector J. E. Price intimated that he had been asked by the head-constable to mention that he had received several complaints of robberies having taken place at the house. The Bench imposed a fine of £5 and costs, or a month.
