28 Dec 1939
Page 1
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Newspaper
Port Pirie Recorder
Location
Port Pirie, South Australia, Australia
Date
Dec 28, 1939
Page
1
Alarm in Moscow as Finnish successes slow Soviet advance and threaten invasion. Question of sabotage in war factories grows amid disappointing ammunition supply. Italy faces 65 million pounds cost if Tyrol votes to return to the Reich. More sinkings raise losses. a woman witnesses her husband drown. German press attacks King George over submarine campaign.
London reports heavy Finnish casualties and German aid case. Finns repulse Russian attacks on the Karelian Isthmus. Moscow notes 25,000 to 30,000 dead and 30,000 to 40,000 wounded or missing, amid claims of ineffective Russian ammunition and improving Finnish anti aircraft defences. South Africa, Argentina, and others respond to League of Nations appeals for aid to Finland. News covers ships sunk by mines, naval losses, and storm deaths in the Black Sea as tensions rise.
A wife watched as her husband drowned while trying to save her during a ship explosion. Moments earlier they had been drinking Christmas toast with the captain, who survived. Two blasts severely damaged the vessel, causing it to sink after four minutes. a Norwegian steamer rescued some survivors. Fourteen people are missing and presumed drowned.
London reports an emergency meeting amid talk of repatriation costs for Germany under the Malo German agreement, with estimates pegged above 65,000,000 and offsets from liquidation of Malian property in Austria Sudetenland and Memel. The scene notes German actions, wartime pressure, and a forthcoming discussion on the Tyrol and potential relief measures involving the king’s recent remarks.
Nearly 200 Australian airmen arrive in England, first RAAF squadron to land since the war began. Air Commodore Howe commends Australia for its response to the Empire air training scheme and the robust craft production. They will train in England before joining an RAF squadron, retaining Australian identity. Messages from Australian officials praise the mission and call for safe return after duty.
Thieves stole over 300 pounds during Christmas weekend at G J Cole and Co store in Liverpool Street Sydney. They blew open the safe with oxy acetylene torches, left 400 pounds in notes, and escaped through a rear window as staff found the ashes of burnt banknotes in the safe. The total robberies this year near 5,000 pounds. One gang member may have hidden in the store during peak hours. The burglars used a steel shelf to protect the loot and likely followed the crowds to blend in.
A motor car crashed into a tram standard on Magill Road Magill at 1 am injuring Preda Prosser single Mildura George Winton of Mildura and Dough Morro of Mildura. All were taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital with varying injuries. Winton the driver has not been interviewed to explain the crash. The wrecked vehicle valued about 60 pounds.
Heavy rain swept Wellington on Wednesday causing landslides closing roads and damaging houses. Gardens disappeared and mud entered many dwellings while trams halted and boats served as makeshift transport on the flooded streets.
Melbourne reports plans to open two new air force schools and eleven civil aero clubs that will begin training pilots next week. Each school aims to train about 180 pilots annually to an elementary standard before transfer to advanced programs.
Sydney action urged as Federal and State authorities consider declaring the Communist Party illegal. Thorby argues communists should be jailed and that meetings under the Red Flag in Domain must end during wartime. He says residents must support the Empire or seek refuge in Russia.
Personal notices from Pirie detail medical treatments at Smelters first aid station, holidays in Adelaide, and returns to Pirie. Names include Br. HG Bran, Mr. Harold Lundberg, Mr. C. Bostrom, and Mr. Joseph Wilson's wreaths. residents travel to Melbourne, Port Lincoln, and Victor Harbor. Hospital admissions and family visits are listed amid war-time community activity.
A partial report notes Miss Lily Briggs of Adelaide pending a holiday with Mrs. Gowards of Pirie Estate. An upcoming radio broadcast by J Curtin defends Labor support for the war, while horse racing mentions Rozot Handicap and Bagot weight discussions for a mare preparing for the Australian Cup.
Dr. Kurt Schuschnigg, former Austrian chancellor, housed in Hotel Metropole Vienna, is moved through streets by German police while British internees, including 19 women, are guarded. Consular families detained for protection. reports note Nazi regime downfall as guards express dislike. Food poor. internees describe bombardment fatigue and Germans’ good conduct toward British women amid war.
Yesterday marked the season’s hottest day with a 105 degree reading at Pirie Post Office and a clear sky. Bathers crowded Shlomontown Beach while crowds, traffic, and river activity surged. Ambulance staff treated dozens for minor injuries from barnacle-coated piles and beach hazards as the town welcomed summer.
A proposal for compulsory crop insurance of next season's wheat against fire and hail will be reviewed by Federal authorities early next year. The plan would levy one sixteenth of a penny per bushel on all delivered wheat to fund the insurance program.
About 500 mourners attended the funeral of Dr A V Benson at North Road Cemetery Prospected North Adelaide. He chaired the Port Adelaide Racing Club for 24 years and was a past president of the Port Adelaide Football Club. Rotary, racing and other associations sent representatives, with lists of pallbearers and attending clubs.
The leading girls and boys in Qualifying Certificate Peamonton are Nancy J Higgie Norwood Dental Marke Ellen E Lang and Graham W Elford with top scores around 13 marks. Unley Central is noted among locations with around 681 marks.
Sunburn cases rise as temperatures hit 103.4 at 2 15 pm in Adelaide. Thousands flock to beaches and hills for the holiday as Government Meteorologist Bromley forecasts more warm weather. Morning readings climbed from 36.9 at 9 am to 98.6 by noon, with a steady rise expected through the day.
Melbourne reports a man and his 18 year old son drowned when their boat capsized at Anderson Inlet during holidays. A party member attempted a rescue but failed. The victims are identified as Hi Mack, 43, of Malvern, and Allan James Mack, 18, reported to be working in Antarctica.
Rear-Admiral Byrd today praised Sir Douglas Mawson and fellow explorers for the Antarctic work done in the South. He expressed disagreement with critics who said Australia and New Zealand had been inactive in Antarctic efforts.
In New South Wales a utility truck overturned near a jetty during a holiday event. A girl, Mise Iris Winter of Carlton, was pinned beneath debris and died minutes after rescue. Injured include Mery Caffery 23 with spinal injuries, Frederick King with a crushed pelvis, Doh Guarke with head injuries, plus Patricia Wollamd of Armale, and others. Four more sustained injuries in the crash.
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