This week in 1920: February 19

Hot Weather.—We feel there is no need to report the all-too-well-known fact that the weather of late has been warm, though seasonable, as the “cheerful cusses” in the community tell us, but the following record of temperature readings taken by Mr F. A. Guenther and which compare almost exactly with the official readings; may be of interest:—February 11, 96; 12, 97: 13, 100; 14, 102; 15, 106; 16, 101, and 17 (yesterday), 102.

The readings on the same dates last year were 93, 93, !02, 106, 105, and 90, and the hottest day thereafter was 94—on March 3.

The hottest day this year was on February 1, when the thermometer climbed up to 107, the two preceding days showing 100 and 101 respectively

Railway Troubles at Katunga.—Farmers around Katunga are complaining bitterly if the inability of the railways department to handle their chaff, which is urgently needed in New South Wales. Apparently on November 22 a request was made to the department to provide trucks at Katunga station in order to transport it to Tocumwal, where freight is transferred to the New South Wales trains. The first truck did not leave Katunga until November 28, and later the farmers were informed that, as the New South Wales department had not sufficient trucks to cope with the chaff arriving at Tocumwal, no further consignments would be adppted. Nothing daunted, the residents of Katunga carried their chaff in waggons by road to Tocumwal, and found plenty of room available i n the N.S.W. trucks. ~it is now alleged the New South Wales railways are refusing to take chaff unless delivered at Tocumwal by rail, and as the Victorian railways are unable to supply Katunga with trucks, the local farmers feel they have a legitimate grievance.

Rabbiting. Up-to-Date.—Last Saturday a six-seated motor car passed through Shepparton with a party of professional rabbiters who had come to spy out the land, and estimate its possihilities from their point of view.

Time was when the equipment or a rabbiter consisted of a dejected-Iooking quadruped that had once been a horse, and a battered vehicle with badly dished wheels. But we are progressing. and it may be that the rabbiter of the future will arrive upon the scene of his operations by aeroplane.

Drunk on Licensed Premises.

Constable DeLaRue v. James Carlisle: Being drunk on the licensed premises of the Cumberland Hotel, Wunghnu. Mr Morrison for defendant, who pleaded not guilty.

Constable DeLaRue deposed that he found defendant drunk in the passage of the hotel. He was standing against a wall, asleep, and as he could not walk witness took him home.

Mr Morrison argued that it had not been proved that the Cumberland Hotel was the premises of a licensed victualler, but the P.M. said the fact that defendant was found in the hotel was quite sufficient for the Bench, and a fine of 10/- was imposed.

Obscene Language.

The same defendant was charged with having used ob

scene language near a public place.

Constable DeLaRue deposed that after putting defendant inside his gate he used certain language (written and handed to the Bench), in a tone sufficiently loud to be heard by persons 10 yards away. Defendant’s wife came out and put something over his mouth to prevent him calling out. Witness walked away, and could hear the word “bastard” from a considerable distance.

To Mr Morrison: Defendant appears to have a grievance against me: have none against him: was not persecuting him: could charge him three days a week if I was looking for charges.

Defendant denied using the language attributed to him. He was annoyed at the constable taking him home as he was quite fit to walk. There were no people near enough to hear what was said. The constable had a “set” on him. He had never got into trouble with other constables at Wunghnu.

Defendant was fined £5, with 10/- costs, the P.M. remarking that the Bench considered Constable DeLaRue was only doing his duty.

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.