Mana (1905-10/11/1923) and Haranui (1913-10/11/1923) Davis. "equalled by the glory"

Dear Dot, — May I join your happy band? I am 12 years old, and in the Fifth Standard. I had the yellow jaundice a few weeks ago, and was in bed for a fortnight. I was gathering mushrooms yesterday, and got two baskets full. I have an uncle at the war. We milk three cows and feed three calves. I am reading a book called "Deep Down," and like it very much. I shall stop now. With love to Paddy from the South and William the Conqueror, not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, HIMIONA TE PIKIKUTUKU (Otara).

[You were unfortunate to get such a complaint during the holidays, Himiona. I hope you are now quite better. — DOT.]  -Otago Witness, 7/2/1917.

Dear Dot, — I am at home by myself today, so thought it a good chance to write. We are having our school picnic on the 30th of this month. I was in town last week, and enjoyed myself very much. We have had our oats in the stack for about a month. I was down at the rocks fishing, and caught two fish. We are having very unsettled weather just now. Love to Queen Tottie and Paddy from the South, not forgeting yourself. — Yours truly, HIMIONA TE PIKIKUTUKU (Otara) 

[When one is alone it is a splendid opportunity to finish odds and ends and make up arrears in correspondence. — DOT.]  -Otago Witness, 4/4/1917.

Dear Dot, — Through it being so wet I lost three days' school. Our teacher left us three weeks ago. The Friday before he went we presented him with an eight-day clock, a set of carvers, and a pipe. We have a new teacher now, but he is going away at the end of the month, and another is coming. When she comes it will be the tenth teacher I have had, and I have been going to school only seven years. All the farmers have started ploughing. There are a few little lambs in the district. Spring began here with very rough weather. My nearest neighbour is leaving the district in a week or two. Since I last wrote two wounded soldiers have returned to this district, and were given a welcome home, at which I was present. Kind regards to Otara Eel, Wink, Cream Rose, and Little Queen Mab, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, HIMIONA TE PIKUKUTUKU (Otara).  -Otago Witness, 14/8/1918.

Dear Dot, — I have shifted from Fortrose up to Bush Siding, and I like the place very much. I am working for my uncle. I put in a few days working at the mill. I see there is a new writer from Fortrose. I think the rabbitskins are going to be a big price this year. There is a good few trapping up this way. I have left school, and I like it very much. There is going to be a dance in the Gorge Road Hall on the 9th April. The Easter holidays will soon be on. My uncle went away for a holiday, and he is not back yet, so I think he is having good time. It is nice to see the train going past, especially when it is dark. Love to Carolina, A Girl from Arizona, Some Kid, and all the other L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. — Yours truly, HIMIONA (Bush Siding).   -Otago Witness, 6/4/1920.

Mana Davis, a boy aged 14 years, met with a painful accident while working in a sawmill at Asher's Siding on Wednesday (says the Wyndham Herald). His hand was so badly crushed in the machinery as to necessitate the amputation of three fingers and a thumb.   -Otago Daily Times, 12/4/1920.

Dear Dot, — Since I last wrote to you I have bad a very dreadful accident. I was working at a sawmill, when my right hand was cut off by the circular saw. I was taken into the hospital, and had to stay there for a fortnight, but now my hand is all healed up, and I am back at school. I can write just as good with my left hand as I could with my right. Our schoolmaster, who has been teaching about 40 years, is now leaving, and a new master is taking his place. I think our school is going to play Waimahaka football. There was a bachelors' ball down here on Friday. — Yours truly, HIMIONA (Fortrose). 

[I am sorry to learn of your accident, Himiona, and I must congratulate you on your use of your left hand. — DOT.]  -Otago Daily Times, 7/9/1920.

POSTHUMOUS HONOURS

SEQUEL TO A LAD’S GALLANTRY 

HEROIC ATTEMPT AT RESCUE 

MEMORIAL CERTIFICATE PRESENTED. 

An exceptionally large gathering of residents of Fortrose and district gathered at the Fortrose School yesterday to witness the presentation of a framed memorial certificate to Mr and Mrs C. Davis, the parents of Mana Davis, an 18-year-old lad who was drowned in the Mataura river on November 19, 1923, in an heroic endeavour to save his brother, Maranui Davis, aged 10 years. 

The presentation was made in the presence of the assembled children by Mr George Cruickshank, S.M., representative of the Royal Humane Society, and in the unavoidable absence of Mr C. Christie, Chairman of the School Committee, Mr T. Golden presided. 

In briefly introducing Mr Cruickshank, Mr Golden said that it was the first time in the history of the district that the residents had gathered together for such a purpose. It would be a great comfort for the bereaved parents to realise that their late son’s action had been recognised so far afield, and with the memorial certificate and the monument which had been erected in the Fortrose Cemetery, the gallant lad’s name would never be forgotten. 

SADNESS AND GLORY. 

Mr Cruickshank said that his pleasure at being present on such an occasion was tinged with sadness, for instead of honouring one whose deed was so gallant, they were present to perpetuate the name of a lad who had given his life in a vain effort to save his drowning brother. The speaker then described the lad’s plucky action that ended in the death of both brothers. 

“The pity of it was only equalled by the glory of it,” he continued, and we can only hope that time will soften the great blow that the accident has been to the father and mother. Mana Davis laid down his life for his brother, and in the afternoon and evening of his parents’ lives they will be happy in the knowledge of their son’s magnificent bravery.” 

Mr Cruickshank added that after the inquest was held he had communicated with the Royal Humane Society of Christchurch, who had felt that the lad’s action was decidedly worthy of commemoration. 

FINE AND UNSELFISH CHARACTER. 

The Rev. T. Moore and Messrs J. Riddell, W. Dawson and H. Chisholm also spoke eulogising the late boy’s fine and unselfish character, and Mr Cruickshank presented Mr Davis with the memorial certificate. 

Mr Davis briefly replied, thanking all for their kindness and sympathy, and the ceremony concluded with “God Save the King.” 

On the grave of the two Davis boys the parents, assisted by residents of the district, have had placed a fine monument and kerbing of Bluff granite, concrete and coloured gravel. The monument, which was unveiled some weeks, ago, after the residents had subscribed to the extent of about £40, also supplemented to the extent of £50 by the parents, was erected as an everlasting testimony to the noble deed of Mana Davis.  -Southland Times, 21/11/1924.

Fortrose Cemetery.

8/182 Private John (30/10/1886-14/5/1916) 8/2869 and Patrick (9/1/1887-27/9/1916) Casey. "this hail of fire"

John Casey was working as a cheesemaker at Waikaka when he enlisted at Milton in 1914.  He suffered a serious wound to an arm during the August offensive on Gallipoli. He recovered to rejoin the Otago Infantry Regiment and moved with them to France.

The Supreme Sacrifice. — Of our young men who left here for the front, we have just received word of our first casualty. John Casey, a fine young fellow, who left with the Main Force, and died in France of pneumonia. He went through the Gallipoli campaign, was wounded, but afterwards rejoined the forces. Much sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Casey, who have two other sons now in France.  -Otago Witness, 7/6/1916.

The chapter of the Official History which covers the day that Patrick Casey died during the Battle of the Somme is titled "A Bitter Experience." I have not found which Company he belonged to and the following, from the Official History, is only possibly the experience of Patrick:

The two leading Companies, 14th and 4th, valiantly endeavoured to press on against this hail of fire; but it was only a question of distance when they were literally swept away by it. Every officer and almost every man became a casualty. The 8th Company, following in rear, now advanced into the breach. With equal gallantry the endeavour to reach Gird Trench was renewed, only to find that the protecting wire in the low lying ground was uncut. Here the attack withered away, and the few survivors, the remnant of three shattered Companies, took refuge in the shell-holes. A few of our men, joining up with the 1st Battalion of Auckland on the right, had succeeded in reaching Gird Trench.

Those who died in the attack were buried where they lay when the survivors were able.  The location of Patrick's remains is unknown.

Fortrose Cemetery.

Lucy Desmond Reardon, (1896-4/12/1915). "thought she had fainted"

DEATH. 

REARDON. — On the 4th inst., at her parents' residence, Kurow, Lucy Desmond, the beloved second daughter of William and Minnie Reardon; in her 18th year. Deeply regretted. R.I.P. 

The Funeral will leave her parents' residence on Tuesday, the 7th inst.. at 2 p.m.. for the Kurow Cemetery. Friends are invited to kindly attend. W. Appleby, Kurow.  -Oamaru Mail, 6/12/1915.

OBITUARY

D.L.F. writers and readers of the page will learn with regret of the death of one of our members, Waitakian (Lucy Desmond Reardon), at the age of 18 years 11 months, which occurred on Saturday, December 4. Some months ago the doctor was treating her for a weak heart, and ordered rest. Waitakian took a fortnight’s holiday, and then resumed her work again as assistant in Brims Bros.’ general store, Kurow. On the fateful day, December 4, she was cycling home for lunch, and was pushing her bicycle irp a hill, when a young man, a friend of the overtook her, and they walked up the hill together. On reaching the top Waitakian started to mount her bicycle, when she fell back dead. The day was excessively hot, and her companion thought she had fainted, but the doctor, on being summoned, pronounced life extinct. The funeral took place at Kurow on Tuesday, December 7. Waitakian was one of the most energetic and popular members when the Hakataramea and Kurow D.L.F. held their socials some time ago. Waitakian’s brother was reported missing a few months ago. so Mr and Mrs Reardon have suffered grievously. I am indebted to F. A. M. for particulars of Waitakian’s death, and I feel sure I am very inadequately expressing the feelings of all D L.F. members when I state that we extend to Mr and Mrs Reardon our sincerest sympathy in their dual loss. DOT.  -Otago Witness, 15/12/1915.

IN MEMORIAM.

REARDON. — In loving memory of Lucy Desmond, youngest daughter of William and .Minnie Reardon, who died at Kurow, 4th December, 1915. 

We often sit and think of her, When we are all alone. 

For memory is the only friend, That grief can call its own. 

— Inserted by her loving parents and sister.  -Oamaru Mail, 4/12/1916.

Kurow Cemetery.

28095 Private Joseph Condon, (10/2/1894-12/9/1923). "deserved every consideration"

 

MUNRO'S HALL, KUROW

A FAREWELL SOCIAL to Privates F. O'Neil, G. McAughtrie, W. Sutherland, and J. Condon will be held on THURSDAY EVENING, 14th September. 

All Returned Soldiers and their immediate relatives cordially invited. 

Gents, 1s; Ladies a basket.

For the Kurow Patriotic Fare-welling Committee. 

J. V. SHERRIS, Hon. Sec.   -Oamaru Mail, 12/9/1916.

KUROW NOTES. 

PATRIOTIC FAREWELLLNG SOCIETY. 

(From Our Own Correspondent). There was a large gathering of people in Munro's Hall, Kurow on Thursday last to give a send-off to Privates Sutherland, O'Neil, Condon, and McCoughtry, who were home on final leave. A splendid programme was presented the proceedings being opened by an overture by Mr and Mrs McTaggart. Songs were given by Mr McGregor, Mr Denem Mr Waugh and Mr Cudmore, and a well rendered glee by the glee party, consisting of Mrs McTaggart, Misses Smart, Condon and McGregor, Mr Waugh, and Mr McGregor. These items were all much appreciated. Mr Waler, of Hakataramea, gave a violin solo with much feeling and expression.

Between the various vocal items a dance was interposed, and before the supper, the chairman, Rev. H. Sholto Bishop, in a short, speech, after apologising for the absence of Mr T. A. Munro, and the Rev. T. Neave, presented each of the men with a luminous-faced wristlet watch, suitably engraved.

A bountiful supper was handed round, and dancing resumed and kept up until a late hour. Mrs McGregor and Mrs McTaggart were the accompaniments, and Miss Munro and Messrs Richardson (Otiake), and O'Grady provided the dance music. The catering section was carried out admirably by the ladies, special thanks being due to Mesdames Munro, Condon, Bishop, Reardon, Murray and Misses Neave, Munro and Reardon.

All arrangements were admirably carried out by the committee under the indefatigable secretary, Mr J. Shines. The men left to return to camp on Saturday morning.  -North Otago Times, 20/9/1916.

Trooper J. Condon, son of Mr J. Condon, of Kurow, who enlisted at was wounded in the face during the recent big offensive, and has been admitted to the base hospital in France.  -Lyttelton Times, 10/8/1917.

John Condon was with the 7th (Wellington-West Coast) Company of the Wellington Infantry Regiment when he was seriously wounded on July 31, 1917.

The 2nd Battalion stormed and captured La Basse Ville on two occasions. On the 27th July, Hawkes Bay Company had little difficulty in taking the village, but the Germans, a few hours afterwards, counter-attacked in comparatively great strength, and drove out the posts left by us as a garrison. On the 31st July, Wellington-West Coast Company, with two platoons of Taranaki Company, again seized the place, and this time all the attackers remained and held it against the counter-attacks that followed. This operation was made conjointly with Ruahine Company, clearing the hedge row system on our left between our posts and the railway line.  -Official History of the Wellington Infantry Regiment.

KUROW NOTES

A June 20th a welcome home social was tendered to Private J. J. Condon. Private Condon was away about two years, and while serving in France was severely wounded, and as a consequence lost a leg. In an appropriate speech, Mr R. H. Appleby welcomed the guest of the evening, saying that he was sorry that Mr Condon had come home maimed, but the public would stand by their young men and see that provision was made for them. Having been maimed in fighting for the Empire, they deserved every consideration. During the evening musical items were contributed by Misses Payne and Norman, and Messrs Coop, Neave, Wotherspoon, and Harstonge, and an exhibition of club swinging was given by Mr Hyland. The accompaniments were played by Mrs Mcgregor and Miss Smith, and supper was provided by the ladies.  -Oamaru Mail, 1/7/1918.

ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS.

RETURNED SOLDIER’ S DEAT H

OAMARU. Sept. 13. John Joseph Condon, single 20, was found in his room at his parents' residence at Kurow on Wednesday, with a bullet wound in the forehead, and he died a few hours after. At the inquest a verdict was returned that death was due to a gunshot wound in the forehead accidentally received. Deceased was a returned soldier. He lost one leg and sustained serious injury to the other at the war.  -Gisborne Times, 14/9/1923.

Our Manaia correspondent states that much sympathy was expressed at Manaia when the very sad news was received, from Kurow, South Island of the death of John Joseph Condon, who accidentally shot himself last Thursday week, September 13. The deceased was a most popular young man. He was very well known in Manaia and district. He spent most of his schooldays at the convent and was a general favourite, both with teachers and schoolmates. He was of a very kindly and affectionate disposition, and made many friends both in the town and district. At the age of 18 years he enlisted from Hawera and served in the late Great War, and at Messines had the misfortune to lose a leg and the other was also badly damaged with shrapnel. Private J. Franklin of Hawera who was a mate of deceased, also had the misfortune to lose one leg at the same engagement. Since coming back from the war he was in business in Kurow, in which he was very successful. He was well esteemed by all the citizens of Kurow and was a general favourite. He was given a military funeral, the Oamaru Times stating that, notwithstanding the inclement weather on Saturday, one of the largest and most representative assemblies gathered to pay their last tributes of respect to Private J. Condon who was accorded a military funeral. A party of returned soldiers, some twenty in number, were under the charge of Lieutenant Neare, six of the party being the pallbearers. The cortege was conveyed from the church to the cemetery upon an army waggon in charge of Driver Ron Munro. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. Father Fenelon, of Oamaru. Kurow returned soldiers comprised the firing party. Three volleys were fired and Bugler D Park sounded the Last Post. Deceased was a nephew of Mrs D. Bashford, of Kaupokonui, and Mr E. J. Massey, of Manaia. The citizens of Manaia and district extend to the father and sisters of deceased their deepest sympathy in their very sad bereavement.  -Hawera & Normanby Star, 22/9/1923.

Kurow Cemetery.

5690 Petty Officer Herbert John Simpson, (1907-5/6/1943). "over the side of the path"

Sailor’s Fatal Fall Over Cape Brett Cliff

(Special) RUSSELL, This Day. Stepping over a Cape Brett cliff last night, a sailor fell 30 feet, sustaining serious head injuries which led to his death. He was: 

Petty-Officer J. Simpson, married. 

It appears that Petty-Officer Simpson was walking up a path on the side of the cliff leading to a dwelling, with another rating, and stepped over the side at the path, falling 30 feet to the ground below. He received a fractured skull and lacerations of the brain. A launch took him to Russell, but he died before being admitted to hospital. Petty-Officer Simpson’s wife resides in the South Island.  -Northern Advocate, 6/7/1943.

FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE

SIMPSON. — As the result of an accident while on duty on July 5, 1943, at Cape Brett, Petty Officer Herbert John Simpson, beloved husband of Sylvie Simpson, of Kurow; aged 36 years. — The Funeral will leave the Presbyterian Church, Kurow, To-morrow (Sunday), July 11, at 2.30 p.m., for the Kurow Cemetery. — Stringer and Wilson, funeral directors, Oamaru.   -Otago Daily Times, 10/7/1943.

Kurow Cemetery.

8/2957 Private Roland Gordon (24/2/1889-2/11/1915) and 8/2956 Corporal Ralph Stanley, Culling, MM, (2/2/1891-4/10/1917) Jefferis. "all the days and years before it"

DEATH OF OTIAKE SOLDIER.

(Contributed.) 

It is with deep regret that we have to announce the death of one of our much-esteemed young men in Private Rowland Gordon Jefferis who died at sea on November 2nd, the sad news of which was received by his parents last week. He left New Zealand shores (accompanied by his brother) with the 7th reinforcements, and much sympathy is extended to his brother and his fellow-mates who have to tread the battlefield without their comrade. Gordon was a young man of uprighteousness, and his genial disposition had earned for him the esteem in which he was held by a wide circle of friends. Quite a gloom has been cast over the district, and we all mourn the loss of one of our brave young men. 

"He answered nobly to his Country's call. Gave her his life: his best, his all.''  -Oamaru Mail, 29/11/1915.

Roland and Ralph Jefferis.

OTIAKE NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The hand of Death has been busy in our midst lately. Just last week Mr Jefferis received word that his son, Private Rowland Gordon Jefferis, died at sea on November 2nd. He was held in very high esteem and the news has cast quite a gloom over the district. Much sympathy is extended to his sorrowing parents, brothers and sisters in their sad loss.  -Oamaru Mail, 30/11/1915.

"The Warrimoo Washout". Troopship magazine of HMNZT 34; contains a obituary notice as follows: 

"Roll of Honor. For King and Country. It is with the sincerest grief we have to announce the death of 8/2957 Pte Gordon Jefferis, 20 Platoon, D Company, 7th Reinforcements, which occurred after a brief illness on the morning of 2nd November. The deceased was extremely popular in his Company and combined the qualities of a good soldier and true comrade so essential to us all at this present time. To his brother, Ralph, who is also on board, and to his parents, we desire to tender our heart felt sympathy in their sad bereavement knowing that this grief is shared by men of all ranks on board Transport 34. The burial took place on the afternoon of the same day, a most impressive service being conducted by Chaplain Captains McLean and Grigg. The body was consigned to the deep with full military honors, the firing party being composed of members of deceased's own section."   -From the "Online Cenotaph."

Private advice has been received by Mr R. Jefferis, Otiake, of how his son, Corporal Ralph Jefferis, won the Military Medal in France (reports the Oamaru Mail). Corporal Jefferis and his mate extracted an 80lb shell from a disabled gun while the fuse was burning. In doing so he was risking his own life, and saved many lives of his comrades. The medal was awarded for coolness and bravery.   -Otago Witness, 23/5/1917.

SOME OF THE FALLEN.

Our Otiake correspondent writes: — Quite a gloom was cast over the little district of Otiake when it was known that Corporal Ralph Jefferis, son of Mr and Mrs Jefferis, had been killed in action on October 4th. Corporal Jefferis was born and educated at Goodwood, and later the family removed to Otiake, where they were engaged in farming. When the war broke out both Ralph and Gordon Jefferis left New Zealand with the 7th Reinforcements, but Gordon died at sea on the voyage over, so the family have suffered heavily in the cause of patriotism. They were both very popular and highly-respected young men. The late Corporal Ralph Jefferis was awarded the Military Medal in April, and his parents and Otiake were justly proud of their gallant soldier. The family are a very patriotic cue in every way. Another son, Corporal Norman Jefferis, is at present in camp at Featherston, and yet another son in Dunedin volunteered but was rejected. Mrs and Miss Jefferis are very able and willing Red Cross workers. The sympathy of the whole community goes out to Mr and Mrs Jefferis in the loss of their noble son.  -Oamaru Mail, 20/10/1917.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE

DEATHS

JEFFERIS. — Killed in action at Passchendaele, October 4, 1917, Corporal Ralph S. C. Jefferis, M.M.; and died at sea, Private R. Gordon Jefferis, November 2, 1915, of Otiake. 

At the setting of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.

JEFFERIS. — In loving memory of Corporal Ralph Jefferis, M.M., who was killed at Passchendaele, October 4, 1917; and his brother, Gordon, who died at sea, November 3, 1915.

No life will ever give what their youth is offering us — that youth which gives in one moment all the days and years before it.  -Otago Daily Times, 4/10/1918.

Kurow Cemetery.

John Thornton Stewart, (1856-21/4/1930). "a devilish wild night"

 MOTAH AND THE MAIDS

How Gushing Girls are Led a Giddy Glide. 

A Wild Night in an Empty House. 

(From "Truth's" Dunedin Rep.) The Turks do well to fit — at least sometimes — 

The women up, because, in sad reality;

Their chastity in these unhappy climes

Is not a thing of that astringent quality,

Which in the North prevents precocious crimes, 

And makes the snow, less pure than our morality.

The sun, which, yearly melts the Polar ice, 

Has quite the contrary effect on vice

If good old Byron had lived in Dunedin for a season, and saw a casual snow fall, he would arrive at the conclusion that instead of reckonings the morality of the dour toun on a level with snow, it would be wiser to substitute a fall of rain that had passed through a soot laden atmosphere. The morality of clerical ridden Dunedin resembles at times, to use the poet's license that meteorological phenomenon known in other countries as black rain. Immorality is no phenomenon in the dour city, as the latest joy ride to date discloses. What a ripping verse Byron would have produced had

THE MOTAH AND THE JOY-RlDE been features of his day! In the poetic line, however, Dunedin has only a bloke named Thornton Stewart, who jingles anent jingoism and sees nothing in the motah.

Caversham is a curious but a very nice place, and happens to have a few empty houses. One of the latter is fully furnished and fenced with a fine orchard. The empty, furnished house, of course, has beds, couches and other accessories before the fact and also casement muslins and lace hangings. All this detail features on part of the programme, the other part being filled up by four motah blokes, and two very loose misses from Arthur street. It happened, in order to make both sides of the programme fit in that one who was concerned in a joy-ride before and pummelled in Court, drove the other three blokes and the "twin belles of the moor" to the empty furnished house, where, with beer, and fags, they all deposited themselves. How they got in is another story. 

It happened that the ring-leader, as he will find out to his cost, had, when the house was occupied lawfully formerly, been a lodger there, and, of course, had a key. This he retained when the occupants left, and it proved the "open sesame" to many a wild night in the cosy cot. The deeds of debauchery and beer chewing that took place there on the final night when the male quartet and the female duo dislocated the concern, are better left uncovered. It was certainly

A DEVILISH WILD NIGHT in Caversham. When morning nearly arrived, the ladies polished themselves all over with the casement muslins, and the four motah-men wiped their dials and their boots on the lace curtains. They left a drunken candle burning on a dressing table, and it was a wonder the cosy cot was not burned to the ground.

Now, It Is quite time for these motor blokes to draw a rein. Their scandalous doings for the past 12 months would fill columns of this family journal. The two "ladys" concerned, from Arthur-street, are deplorable dames, but, like the major portion of fallen femininity their sins are not of their own making, and that's quite enough about them. The motor blokes, however, are of a different brand as they are becoming a veritable menace to many giddy but innocent girls. To illustrate their method of trading on innocence: — They use the motor as their chief bait. A free jaunt in the car is offered to any aimless and foolish female, who has nothing to do but haunt the streets. The gullible maid, always eager for the motor ride, gets another girl and, on the quiet, the motor man and the trafficker. The joy-ride is initiated, and as they succeed in plugging the silly girls with port wine or beer, the same ladies return to town minus their decency. It is the first shove on the short road to ruin, and is a nightly occurrence in Dunedin. It, however, as often happily happens, the girls won't look at the beer or port wine, the decent motor men or their masters for the time being, make the trip an extra long one, as happened in connection with Saddle Hill some time ago. If the girls then don't

SUCCUMB TO THE BANEFUL DESIRES of the blokes, they are put out of the car and left in a lonely district in the darkness and rain to find their way back to town as best they can. Two of the gents are very old offenders at the game and very successful ones, too. 

There are several decent motor drivers in Dunedin, but the four blokes under discussion, one of whom is a married man, would shame a mob of Chinese criminals.

However, nuff said presently; there may be much more anon.  -NZ Truth, 25/11/1914.

"A bloke named Thornton Stewart" - who was he?

Newspaper references to a J Thornton Stewart connect him with the entertainment business - in fact, in the vanguard of the new entertainment technology of the time, the bioscope, now known as the moving picture.

It can be reasonably assumed that he of the bioscope and he of the "motah" are one and the same due to "Truth's" reference to the "jingling" of "jingoism." It local Dunedin papers in 1914 were published patriotic poems by Mr J Thornton Stewart. He was also a member of and contributor to the Dunedin Gaelic Society.

"Truth's" description of goings-on in a Caversham house and sinful joy rides reads like a challenge. Stewart had two options in light of "Truth's" revelations: he could ignore it as beneath his notice or he could prosecute the newspaper for libel and brave the reportage from the witness box.  He chose the former.

J Thornton Stewart ceases to be reported in local newspapers in 1916 - after a civil suit to recover a moderate sum of money. Poetical effusions from a Mr J T Stewart from Wellington began to appear shortly after.  In 1920 he seems to be back in Dunedin and writing to newspapers on a number of subjects until the following year.

DEATH.

STEWART. — On April 21st, 1930, at Dunedin, John Thornton Stewart, late of Glasgow, Scotland; aged 74 years. — Hugh Gourley, Ltd., undertakers.  -Evening Star, 24/4/1930.

Stewart's death has a small mystery to it.  Dunedin's cemetery records include a John Thornton Stewart and the date is correct. They also state that he died in the Seacliff mental asylum. It was, it seems, a common practice to avoid the stigma of being an asylum patient by reporting the death as occurring in Dunedin and, often, the funeral procession would begin at the family home with no mention of place of death.

As to his reason for being at Seacliff, it is tempting to wonder if past indiscretions, or even a double life, caught up with him in some way.