SHOCKING DESTITUTION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11762, 24 February 1919, Page 6

SHOCKING DESTITUTION.

pi half-staryed:family. BORDER BA.RRIER INCIDENT. A terrible case of destitution and death, partly caused by the closing of the Queensland border, has come to light in the Tentertield district, says an Australian paper. A veteran of the South African War, F. Clarke, an ‘ upholsterer by trade, with his wife and family, left for Brisbane, two months ago, in search of work on the Darling Downs. On reaching the Downs he found there was no employment, but was told that if be went to Stanthorpe be would able to earn money fruit picking. He pressed on, earning a few shillings here and there, but got .‘no permanent work, and eventually Grossed the border of Queensland into New South Wales at Killaruey on February 2nd. He travelled by means of a broken-down horse and old buggy. I#*% Just after crossing the border his wife became ill ana the children, seven in number, were compelled to walk by the side of the vehicle, while their mother occupied one of the seats of the buggy. The children were barefooted and in rags. They wora also practically starved and almost too weak to walk.

When they readied Amosfield, still on ths hnnt for employment, the quarantine regulations came into force. A doctor and the ambulance at Stanthorpo were prevented from crossing to assist them. The people of Amosfield did all possible for them for two days, meanwhile endeavonrug to get medical assistance for the woman, whose condition was becoming serious. The Tenter field doctor being 40 miles away, and with his hands full could not leave, but recommended that the patient be brought with all expedition to Teuterfieid. The Amosfield people provided a motorcar and brought the family to town, but the woman died shortly after admission to the hospital. The condition of the father and children is wretched in the extrema. They are practically without clothing, and are weak from starvation. They anbsaeted for days on the rab* bits they could catch, and the food they had with them was not fit to feed dogs. The damper was as hard as a brick, and almost indigestible. The children range from 19 years of age to about three years, but owing to privation look much older.