This week in 1919: December 18

House Destroyed by Fire.— Mr W. Saxton sustained a heavy loss on Monday afternoon, when his seven-roomed house was destroyed by fire. It is not known how the outbreak occurred, for there was no fire in the house excepting that in the stove in the kitchen. Mr Saxton was working near the house when he saw smoke issuing from the roof, and immediately rushed inside. By this time, however, the flames had got too great a hold to be successfully combated with the means at hand, and the building and contents were completely burned, the only articles saved being three chairs, a churn, and two drawers taken from a wardrobe. By the help of neighbors the flames were prevented from spreading to the outhouses and fencing. The house was insured for £400 and the furniture for £150, but Mr Saxton’s loss will still be a heavy one.

THE ELECTIONS.

Polling far the election of members of the Commonwealth Parliaments took place on Saturday last, and so far as this district was concerned passed off quietly and without any heated arguments taking place though very decided opinions were expressed by supporters of all three parties. Chief interest locally centred in the fight for the House of Representatives. There were three aspirants—Mr  W. C. Hill (Farmers’ Union), Mr Burt Stewart (Nationalist), and Mr E. F. Russell (Labor). The Numurkah subdivision booths gave Mr Stewart a majority of 203 over Mr Hill 325, the vote showing an absolute majority over the two candidates—528 votes to 488 polled by Mr Hill and Mr Russell combined. As will be seen 1016 votes were cast. At the by election 906 votes were cast, of which Mr Purcell gained 453, and Mr Purbrick 89, Mr Purcell showing a majority of 89 over Mr Hill, and Polling exactly the same number as Mr Hill and Mr Purbrick combined.

An analysis of the figures show ? that Mr Hill in this subdivision polled 39 votes less than he did on the previous occasion, whilst Mr Stewart polled 75 more than did Mr Purcell. In other words, of the total votes cast for Messrs Purcell and Hill at the by-election, the former gained 56 per cent, and Mr Hill 11 per cent. On  Saturday the proportions were — Stewart 62 per cent, Hill 38 per cent. At the by-election Numurkah was the only subdivision in which Mr Hill did not gain a majority over his opponents, but on this occasion he was in a minority on the first count in eight sub-divisions, Mr Stewart beating him in seven and Mr Russell in one.  On the second preferences it seems certain that Mr Hill will be returned by a large majority, for it is estimated that 90 per cent, of Labor’s second preference votes will go to him.

Failure of Orange Trees.—In an issue of this paper published during October we stated, in connection with the prospects of fruit crops in local orchards that orange trees gave promise of yielding prolifically next winter, for the trees had blossomed more profusely than had ever hitherto been the case in this district. A very different story must now be told, however, for after the blossom had “set” exceptionally well, so heavily indeed that it was seen that the trees could not carry the crop, during the past fortnight some destructive element has withered the bulk of the young fruit and caused it to fall to the ground, and in some instances not a single berry remains on the trees. The damage appears to be confined to Washington navel trees only, all other varieties having escaped. There is a difference of opinion amongst growers as to the cause, some believing it to be due to the effect of the frosts in October of last year, as Washington navel frees take a long time to recover their full vitality after a set-back, while others ascribe the mischief to hot winds while the trees were either in the blossom stages or when the fruit had formed. Whatever be the cause, it is certain that next winter’s yield of Washington navels will be much tighter than was anticipated last month.

Cobram “Courier.”

More Land Sales.—Campbell and Co. report recent sales totalling 6600 acres, including 3400 acres during the past week, full particulars of which will appear in these columns in due course. The same firm have during the last twelve months, sold 19 town properties comprising 15 houses and 4 building allotments.

To celebrate the State Library of Victoria’s digitising of the war years editions of the Numurkah Leader, each week we will include the news of the week, 100 years ago.

To view these editions online go to trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/title/591.