HALF-STARVED FAMILY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9546, 11 March 1919, Page 6

HALF-STARVED FAMILY.

<BOR.T>KR. BARRIER INCIDENT.

A terrible case of destitution and death, partly caused by the closing of i'he Queensland border, has come to light in the Tenterfield district, says au Australian paper.

A veteran of the South African War, i?\. Ciarlie, an upholsterer by trade, with liis.wife, and family, left for Brisbane two months ago, in search of work on the Darling Down's. On reaching the 'Do-vns he found that chero was no employment,, but was told that if he went to Stanthorpe he would prubiibly be able to earn money fruit pick'ng. He pressed on, earning a few ;>hillings here and there, but got no permanent work, and eventually cros-s----t-d the border of Queensland into New South Wales at Killarney on February 2. He travelled by means of a breakdown horse • and old buggy.

Just after ■ crossing', the border his ,rifo became ill and the children, seven In number, were compelled to walk by the ; .side.of the- vehicle, while their .'ihjiiier ocoupied one of the seats of che buggy. The children were barerouted and in. rags. They were also practically starved, and, almost too wv'uk to walk.

When;they, reached■•Aniosfield, still ;m the hunt for employment, the quarantine regulations came into force. A d-r-tor and the ambulance at Stanthorpe were prevented from crossing t,- iis.sist them. The people of Anioslif'rl did all possible for them for two days, meanwhile endeavouring to get trifj iioal assistance for the woman, y.-hese condition was becoming seri-

The Tenterfiekl doctor being 40 miles away, and with his hands full, could no!: leave, but recommended that the patient be brought with all expedition !<> T."nterfield. The Amosfiel'd people provided a motor-car and brought the IV-;r,:!y to town but the. woman died •h':: tly after admission to the hospi'i'';o condition of the father and t-liil- <!:■.■■.; is wretched in the extreme. They :\rr- practically without clothing, and ; <;<^ weak from starvation. They snibsisiod for days on the rabbits they tvi'l.'J catch, and the food they had •idl them was not fit to feed dogs. '!(<. damper was as hard--as a brick, • 'ihl almost indigestible. n>> children range-from 19 years of ■I-,-.;!- i.o about three yeans, but owing ;•>■' jti-j'vatibn look much older..