This week in 1919: September 4

THE SHOW SPORTS.

A MOST SUCCESSFUL DAY

A CROWD OF FINE WORKERS.

If proof of the enthusiasm animating members of the Agricultural society in the task of placing that body in the position it should occupy were asked for, it was given in abundant measure at the sports meeting held on Wednesday afternoon last. A recapitulation of the events leading up to the decision of the old committee to wind up , the society’s chairs and the reconstruction of the organisation is unnecessary: the main thing is that the society has been reconstructed, and on such a solid foundation that nothing short of sheer inertia or gross mismanagement will allow of it falling back into the old condition of affairs. The men now conducting the society are for the most part young and enthusiastic, and they possess what was organisation without which no body can hope to permanently succeed. The people are the same as they have always been: all they needed was a strong lead, and that having been given, they have rallied round the society and already have placed it in a condition it has not enjoyed for many years. True, the commitments of the society are large, but these are a mere bagatelle when the resources of the district are considered, and there is no shadow of reason to suppose that the undertakings given by the executive committee of the society will not be redeemed.

ECHUCA BY-ELECTION.

SELECTING A NATIONALIST CANDIDATE.

A conference of representatives of branches of the National Federation was held at Shepparton on Friday afternoon last for the purpose of selecting a candidate to contest the Echuca electorate by-election. The candidates for pre-selection were Messrs D. C. Morrison, barrister and solicitor. Tatura; J. Burt Stewart, solicitor, Rushworth; and Major F. G. Purcell, landholder and journalist, Yea.

Mr F. G. Moss presided. Each of the candidates was given 20 minutes in which to address the meeting, and at the conclusion of the addresses a vote was taken under the preferential system, Major Purcell obtaining a majority on the first count.

Major Purcell is thus the selected candidate of the National Federation, but it is not too much to say that a great deal of dissatisfaction exists at the manner in which the selection was made. There were only 15 branches represented at the conference, we understand, and if all the delegates were on the same footing as the Numurkah delegates, then the whole proceedings were a farce. This branch was represented by Mr T. F. Lyons, together with Mr Moss. Mr Lyons lives at Essendon, and though an estimable gentleman in every respect and holding large interests in the electorate, he can scarcely claim to be able to represent the opinion of the whole district covered by the Numurkah branch of the federation.

Mr Lyons was appointed at a regularly convened meeting of the branch, we are informed, but as far as we are aware, a representative of this paper at tended every meeting advertised, and certainly no delegates were appointed at these meetings. In any case, it is admitted that the delegates did not receive instructions as to which candidate they should support, and members of the Numurkah branch are taking exception to their votes being disposed of in such a loose manner.

A Heavy Loss.—Messrs A. Dunning and W. Urquhart sustained a heavy loss yesterday afternoon when their Clydesdale stallion, Irwell Hero, died from an attack of colic.

Horse Parade.—The horse parade held under the auspices of the Agricultural Society on Wednesday last was a sorry affair, only four horses putting in an appearance, and of these one was too late to take part in the “parade.” 

Victorian Producers.—A general meeting of shareholders of the above society will be held in the Shire Hall on Friday afternoon next, at 3 o’clock, when a decision will be come to regarding a proposal to establish an office in the main street. Mr Gregson managing director will be present

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.