14 Dec 1939
Page 1
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Newspaper
Port Pirie Recorder
Location
Port Pirie, South Australia, Australia
Date
Dec 14, 1939
Page
1
The Financiers' Association presented the committee secretary with £300 in addition to his annual honorarium of 75 paise as recognition for his work in the campaign against the Moneylenders Bill, disclosed before the Royal Commission on Bribery Allegations.
Reginald Williams and his Sunday School party were walking home along Three Chain Road when an unknown car struck Mrs Olive Williams killing her at the roadside. Her children John and Valerie, aged 18 months and 3 years, were unhurt. The incident occurred near Onu-Mite Crossing close to Prince's Park. An ambulance took the body to the police mortuary. Mr Williams, secretary of the Proprietary Football Club, was notified and distraught at the scene. The night also saw two other local fatalities in Pirie within a week.
Wellington residents awoke to a landslip threatening a hill suburb house on a 100 ft drop as floods from 6 inches of rain in 24 hours battered the region. In Hutt Valley a subsiding house toppled yards from foundations. a woman and child escaped collapse. Bridges were wrecked, services disrupted, and stock drowned amid gale conditions. overall damage widespread though floods were easing.
Frederick William Drummond, itinerant, confessed to stealing two overcoats a dust coat and two shirts valued at £2 from Frederick William Trond and two women's overcoats valued £1100 from May Bristow. He took items from a rack in his father’s passage and was ordered seven days imprisonment. Authorities noted the father’s efforts to reform him despite prior convictions in Victoria.
The ALP Ladies' Committee reported attendance at Bechare Wal yesterday after a campaign by the Ahhhatlivs. Mrs. scarey presided and Mrs WAL Piswadwuld presented a sheet noting a balance of £15 0s 6d raised during the year. Total fines amounted to £9 0s 0d. The final credit balance was 12s 1d. There were 129 financial members and two men joined yesterday. Arrangements were made for a party in January and afternoon tea closed the function.
Two aircraft from City relief operation force landed at Pirie due to mechanical issues. Authorities report successful landings with no injuries. Local team assisted on arrival and began inspection of the aircraft.
An emergency over Moresby forced a Lockheed to land near Pirie with one engine down. Dragon Rapide planes ferried passengers and mail to Adelaide as repairs began. The flight originated from Darwin with Marion and hotel executives aboard, with Darwin hotels later purchased by a syndicate for redevelopment.
Yesterday’s high reached 74.6 degrees while the 24 hour low ended at 58 degrees at 12:30 am. Readings indicate a mild, trending warm day with typical overnight cooling.
In Sydney on Wednesday a deputation urged reform of the Matrimonial Causes Act. Attorney General Si Manning heard that many Australian women married to Americans or sailors abroad cannot obtain divorces here or in America. Manning promised to take the matter to the Cabinet.
Prices for wheat in Adelaide were steady at 3/81 49 untilers over yesterday. London market quotes for December Vancouver No 1 wheat at £1 0/6 a quarter fob. South Australia and Western Australian positions listed. U.S. futures rose sharply with December Chicago and Winnipeg positions up 8 and 4 cents, reflecting war related demand. Further Australian price increases may follow as American market gains persist.
Silver prices move in London with spot and forward quotes. Adelaide market lists mixed changes with cash and forward silver, noting minor gains and unchanged levels across several figures and currencies.
Melbourne police report two men attempting to break up an unfinished work at Toorak. Elderly watchman Nock knocked one intruder unconscious with halon. The second attacker felled Nock. Nock summoned police after regaining consciousness. By the time officers returned, the suspect had vanished from the scene.
Sydney report quotes Mr Street decrying wartime ethics as freedom and honesty fade in Germany. He predicts the Empire’s fall and calls the Meltish and Anish as wielders of more deadly, soulless wreaking. He warns future battles would be harder with more scientific slaughter.
Police recovered £400 worth of property from a garage after a raid aimed at closing a series of slash and stab raids. Officers found two boat engines, three radios, tools, an electric grinding machine, and two rifles stolen from city shop windows after glass was smashed. A suspect fled when questioned by Constable Webster, with one man tracked through parklands before arrest.
The League of Nations Assembly votes to expel Russia from membership after Russia refuses to end its war with Finland or withdraw troops. Across France a six mile front sees hard fighting but Allied positions hold. Germany vows to fight to annihilate enemies as officials portray Britain as the war’s cause. Russia reportedly preparing 1.5 million troops for new Finland battles.
The Bishop of Adelaide, Bev. A. Nutter Thomas, announces resignation and expresses belief the diocese requires changes. The formal note cites advancing years and calls for renewal within church leadership.
Intense 24 hour fighting on the western front surrounds a six mile wide line of outposts forming a salient. The Paris night communique notes sharp engagements between the Saar and Warndt Forest with continued artillery actions. Allied outpost lines remain intact as British front line patrols operate in rain and mist to gather information. Sir Cyril Newall, RAF head, inspects British aerodromes and positions in France.
In Paris, French Finance Minister Reynaud commented on the Anglo French financial agreement noting a 40 60 split with France contributing 40 per cent and Britain 60 per cent. He said the pact is vast and unprecedented and not characterized by distrust but shows disguised antagonism and differences of opinion that have marked past alliances.
Britain and France announce a vast wartime financial cooperation agreement described as unprecedented. Sir John Simon says the deal avoids exchange disruption, allows mutual currency use, and covers shared expenditures such as aid to other nations and Polish forces. Treasury officials will meet to align price policies and foreign exchange.
The League reports no reply from Moscow to a Finnish armistice proposal by the deadline. Mototoff confirms the Soviet government cannot accept for reasons in his December 5 letter. The Soviet says it did not threaten Finland and cites its pact with the People’s Democratic Government of Finland. Diplomatic circles expect Russia to withdraw. the League prepares a committee report condemning Russia as aggressor, while expulsion requires a unanimous vote.
The League of Nations assembly in Geneva carries a motion by Argentine delegate Senor Freyre to expel Russia from the organization. The decision marks Russia’s expulsion from League membership amid ongoing international tensions.
War brief notes heavy fighting on the Finnish fronts with Allied and Soviet units. Reports claim momentum shifts near Karelia with reinforced Russian units halting a major eastern front offensive. Continued coverage referenced on another page.
A compilation of Pirie region updates including patient statuses at Pirie Hospital and staff movements. Mentions Mrs Pryor leaving bed, Mr C H Wood ward transfer to the Barrier, an inquiry into Mr Salvatore Mifianid’s death on a steamer, ambulance personnel assignments for a trot meeting, local residents traveling to Adelaide, and several hospital admissions and discharges along with district council attendance and notable residents visiting or recovering.
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