10 June 1902, Adelong and Tumut Express and Tumbarumba
Post
Tumut
It is our painful duty to record the death, at 9
years of age, of the eldest daughter of Mr. P. J. McGuire, of our town. On
Friday last, after a lengthened period of intense suffering from inflammation
of the brain, the little one passed away. Dr. Mason did all he could to relieve
the little sufferer, but the fiat had gone forth, and earthly aid proved
unavailing. The funeral took place on Saturday evening last, the children
attending the Convent School, in addition to many other mourners, following the
last mortal remains of their little schoolmate to the grave. The Rev. Father O'Dwyer officiated during the burial service, and Mr. H. W.
Hoad carried out the undertaking duties. We tender the bereaved parents our
deepest sympathy under their sad trouble; but She is not dead – the child of
our affection – But gone, unto that school Where she no longer needs our poor
protection And Christ himself doth rule.
To-morrow our Tumut soldier boys are expected to
arrive in town, when a grand reception will be. in store for them. It is
intended to meet them on horseback, exchange seats with them in the coach, and
let them ride into town with the dash that made many a Boer on the veldt
clear for his dear life. On arrival in town, they will be formally welcomed by the
Mayor (Alderman Blakeney), at O'Brien's Hall, and at night, a social, presentation
of medals, winding up with a dance, will be accorded
them.
We anticipate a very large attendance and trust our
Adelong friends will join the merry company. In grateful recognition of the proclamation
of peace, a number of our townspeople assembled at the council chambers to take
into consideration the necessity of what, for a long time, has been attempted,
namely, the erection of a monument to the memory of Troopers F. Morris and Murray,
who fell on the battlefield of South Africa. Mayor Alderman J. Blakeney
presided. An apology was received from Mr. R. M. Shelley, who contributed £1 Is
towards the Returning Soldiers Medal Fund. Moved by Mr. Groves, seconded, by Mr.
Dear, 'That a monument be erected, at the intersection of Russell and Wynyard
streets, to the memory of Troopers Morris and Murray.' On the motion of Messrs.
Groves and Clayton, it was carried "That the Tumut Dramatic Club, be
approached, with a view to getting them to give a performance for the object of
raising funds for same." An executive committee, consisting of Messrs.
James Blakeney, R. Donaldson, B. Clayton, R. Dear, Bates and C. S. Byrne, with power
to add to their number, was appointed to carry out the object in view.
On Sunday last special thanks giving
services, morning and evening, were held in All Saints' Church for peace and
for rain. The Rev. T. E. Owens-Mell delivered appropriate addresses on both
occasions, special psalms and hymns being used and special thanksgiving
offered. At night the rev. speaker chose, for his text, Jeremiah, 6th chapter,
and 14th v, "They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people
slightly, saying peace, peace, when there was no peace." He said Britain
would not cry peace when there was no peace.
It had been an undesired war on her part and plunging
into war made a deep wound that grew wider as days rolled on into months, and
months into years. Gladstone, in 1881, out of the goodness of his heart, had
cried peace when there was no peace; but now all was amicably settled. They
were not to glory in conquest, but bestow on the Boers
the privileges of British subjects, always remembering "to whom much is given,
of them shall much be required." The speaker delivered a sterling address
which was listened intently to throughout.
A glorious rain set in shortly before midnight on
Saturday last and continued without much interruption all day on Sunday. It is
to be hoped that this break in the weather will extend to the parched plains
and give the stock now in our mountains a chance of once more being shifted to
their previous homes.